by Senior Airman Thomas Karol
86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs June 10, 2022
A C-130J Super Hercules aircraft assigned to the 37th Airlift Squadron out of Ramstein Air Base, Germany, flies past Mont Saint-Michel in Normandy, France, June 2, 2022. 37th AS has a lineage that stems from squadrons that participated in the invasion of France by dropping troops and carrying gliders over Normandy in order to secure towns and bridges before the rest of the Allied Forces could storm the beaches during World War II. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Matt Bilbrey)
Three C-130J Super Hercules aircraft assigned to the 86th Airlift Wing participated in the 78th Annual D-Day commemoration in Normandy, France, June 6.
The 37th Airlift Squadron participated in multiple ceremonies and flyovers in remembrance of their predecessors who dropped paratroopers over Normandy during Operation Overlord 78 years ago.
“For me, it is incredibly important to be here,” said U.S. Air Force Maj. Justin Pedone, Detachment Commander for the 78th Commemoration of D-Day. “My great cousin was a C-47 Skytrain pilot and he dropped the first paratroopers over Northern France. To come out here and experience the heritage of my family is really special.”
U.S. Army Gen. Christopher Cavoli, Europe and Africa commanding general, speaks to attendees of the C-47 Memorial Garden Ceremony in Picauville, France, June 4, 2022. The site was created to honor the sacrifice of 20 young American soldiers who gave their lives on June 6, 1944. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Lauren Jacoby)
D-Day ceremonies brought together those from nations who fought on both sides of World War II to remember the sacrifices made by all during the contest of Northern France.
“Many of our partners and allies are here with us to remember this historic event,” said U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Christopher Donahue, 82nd Airborne Division commander. “I think it’s extremely important that our partners, and even our former enemies – now close allies, are here to remember the sacrifices made here in the name of freedom.”
According to Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, U.S. Army General A. Mark Milley, the ideology that threatened the lives of the people of Western Europe 78 years ago is eerily similar to what we see in the world today.
Charles Norman Shay (left), combat veteran, and retired U.S. Air Force Master Sgt., speaks with members of the German Army in Picauville, France, June 4, 2022. Shay was assigned to an assault battalion in the first wave of attack on June 6, 1944, and received a Silver Star for his acts of valor on the battlefield. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Lauren Jacoby)
“It has been almost 80 years since the defeat of Nazi Germany, Imperial Japan and fascist Italy,” said Milley. “But, we are again seeing death and destruction on the European continent. While Kyiv may be 2,000 kilometers away from where we are today, they too are experiencing the same horrors the French people experienced in World War II at the hands of the Nazi invaders. The world has come together in the support of the Defense of Ukraine against a determined invader. The fight for Ukraine is about honoring these veterans of World War II. It’s about the treaties that were established by the dead that are buried here at this cemetery.”
Those treaties were born out of service members who, through their own grit and perseverance, liberated a continent from evil and changed history forever.
“They gave us the world we live in today, which we still fight to keep free,” Pedone said. “We flew over Normandy American Cemetery and we were moved by the extreme sacrifice that was made here, and feel the weight of how many people we lost in the defense of freedom. It’s an honor to be here to commemorate the sacrifices that were made and the people who not only saved the country, but the world.”
Guy Ledenechal, the Mayor of Negreville, France, gives a speech during a D-Day ceremony June 3, 2022. Negreville has hosted a D-Day ceremony every year since 1999 to commemorate those who gave their lives to free France during the Normandy landings on June 6, 1944. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Thomas Karol)
The predecessor to today’s 37 AS dropped troops over Normandy before the landings began the liberation of the tyrannical rule of Europe.
“We are experiencing and learning about a piece of our history,” Pedone said. “It’s interesting to see where our operations began and how they have change throughout the years. It really brings into perspective why we are here and develops a deeper appreciation of the sacrifices made by those brave individuals 78 years ago.”
Two C-130J Super Hercules aircraft from the 37th Airlift Squadron out of Ramstein Air Base, Germany, perform a flyover at the C-47 Memorial Garden Ceremony in Picauville, France, June 4, 2022. The C-47 Memorial Garden features a slate-covered area in the shape of a C-47, as well as tulip trees planted to represent each of the 20 American soldiers who lost their lives on June 6, 1944. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Lauren Jacoby)
Children place flowers on a memorial during a D-Day ceremony at Negreville, France, June 3, 2022. Negreville hosted their 24th annual D-Day memorial service as a way to thank those who fought and died to free them from occupation during World War II. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Thomas Karol)
A C-130J out of Ramstein Air Base, Germany piloted by Brig. Gen. Josh Olson, 86th Airlift Wing commander, flies past Mont Saint-Michel, France, June 4, 2022. Olson came to Normandy to participate in events as well as train with the 37th Airlift Squadron by joining them in low-level flight training. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Thomas Karol)
U.S. Air Force Senior Airman John Wright (right), 86th Airlift Wing public affairs journeyman, records footage of a flyover demonstration in Normandy, France, June 3, 2022. The 37th Airlift Squadron out of Ramstein Air Base, Germany, participated in multiple memorial ceremonies and demonstrations to pay tribute to those who lost their lives on D-Day 78 years ago. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Lauren Jacoby)
Two C-130J Super Hercules aircraft from the 37th Airlift Squadron out of Ramstein Air Base, Germany, flew over the Airborne Memorial Ceremony at Picauville, France, June 2, 2022. The ceremony paid tribute to the soldiers who lost their lives when five C-47’s crashed on this communal territory. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Lauren Jacoby)
Three C-130J Super Hercules aircraft from the 37th Airlift Squadron out of Ramstein Air Base, Germany, flew over the beaches of Normandy, France, June 3, 2022. The 37th AS participated in multiple flyover demonstrations to pay tribute to the 78th anniversary of D-Day. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Lauren Jacoby)
Attendees pay their respects by laying flowers and wreaths for the fallen at the Airborne Memorial Ceremony at Picauville, France, June 2, 2022. The ceremony was held in remembrance of the 78th anniversary of D-Day. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Lauren Jacoby)
U.S. Air Force Col. Eve Douglas, Reserve Air Attaché, US Embassy Paris, speaks to the attendees of the Airborne Memorial D-Day Ceremony at Picauville, France, June 2, 2022. The ceremony paid tribute to the soldiers who lost their lives after five C-47’s crashed here on June 6, 1944. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Lauren Jacoby)
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