noise complaints at Luke AFB

[Dave B]

Noise Complaint at 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' 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 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.

USAF

 

[Dave B]

TO his credit,the man who complained apologized in the paper after reading the explanation. He was not aware of the AF tradition of the flyby , and in fact had served in the Navy in Vietnam.

Dave B

 

[Matt Vanderpan]

Here is the apology from the first guy


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

 

[Andy Grant]

I wouldn't be surprised if he was run out of town and had to move or just sneaked out of town and moved.

 

[Mark W]

It takes a big man to apologize for his mistakes and an even bigger person to apologize in such a public way. I hope those who initially called him to call him all those names called him back to thank him for righting a wrong.

Mark W