NOISE COMPLAINT AT LUKE AFB:

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-wannabe's feel we need this wake-up
call, or were they trying to impress the cashiers at Mervyns earlybird
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 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 and the people 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

P.S. 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.

http://www.truthorfiction.com/rumors/l/lukeafb.htm