BeetleBailey
12-13-2008, 10:40 PM
Luke AFB is west of Phoenix and is rapidly being surrounded by civilization that complainsabout 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 complainingabout 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 for Luke Air Force Base: Whom do we thank for the morning air show? Last Wednesday, at precisely 9:11 A.M., a tightformation of four F-16 jets made a low pass over Arrowhead Mall, continuing west over Bell Roadat approximately 500 feet. Imagine our good fortune! Do the Tom Cruise-wannabes feel we needthis wake-up call, or were they trying to impress the cashiers at Mervyns earl 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 timedfour-ship fly by of F-16s from the 63rd Fighter Squadron at Luke Air Force Base flew over thegrave of Capt. Jeremy Fresques. Capt Fresques was an Air Force officer who was previously stationed at Luke Air Forde Base andwas 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 tomourn the loss of a husband, son and friend. Based on the letter writer's recount of the fly by, and because of rhe jet noise, I'm sure you didn'thear 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 veteransand servicemen and womwen 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 indefense of freedom. We are professional aviators and take our jobs seriously, and on June 15 what the letter writerwitnessed 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 willmake 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 formationof their lives. Only 2 defining forces have ever offered to die for you..... Jesus Christ and the Americian Soldier. Lt. Col. Grant L. Rosensteel, Jr. USAF