Story and photos by
Senior Airman Devin Boyer
86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
Brig. Gen. Richard G. Moore Jr., 86th Airlift Wing commander, flies a C-130J Super Hercules assigned to the 37th Airlift Squadron at Ramstein, past Mont Saint-Michel, France, June 3. This event commemorates the 73rd anniversary of D-Day, the largest multinational amphibious landing and operational military airdrop in history, and highlights the U.S.’ steadfast commitment to European allies and partners. Overall, approximately 400 U.S. service members from units in Europe and the U.S. participated in ceremonial D-Day 73 events from May 31 to June 7.
PICAUVILLE, France — Ramstein Airmen joined U.S. Army, U.K., German, French, and several other military and civilian organizations to remember and commemorate the 73rd Anniversary of D-Day in events across the region from May 31 to June 7.
Allan Dennebouy, a French teen, wears a military uniform to honor World War II service members during a D-Day remembrance ceremony at the United States Army Air Forces Transport Memorial June 1 in Picauville, France. Thousands of locals attended commemoration events up to June 6, the 73rd anniversary of the largest multinational amphibious landing and operational military airdrop in history. U.S. participation highlights the U.S.’ steadfast commitment to European allies and partners.
In Picauville, France, Allied forces who liberated the area following the D-Day landings at Normandy were honored. These forces established a temporary airfield just outside of the community following the Normandy invasion.
Maj. Kyle Bucher, 37th Airlift Squadron pilot, briefs his team before taking off June 2 in a C-130J Super Hercules assigned to the 37 AS at Cherbourg-Maupertus Airport, France. The 37 AS performed flyovers over Normandy as part of the D-Day events.
“Picauville does not require a history lesson on the importance of liberty and the need to preserve it at all costs,” said U.S. Air Force Col. Jack Aalborg, Air Attaché to France. “This town lives with the reminder of it every single day. It is a link between our prosperity and our posterity. It is a privilege much like the wind. It may appear invisible to the naked eye, but it is an ever-present force.
Soldiers from the same units as the ones who stormed the beaches of Normandy had a chance to participate in the ceremony. Some even walked away feeling inspired.
The 173rd Brigade Combat Team from Vicenza, Italy, stands in formation during a D-Day remembrance ceremony June 1 at the United States Army Air Forces Transport Memorial in Picauville, France.
“I had the opportunity to eat dinner with a family and one of the locals that served us, he was actually 10 years old when everything transpired, and he gave us vivid details of things he remembered,” said Spc. Christopher Valentine, 29th Infantry Division generator mechanic, Fort Belvoir, Virginia. “That was a piece of history that I wouldn’t be able to receive otherwise, so that was very rewarding.”
To commemorate the ceremony, the 37th Airlift Squadron from Ramstein, and the 815 AS from Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi, flew four C-130s over Picauville.
Col. Jack Aalborg, Air Attaché to France, gives a speech during a D-Day remembrance ceremony June 1 at the United States Army Air Forces Transport Memorial in Picauville, France. Colonel Aalborg spoke about the sacrifices Allied forces made 73 years ago to liberate Picauville.
“It was for all of us that the brave men and women we remember here today said no to tyranny 73 years ago,” Aalborg said. “They were not looking to fight, but they willingly answered the nation’s call, and in some cases gave their last full measure of devotion.”
French children release balloons into the air during a D-Day remembrance ceremony June 1 at the United States Army Air Forces Transport Memorial in Picauville, France. Each balloon has a placard tied to it with the name of a fallen service member who gave their life for the liberation of France.
A placard tied to a balloon reads “Private Luther F. Morrison…Killed In Action,” as it floats into the sky June 1 during a D-Day remembrance ceremony at the United States Army Air Forces Transport Memorial in Picauville, France.
Attendees wave to U.S. Air Force C-130J Super Hercules aircraft assigned to Ramstein, as the aircraft pass over Picauville, France, during a D-Day remembrance ceremony June 1 at the United States Army Air Forces Transport Memorial.
Service members and French citizens gather for a D-Day remembrance ceremony June 1 at the United States Army Air Forces Transport Memorial in Picauville, France. The ceremony began with a speech honoring those who served in World War II and ended with a flyover that included four C-130J Super Hercules aircraft.
A U.S. Air Force C-130J Super Hercules assigned to the 37th Airlift Squadron at Ramstein casts its shadow June 2 over the beaches of Normandy during a flyover in France.
U.S. Air Force C-130J Super Hercules aircraft assigned to the 37th Airlift Squadron at Ramstein, prepare to take off June 2 at Cherbourg-Maupertus Airport, France, in preparation for D-Day 73 flyovers.
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