Jet Noise In Arizona

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:

Who 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, 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 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.

USAF

All that's needed for evil to prosper is for good men to do
nothing...Edmund Burke