Ramstein C-130s Get Invasion Stripes For D-Day Commemoration Subsequent 12 months

Six C-130J plane at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, obtained a particular paint job and decals just lately to indicate off over the seashores of Normandy, France, on the eightieth anniversary of D-Day subsequent June. 

Maintainers painted black-and-white stripes on the thirty seventh Airlift Squadron’s C-130s to imitate the “invasion” or “liberation” stripes sported by Allied plane throughout World Warfare II to differentiate them from enemy plane and cut back the prospect of pleasant fireplace. 

The Airmen from the 86th Upkeep Squadron additionally gave a nod to the thirty seventh’s lineage by portray a W-7 insignia on the invasion stripes—a Douglas C-47 Skytrain plane named Whiskey Seven belonging to the thirty seventh Troop Service Squadron was the primary to cross enemy traces to drop paratroopers. 

U.S. Air Pressure Workers Sgt. Elizabeth Allgood, 86th Upkeep Squadron Plane Structural Upkeep craftsman and U.S. Air Pressure Airman 1st Class Christopher Gillis, 86th MXS ASM apprentice, apply tape to the wing of a C-130J Tremendous Hercules plane earlier than portray at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, July 31, 2023. The ASM flight is answerable for sanding and portray plane and making certain the structural integrity of an plane isn’t compromised and is ready to perform the mission required by its crewmembers. U.S. Air Pressure picture by Senior Airman Thomas Karol

Members of the 86th Upkeep Squadron Plane Structural Upkeep Flight pose for a photograph earlier than portray a C-130J Tremendous Hercules at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, July 31, 2023. The workforce from the 86th MXS ASM flight are portray plane to be prepared for the upcoming eightieth anniversary of the Normandy landings. U.S. Air Pressure Senior Airman Thomas Karol

U.S. Air Pressure Airmen assigned to the 86th Upkeep Squadron Plane Structural Upkeep Flight paint a C-130J Tremendous Hercules plane at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, Aug. 1, 2023. The 86th MXS ASM Flight is portray stripes on C-130s and they’re referred to as liberation stripes because of the allied forces throughout World Warfare II liberating Europe from enemy fingers. U.S. Air Pressure picture by Senior Airman Thomas Karol

U.S. Air Pressure Tech. Sgt. Cortney Wardinski, 86th Upkeep Squadron corrosion supervisor, prepares to use tape to the wing of a C-130J Tremendous Hercules plane at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, July 31, 2023. The Plane Structural Upkeep Flight is at present portray liberation stripes on a few of Ramstein AB’s plane to pay homage to the Normandy landings throughout World Warfare II. U.S. Air Pressure picture by Senior Airman Thomas Karol

U.S. Air Pressure Airmen assigned to the 86th Upkeep Squadron Plane Structural Upkeep Flight paint liberation stripes on a C-130J Tremendous Hercules plane at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, Aug. 1, 2023. The 86th MXS ASM Flight is portray liberation stripes on six C-130J Tremendous Hercules plane in preparation for the eightieth anniversary of the Normandy landings, which initiated the liberation of Europe and the Finish of World Warfare II. U.S. Air Pressure picture by Senior Airman Thomas Karol

Models throughout the Air Pressure have painted invasion stripes on their plane through the years to have a good time the service’s World Warfare II roots. This 12 months alone, F-15E fighters from Seymour Johnson Air Pressure Base, N.C., and a C-17 Globemaster III from Pittsburgh Worldwide Airport Air Reserve Station, Penn., have sported the stripes. 

However solely the Ramstein C-130s, nonetheless, are scheduled to take part within the D-Day eightieth anniversary celebrations on June 6, 2024.

“We get the only real honor within the Air Pressure of making use of liberation stripes to our plane in celebration of 80 years of NATO air superiority in Europe,” Tech. Sgt. Garrett Magnie, 86th Upkeep Squadron plane structural upkeep noncommissioned officer in cost, mentioned in a press release. “The thirty seventh Troop Service Squadron, now often called the thirty seventh Airlift Squadron, flew Whiskey Seven over enemy airspace. Traditionally the thirty seventh can lay declare to be part of the Normandy liberation.”  

The thirty seventh additionally supported the seventy fifth anniversary of D-Day 5 years in the past, with a C-130 sporting invasion stripes that dropped paratroopers in France and flew alongside a heritage C-47. 

Preparations for the eightieth anniversary are underway, however particulars have but to be introduced.