D-DAY SQUADRON EUROPEAN TOUR 2024
In late May 2019, on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of D-Day, the 15 US-based WWII-era C-45 Skytrains and DC-3 Dakotas formed the independent ‘D-Day Squadron’ and departed to Europe following the North Atlantic route to the UK. In the UK the D-Day squadron was joined by many European-based Dakotas and performed at different flyovers, warbird-themed airshows and aviation events such as the Daks over Duxford and Daks over Normandy.
Today (21 July 2022) the D-Day Squadron has announced a plan to return to Europe in 2024 for the 80th anniversary of D-Day in France and the 75th anniversary of the Berlin Airlift in Germany.
Eric Zipkin, director of operations and mission chief pilot for the D-Day Squadron said:
“Having led the DC-3’s journey to Europe in 2019, the D-Day Squadron earned a global presence that’s provided our organization to grow, multiply our DC-3 presence and even launch the DC-3 Society where we actively aid operators and enthusiasts with maintenance, operations, airworthiness, and displays,”
“We won the War because of our logistical abilities, it’s only appropriate we, as the stewards of this noble aircraft, continue to fly and maintain the very airframe that was the backbone to achieving victory.””
Organizing a tour of this size takes considerable resources and cooperation from several different organizations. The D-Day Squadron is advising several DC-3s operations in North America, Europe and Southeast Asia planning to participate in Europe 2024. The Commemorative Air Force (CAF), the World’s Largest Flying Museum, is one of the organizations that will collaborate with the D-Day Squadron for the tour. CAF President Hank Coates said,
“We are excited to work with the D-Day Squadron on another mission to Europe. When we participated in 2019, it was wonderful to see how many people were impacted by seeing our aircraft and aircrews paying tribute to these important moments in history.”
Planning for the mission is already underway. A volunteer committee of seasoned professionals is being established to help organise and manage logistics to support another remarkable mission to honour, pay tribute, and commemorate World War II veterans.
A press conference is scheduled for Thursday, July 28 at 1 P.M. at EAA Press headquarters.
For more event information from the D-Day Squadron click here
