Warbird Information Exchange

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
http://projects.washingtonpost.com/fallen/dates/2005/may/30/jeremy-fresques/

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Don't touch my junk!!

Thanks for posting this story. That is the most eloquent reply I've seen in some time, and forwarding the "thank you" from this obvious America-hater is even more so. THANK YOU Lt. Col. Pleus, and our prayers to the family and friends of Captain Fresques.

Scott and Ellen

HEAR, HEAR......

Shay
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Semper Fortis

More details complete with the original letter-writer's response.

Wow...I kinda feel sorry for the guy...a Viet Nam veteran who had no idea what he was stepping in.

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"Anyway, the throat feels a bit rough...the legs have gone...but I'm still able to chant, so let's get going."

Joe Strummer, 1999

I can't say I feel sorry for him at all. All the more reason that he should have known better than to write such an ill-informed, smart-arsed letter in the first place.

Respect to the guy for acknowledging his error and writing the apology, though.

Agreed. Never blame on malice what can just as easily be attributed to ignorance. The guy did a nice job of sticking his foot in his mouth in the first place though.

Love the answer of the commanding officer.

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Michel C
Thousands of a/c pics at Passion-Aviation

A humble and heartfelt thanks to Capt. Fresques for his ultimate sacrifice in defense of our Nation, all honor and glory belongs to him. To the Fresques family, my family's deepest condolences to you and thank you for the gift of Jeremy to this Nation.
Lt. Col. Scott Pleus, thank you for the eloquent response to the complainant. Sir, your defense of your squadron's salute to the fallen hero is truly supported and encouraged by millions of Americans who support you and all the men of our Armed Services in a time of WAR. I live near Naval Base Ventura County and I hear jets and planes all the time. It is a constant reminder to me of the ongoing sacrifices being made for me in defense of my country. It is also a two edged sword for I never tire of hearing the sounds of those jets, except when they fly for the fallen heroes of our day! It is at that time, at that moment that I, and many others, join with family and friends in grieving for a loved one who gave it all for our way of life.
God bless the Fresques family, friends, and fellow soldiers!

To the knucklehead who complained, I sure hope you think about the Col's response next time you hear those jets. Maybe, just maybe the next time you hear them you'll stop yourself while shopping and give thanks to those who defend your way of life. I am absolutely positive the sound of a few jets passing overhead is no discomfort when compared to the pain of the Fresques family. I am sure you would now agree in light of the Col's response.

Centurion

I have to admit embarrassment at my quick leap to call Mr. MacRea an "America-hater" and I apologize for jumping to judge him so harshly. Many would not bother to reply as he was willing to do, and I apologize personally to him for my lack of tact.

Scott

I removed my statement, I feel for Mr. McCrae. I imagine he feels extremely sorry. But on the other hand I'll bet there were tons of people in or around the area who either vocally or in the minds were complaining about the noise. NAS Oceana in VA Beach is consistanly complained about for the noise. Even though the people knew the base was there when they bought the house.

I've never looked up to the skies with jet passing by and thought that it was irratating. I grew up all my life around AFBs or military installations I guess I'm used to it. I could always tell when something different was in the pattern and I would run out to see what it was. Was surprised more than a few times. As they say "Jet Noise is the sound of Freedom" I get that prickley feeling all over everytime I see a missin-man formation.

My favorite place though was going through "C" school at NAS Pensacola. The Blue Angels would scream by mere feet above the buildings everyday while I was there. It was awesome. Just the otherday I stopped my mower to watch 2 T-38s fly by in formation. Great stuff. I'm looking forward to the Dayton Air Show this weekend.


Shay
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Semper Fortis

I grew up next to NAS Miramar (now MCAS Miramar). My parents knew when they bought their house in 1971 that the base was next door. I can't tell you how much noise we used to hear at night when they were testing engines in test cells or hearing F-4's and F-14's a few years later, and extremely noisy FA-18's even later that constantly flew the pattern at Miramar. Not once in the 30 years my parents owned that home were we upset. We knew living next to an active military air port that we were going to hear jet noise. After a short time after moving in we got used to the noise. We always enjoyed the free airshow we got when the Blue Angels visited Miramar. So in closing, don't bitch if the jets were there first.

Hi Guys,

A Most eloquent reply by a Commanding Officer to a person whose life is just a little off kilter because of jet noise. To the complaintant.....tough, it must really suck to be you right now. These folks put their lives on the line for YOU. The CO said it BEST.

Paul

The CO put it very well. I can imagine the automatic response by some people may have been different, but the CO did an excellent job of responding in a professional manner, while at the same time making the guy feel really bad.

-David

Good show.

We have folks around here who are constantly calling for noise abatment studies at Don Scoot field, which is the Ohio State University airport, most famously known for when a TWA pilot mistakenly landed a 707 there at night, instead of at Port Columbus which is 10-15 miles away.

Since that time, as in many areas, urban sprawl has eaten up the once-vacant areas around the field, leaving neighbors clamoring for change, greater restrictions, et al. My question is simply this..

Did you forget that an ariport has airplanes, which have engines, which make noise, when you bought the place? It's not like the realtor called teh ATC on duty and said "dude, don't let anyone fly for like 40 minutes...I got a live one here!"

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"Anyway, the throat feels a bit rough...the legs have gone...but I'm still able to chant, so let's get going."

Joe Strummer, 1999