A true story… Things are not always what they appear.

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 Mervyn’s 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, ‘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.

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