Twitter
Facebook
The German and American flags flying in front of the 86th Airlift Wing command building have switched positions recently to give prominence to the German flag.
The change took place July 20 and there has been a flood of questions about it, said Master Sgt. Eugene “J” Berry, 86th Airlift Wing protocol office superintendent.
“The (86th AW) has received numerous calls about the flags being wrong after the switch,” he said. “We explain to them the agreement and how the position of honor is given to the German flag.”
The aforementioned agreement, Flite Document No. 7500721 between Germany and U.S. Forces in Europe from 1958, states that when flown outside and together, the German flag will be placed in the position of honor (to the right) of its American counterpart. This is determined from the flag’s actual position in relation to other flags next to it.
“These standards hadn’t been in any Air Force regulation, we were just unaware of the document until it was recently pointed out,” Berry said.
Berry added that the call came from the NATO headquarters on Ramstein to the U.S. Air Forces in Europe protocol office, who then contacted the wing protocol office about the discrepancy.
“It’s the best way we can show our host nation respect every day,” Berry said.
However, this placement is not unlike other nations that host American military
members. Italy has a similar story.
According to Army in Europe Regulation 840-10, “The position of honor is given to the Italian national flag on outdoor garrison and installation flagpoles.”
“I didn’t know (about the change), but it is appropriate,” said Eva Maldonado, 86th AW host nation adviser. “It is healthy to have the national flag as a symbol of pride for your country. It’s nice to see the German flag honored on Ramstein.”
