This is a complete slap in the face to the person who wrote a letter to a newspaper complaining about an F16 flyover!

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-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 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, 'Whom do we thank for the morning airshow? 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.

Only 2 defining forces have ever offered to die for you....Jesus Christ and the American Soldier. One died for your soul, the other for your freedom.

Lt. Col. Grant L. Rosensteel, Jr.
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg...&GRid=11521628
USAF

 

Oldie, but a goodie.

 

Love it!!

 

I hadn't heard that one before

good read

 

lol Im just thinking about that persons face when they didnt get an appology like they were probably expecting. Those are the folks I want to give a swift kick in the @$$ to.

 

Heck, if I heard four F-16s flying 500 feet overhead I'd drop my bags and go run outside to look! I love planes!

 

Yeah, its been online for a while but definately worth the re-read. And luckily I live only 20 mins from that air force base and have seen their fly overs. Just amazing. And shows the true side of the people who live in this state. 3/4 of the people are like this, I hate it.

 

X2

I live south of the old Pease AFB and we used to see all kinds of cool stuff. Now we only see tankers and an occasional air show.

 

I miss the days of the B-52s from the 93rd Bomb Wing flying over my house.

 

I live between Camp Pendelton and Miramar and get the big two propeller helicopters flying over all the time.

How they can make a big metal pipe fly always amazes me.

Great story.

 

Those are some big momas. Every once and a while I'll get a low altitude fly by from Barksdale, in Bosier La. But not often, it's usually when only when there is some kind of a problem. And by low altitude, I mean 10,000 to 15,000 feet, estimated.
I used to go to Barksdale every year for the Holiday in Dixie airshow, but I don't even know if they have that show any more.