Owned!! I love it.

FAOL Community Sound Off
1

According to Snopes.com
This is a true story
http://www.snopes.com/politics/military/wakeup.asp

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 500feet.
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 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

2

Hey there CFOC,
Unfortunately with the current dilution of patriotism, pride in country etc, there is the distinct possibility that even THIS went OVER the head of the complainant. THAT saddens me.

Mark

3

Very true story - it was on the local news casts here in the Phoenix area.

4

I hope Marco is wrong…of course his “dilution of patriotism” is correct…sadly…but I would hope that perhaps the complainant isn’t one of those and would admit his mistake and send his condolences to the family.

5

I live almost next door to Arnold AFB and one of the requirements for new pilots is to break the sound barrier. The first time, before I knew what was happening, it was sort of a "Holy Crap what was that??!! Now that I know what’s going on it’s a real thrill to hear and to know it’s just part of keeping us safe. They can rattle my windows any time they want too!!
God Bless 'em!

6

I watch with wonder and awe as they dominate my skies. My close friend was a test pilot in Texas during the Korean war. He made it all the way to the end of the runway down there. Johnny used to go by my house whistling, every day. I can see him still. He made a stick&paper model of a bomber, a big one, hung it in his bedroom. Sure was fine. A trumpet player he was. I took up the instrument but had no talent whatsoever. Yup, I still watch them fly.

7

In reading the Snopes article from the link, it tells of the chagrined letter writers apology for writing the article, and of his beggings forgiveness for his ignorance. He is himself a Vietnam vet. My respects and thanks for all our military men and women. Especially those who have paid the ultimate price.

8

The Navy’s largest jet base is in my backyard. FA-18 Superhornets dominate the sky every day. I love it day or night. I was awakened a couple of weeks ago at about 2AM by the sound of afterburners. I rushed to my bedroom patio to see the sight! I went back to sleep knowing that those guys were keeping me safe. Fly Navy!

9

Big “SeaFair” this weekend here. (Seattle, WA), Guess who are flying both days; and ‘practicing’ all this past week. :slight_smile:

10

The Sauk River in NW Wa seems to be a favorite place for Navy F-18 pilots out of NAS Whibey to fly low following the river. I assume some sort of training. They seem to be able to appear out of nowhere with no warning until the roar of the turbines blast you off the water. It is always breif scare and thrilling moment when it happens while fishing. They never cease to amaze me with thier abilities to negotiate the mountain walls along side the river. I am sure after seeing this a few times these pilots are the best in the world. I only wish I could go along for a ride.

My condolences to the family of the fallen pilot.

11

In June, 2001, just prior to 9-11, we had the pleasure of watching jets, maybe from the Missouri National Guard?, practicing in dog fights. The tracers would streak across the sky and the planes would roll and dive. It absolutely would take your breath away watching!!

12

JC,

They will be over here at Fairchild next weekend. The boys and I are anxious to see them. Best Regards…