SwiftVets.com

Guest · Posted: Tue Jul 19, 2005 9:39 pm Post subject: A WAKE UP CALL

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."

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The reply is classic, and a testament to the professionalism and heroism of the folks in the armed services. The response:

Quote:

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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

http://www.azcentral.com/specials/pluggedin/articles/0711macpherson0711jets.html

Navy_Navy_Navy · Admin Joined: 07 May 2004 Posts: 5777

The original letter writer has expressed his shame:

C-130 Son · Ensign Joined: 17 Oct 2004 Posts: 57

A quick question posed out of ignorance on my part:

If this person is a Navy Vietnam Vet, how is it he doesn't even know about the significance of the Flyby? Has he never been to a funeral of a fallen soldier? Something doesn't make sense to me.

GM Strong · Posted: Tue Jul 19, 2005 11:25 pm Post subject:

MSM and local media had informed nobody. Negligence in the extreme.
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8th Army Korea 68-69

GenrXr · Posted: Wed Jul 20, 2005 1:28 am Post subject:

I B Squidly · Posted: Wed Jul 20, 2005 4:04 am Post subject:

Well, you can have a full career in the Navy and never see air op's. Six months at P'cola I never saw the Blue Angels. Of course I was in class at 8 am and on holidays the Angels went on the road.

My first trip to Orlando SAC shared the base and B52s and B58s lined the tarmac. I remember marveling at all the con' trails when Nixon went to DefCon3. An F4 nearly blew me off Mt Humphrey. F16s out of Luke would fly their terrain following excersizes below the radars above a desert ranch where I drove D9s. Hard to hear anything riding that clanking, chugging hunk of iron but that boom right over my head always gave me a shock. The light show and sound effects off the bombing range to the south was better than TV. The first F18s aboard the 'Skidway' liked to Tom Cruise us; coming in on the deck they'ld soak us with rooster tails. Plane guarding could get tedious (unless someone went splat!) but warbirds are compulsively fascinating. Seeing them operate is a treat.

I don't know that the author of this complaint is un-American. I do know he's a self absorbed jackhole to think a low flying, tight formation over a populated area is the Air Force way of having sh!ts and giggles with his shopping trip. Yeah, I'm sure he supports the troops, he just doesn't want to see them! It's not un-American to be stupid. In fact it's a right. Some people abuse the priviledge.

Luke is generous with flybys and performed about half a dozen over the 4th. I was thrilled that the B2 orbitted/loitered over my house before its run in on the World Series.
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blue9t3 · Admiral Joined: 23 Aug 2004 Posts: 1246 Location: oregon

Little off ---anyway
While re-building a jet engine test facility at Lemore (south of fresno,cal) I was 70 feet up when the brass flew in one day, the next day the Blue Angels gave us 4 hours of try outs------what a show, for free, those were F-16's, I would really like to see the new FA-18"s.

PS.----What A Rush!
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MOPAR-BUYER

Rdtf · CNO Joined: 13 May 2004 Posts: 2209 Location: BUSHville

One of the offices I go to is on the 15th floor of a building near the Pentagon and Arlington cemetary. When they fly the missing man formation for a funeral, they pass right by my window!
And to top it off, there is a nest of Eagles not far away and if you look long enough you can catch them flying around. I saw them on the day of Reagan's funeral, and it made it so special.

SBD · Admiral Joined: 19 Aug 2004 Posts: 1022

I think we are spoiled here in San Diego and this year will probably be an even better show. Very Happy

Miramar Airshow 2005
Our 50th Anniversary Air Show dates are confirmed:
Oct. 14, 15, 16, 2005

BLUE ANGELS (All Three Afternoons)
The U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, better known as the Blue Angels, has been the indisputable "star of the show" since the 1940s. Flying F/A-18 Hornets painted in Navy blue and gold since 1986, these masters of the sky have demonstrated aerial excellence in the Navy's top piston and jet aircraft. Click here for more about the Blue Angels and their traveling companion, the Marine Corps C-130 named "Fat Albert."

SBD

MrJapan · PO1 Joined: 27 Sep 2004 Posts: 465 Location: Chiba, Japan

C-130 Son · Ensign Joined: 17 Oct 2004 Posts: 57

Fat Albert is awesome. One of the most incredible sights you will ever see when the C-130 turns on the rockets...WOW!

C-130 Son · Ensign Joined: 17 Oct 2004 Posts: 57

http://www.stevesairshow.com/videos/stewart03/stewart03-fat-albert-1.rm

http://www.stevesairshow.com/videos/stewart03/stewart03-fat-albert-3.rm

Navy_Navy_Navy · Admin Joined: 07 May 2004 Posts: 5777

PhantomSgt · Posted: Wed Jul 20, 2005 6:35 pm Post subject:

I was pulling my 1st night as a DO in the Command Post of a Southern California Base and was reviewing the local operating instructions and came across one that made me smile.

This one was unusual for it was published by the Wing Commander himself and titled: "Response to Media or Public Concerning Aircraft Noise Complaints".

Procedure/s:

"Thank the caller for their noticing the noise of Combat Aircraft operating at their local base. "

Explain to the caller that, "Military Combat Aircraft are high performance weapons that generate a great deal of noise when operating".

The last statement you should make to the caller is: "The next time you hear a loud Military Combat Aircraft that disturbs you, the Wing Commander suggests you look up to identify the aircraft and enjoy the sound of Freedom".

We never had any callbacks on my shift.

Cool

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Independent that leans right of center.