fritz Posted July 12, 2007 Report Share Posted July 12, 2007 AzRedneck, can you verify if this story is correct. It is from your area-- A Wake Up Call From Luke AFB, AZ Luke AFB is west of Phoenix and is rapidly being surrounded by civilization that complains about the noise from the base and its planes, forgetting that it was there long before they were. A certain lieutenant colonel at Luke AFB deserves a big pat on the back. Apparently, an individual who lives somewhere near Luke AFB wrote the local paper complaining about a group of F-16s that disturbed his/her day at the mall. When that individual read the response from a Luke AFB officer, it must have stung quite a bit. The complaint: "Question of the day for Luke Air Force Base: Whom do we thank for the morning air show? Last Wednesday, at precisely 9:11 a.m., a tight formation of four F-16 jets made a low pass over Arrowhead Mall, continuing west over Bell Road at approximately 500 feet. Imagine our good fortune! Do the Tom Cruise-wannabes feel we need this wake-up call, or were they trying to impress the cashiers at Mervyns early bird special? Any response would be appreciated." The response: Regarding "A wake-up call from Luke's jets" (Letters, Thursday): On June 15, at precisely 9:12 a.m., a perfectly timed four-ship flyby of F-16s from the 63rd Fighter Squadron at Luke Air Force Base flew over the grave of Capt. Jeremy Fresques. Capt. Fresques was an Air Force officer who was previously stationed at Luke Air Force Base and was killed in Iraq on May 30, Memorial Day. At 9 a.m. on June 15, his family and friends gathered at Sunland Memorial Park in Sun City to mourn the loss of a husband, son and friend. Based on the letter writer's recount of the flyby, and because of the jet noise, I'm sure you didn't hear the 21-gun salute, the playing of taps, or my words to the widow and Parents of Capt. Fresques as I gave them their son's flag on behalf of the President of the United States and all those veterans and servicemen and women who understand the sacrifices they have endured. A four-ship Flyby is a display of respect the Air Force pays to those who give their Lives in defense of freedom. We are professional aviators and take our jobs seriously, and on June 15 what the letter writer witnessed was four officers lining up to pay their ultimate respects. The letter writer asks, "Whom do we thank for the morning air show?" The 56th Fighter Wing will call for you, and forward your thanks to the widow and Parents of Capt. Fresques, and thank them for you, for it was in their honor that my pilots flew the most honorable formation of their lives. Lt. Col. Scott Pleus CO 63rd Fighter Squadron Luke AFB submitted by fritz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AzRednek Posted July 12, 2007 Report Share Posted July 12, 2007 Fritz I do recall the incident but I believe the dates are last year. Sun City, supposedly the largest retirement community in the country makes waves about the noise at Luke AFB. To many old people in Sun City with way to much time on their hands. Problem is they have time, they all vote and politicians listen. Luke AFB supports the country's largest gunnery range in southern Az that is also used by the Navy and Marines. Luke also trains foreign friendlys. The fogies mostly complain about take-off and landing exercises. The pilots take off, fly a small circle, return to base and take off again. Most the locals ignore the noise and the pilots do avoid populated areas especially when they kick in the loud after burners but there are always some group of old fogies from Sun City complaining. Usually a bunch of widows that were well kept by their older husband, protected all their lives and used to getting their own way by complaining. Some of my fondest memories as a kid was watching military planes flying into Luke. I was about 20 miles west of the base. Many of the prop fighter planes were scrapped at Luke. In the late 50's during the summer my friends and I would sit it the yard with binoculars and a book and try to identify the planes. As teenager we got a little brave, would stand right outside the chain link fence by the runway and moon the pilots. As soon as the AP's started coming up the dirt road adjacent to the runway we'd see the dust cloud coming, jump in the car and take off. Kid I went to school with got himself in deep doodo shooting roman candles at landing planes and spent some time in juvie for it. Since 9-11 can't get close to the base, their are armed guards everywhere. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AzRednek Posted July 12, 2007 Report Share Posted July 12, 2007 I found the letter to the editor, it was 2005. I couldn't find the responce but I remember it. http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/o...hurlets239.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sphingta Posted July 14, 2007 Report Share Posted July 14, 2007 here is a link for another response and his apology http://patriotvoices.blogspot.com/2005/07/...-complaint.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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