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 theback . 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 theUnited 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 .

USAF

Small minded people I guess. Clever response.

An excellent response.  People are all to quick to forget those that have made the ultimate sacrifice so that we may enjoy the freedoms and opportunitites that we take for granted.

That was a great response to the complaint the bonehead made.  Want to add more, but, it wouldn't be polite nor friendly. LOL

I live in Phoenix and have visited Luke AFB countless times for various reasons. People here gripe about noise from the base, the international airport, the Natioanl Guard Reserve, and even the sports complexes that passed vote. When you've got over 1.5 million people in a 474 sq. mile (1,222 sq. km) oven/valley, some silly complaints are gonna get heard. BTW, right now at 5 AM, it is 88 degrees F (31 C) and the high today is only 111 F (44 C). But I live here and pay exorbitant air conditioning costs by choice.

Kudos to the commander not only for answering the complaint, but reprimanding the complainer and honoring the airman at the same time. I'm glad some people still have the honor and the chutzpah to stand up to... jerks... nowadays. And my thankis to the OP, you made my morning

I am honoured to see such magnificent aircraft grace any skyline!!!
As for those who dont approve of such, let them realise that without such craft in our skies we would be without a very strong form of defence.
What narrow minded idiots!
I remember a couple that wrote to stop the chinooks from flying over their property in the early hours.....oh such joy when they went off in the early hours to join our boys out in Iraq....they couldnt do a thing about it because it was a call of duty and not exercise!!! Class act!!!
Let them moan, I say salute those courageous heroes!!!

FLY STRONG, FLY SAFE!!!

That just gave me goosebumps.  What a terrific response.