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Members of the 4th Air Support Operations Group, the Reservistenverband Undenheim and local officials attend a German National Day of Mourning ceremony Nov. 13 in Undenheim. Over a decade, 4 ASOG and Reservistenverband Undenheim have developed a relationship and participate in multiple activities together.
Four Airmen assigned to the 4th Air Support Operations Group attended a German National Day of Mourning ceremony with the German reservist unit Reservistenverband Undenheim Nov. 13 in Undenheim, Germany.
The ceremony included speeches from the city’s mayor and a religious figure, a small musical performance, and wreath laying at a memorial for fallen German soldiers.
“It was a unique opportunity to celebrate the things that are common between professions of arms,” said Maj. Dan Sabatelli, 4 ASOG air mobility liaison officer. “They might be German military and speak a different language, but there’s a common bond between memorializing those who have been killed in battle and have come before us. It doesn’t matter where you’re coming from or what language you speak, you still maintain the similar traditions. It was very unique to be a part of that event.”
Tech. Sgt. Amin Momna, 4 ASOG NCO in charge of operations intelligence, has had the opportunity to attend the memorial service for multiple years.
“I always enjoy it,” Momna said. “Personally, I think it’s amazing, and it’s important we always remember to pay respects to our fellow soldiers. Regardless of history, we are all here working together.”
Building a relationship with a host country’s military is a key factor in the success of the Air Force’s mission, but it is also beneficial to foster a bond with the community.
“One of the biggest reasons we’re here is partnership; we are ambassadors for the U.S.,” Momna said. “We were not only there with the reserve unit, but with the community as well. I think it’s important for the community members to see us side-by-side with their local reservists.”
Members of the 4 ASOG and Reservistenverband Undenheim have developed a relationship spanning over a decade.
“This wasn’t a big faceless event in a city; this was a small town and a small unit,” Sabatelli said. “Afterwards, we all went to a local restaurant and were talking about what we do on a day-to-day basis, how things are going, and experiences we’ve had.”
Over the years, the Airmen and reservists have participated in multiple activities together.
“They would do ruck marches and military competitions, like shooting events, together,” Sabatelli said. “They had a reservist day where all the different military parts set up booths, and we would go out there and do the same thing. There’s a history between us and this reservist unit.”
The 4 ASOG Airmen help strengthen the partnership between the Air Force and the German host nation through their continuing relationship with the members of the Reservistenverband Undenheim and the Undenheim community.
