To: CBIRF_Officers; CBIRF_SNCOs
Subject: FW: Luke AFB wake up call
Importance: Low
A Wake Up Call From Luke AFB, AZ
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" (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 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. Scott Pleus CO 63rd Fighter Squadron Luke AFB
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