A Scarborough Potpourri: Volume II | Eastern North Carolina Now

Flying on Vectors

    We are under the flight path of many aircraft here at Bayview. Morning or evening you can look high and there are con trails all going the same direction = south. We are under a "Vector" which is a guidance line keeping aircraft going the same direction rather than crossing directions creating collisions.

    If you look at a Southeast Sectional Aviation map it details these lines and gives them a name. A Pilot getting directions from a ground controller is told to fly "Vector 5," for example. Instantly he knows to punch it in the computer or refer to the map to see where he needs to be so planes don't collide.

    I think this is too often missing in today's world. I.E.--too many people going too many directions at the same time and the crowded highway is killing us. As Primaries crank up this is especially true. We have a good conservative representative here and his opponent has an ad claiming he is "the most liberal Republican in Congress." The ad of the young upstart then names the "conservative's" association with Jesse Helms / George Bush / etc.

    It is Madison Avenue advertising at its best. "Branding" they call it. As if a brand of Conservative tells all and Liberal tells the other. In the real world with real problems and many people that is ridiculous. Some parts of decisions keep things together (conserve) while others move out into the future (liberate). Many things do both when compromise is needed for the benefit of all.

    Here is a real-life story relative to what I say:

    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-wannabes 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.

    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. CaptainFresques 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.

Memorial Day approaches, here are my thoughts:

    I pause to give thanks for people who offer their lives in service to this country. They fly a Vector toward freedom and safety for each of us who live here. My son, E-7 Eddie Scarborough, has been in the Coast Guard since high school graduation and is now a Chief, soon to be moving back to Elizabeth City, NC.

    When he launches into the mouth of danger for rescue of a sailor, the crew all know on what Vector they fly. It is total team effort on every mission, or someone could die.

    If we, as citizens, don't find some Vectors we can go the same direction on, we won't have a country much longer. Confusion in the skies is guaranteed collision. The same is true on the ground. If we each chose which side of the road pleased us most that day. If we were joy riding and talking on the phone so much you had no clue where the lane markings were. If you were all about you and could care less about others who breath the same air---we could be dead or gone quickly.

    I spit on those who make their only duty the confusion and noise which would take us from the safety of our Vectors. They are many. They really come out as you turn on the TV these days and angry accusations fly with little truth attached to them.