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    815th Airlift Squadron drops paratroopers to commemorate D-Day 73

    815th crews dropped paratroopers near Sainte-Mère-Église for DDay 73

    Photo By Tech. Sgt. Nicholas Monteleone | A jumpmaster communicates with his troops awaiting their jump from an 815th Airlift...... read more read more

    SAINTE-MERE-EGLISE, FRANCE

    06.05.2017

    Story by Staff Sgt. Nicholas Monteleone 

    403rd Wing

    SAINTE-MERE-EGLISE, France – 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.

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    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 06.05.2017
    Date Posted: 06.05.2017 17:25
    Story ID: 236431
    Location: SAINTE-MERE-EGLISE, FR

    Web Views: 117
    Downloads: 1

    PUBLIC DOMAIN