Email forward worth reading

onewhippedpuppy · 07-20-2007, 07:03 AM

Some of you may have seen it, but I thought it was a good one.

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

notfarnow · 07-20-2007, 07:11 AM

Very, very classy reply.

Neilk · 07-20-2007, 07:22 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by notfarnow
Very, very classy reply.

+1

People who move next to an airport or freeway and complain about the noise piss me off. I for one wouldn't mind seeing F-16s fly over my house (although preferably during daylight hours).

notfarnow · 07:30 AM

And FWIW:

http://www.snopes.com/politics/military/wakeup.asp

Status: True

No disrespect, but I had to check. There is a follow-up apology from the letter-writer, so worth reading.

onewhippedpuppy · 07:32 AM

Lots of email BS out there, glad to hear this one is legit.

I live near a busy GA airport, and am under the pattern for McConnell AFB. I love watching the planes fly over. Anyone that doesn't like it should move somewhere else.

The contract for our house even contained a clause about the AFB, stating that overflight and associated noise should be expected.

The AFB had it's annual open house/airshow last weekend, my son and I went. My wife went to the mall.

Anyway, my wife was walking out of Dillards with our 5 wk old daughter, at precisely the same time a flight of 4 Blue Angels flew over in formation, low and fast (mall is near AFB). She said it took her 10 minutes to get the baby calmed down.

Overpaid Slacker · 07-20-2007, 07:41 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by notfarnow
. . .There is a follow-up apology from the letter-writer, so worth reading.

A heartfelt apology, and a paradigm of contrition, IMHO.

JP

rammstein · 07-20-2007, 07:52 AM

I grew up close to the now closed Griffiss AFB (spelling?) located in Rome NY.

When I was little, I got to see fighter planes, bombers, and all kinds of stuff flying low and loud.

It was the coolest. As far as I can recall, people living there liked it. They probably also realized that it constituted 60% of the economy there, which is why it is a ghosttown now.

onewhippedpuppy · 07-20-2007, 08:15 AM

The apology is a nice touch. Many people would be unwilling to admit their stupidity.

notfarnow · 07-20-2007, 08:18 AM

Can you imagine the calls he was getting??

notfarnow · 07-20-2007, 08:18 AM

His letter to the editor had his full name. Can you imagine the calls he was getting??

Joeaksa · 07-20-2007, 08:19 AM

I live about 10 miles from Luke. The entire community came down on this guy when it appeared in the newspaper.

Not surprised about the apology and he even mentioned that he had gotten some death threats, so he was really trying to make people settle down.

rammstein · 07-20-2007, 08:19 AM

I grew up close to the now closed Griffiss AFB (spelling?) located in Rome NY.

When I was little, I got to see fighter planes, bombers, and all kinds of stuff flying low and loud.

It was the coolest. As far as I can recall, people living there liked it. They probably also realized that it constituted 60% of the economy there, which is why it is a ghosttown now.

Super_Dave_D · Super_Dave_D's Garage

I live near a Navy airfield and love to see them guys fly over my house. Too bad its only P3's and SB4's

Kirk911SC · 07-20-2007, 09:41 AM

Hey Joe,

I PM'd you something flying related.....not sure if you got it?

Kirk

RallyJon · 07-20-2007, 10:18 AM

I guess it was his bad luck that he happened to complain about one out of hundreds (thousands?) of flyovers that the Colonel had an excuse for.

Death threats? Classy.

Joeaksa · 07-20-2007, 10:25 AM

Kirk,

Pelican PM's seem to be having problems. Pls email me using the icon next to my name.

Thx,

Joe

ronin · 07-20-2007, 12:03 PM

I wonder how much self restraint Lt Col Pleus had to exercise to keep from closing the response with "you ASSHAT!" or other such phrase

azasadny · azasadny's Garage

Good story, I'm kind of glad it's "legit". Good follow-through by everyone involved!

Jeff Higgins · 07-20-2007, 12:56 PM

I hear the property adjoining the Whidby Island Naval Air Station, especially that under the noise footprint of the runway, has actually increased in value as veterans and aviation buffs move in. I live close enough to it, McChord AFB, and three other major airpfields (one of which used to have a Guard unit) that I get to hear and see some really cool stuff now and then. Had a B-17 and B-24 fly over a couple of weeks ago. I still run outside like a little kid to look. My dad used to haul us all down to Sea-Tac when it still had an outdoor observation area just to watch planes come and go. The big treat was going to McChord, or over to Spokane to watch the B-52's. Those were the days... Anyway, my hat's off to the men and women that fly these things for us.

Superman · 07-20-2007, 01:08 PM

My hat's off too. In respect and gratitude and deference to the men and women who lay it on the line regularly, voluntarily, in the interest of my protection and freedom. This goes for service men and women, and police and fire.

I never wanted to be a policeman or a fire fighter. I admired the test pilots and astronauts. I regard flying as the most fun you can have with your clothes on. I've never been motion sick. I love everything that flies. F-16's are among my very favorite. I lived in Spokane and very much enjoyed the B-52's. Right now, I work at Sea-Tac airport. The smell of kerosene in the mornings and the sound of jet engines is better than bacon and blues, respectively.