TrUe StOrY... rEaD pLeAsE

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 bi g 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 theytrying 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' On
June 15, at precisely 9:12 a.m., a perfectly timed four-
ship fly by 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 fly by, and because of the jet
noise, I'm sure you didn't hear the 21-gun salute,
the playing of t aps, 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
sacrif ices they have endured..

A four-ship fly by is a display of respect the Air Forcegives to those who give their lives in defense
offreedom. 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 respe cts.

The letter writer asks, 'Who m 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.

USAF

SUPORT YOUR TROOPS!