'Taps' and the F-35A doing the 'Missing man', the most evocative moment of D-Day 2024

@DefAviation ES 6·06·2024 · 20:59 0

Today marks the 80th anniversary of the Normandy Landings, one of the most decisive operations of World War II.

The moving return of World War II veterans to Normandy 80 years later
World War II military vehicles and aircraft in Normandy for the 80th anniversary of D-Day

This day has been full of commemorative events in Normandy and other places. It would be difficult to summarize them all here, but I want to show you some images that have caught my attention.

This first image shows the tribute to the commandos of the 1st Marine Rifle Battalion of France, under the command of Philippe Kieffer, who were part of the first wave of landings on Sword Beach, a French contribution to the D-Day of which very little is talked about (photo: Marine Nationale).

Another memorable image was the joint pass made by the Red Arrows and the Patrouille de France, the aerobatic teams of the British and French air forces, over Omaha Beach (photos: Andrew Parsons / Patrouille de France).

Below these lines, a beautiful image of soldiers of the 75th Ranger Regiment of the US Army paying tribute to their fallen comrades in the Normandy American Cemetery, next to Omaha Beach (photo: dvidshub.net).

During the official ceremonies at the Normandy American Cemetery, three C-130J Super Hercules flew in formation, two of them sporting the famous invasion stripes that were painted on the aircraft that participated in the Day's operations. D (photo: U.S. Army / Sgt. Jonathan Bryson).

Without a doubt, the most evocative moment of the day occurred in the aforementioned cemetery next to Omaha Beach. Following the official speeches, United States military personnel performed the French military call "Aux Morts" (To the Dead) and the American bugle call "Taps", all while the military and veterans performed the military greeting.

The tribute to the Fallen culminated with 21 artillery salvos fired by members of the 529th Military Police Company of the US Army with 105 mm M101 howitzers (a model from World War II), followed by a pass of four F-35A fighters from the 493rd Fighter Squadron of the US Air Force, based at RAF Lakenheath (England), doing the "Missing man formation", in which a plane rises above the others remembering the Fallen. You can see the video here:

Here you can see a video from @devdosomethings that better shows the pass of the F-35Aover the Normandy American Cemetery:

F-35s absolutely COOKING.

Hell of a missing man formation. pic.twitter.com/LU9zeKs39m

— CanDevDoSomething.sol (@devdosomethings) June 6, 2024

If you want to see the complete broadcast of this event, it is available at the American Battle YouTube channel Monuments Commission.

My memory to all those who fought and died for Freedom in that battle. Let us never forget their sacrifice.