Air Force Capt. Jeremy Fresques fly by

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-wannabees feel we need this wake-up call, or were they trying to impress the cashiers at Mervyn's early bird special?

 

Any response would be appreciated.

Tom MacRae, Peoria

 

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-1 6s 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 take 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. Scott Pleus

Luke Air Force Base

USAF