Luke AFB (Phoenix, Peoria, Sun City: military, jobs, new home)

[newtonmc]

im in the military stationed at luke afb and got this email the other day.

thought i'd share...
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Luke AFB is west of Phoenix and is rapidly being surrounded by a community 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' (Letters, Thursday):

On June 15, at precisely 9:12 a.m, a perfectly timed four-ship flyby 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 flyby, 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 flyby is a display of respect the Air Force pays 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.



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

[ranman469]

the same type of thing happened back in Michigan.
they built new homes in plain view of a freeway the new home owners got together to complain and cry that the road noise is to loud. in the end they resurfaced the road and built a sound wall.

i`m so tired of all the winers. every day at work someone complains about it being hot???? i always what did you expect you live in a desert.

[SOON2BNSURPRISE]

I want to thank those men for the service that they provide this nation and offer a humble show of respect for the young man that lost his life in the defence of our great Nation. One of the reasons that I love Surprise so much is because of the proximity to Luke AFB. I grew up in Port Hueneme, CA in a Navy town. The USN had an Air base near by and I always loved having the planes over head. Especially loved it during the time when the yearly airshow rolled in. For those that live in Surprise remember that you were informed about the potential noise and the aircraft flying over head. For me I love it. Nothing nicer than an F16 or some other high performance aircraft flying over head. Luke was there a long time before most of the homes in Surprise. Please thank those that take the time to protect the rest of us.

[ibarrio]

I lived in Las Cruces, NM, Palmdale, CA, and now Surprise...so the planes don't bother me. I hardly ever notice...when I do I look up to check them out...Very Cool...

[Finger Laker]

this is pretty old - for those who are interested provided is the letter writers response

I read with increasing embarrassment and humility the response to my unfortunate letter to The Republic concerning an Air Force flyby ("A wake-up call from Luke's jets," Letters, June 23).
I had no idea of the significance of the flyby, and would never have insulted such a fine and respectful display had I known.
I have received many calls from the fine airmen who are serving or have served at Luke, and I have attempted to explain my side and apologized for any discomfort my letter has caused.
This was simply an uninformed citizen complaining about noise.
I have been made aware in both written and verbal communications of the four-ship flyby, and my heart goes out to each and every lost serviceman and woman in this war in which we are engaged.
I have been called un-American by an unknown caller and I feel that I must address that. I served in the U.S. Navy and am a Vietnam veteran. I love my country and respect the jobs that the service organizations are doing.
Please accept my heartfelt apologies.
Tom MacRae, Peoria

when you are outside the flight path you don't expect to hear much from the jets and usually where I'm at in goodyear we don't - however, on occasion when they do come by rumbling (like the other night at like 11pm) i never feel it's worth the effort to comlain about

there's an AFB there - we all knew it - 3 minutes of a little rumble every now and again is perfectly fine

[AzDreamer]

This idiot must think that Air Force planes are out joyriding all day, looking for old hippies to scare.

[markas214]

I enjoy watching the jets. Very cool.

[ranman469]

sorry i forgot to say. thank you!!! for you service

[gulfer]

I am in the military, and I have to admit, was put off at the beginning of this thread. I will say though, it takes a good person to admit their mistake and I thought it was very sincere in how this citizen made the apology.
Glad to see this posted, as no others think the same when these professionals fly by.

Good thread and thank you for posting.

"God Bless" those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice that we all may enjoy what this great country provides!!

[joninaz]

How anyone can complain about the sound from fighter jets is beyond me. Even if you don't like the sound from most aircraft, our military jets are something magically different. To see/hear/feel them in flight is a thrill.

I distinctly remember the eerie silence living near LAX in the days after 9/11 and the only sound from the sky were the fighter jets on patrol. To me and many others, their "noise" was a comforting security and the sound of freedom.

I'd like to salute those at Luke AFB, but I've not earned the privilage to do even that. So hopefully a thank you will suffice.