D-Day Squadron commemoration of the Invasion of Normandy
The D-Day Squadron successfully participates in the official D-Day commemoration ceremonies including a coordinated overflight with French and United States Air Forces
The D-Day Squadron flew in the official 75th commemoration of the Invasion of Normandy. This event was attended by the President of the United States, Donald J. Trump and the President of France, Emmanuel Macron and featured 60 surviving veterans, many of which took part in the largest seaborne invasion in history.
The D-Day Squadron is the part of the Tunison Foundation, a non-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization. In June 2019, the D-Day Squadron led an American fleet of 15 historic, restored C-47 World War II military aircraft to take part in a flyover of more than 30 international aircraft to drop over 200 paratroopers over the original 1944 drop zones in Normandy commemorating the 75th anniversary of D-Day. The event honored the citizen soldiers of the War, whose bravery led the Allies to the liberation of France and then to an end of the devastating War in Europe. The Squadron's education program takes the compelling story of the citizen soldier to audiences at airshows and events off the flight line to honor these brave Americans and ensure their memory and significance is appreciated for generations to come. The group's efforts are funded through the generous tax-deductible contribution of their supporters.
"One of our primary goal of our efforts was to honour the veterans of the Greatest Generation that sacrificed so much so that we could enjoy the freedoms we have today," stated Moreno Aguiari, Director of Marketing and Public Relations for the D-Day Squadron. "It is our sincere hope that this flight was a fitting tribute to those that fought and died 75 years ago and that those precious few that are still alive today looked to the skies and felt that everyone that who took part in one of the most pivotal moments in our history were properly honored."
Fighters of the French Air Force and the United States Air Force flew a missing man formation, followed by a transport aircraft, from North to South over the ceremony, followed by 12 C-47s, including aircraft of the D-Day Squadron, flying from West to East. The flyover was completed by 8 C-130s of the United States Air Force flying from North to South.
This event is one of the capstones of an effort that was almost two years in the making. Fifteen C-47 and DC-3 aircraft crossed the Atlantic to take part in the 75th anniversary of the D-Day invasion. The aircraft flew the original "Blue Spruce" route, departing from Oxford, Connecticut (KOXC); stopping to refuel in Goose Bay Airport (CYYR) in Newfoundland, Canada, Narsarsuaq Airport (BGBW) in southern Greenland, Reykjavik Airport (BIRK) in Iceland and refueling a final time at Prestwick Airport (EPIK) on the Western coast of Scotland before they made the final leg to Duxford Airfield (EGSU) north of London.
The aircraft then flew in formation on June 5th, 2019, dropping paratroopers in many of the same locations where they landed on the night on June 5th, 1944, followed by the overflight of the official D-Day commemoration ceremony on June 6th, 2019. The D-Day Squadron will be leaving Normandy shortly to attend the 70th anniversary of the Berlin Airlift.
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