In remembrance of the 80th anniversary of Operation Overlord during World War II, U.S. Air Forces in Europe’s 86th Airlift Wing conducted D-Day commemoration flights with multiple C-130J Super Hercules aircraft from June 2 to 7, 2024. 

Based at Cherbourg Airport in Normandy, the deployment was organised by Capt Christian Maude, at the time based at Ramstein Air Base in Germany. This included airframes deployed from US Air Force and Air National Guard airlift squadrons from around the world, many with lineage dating back to the Second World War.

The commemorative events were designed to honour the sacrifices of U.S. and allied service members made 80 years ago in securing peace and security, and inspiring future generations to value a collective vision of global peace. This included high tempo training operations throughout the week, flying media and VIPs to showcase the capabilities of today’s air forces while participating in anniversary memorial services.

During this significant deployment, which the eyes of millions of people from around the world on Normandy for several consecutive days, Capt Maude oversaw:

-  114 sorties flown in support of D-Day Operations

-  323.1 total flight hours flown in support of D-Day Operations (flown by the 11 C-130Js)

-  46 sorties from frown 37 Airlift Squadron aircraft in support of D-Day Operations

-  132.9 flight hours flown by 37 AS aircraft in support of D-Day Operations

- 97.2% mission complete rate

         Only one operation cancelled and 1 cancellation due to maintenance out of 138 D-Day support sorties

-  121 total ceremonies

         73 supported with flyovers

-  Planned and led the drop of 1311 static line jumpers out of 20 aircraft from seven countries including France, U.K., Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, and Canada

-  4 WWII veterans honored with C-130J flights over Normandy. 86 Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron aided with in-flight support.

-  Directly supported the arrival and departure of 15 Distinguished Visitors and 150 Congressional Delegates

      - Including: French President Macron, US Secretary of Defense, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff – the most senior US military officer, US Africa Command Commander, Supreme Allied Commander Europe, Secretary of the US Army, Chief of Staff of the US Army, Head of US Naval Forces Europe, US Army Europe-Africa, US Air Forces Europe-Africa Commander, Secretary of the US Navy, Head of French Navy

      -  Coordinated with Cherbourg Airfield Management for the arrival of 60 Congressional Delegates in 2 737 aircraft, 2 C-40s of delegates as well as 90 congressional delegates on 2 C-130Js.

For this outstanding effort, Capt Maude is awarded the Brackley Memorial Trophy.

1948/49  J L Parker Esq

1949/50  H W C Alger Esq

1950/51  Wg Cdr B J Aikman

1952  not awarded

1952/53  G A V Tyson Esq

1954  not awarded

1954/55  Royal Air Force Station - Pembroke Dock (201 & 230 Sqns)

1956 - 1957  not awarded

1957/58  Comet and Britannia Flights of BOAC

1960  not awarded

1960/61  Captain J S Shephard

1961/62  No. 216 Sqn RAF

1962/63  No. 22 (SAR) Sqn RAF

1963/64  Captain Richard Rymer (postumous)

1964/65  Captain Frederick Ladd MBE

1965/66  Cdr P M Lamb

1966/67  J H Phillips Esq

1968  not awarded

1968/69  Nos 22 and 202 Sqn, Coastal Command

1969/70  Flying Crews of Bristow Helicopters

1971  not awarded

1971/72  Captain C M Ramsey

1973 - 1974  not awarded

1974/75  Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose

1976  not awarded

1976/77  Captain Brian J Calvert

1978 - 1979  not awarded

1979/80  Captain Hugh P K Dibley

1980/81  Commander J Young and Captain R Crippen

1981/82  Long Range Operations-Falklands Islands Gp Capt Price, Wg Cdr P J Squire, Flt Lt W F M Withers, Flt Lt T F Locke, Flt Lt J A Cowan

1983 - 1986  not awarded

1986/87  Captain J Mason

1988 - 1991  not awarded

1991/92  Captain H Gee

1992/93  Captain T R Fulton

1994 - 1995  not awarded

1995/96  Aircrew of 47 Sqn Special Forces Flight

1997  not awarded

1997/98  Captain W D (Jock) Lowe

1998/99  Captain Neville J Hay

1999/2000  Captain Iain McClelland

2001  not awarded

2001/02  47 Sqn RAF

2002/03  99 SqnRAF

2003/04  Sqn Ldr James Dalrymple Cunningham MBE

2005  not awarded

2005/06  John Cashman

2006/07  J Tactical Training Flight RAF

2008  not awarded

2008/09 Sqn Ldr Keith Hewitt MBE RAF

2010 - 2011  not awarded

2011/12  Flt Lt C D Maggs RAF

2013 - 2015  not awarded

2016  Flt Lt Stephen Hewer RAF

2017  40 Sqn Royal New Zealand Air Force

2018   not awarded

2019  British Airways Concorde Fleet

2020  Number 32 (The Royal) Squadron RAF

2021   not awarded

2022  Sqn Ldr Richard Waller RAF

2023  Jason Sandever

2024  Flight Lieutenant Adam Roche RAF