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 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