Photo By Capt. Theresa Morris | In what is likely the most frequently re-printed image in the Air National Guard...... read more read more
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The original D-Day event, which took place June 6, 1944, was the largest amphibious invasion in history and marked a crucial turning point in World War II, as U.S. and allied forces stormed French beaches against Nazi Germany defenses and began an offensive campaign that ultimately led to victory in the European Theater of the war.
The 107th is now assigned to Selfridge Air National Guard Base as a fighter squadron, flying the U.S. Air Force’s primary air-to-ground attack aircraft, the A-10 Thunderbolt II. During World War II, the 107th was designated as a tactical reconnaissance squadron and its pilots flew hundreds of missions over France, bringing back crucial aerial photographs that were used by Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower and senior military leaders to plan the invasion.
“It is just incredible that we can do this,” said a senior attack pilot with the 107th. “The timing just lined up perfectly.”
The 107th, along with other Selfridge-based units, were scheduled to participate in Saber Strike, an annual exercise conducting in the nations of Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania along the Baltic Sea in northern Europe. Three Selfridge aircraft are pausing a day en route to Latvia to participate in the D-Day commemoration.
"The role that D-day played in history cannot be overstated. The 107th was able to paint a picture for the senior leaders of the time - what we would call 'ISR' or intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance - that led to the decisions on where and how the invasion would take place," said Brig. Gen. John D. Slocum, 127th Wing Commander. "It is an incredible privilege for the 107th to be able to participate in this year's commemoration of the events of D-day."
Two A-10 aircraft from Selfridge are expected to fly over the commemoration ceremonies. A Selfridge-based KC-135 Stratotanker, flown by the 171st Air Refueling Squadron, is also scheduled to fly in support of the commemoration, providing aerial refueling support. The 171st was originally created as the 374th Fighter Squadron during World War II and flew extensive combat operations in Europe during the war, though was not directly involved in the D-Day landings.
“This mission directly ties into a key theme of the commemoration, ‘Securing Our Future by Honoring Our Past.’ Unit morale is through the roof being able to support this operation,” the 107th pilot said. Due to operational security concerns, pilot names are being withheld.
The 107th is one of the oldest flying units in the Air Force, originally created for service in France as the 107th Aero Squadron during World War I. The unit’s nickname, the Red Devils, is believed to have been selected by 107th Airmen during a train ride to the U.S. East Coast prior to shipping out to France for World War I in 1918.
During World War II, the squadron spent some time on anti-submarine patrols on the U.S. East Coast and then was sent to England where, flying P-51 Mustangs, it flew reconnaissance missions over France. After the D-Day invasion, it was the first American reconnaissance unit to re-locate and operated from the European mainland. The unit began photographing the coast of France in February 1944 to allow the Allied Command to begin planning the June invasion. During the first 24 hours of the invasion, 107th pilots flew 69 two-ship missions over the coast to document the progress.
“I never saw so many frigging boats in my life,” 107th pilot Jack K. Turner exclaimed in an official report. “I wouldn’t have missed that sight for a million dollars.”
The 107th’s operations did not come without a high cost. The unit lost more than three dozen aircraft to accidents and enemy fire. Thirteen 107th pilots were killed in action in the summer of 1944 and three – including Turner – were shot down and taken prisoner by the Germans. Turner and his fellow prisoners were eventually liberated after the war.
For its actions in support of D-Day, the 107th was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation. Today, the Red Devils is one of the most combat experienced fighter squadrons in the Air National Guard, having served multiple deployments in Afghanistan, Iraq and surrounding areas. While the 171st did not participate directly in D-Day, it played a key role in the eventual allied victory. Operating as the 374th Fighter Squadron, the unit flew P-47 Thunderbolts prior to transitioning to P-51 Mustangs during the war. The unit’s primary task was to escort U.S. bombers – a slow, easy target for enemy fighters – during raids in to Germany.
Leading up to the invasion, the unit escorted U.S. bombers of scores of raids against German transportation hubs, to slow the ability of the German Army to respond to news of the D-Day attacks. Later, the unit provided direct support of Operation Cobra, a post D-Day breakthrough of U.S. forces against inland German forces in France. During the war, 374th / 171st aircraft shot down 226 enemy fighters and destroyed another 105 enemy aircraft on the ground.
| Date Taken: | 05.30.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 06.01.2018 08:45 |
| Story ID: | 279088 |
| Location: | NORAMNDY, FR |
| Web Views: | 307 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, 107th Returns to France; Honors D-Day Legacy, by SMSgt Daniel Heaton, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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