Remembering the fallen of 9/11: Air Expeditionary Wing airmen hold ceremony

Photo By Tech. Sgt. Rasheen A. Douglas | U.S. Air Force Airmen along with coalition forces stand in formation during a retreat ceremony recognizing the 14th anniversary of Sept. 11, 2001, at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, Sept. 11, 2015. The retreat ceremony signals the end of the official duty day and serves as a ceremony for paying respect to the flag. In this ceremony, respect was paid to the flag and the memory of those lost on Sept. 11, 2001. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Rasheen Douglas)  

AL UDEID AIR BASE, QATAR

09.13.2015

Story by Staff Sgt. Alexandre Montes 

379th Air Expeditionary Wing

AL UDEID AIR BASE, Qatar - Fourteen years after the tragic events of Sept. 11, 2001, Al Udeid Air Base held a memorial ceremony in remembrance of the victims that perished when America was viciously attacked.

Coalition forces came together at the base flag pole to pay respects to those who lost their lives that day.

Brig. Gen. Darren James, 379th Air Expeditionary Wing commander, provided remarks to those in attendance, underscoring coalition forces coming together to defend freedom and defeat unprecedented evil.

“Many of us can clearly recount exactly where we were and what we were doing on Sept. 11 when our nation was viciously attacked,” said James.

James also talked about the importance of the mission being conducted at Al Udeid with our coalition partners. After he spoke, members of the Al Udeid Air Base Honor Guard ceremoniously lowered and folded the American flag.

“Sept. 11, 2001 changed our nation, altered the course of world history and framed a new strategic outlook for our nation’s fighting forces for many years to come,” said James. “All of us gathered here at Al Udeid today are part of that ongoing effort to defend America and her allies. Today, we draw strength from those that serve and their families.”

Following the events on 9/11, Al Udeid Air Base became the hub for air operations throughout the Central Command area of responsibility. Today, approximately 11,000 soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines and coalition partners work side by side to ensure that those stunning and tragic events of Sept.
11, 2001 are never seen again.

• Date Taken: 09.13.2015
• Date Posted: 09.14.2015 03:58
• Story ID: 175946
• Location: AL UDEID AIR BASE, QA