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815th Airlift Squadron drops paratroopers to commemorate D-Day 73
Col. Brian May, commander of the 403rd Operation Group, gives a speech during a ceremony in Picauville, France. This ceremony commemorates the 73rd anniversary of D-Day, the largest multi-national 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. are participating in ceremonial D-Day events from May 31 to June 7, 2017(U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Nicholas Monteleone)
Photo by: Staff Sgt. Nicholas Monteleone
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815th Airlift Squadron drops paratroopers to commemorate D-Day 73
A crew from the 815th Airlift Squadron take off to conduct a 4-ship flyover at a ceremony in Normandy. This ceremony commemorates the 73rd anniversary of D-Day, the largest multi-national 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. are participating in ceremonial D-Day events from May 31 to June 7, 2017(U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Nicholas Monteleone)
Photo by: Staff Sgt. Nicholas Monteleone
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815th Airlift Squadron drops paratroopers to commemorate D-Day 73
Senior Airman Shane Hague, loadmaster with the 815th Airlift Squadron, prepares to guide pilots as they back out of their parking spot before taking part in a paratroop drop over Normandy, France. This event commemorates the 73rd anniversary of D-Day, the largest multi-national 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. are participating in ceremonial D-Day events from May 31 to June 7, 2017(U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Nicholas Monteleone)
Photo by: Staff Sgt. Nicholas Monteleone
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815th Airlift Squadron drops paratroopers to commemorate D-Day 73
Paratroopers await their jump from an 815th Airlift Squadron C-130J over Normandy, France. This event commemorates the 73rd anniversary of D-Day, the largest multi-national 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. are participating in ceremonial D-Day events from May 31 to June 7, 2017(U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Nicholas Monteleone)
Photo by: Staff Sgt. Nicholas Monteleone
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815th Airlift Squadron drops paratroopers to commemorate D-Day 73
Capt. Nick Foreman, pilot for the 815th Airlift Squadron flies toward the drop zone for a paratroop drop over Normandy, France. This event commemorates the 73rd anniversary of D-Day, the largest multi-national 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. are participating in ceremonial D-Day events from May 31 to June 7, 2017(U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Nicholas Monteleone)
Photo by: Staff Sgt. Nicholas Monteleone
Photo 6 of 8
815th Airlift Squadron drops paratroopers to commemorate D-Day 73
Senior Master Sgt. Darren Bannister, loadmaster with the 815th Airlift Squadron looks out of the bubble on the flight deck while taking part in a paratroop drop over Normandy, France. This event commemorates the 73rd anniversary of D-Day, the largest multi-national 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. are participating in ceremonial D-Day events from May 31 to June 7, 2017(U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Nicholas Monteleone)
Photo by: Staff Sgt. Nicholas Monteleone
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815th Airlift Squadron drops paratroopers to commemorate D-Day 73
Paratroops jump from C-130J aircraft during a six-ship troop drop over Normandy, France. This event commemorates the 73rd anniversary of D-Day, the largest multi-national 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. are participating in ceremonial D-Day events from May 31 to June 7, 2017(U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Nicholas Monteleone)
Photo by: Staff Sgt. Nicholas Monteleone
Photo 8 of 8
815th Airlift Squadron drops paratroopers to commemorate D-Day 73
A jumpmaster communicates with his troops awaiting their jump from an 815th Airlift Squadron C-130J over Normandy, France. This event commemorates the 73rd anniversary of D-Day, the largest multi-national 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. are participating in ceremonial D-Day events from May 31 to June 7, 2017(U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Nicholas Monteleone)
Photo by: Staff Sgt. Nicholas Monteleone
Two 815th Airlift Squadron crews from Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi participated in a six-ship multinational airborne mission near here in the Normandy region June 4, 2017 to commemorate D-Day 73.
In the early morning hours of June 6, 1944, paratroopers from the 82nd and 101st Infantry Divisions dropped into France in the opening moments of what would become known as “The Longest Day.”
Now, 73 years later, C-130J Super Hercules crews from the 815th AS join the 37th AS from Ramstein Air Base, Germany as well as French and German C-160s to drop 451 U.S., French, British, Dutch and German paratroopers and reenactors. The aircraft followed the same route C-47s did to drop paratroopers on D-Day.
The 815th AS is one of nine historical units taking part in various events and ceremonies throughout the region. Now a C-130J tactical unit, the 185th AS was the 815th Bombardment Squadron during World War II.
“I’m honored and humbled to be able to fly in such a historic event that celebrates and commemorates all of the people that took part and those that made the ultimate sacrifice,” said Capt. Nicholas Foreman, 815th AS pilot.
The squadron flew multiple missions during this year’s week-long D-Day 73 commemoration, to include several flyovers.
Overall, participation in D-Day 73 not only commemorates the D-Day heroes, it also demonstrates the steadfast commitment of the U.S. to European allies and partners, Forman said.
