huskernumerouno
All-American
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
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
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