Features

Commemorating heroism, honoring fallen service members on D-Day 80

June 13, 2024
Three Douglas C-47 Skytrain aircraft fly in formation during the 80th anniversary flight for D-Day over coastal towns at Normandy, France, June 6, 2024. On June 6, 1944, strength of alliance, dedicated resolve and a multi-national, multi-domain operation won the day. Overall, the successful Allied landings created the basis for Europe’s future stability, as well as the reality that international collaboration could ultimately overcome totalitarianism. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jordan Lazaro)

 

Three U.S. Air Force Airmen sit on a C-130J Super Hercules ramp as they fly over the beaches of Normandy, France, June 6, 2024. U.S. military personnel and equipment will commemorate the 80th anniversary of Operation Overlord, the Allied invasion of Normandy on June 6, 1944, widely known as D-Day. This event will also include Allied countries like France, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Belgium, Canada and Germany. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Edgar Grimaldo)

 

U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force members take a photo with World War II veteran Mr. Ceo Bauer, Former 377th Infantry Regiment rifleman, at the end of a D-Day 80 commemorative flight at Cherbourg-Maupertus Airport, France, June 7, 2024. The commemoration of D-Day honors not only the bravery of American service members, but also the contributions and sacrifices of our Allied nations, including the heroism of French resistance fighters. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jordan Lazaro)

 

U.S. World War II veteran Mr. Ceo Bauer, Former 377th Infantry Regiment rifleman, is buckled in by Staff Sgt. Carlos Garcia, 86th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron aeromedical evacuation technician, for a veterans flight commemorating the 80th anniversary of D-Day at Cherbourg-Maupertus Airport, France, June 7, 2024. The sacrifices made by U.S. service members and our Allies during World War II serve as a reminder of the importance of solidarity in times of adversity. It is through our determination that we continue to uphold the principles of freedom and democracy for which so many valiantly fought to preserve. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jordan Lazaro)

 

Three U.S. Air Force Airmen sit on a C-130J Super Hercules aircraft ramp as they fly over the beaches of Normandy, France, June 6, 2024. As we commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day the U.S. military operates across the globe with agile forces and flexible military capabilities to respond to changes in the operational environment and reinforce U.S. commitment to Allies and partners. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Edgar Grimaldo)

 

Crew members prepare the Placid Lassie Douglas C-47 Skytrain for flight at Cherbourg-Maupertus Airport, France, June 6, 2024. The “Placid Lassie” is a World War II legacy aircraft that flew in a handful of operations during WWII to include; Neptune, Market Garden, Repulse and Varsity from 1944-1945. As we commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day the U.S. military operates across the globe with agile forces and flexible military capabilities to respond to changes in the operational environment and reinforce U.S. commitment to Allies and partners. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jordan Lazaro)

 

A headstone of an unmarked grave at the Normandy American Cemetery has two flags posted in front of it at Colleville-sur-Mer, France, June 2, 2024. The sacrifices made by U.S. service members and our Allies during World War II serve as a reminder of the importance of solidarity in times of adversity. It is through our determination that we continue to uphold the principles of freedom and democracy for which so many valiantly fought to preserve. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jordan Lazaro)

 

The U.S. flag sways in the sky with the provincial flag of Normandy, at Omaha Beach in commemoration of the 80th anniversary of D-Day, France, June 2, 2024. By never forgetting what happened here eight decades ago, we pay fitting tribute to the D-Day and World War II veterans as we preserve their heritage to secure a future of peace and security in the Euro-Atlantic area. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jordan Lazaro)

 

Enthusiasts wearing replica World War II military attire park along the road in vintage WWII-era military vehicles as part of the D-Day commemoration celebrations across the Normandy region at Omaha Beach, France, June 2, 2024. By never forgetting what happened here eight decades ago, we pay fitting tribute to the D-Day and World War II veterans as we preserve their heritage to secure a future of peace and security in the Euro-Atlantic area. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jordan Lazaro)

 

French locals participate in the C-47 monument U.S. Air Force commemorative ceremony by dressing up in reenactment clothing in honor of the 80th anniversary of D-day at L’Eglise Picauville, France, June 4, 2024. Millions of people are anticipated to attend the 80th anniversary of D-Day and the celebrations across Normandy that will take place over the span of two weeks. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jordan Lazaro)

 

U.S. Army Maj. Gen. William Ryan, First Army acting commander, left, shakes hands with Purple Heart Recipient U.S. Army Sgt. Maj. Thomas P Payne, Special Operations Command instructor, during the American Airline wreath laying ceremony in honor of the 80th anniversary of D-Day at Pointe Du Hoc, France, June 4, 2024. The commemoration of D-Day honors not only the bravery of American service members, but also the contributions and sacrifices of our Allied nations, including the heroism of French resistance fighters. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jordan Lazaro)

 

U.S. World War II veterans grasp hands upon greeting each other during the American Airline wreath laying ceremony in honor of the 80th anniversary of D-Day at Pointe Du Hoc, France, June 4, 2024. The commemoration of D-Day honors not only the bravery of American service members, but also the contributions and sacrifices of our Allied nations, including the heroism of French resistance fighters. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jordan Lazaro)

 

U.S. Air Force Honor Guard left following the conclusion of a ceremony honoring the crash landing of a Douglas C-47 Skytrain at the Magneville Memorial in Magneville, France, June 3, 2024. The memorial honors the lives of the four aircrew and sixteen paratroopers who died in the crash landing eighty years ago. We honor those in whose footsteps we follow by remaining ready and postured to confront regional and global threats to national sovereignty and an increasingly dynamic security environment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Regan Enriquez)

 

Flowers rest around the Magneville Memorial site during a ceremony in Magneville, France, June 3, 2024. The memorial was built in 1948 to honor the 22 service members lost in the crash landing of a C-47 near Magneville in 1944. The Magneville Memorial honors the loss of 18 paratroopers, assigned to the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division, and four C-47 transport crew members that were shot down on June 6, 1944. The sacrifices made by U.S. service members and our Allies during World War II serve as a reminder of the importance of solidarity in times of adversity. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Regan Enriquez)

 

U.S. service members assigned to the 57th Rescue Squadron and 173rd Airborne Brigade march in formation to the Magneville Memorial before the beginning of the ceremony honoring the crash landing of a Douglas C-47 Skytrain at the Magneville Memorial in Magneville, France, June 3, 2024. The memorial honors the lives of the four aircrew and sixteen paratroopers who died in the crash landing eighty years ago. We honor those in whose footsteps we follow by remaining ready and postured to face regional and global threats in an increasingly dynamic security environment in Europe. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Regan Enriquez)

 

Maj. Gen. James “Pat” Work, 82nd Airborne Division commander, gives the keynote speech during the C-47 monument U.S. Air Force commemorative ceremony in honor of the 80th anniversary of D-day at L’Eglise Picauville, France, June 4, 2024. The commemoration of D-Day honors not only the bravery of American service members, but also the contributions and sacrifices of our Allied nations, including the heroism of French resistance fighters. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jordan Lazaro)

 

A child places a rose at the face of the C-47 monument during the U.S. Air Force commemorative ceremony in honor of the 80th anniversary of D-day at L’Eglise Picauville, France, June 4, 2024. This is the only monument that pays tribute to the men who disappeared in the town of Picauville when five C-47s crashed on June 6, 1944. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jordan Lazaro)

 

A U.S. Air Force C-130J Super Hercules assigned to the 37th Airlift Squadron, Ramstein Air Base, Germany, gets ready to fly over a commemorative ceremony for the 80th anniversary of D-Day at Sainte-Mere-Eglise, France, June 3, 2024. Millions of people are anticipated to attend the 80th anniversary of D-Day and the celebrations across Normandy that will take place over the span of two weeks. The commemoration of D-Day honors not only the bravery of American service members, but also the contributions and sacrifices of our Allied nations, including the heroism of French resistance fighters. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jordan Lazaro)

 

U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Daniel Ward, 317th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron C-130 production superintendent, left, and Tech. Sgt. Joshua Bredwell, 40th Airlift Squadron evaluator loadmaster, sits on the open ramp of a C-130J Super Hercules aircraft assigned to the 40th AS, Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, during a four aircraft formation at Normandy region, France, June 3, 2024. This flight was part of a two week event in honor of the 80th anniversary of D-Day. The sacrifices made by U.S. service members and our Allies during World War II serve as a reminder of the importance of solidarity in times of adversity. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jordan Lazaro)

 

Parachutists with the U.S. Army Parachute Team, known as the “Golden Knights”, land near Sainte-Marie-du-Mont, France, June 3, 2024. The U.S. Army Parachute Team, known as the Golden Knights, is a combination of expert teams and Soldiers brought together by their love of skydiving. This includes parachute teams, aircraft pilots, and those who handle jump logistics behind the scenes. Whether you’re free falling at 120 miles per hour or learning to land with expert precision, you’ll experience the pride and thrill of adventure while performing around the world as an elite unit. (U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Edgar Grimaldo)

 

Parachutists with the U.S. Army Parachute Team, known as the “Golden Knights”, perform aerial acrobatics before a wreath laying ceremony honoring the sacrifice of those soldiers of Easy Company, 506th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, who died during Operation Overlord near Sainte-Marie-du-Mont, France, June 3, 2024. Commemorative events such as these serve to honor the sacrifices U.S. service members made 80 years ago in securing peace and security, and inspiring future generations to value a collective vision of global peace. (U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Edgar Grimaldo)
(Visited 44 times, 1 visits today)
« Previous × Next »