A Wake-up call
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.

 

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.