Noise Complaint at Luke AFB, AZ 
  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.  
  
  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 fly by 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 fly by, 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 fly by is a display of 
  respect the Air Force gives 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. 
  
  Only 2 defining forces have ever offered to die for you.....Jesus 
  Christ and the American Soldier. 
  
  One died for your soul, the other for your freedom. 
  
  Lt. Col. Grant L. Rosensteel, Jr. 
  
  USAF