Dozens of aircraft from multiple countries were in Normandy, France over the first week of June to mark the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings in the Second World War. FlightGlobal accompanied the crew of a US Air Force Lockheed Martin C-130J transport, who travelled from their base in Ramstein, Germany to participate in fly-over ceremonies throughout the week.
The sorties included passes as low as 330ft (the minimum allowed by French aviation authorities), high-degree turns and mid-air coordination with other nearby transports, fighters and tankers to pass over historic battlefields including Sainte-Mere-Eglise, Carentan, Utah Beach and Omaha Beach, where heads of state from around the world gathered on 6 June.
The US Air Force deployed 14 Lockheed Martin C-130J transports from bases in the continental USA and Europe to support D-Day commemorations in Normandy
Source: Ryan Finnerty
The aircraft were based at the Cherbourg-Maupertus airport near Cherbourg-en-Cotentin, a general aviation facility originally constructed by the French government in the 1930s for military purposes
Source: Ryan Finnerty/FlightGlobal
Several aircraft were adorned with vintage World War II-era US Army Air Corps livery for the ceremonies
Source: US Air Force
US C-130 pilots fly with both traditional and heads-up displays, which can be operated under night vision goggles
Source: Ryan Finnerty/FlightGlobal
US C-130 pilots fly with both traditional and heads-up displays, which can be operated under night vision goggles
Source: Ryan Finnerty/FlightGlobal
Flights traversed both sides of Normandy's Cotentin Peninsula, crossing vast oyster farms on the west and the D-Day landing beaches to the east
Source: Ryan Finnerty/FlightGlobal
Flights traversed both sides of Normandy's Cotentin Peninsula, crossing vast oyster farms on the west and the D-Day landing beaches to the east
Source: Ryan Finnerty/FlightGlobal
The D-Day C-130 flights descended to altitudes as low as 330ft, the minimum required by French aviation authorities
Source: Ryan Finnerty/FlightGlobal
The D-Day C-130 flights descended to altitudes as low as 330ft, the minimum required by French aviation authorities
Source: Ryan Finnerty/FlightGlobal
The D-Day C-130 flights descended to altitudes as low as 330ft, the minimum required by French aviation authorities
Source: Ryan Finnerty/FlightGlobal
The D-Day C-130 flights descended to altitudes as low as 330ft, the minimum required by French aviation authorities
Source: Ryan Finnerty/FlightGlobal
The C-130 formations flew over multiple ceremonies throughout the week, including events at Utah and Omaha Beaches
Source: US Department of Defense
The C-130 formations flew over multiple ceremonies throughout the week, including events at Utah and Omaha Beaches
Ryan FinnertyRyan Finnerty is the Americas defence reporter for FlightGlobal.com and Flight International magazine, covering military aviation and the defence industry. He is a former United States Army officer and previously reported for America’s National Public Radio system in New York and Hawaii covering energy, economics and military affairs.View full Profile
When Allied troops stormed ashore at Normandy 80 years ago, the success of their campaign to retake Western Europe would cement the role of air power as a critical dimension in modern warfare – a legacy that endures today.
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