Speak Up: Former fighter pilot weighs in on jet noise complaints

Metro Creative Connection

When retired Air Force Col. Leonard Kirschner MD, MPH shared his thoughts about complaints some West Valley residents have made about jet noise from Luke Air Force Base, comments took off faster than an F-35. Here’s a selection of what Independent readers had to say on social media:

 From NextDoor

• “I have lived in Arizona almost 50 years and built a lot of homes near Luke. The people who purchased homes near the base were aware of the ‘noise,’ with many signing waivers upon purchase. I love the sound of freedom flying in our skies, and Phoenix needs these resources locally to protect one of the largest cities in the U.S.” — Don Thompson
• “I think if you’re looking to buy near Luke Air Force base you knew or you know of the sound. Unless you were in Litchfield before 1941, you have no fight nor complaint.” — Gilbert Acosta
• “I think it's the sound you pray for when things take a turn for the worse, and the sound you praise for keeping things safe!” — Charlene O.
• “It’s not the sound of freedom, it’s the sound of useless noise that has no business in populated areas. The sound of freedom is birds chirping and running water from a river or stream. The worst part is jet engines are very old tech ... for decades the military has been hiding the so-called anti-gravity tech that uses zero-point energy and produces no sound and uses zero jet fuel because if this tech was made public then APS and SRP would be out of business overnight. Many brave, brilliant inventors have dedicated their lives trying to bring this tech forward and they’ve been silenced.” — Mark King
• “We wrote a contract to buy a house in Buckeye around 1976. We went out to drive the area before the escrow closed and were totally shocked that every day around noon the sky looked like a war zone. It was the jets’ flight training path for the German pilots that were stationed at Luke. Our Realtor didn’t say anything about the house being directly under that path. We had to get the VA to help us cancel the contract.” — Chris B.
• “It does not bother me. Think of the training the pilots are receiving for our protection. If someone wants to move, call me to list your house.” — Linda Rose
• “Thank you, Col. Kirschner, for your service. I wonder if I may have seen you flying overhead in your F-4 when I was in Southeast Asia. The F-4 pilots did a great job there.” — Steve Faer
• “You are going to hear jets if you are anywhere close to an air base. Luke mostly flies down the backside of the mountain. It’s not even loud unless you are really close, or they come straight over at night occasionally. It’s a few seconds and they are gone.” — Warren Harley
• “I applaud your support for the protectors of this great country.” — Fred Garnett
• “I love it. It was the last program I worked on at Lockheed.” — Greg McManus
• “Every time we hear the jets, we try to see them. Not always successful, but we love our very own air show. I wish they flew more often.” — Carol Crane
• “With what is going on in this world today, heavy training going on. Small price to pay.” — Annie Adamson
• “I have to admit I don't like it when they fly so low over my house.” — Marge Oliver
• “Love it! Love it! Love it!” — Margie Zoucha
• “The sound reminds me of my 22 years in the Navy. Remember, these pilots are training for our benefit, in defense of our country.” — Randy Wagner
• “I love the fact that Luke produces pilots capable of flying these magnificent aircraft to defend our freedoms we so greatly get to enjoy. Long live Luke!” — Beth Spisak
• “I’m a jet mechanic. It doesn’t bother me.” — Leon Thomas
• “I love the fighter jets. We also lived next to George AFB in California and were upset when the government closed it.” — Louise Allen
• “The jets taking off is my wake-up call in the morning. The take-offs are maybe 10 minutes at most, then pretty quiet all day. Does anyone hear “Taps” and “Reveille?” I love that we can hear that each day. No complaints here.” — Sue Miller
• “This training not just for the U.S. military but also for several partner nations. Some of these include Italy, Norway, Denmark, the Netherlands and Belgium. Trying to keep the world at peace.” — Kathie Rossow
• “I have lived on or around Air Force bases for 50 years, During Desert Storm, I had F-111s and A-10 Warthogs literally at the bottom of my backyard. You get used to the sound … and Luke AFB was there long before all those houses. I lived on base myself in 1975.” — Cindy L.
• “My husband was with the Navy Blue Angels. He was head of maintenance on plane #2 which now is placed on an off-road sight on way to Grand Canyon. He sure traveled all over the United States. See why I have an appreciation to the flight from Luke?— Lorna Barklow
• “I am the daughter of a retired Air Force veteran. We lived in the flight path of the jets from Lackland Air Force Base. My sister and I used to get our friends on base and we would just grab a soda and park and watch the takeoffs and landings. Miss those days so much.” — Brenda Carver
• “We lived with the flyovers and sounds for 16 years and actually moved a year ago closer to the base. We get excited every time we hear them. Our grandson served in the Air Force at Luke as a flight crew chief.” — Cindi P.
• “Some people are living in 1940. The base was built there because it was open desert. My partner is a disabled veteran with severe lung problems from the napalm in Vietnam. 1st Air Cav. We love you, fly boys, but fly your exhaust over the desert.” — Valerie K.
• “I’m a ’46 boomer, grew up as aviation accelerated, have always marveled at and appreciated the flying machines, especially during my 1970-71 Vietnam tour, ‘Got yer back, Grunt, sir.’ ‘Thank you, I’m still here, liking peace.’ ‘Assume nothing.’ U.S. Army credo.” — Bob Saigh

 From NewsBreak

• “Exactly. The sound of freedom! Thank you for your service, sir.” — Chris Mullen-Cooper
• “Noise is noise. Tucson-area people complained for years about the ever-growing noise factor due to military flyovers, then some agreement was made to do flyovers away from populated areas. That met with quite mixed results.” — USCitizen
• “Amen, brother. Just a thought: If people don’t want jet noise, don’t move close to an Air Force base. If you don’t want train noise or freeway noise … well, enough said.” — Jerry Savocchio
• “The sound of freedom is a blessing to all of us. When we moved to Surprise in 2020, we were told immediately that we were going to be in the flight paths. We never considered it a problem, but a privilege. Stand proud and put your ear plugs in!” — Kathi Galbasin
• “I love it and always loved planes. Miss my days in the Navy when I worked on planes. Call me crazy, but sometimes when I’m sitting in my yard and they’re flying over, I know they can’t see me, but I salute them.” — ReallyPeople
• “Thank you and say it loud.” — Sandra Raebig
• “Love this guy!” — Jim Mack
• “Luke was probably there before these homes. What right do they have to complain knowing it was there?” — Jody Needy
• “I am one of the few who wish I could hear the jet fighters break the sound barrier! I used to love that sound when I was a kid. Now that is the best sound of victory!” — drs1919 1919drs
• “I live in Sun City, not far from the base. I’m also retired Navy and enjoy the sound of the planes as they fly over our home. We hear them as we are retiring at night and I sleep better knowing we are being perfected by our service members.” — Theresa Gomez
• “They act like the jets hover over their homes.” — AZGold
• “What he said. Semper Fi. The end.” — BeerBeer
• “I was very pro jets from the aircraft at Alameda Naval Air Station until one crashed into an apartment complex.” — I.O.
• “As an honorary commander for the 62nd Fighter Squadron, I totally agree Luke Air Force Base needs to stay and continue the mission of training the world’s best fighter pilots and support personnel. Go Spikes!” — Mike Heaths
• “Vietnam vet. We had those same guys come in and save our a--es. Not the same generation or planes but they will always be my heroes.” — Jerry Keeney
• “Born and raised in San Diego in an era that flyovers were a daily occurrence. Heard sonic booms at least weekly and air raid sirens at noon every day except Sundays. My auntie had a bomb shelter in her front yard. I hear flyovers here in the West Valley; pride of the past, pride of the present.” — Bingo bongo
• “I’m a vet, too, and understand “the sound of freedom” as it refers to the jets. And I understand that Luke AFB has been around for a while. But I also understand that as the city expands, noise is less acceptable. There is a big auxiliary airfield outside of Gila Bend (40 miles away). That would be perfect for the jet problem, not to mention the economic boost it would be for that community. Doesn’t mean we shut down Luke but redesignate it to a support role. Eventually, it’s going to happen anyway. Might as well get it done now.” — Walt Makusky