bmurrish

Well Known Member
This was on the Arizona Republic online

A complaint post, and the reply:

Complaint:

Quote:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
A wake-up call from Luke's jets

Jun. 23, 2005 12:00 AM

"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 reply is classic, and a testament to the professionalism and heroism of the folks in the armed services. The response:

Quote:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 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 Air Force Base
 
The Ultimate Respect

God Bless America!!!!

Nothing better than the sound of freedom. A few months ago there was a TFR in affect in the Phx area. I live at an airpark in Chandler and was working on my plane with the hangar open when I heard the unmistakeable sound of an F16 low level in the area. This is the first time I have seen a fully armed F16 ready for action. The sight, the sound made me proud of our great country and the men and women who serve to protect our freedom.

FYI, some moron thought he could slip into the airport undetected. Didn't happen!!

Darwin N. Barrie
Chandler AZ
 
RV7Guy said:
God Bless America!!!!

Nothing better than the sound of freedom. A few months ago there was a TFR in affect in the Phx area. I live at an airpark in Chandler and was working on my plane with the hangar open when I heard the unmistakeable sound of an F16 low level in the area. This is the first time I have seen a fully armed F16 ready for action. The sight, the sound made me proud of our great country and the men and women who serve to protect our freedom.

FYI, some moron thought he could slip into the airport undetected. Didn't happen!!

Darwin N. Barrie
Chandler AZ

Stellar airpark by any chance? I flew my Commercial solo crosscountry to there in the Cesspool.
 
Those jets always bring a tear to my eyes. If you need a bugler I'm "At your service."
 
Last edited:
Yep

osxuser said:
Stellar airpark by any chance? I flew my Commercial solo crosscountry to there in the Cesspool.

Yep, Stellar airpark. Great place to live. We will have our own wing of RV's in the next couple of years.

Darwin
 
I live in the Dallas area and this past Saturday I flew some friends down to College Station to the A&M game.

We were in section 502. We were so high up we thought the clouds moving in might obscure our vision. Then we discovered we had the best seats in the house. Both before the game, and during half time, the festivities included a fly over. Pre game was a pair of F-16?s and halftime was F-18?s. Both routs took them right over our heads. They were low and hot, looked like they cleared the flags by 100ft. :cool:

This was totally awesome and I can?t understand anyone not getting emotional from the shear pride of what our military?s? capabilities and sacrifices represent. There was no one prouder at that time than myself. It made the trip worthwhile.

Gold bless America and our military!