(This was forwarded to me by a friend. The picture didn't come through on my email) 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' On June 15, at precisely 9:12 a.m., a perfectly timed four- ship fly by of F-1 6s 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 fly by, 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 fly by is a display of respect the Air Force gives 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, 'Who m do we thank for the morning air show? The 56th Fighter Wing will make the 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. Grant L. Rosensteel, Jr. USAF
I use to live 3 miles from the North end of the runways at Luke. When I bought the house I was made aware that F-16's flew over all of the time. Within a month of moving in all of my neighbors were trying to get Luke to stop flying over there houses. Needless to say there lawsuit was thrown out.
Apparently a true story, though the writer's name was changed. The original complainer even published an apology. http://www.snopes.com/politics/military/wakeup.asp
While that letter was written in poor taste, I commend the writer for their apology. It was very well writen and handled properly. A very sad story to read, and a very heart-felt response by both Lt. Col. and the writer of the letter. Chris
I didn't take the time to check it out last night and hesitated to post the letter because of that. I was hoping someone would check it out for me. Thanks.
That's an old letter, and there are a lot of misinformed people out that way. I was stationed at Luke from 94-98, there were a lot of noise complaints about that base. What I want to know is what do they expect to hear from an F-16 training base that has over 200 F-16's that conducts night flying exercises?
Geez.........I'd love to live near an air force base. Jet noise is beautiful, and after a while it's just part of the background anyways. When I am bored I occasionally go and sit up in the specially designated spotters row at our international airport with my binos. Seen lots of interesting civilian and military stuff over all hours of the day
Old letter or not, the message durable and well put. In the past I have been engaged in some heated " discussions" about peripheral airport newcomers who have the idea that because they moved there the airport has to go. As soon as the airport begins usage the power company decides to string high tension wires at the north approach. When they find out that airplanes can take off to the south, they string higher tension wires there. Then there is a big fight with a developer who cannot understand why he can't erect a 20 story office building just north of the end of the runway. Then all kinds of business parks and malls are placed in the flight path and, again, they complain about the AIRPLANES THAT ARE FLYING OVER. There's all kinds of pinched up little minds who have no idea that we have a military and men and women who are putting their lives on the line so the whiners can whine. Switches
Every couple of days I have Military flying over my house on a regular basis from NAS Whidbey to the Yakima Firing Range in Southeast Washington. I remember the days right after 911 and the eerie absence of any and all sport and commercial air traffic in my area, ........that is until they geared up for Desert Storm. I had a steady stream of junk pounding over the house on exercises 24 hours a day for weeks!. Fighers, Weezels and booming turbo props. I felt safe..........................
About the only time I see or hear a military A/C now is when they are transporting a miniuteman III missile through town.. About 2-3 UH-1's overhead and about 10 Security forces Humvees escorting it.
I live close to a military airbase myself (RAF Leuchars, north east Scotland) though the noise can be a pain I bought the house long after the base was there and being an ex military guy based there I have no cause for compalint and never would. Last July a Tornado from Leuchars crashed on a training exercise killing both occupants, the funeral was held in the local church My Son,Daughter and myself stood outside and listened to the service we waited until the hearse departed bowing our heads in respect for two young men who also gave the ultimate sacrifice. Personally for me it was so gratifying to watch my two children (aged 15 & 16) show such respect for two People they never knew.
I was at Luke in the early 70's for training and the same old complaints were common. Simple, if you don't want to hear the aircraft don't move there...some people are just dumber than bricks...unreal.
We just had an airshow about a week ago at the Davis-Monthan airbase in Tucson (I went both days - loved it!) and your comment reminded me of a conversation I recently had with a Korean War Veteran at that show. While an A-1 Skyraider and A-10 Warthog flew overhead for some demonstration passes, he smiled and recounted how this reminded him of "feeling safe" every time our planes flew overhead while they were in the thick of it. That left a big impression on me.
