48th Fighter Wing honors D-Day 76th Anniversary

ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England -- Four F-15 Eagles assigned to the 493rd Fighter Squadron conducted a flyover in France commemorating the 76th anniversary of D-Day, June 6, 2020.



By Senior Airman Christopher Sparks 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs Normandy, France Jun 08, 2020
View Gallery
fallback
Gallery contains 4 images

ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England -- Four F-15 Eagles assigned to the 493rd Fighter Squadron conducted a flyover in France commemorating the 76th anniversary of D-Day, June 6, 2020.

The flyover was held in conjunction with local ceremonies taking place at Omaha Beach, one of the landing locations of U.S. and allied forces during the Normandy Invasion in France.

The Normandy Invasion, also known as D-Day, was the Allied invasion of Western Europe, June 6, 1944.

“D-Day was one of the turning points in World War II,” said Lt. Col. Todd Pearson, 48th FW chief of flight safety. “It was a significant event in military history and a significant loss of life. It’s important that we as Americans and as military members continue to honor the sacrifices the generations before of us made.”

The invasion, considered the largest amphibious landings of all time, was a joint effort between the U.S., U.K., and Canadian forces. U.S and allied troops stormed the five separate beachheads in Normandy, France, against Nazi forces.

“The significance of that is not lost on me or any of the pilots that flew with me,” Pearson said. “It’s pretty cool to be representing the 48th Fighter Wing, the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. in front of the French people and the world to see.”

The operation resulted in the liberation of northern France, victory in the European Theater, and eventually led to the end of the war.

"We are honored to have the opportunity to participate again this year in honoring the brave young men who charged the beaches of Normandy 76 years ago," said Col. William Marshall, 48th Fighter Wing commander. "Many never made it home, and it's humbling to to fly over such historically significant landmarks."

More in Media Room
Additional assets arrive in support of recovery efforts in Lithuania
In the last 24 hours, U.S. Army and Lithuanian authorities brought in additional assets to assist with the ongoing recovery efforts of four missing U.S. Army Soldiers and a M88 Hercules from the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division.
Read more
B-52s conduct first live weapons drop in Sweden since nation joined NATO
The mission also included a low-formation flyover of the Swedish Parliament to celebrate the one-year anniversary of Sweden’s accession to NATO.
Read more
‘FORTRESS HAIL’ mission bolsters U.S. lethality alongside NATO Allies
Bomber Task Force missions like FORTRESS HAIL demonstrate the ability to integrate seamlessly with mission partners, strengthening readiness and lethality.
Read more
More in Media Room
Additional assets arrive in support of recovery efforts in Lithuania
In the last 24 hours, U.S. Army and Lithuanian authorities brought in additional assets to assist with the ongoing recovery efforts of four missing U.S. Army Soldiers and a M88 Hercules from the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division.
Read more
B-52s conduct first live weapons drop in Sweden since nation joined NATO
The mission also included a low-formation flyover of the Swedish Parliament to celebrate the one-year anniversary of Sweden’s accession to NATO.
Read more
‘FORTRESS HAIL’ mission bolsters U.S. lethality alongside NATO Allies
Bomber Task Force missions like FORTRESS HAIL demonstrate the ability to integrate seamlessly with mission partners, strengthening readiness and lethality.
Read more
More in Media Room
Additional assets arrive in support of recovery efforts in Lithuania
In the last 24 hours, U.S. Army and Lithuanian authorities brought in additional assets to assist with the ongoing recovery efforts of four missing U.S. Army Soldiers and a M88 Hercules from the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division.
Read more
B-52s conduct first live weapons drop in Sweden since nation joined NATO
The mission also included a low-formation flyover of the Swedish Parliament to celebrate the one-year anniversary of Sweden’s accession to NATO.
Read more
‘FORTRESS HAIL’ mission bolsters U.S. lethality alongside NATO Allies
Bomber Task Force missions like FORTRESS HAIL demonstrate the ability to integrate seamlessly with mission partners, strengthening readiness and lethality.
Read more