The USAF response was heart wrenching and appropriate. The jerk who complained has the right of free speech to do so thanks to the sacrafices of others that fly the F-16.
Aim high!
Posted on 07/12/2005 9:06:16 AM PDT by righttackle44
LOVED THIS RESPONSE FROM THE AIR FORCE.
Read it as many times as you need to understand.
A FIGHTER PILOT RESPONSE
This just happened here in Phoenix. Understand the first letter is a complaint to Luke AFB and the second is the response from the senior officer.
Complaint:
Quote:
A wake-up call from Luke's jets
Jun. 23, 2005 12:00 AM
"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 reply is classic, and a testament to the professionalism and heroism of the folks in the armed services. The response:
Quote:
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 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 Air Force Base
The initial letter was written by an ungrateful person. Luke Air Force Base, located in Glendale, AZ, west of Phoenix, is the largest F-16 facility in the U.S., and has always been a source of pride, except apparently to this lunk head.
The whole issue came to light after publication of the initial letter in our local socialist publication, The Arizona Republic, once a respectable newspaper. The letter was picked up for discussion on local talk radio KFYI by Barry Young, one of our local talk show hosts.
The latest about the lunkhead is that, after the publication of his letter, one could only get his answering machine. As of today, July 12, his number is disconnected. (I'll bet it is!)
Excellent words Lt Col.
Having lived on Air Force bases for the first 14 years of my life, and practically next door to one for the next 31 years, I must admit that my favorite sound in the world is the roar of those jets overhead.
There is nothing quite like hearing those big B-52s making a racket on the flightline. Sometimes I would open my window at night so I could hear them better. Some people don't care for the noise. But I think it's beautiful.
Air Force jets: the sound of FREEDOM.
The USAF response was heart wrenching and appropriate. The jerk who complained has the right of free speech to do so thanks to the sacrafices of others that fly the F-16.
Aim high!
1. Never write an angry letter unless and until you know all of the facts.
2. Be very careful about opening your mouth and removing all doubt,
AN APOLOGY!!!
Tom MacRae wrote:
An apology from the heart to the airmen of Luke
Jul. 9, 2005 12:00 AM
Regarding "Flyby honoring fallen comrade" Letters, June 28 ):
I read with increasing embarrassment and humility the response to my unfortunate letter to The Republic concerning an Air Force flyby ("A wake-up call from Luke's jets," Letters, June 23).
I had no idea of the significance of the flyby, and would never have insulted such a fine and respectful display had I known.
I have received many calls from the fine airmen who are serving or have served at Luke, and I have attempted to explain my side and apologized for any discomfort my letter has caused.
This was simply an uninformed citizen complaining about noise.
I have been made aware in both written and verbal communications of the four-ship flyby, and my heart goes out to each and every lost serviceman and woman in this war in which we are engaged.
I have been called un-American by an unknown caller and I feel that I must address that. I served in the U.S. Navy and am a Vietnam veteran. I love my country and respect the jobs that the service organizations are doing.
Please accept my heartfelt apologies. - Tom MacRae, Peoria
Excellent response for the Lt. Col.! :)
Being a valley resident and a home inspector I spent part of my day out by Luke. I always love to stop and watch the F-16's doing their work.
I even had the plesure of being at Luke for a week when I was in the service.
This lunkhead that is complaining about the fly over is nothing but one of our local idiots that does not appricate that fact that those jets are part of what keeps us safe and free.
"I must admit that my favorite sound in the world is the roar of those jets overhead."
Oh 9/11, I was driving home after the company closed down (for about the next week or so). I admit I was a little choked and had tears in my eyes. The only planes over head were our F-16's. I was a sound for which I thanked God.
That year, if you recall, our Diamondbacks played the Yankees in the World Series. We had a flyover by a Stealth bomber. Our house is, on it's flight line that evening, 17 miles from the stadium. We heard and saw it pass by our house and, only a few seconds later, we watched in fly over Bank One Ballpark. It was good to hear that sound--as you said, the sound of freedom.
"I must admit that my favorite sound in the world is the roar of those jets overhead."
Oh 9/11, I was driving home after the company closed down (for about the next week or so). I admit I was a little choked and had tears in my eyes. The only planes over head were our F-16's. I was a sound for which I thanked God.
That year, if you recall, our Diamondbacks played the Yankees in the World Series. We had a flyover by a Stealth bomber. Our house is, on it's flight line that evening, 17 miles from the stadium. We heard and saw it pass by our house and, only a few seconds later, we watched in fly over Bank One Ballpark. It was good to hear that sound--as you said, the sound of freedom.
They sure can interrupt a meeting or a phone conversation, though. (What's with all the planes? You'd think there's a runway around here or something.) :-)
Yes. And then the guy apologized:
http://www.snopes.com/politics/military/wakeup.asp
bump
What kind of stand up citizen will admit he is woken up unnaturally after 9am. This isn't a college freshman we are talking about here. As far as I'm concerned, F-16 are about the only tangable thing I can see for all the taxes that are taken out of my paycheck.
I've spent most of my life near Selfridge ANG base in Michigan. I still stop and watch with awe the F-16, KC135 and C130 pilots fly over the house.
For some reason a Chinook copter was flying by Sunday. Never seen one of them there before except for an air show.
BTW, re: the writers apology, Someone should send that to Durbin to show how a real man apologizes. That was heartfelt and contrite.
Besides those working night shift, who else thinks 9:12 am is a "wake-up" call.
"AN APOLOGY!!!"
Thanks for posting this and letting us see it.
Unfortunately, the damage has already been done
to MacRae, and he is apparently still paying
a very high price for what he did.
And not only that, according to the letter in post #6, he's moved to Illinois! ;-)
(I know, I know, there IS a Peoria, Arizona, it's just a joke.)
Well, I'll admit to it. Then again, I was working a midnight shift tearing down and rebuilding the engines that go into the F-15 and the F-16 at Nellis Air Force Base. It took a little time, but I got used to them.
chills from my stones to my bones, frater.
It IS Beautiful. Freedom.
AMERICAN FREEDOM!
"Formation over Sun Devil Stadium during the Pat Tillman memorial."
Great picture! Makes you proud, doesn't it?
Bump!
Bumping to share with my husband, whose job it was to answer snively, whiny noise complaints directed at MCAS Miramar's aircraft and pilots.
In Humilitas, Sapientia
"Bumping to share with my husband, whose job it was to answer snively, whiny noise complaints directed at MCAS Miramar's aircraft and pilots."
God bless your husband. We're proud of him at our house, too.
(I have not served. My tagline honors my son and my cousin.)
Sure does!
I'm an AF vet that was stationed at Luke for a few years.
It was a great assignment.
True story: (Usually prefaced by "this a no s$%^^er")
When MCAS Tustin was operational, the Station Duty officer took a call from an irate citizen. (Paraphrased)
Woman: "I don't appreciate armed helicopters flying over my house."
Duty: "Ma'am, we don't have armed helicopters on this base.
Woman: "Don't give me that crap, I just had a big one fly over and it had two torpedoes strapped to the sides."
The helo with the 'torpedoes' was the then new CH-53E with extended range fuel tanks. Some people living around bases have no limit to their stupidity.
I am a member of a Marine family myself (I am in the Corps and my wife and brother were both Marines), but you made a slight mistake. There is not a 5th Marine Division. If you son is a reservist, he serves in the 4th Marine Division. Lejuene (North Carolina) is home to the 2nd Marine Division; Pendleton (California) is home to the 1st Marine Division, while the 3rd Marine Division is located in Okinawa, Japan.
Also, just for your info, Snopes.com has this entire story on their sight. The knucklehead eventually apologizes for his comments and he claims he is former Navy, but I find it hard to belief a vet wouldn't recognize a fly by and the missing man formation.
http://www.snopes.com/politics/military/wakeup.asp
Semper Fi
Probably the same person who called and complained if we started firing on the pistol range before 7:00am. :-)
They grew very quiet after 9/11. The staff of CP&L has dropped to two people, as they no longer have to handle an irate community.
(Hey, FR just started clicking. Did JimRob kick the server?)
It also sounds a lot like an AF dependent I heard about who called up the MP's and asked them to stop the airplanes flying in an exercise because they were making too much noise. LOL
"There is not a 5th Marine Division."
Your statement that I made a slight mistake
is not right. I MADE A HUGE MISTAKE. And I
still can't figure out why I wrote fifth when
I meant First.
Thanks for letting me correct it. (My wife
has now promised to let me get up and not
crank my arm behind my back.)
(Fr is speeding up)
Sure seems like it! YEE-HAW!!!
***There is nothing quite like hearing those big B-52s making a racket on the flightline. Sometimes I would open my window at night so I could hear them better. ***
Well,if we had known that we would have injected water into the engine more often just to provide a more throaty WAOOOOOOO! just for you.
However, our base commander put out an order that no engines were to be tested after 21.00 hours except in emergency.
"There is nothing quite like hearing those big B-52s making a racket on the flightline."
I remember the first night I spent at the Naval Recruit Training Center in Orlando, Fla. in 1968, We were a couple of miles away and in the direct flight path of an AF base with B-52's. I awoke from a sound sleep to find my bunk vibrating and shaking it's way across the floor. I thought it was a Florida earthquake but it was B-52's scrambling at 0-dark-30.
That is obviously not the base commander of Barksdale AFB. :0)
***All real Americans love airplane noise.***
Not when you are 15 feet from it running it for maintainance on the flight line. At full throttle the vibration from the sound is so strong it permiates every cell of your body. Then hit the water injection and it is worse. You feel as if you are vibrating for hours after.
I could not hear the voices in my head either.
***That is obviously not the base commander of Barksdale AFB. :0)**.
Na, that was the old WALKER AFB in Roswell NM back in 1966. Long since closed.
My dad was stationed at Walker AFB.
We lived there from 1965 until the base closed in 1967. I loved it. We could climb a cinder block wall and instantly be in the desert.
Wouldn't it be a great job to be the ATC for Miramar? You could really look into the possibility of getting the fighters to blow the windows out of the Streisand/Brolin residence further up the Coast.
LTC Scott Pleus’s smart ass comments in response to Mr. XX’s compliant were totally inappropriate. LTC Pleus could not confine himself to a short note explaining the situation and offering regrets for any inconvenience. No he arrogantly went for the public humiliation of Mr. XX.
LTC Pleus reminds me of former commanders I have known who were quick on the trigger, short on detail planning, and often got people needlessly killed in combat. Like Capt Jeremy Fresques and his team, late friend was ordered transported on an obsolete foreign aircraft, likely maintained by third world bicycle mechanics. Too bad a US military aircraft was not provided to transport my friend or Capt Fresques.
I guest LTC Pleus is more of the fast, noisy, and quick type. Boys, go in low and give them a show to remember. Maybe he would like real rifle or even cannon rounds in the 21-gun salute, the snapper sound of real bullets cracking over your head is something I won’t soon forget. He fails to remember blank rounds and a little higher altitude are for the safety of all of us, and does not lessen our tribute to our fallen heroes. President Regan’s funeral and others I have attended conducted higher flights, which gave family and friends a longer period of time to observe the missing man tribute.
I am sure the flight was in compliance minimum flight altitudes of Air Force and Federal Aviation Administration regulations for flights over an open-air assembly of persons in a congested area. So no Article 32 or safety investigation is needed of LTC. Pleus’s mission briefing and supervision of the event.
God Bless Capt Fresques and all those who have died to protect our freedoms.
"LTC Scott Pleus’s smart ass comments in response to Mr. XX’s compliant were totally inappropriate."
Not a lot of people here agree with you, guy.
Perhaps you could explain what possible inconvenience results from a flyby of a military funeral? For that matter, could you explain what the heck you are talking about in your post? You obviously know almost nothing about the incident described in this thread. Your post in this thread is quite possibly more insulting than what the idiot who Pleus had to respond to wrote in the first place. Where do you people come from?
The person who posted the original query needs to "suck it up" and stop being a pansy...
I lived near CFB Comox for 13 years...we constantly had F101 Voodoo and F18 aircraft flying low over Comox...If you didn't like it, you moved away...
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Comox,+BC&ll=49.710131,-124.892836&spn=0.035877,0.069145&t=k&hl=en
The house I grew up in http://maps.google.com/maps?q=577+Salish+street+Comox,+BC&ll=49.684982,-124.917984&spn=0.143509,0.276581&t=k&hl=en
I was there from 1966-67. Worked on the B-52's till the base began to close, then sent to LRAFB in Arkansas.
Small world. We were there at the same time.
My dad was a boom operator in KC135s, and my stepfather worked on B52s there. His house was directly under the 12:00 siren. I thought that was cool.
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