Letters to the editor...

[muddyboots]

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-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.

USAF

I am not sure this is really the right place to put this, and I'm hoping after Scott's recent fist shaking that we can reign in our replies, but I thought this was worth posting. I'm including it because it involves, well, I guess you can see why I posted.

My thanks to LTC Rosensteel--and thanks for your service.

[Shay]

http://warbirdinformationexchange.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=14633&highlight=luke+mall+f16

Shay
____________
Semper Fortis

[262]

i live close to the flight path of luke, and it is a real pain.i cannot get any work done because i keep running out the door to see the cool jets go by y

[gary1954]

Amen Lt. Col. Grant L. Rosensteel, Jr. Amen

[b29flteng]

i live close to the flight path of luke, and it is a real pain.i cannot get any work done because i keep running out the door to see the cool jets go by y

You've got the disease real bad.....

[Matt Gunsch]

I used to work at Moseley field, west of Luke on the downwind leg. You get used to them doing circuits and kind of blot them out, until one day something sounded different. We went out and saw a F-15, one engine out, dumping fuel and heading back to Luke.

[Owen Miller]

I fight the battle annually with recent imports to the lower AL area.
They complain about the USN training flights out of Pensacola &
Whiting. I give them some history, tell them how long they navy
has been doing this, and what it REALLY means in terms of their
freedom......MORONS.....

I live right under the approach to the old Brookley AFB in Mobile.
The navy frequently uses it for bounce practice. When I'm in the
yard working I always look up and wave at the kids when they
turn on final. I hope some of them see it......

Some years ago the young USN LT who bought and tried to save
Trader Jon's in P'cola and I were talking about this same thing.
He was an IP at the time. After that he would often blip the throttle
when he flew over. Reaaly good guy - I often wonder where he is
today and hope he's happy!

Owen

[MacHarvard]

We've all heard the phrase that 'The Pen is Mightier than the Sword'. As a professional writer, I appreciate what Lt. Col. Rosensteel was able to achieve with words, yet without invective. The complainant must surely feel more foolish and ashamed now than he would have had he been punched in the face.

Well done, sir.

[RickH]

The story says June 15 but this actually happened several years ago.

The original complainer sent an apology after he was informed.

[Dave Downs]

About 15 minutes ago I walked to window of my office to watch 2 A-10s in close formation, gear & flaps down, on a long instrument approach to Willow Grove Joint Reserve Base - they were from my old unit, the 103 TASS.

I've also been known to run out into the parking lot when hearing round motor sounds..........

[gary1954]

I would put up with the "noise" of a Sqaudron of A-7s and F-16s as opposed to the sound of one enemy aircraft or terrorists bomb

[Randy Haskin]

My favorite "noise complaint" sign -- a version of this used to hang in a USAF F-15C squadron up in Alaska several years ago:

[david layne]

I fight the battle annually with recent imports to the lower AL area.
They complain about the USN training flights out of Pensacola &
Whiting. I give them some history, tell them how long they navy
has been doing this, and what it REALLY means in terms of their
freedom......MORONS.....

I live right under the approach to the old Brookley AFB in Mobile.
The navy frequently uses it for bounce practice. When I'm in the
yard working I always look up and wave at the kids when they
turn on final. I hope some of them see it......

Some years ago the young USN LT who bought and tried to save
Trader Jon's in P'cola and I were talking about this same thing.
He was an IP at the time. After that he would often blip the throttle
when he flew over. Reaaly good guy - I often wonder where he is
today and hope he's happy!


You and I are neighbours. I live about 15 miles away from Brookley at airport 5R7.

Owen

[N3Njeff]

My favorite "noise complaint" sign -- a version of this used to hang in a USAF F-15C squadron up in Alaska several years ago:

Randy THAT IS PRICELESS!!!!!!! I would like to get that in poster form.

[cozmo]

That is funny.

Where is that motivational poster maker link when you need it.