Some of you may have seen this

[Tracy]

(I admit I stole this post from someone else who posted on the GTH forums, but thought you guys might like a read as well).

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.

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. The response from a Luke AFB officer, is recorded below.

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 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.

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.

[Maldar]

Being a skeptic of stories flying around the Internet (no play on words intended), I phoned The Arizona Republic newspaper and was told that every word of this article is true. How refreshing to read an honest article from the email world for a change.

[Lord Drakelord]

Retired Army here, Air Force brat first, my real father did three tours in Vietnam, he was the guy on the ground calling in the AF bomb runs. During his state side tours we live near that Base.

My Mother and stepfather, when they were alive, had a home near there, over by Wittmann, and when I visit them I would go shopping at the Base PX.

[Julion]

for most of my adult life phoenix has been my 'home' base. I might leave for awhile but it was always waiting for me to return too it.
When we first moved here in 68 luke was not the only base in town and there was nothing around it. And Draklord, my family used to shop at Luke's px also.

In the years that followed they closed williams and ASU bought it(they shoot movies there if u can beleave that). It is still used by civillian air trafic.

B-52s no longer can be seen taxing down the runways of skyharbor. It is a major Air line hub now.
But....no one is dumb enough or the local gov will not let them build anything close to either of those places.

Not so Luke.
It has always been loud around there.
I do not understand who would under any circumstances buy a house next to it. except those who need to. Not to mention it is dangerious to live close to a fighter trainer base.
But they have completly encircled that base with homes and strip malls.
hell just a couple miles to the west is a major ret community.(I've never heard them complain).