Photo By Jessica Kendziorek | Members of one of the D-Day historical re-enactor groups recieved a tour of the C-130J...... read more read more
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KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- The U.S. Air Force Reserve’s 815th Airlift Squadron returned to France to participate in fly-overs of the beaches and towns of Normandy, as well as provide transport for the parachute drop on June 5 for D-Day.
The squadron, along with 400 U.S. troops, took part in several events to commemorate the anniversary of the largest multi-national amphibious landing and operational military airdrop in history.
In 1944, more than 160,000 allied troops landed on the French coast line to fight Nazi Germany on the beaches of Normandy. More than 13,000 aircraft and 5,000 ships supported the invasion.
The 815th Airlift Squadron now flies the C-130J; however, in 1943 the 815th was a heavy bombardment squadron flying a B-17 Flying Fortress. The squadron engaged in the long-range strategic bombardment of enemy military, as well as industrial and transport targets in France, Italy, southern Germany, Austria and the Balkans. They continued this bombardment until the German defeat in May 1945. At this point the 815th was then reassigned to be a troop carrier unit. Even after many mission changes, the 815th AS is still known for their cargo and troop movement today.
The squadron, called the “Flying Jennies,” returned to France to drop paratroopers from U.S. and French Airborne units in commemoration of the operation.
"Being able to come here (Normandy) has been the best experience in my 15 years of service," said Tech. Sgt. Nathan Joslin, 815th AS loadmaster. "And, to have paratroopers from the same units that served during World War II, jump from our C-130J into the same drop zone was an honor."
A group of four U.S. Air Force C-130Js, a French Casa and a German C-160 aircraft dropped approximately 390 paratroopers from multiple nations in commemoration of D-Day June 5 into La Fière outside of Sainte-Mère-Église, France. This was one of many original drop zones that were used during D-Day June 6, 1944.
"I feel privileged and honored to be chosen to jump in the same place as those before me," said Army Staff Sgt. Joseph Lazok, 404th Civil Affairs Battalion from Fort Dix, New Jersey, who jumped that day.
While the paratroopers from airborne units waited for the doors to open, the excitement was visible on their faces. But they were jumping into a hail of cheers and clapping, unlike those who jumped into battle on that fateful night 72 years ago.
"We jumped from 500 feet and prayed it (our parachute) opened before we were half-way down," said Adelchi Pilutti, former Buck Sergeant and World War II veteran from the 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 82nd Airborne. "It was like going into a bonfire. There was scattered firing the whole way down. Because every fifth round was a tracer round, the machine gun firing looked like it was coming at you, but then they would zip right by you."
Lazok saw photographs of the paratroopers jumping with the rounds flying around and he would be a little nervous jumping from only 500 feet but given the situation, he could see why the original D-Day paratroopers jumped so low.
After Lazok, and the other paratroopers were clear, the group of six aircraft participated in a fly-over of Sainte-Mère-Église. After the fly-over, the aircrew joined other service members and World War II veterans in town.
The 815th AS aircrew members, along with other military members from all branches and countries of service met with some of the World War II veterans, listened to their experiences and even sang along when an Army Word War II Airborne veteran began singing "Blood on the Risers," an American paratrooper song from the war.
"Hearing their stories and what they went through, makes me feel humble and honored to serve," said Joslin. "Their sacrifice is unbelievable."
| Date Taken: | 06.05.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 11.21.2016 10:15 |
| Story ID: | 215363 |
| Location: | KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, MISSISSIPPI, US |
| Web Views: | 172 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, D-Day 72: Flying Jennies interact with living history, by Jessica Kendziorek, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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