Gallery: U.S. C-130Js Star In D-Day Anniversary Events

Angus Batey June 10, 2024
D-Day C-130J Sunrise

D-Day C-130J Sunrise

Credit: U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jordan Lazaro

Sunrise, June 1st, 2024: a USAF C-130J parked at Cherbourg-Maupertus Airport, France.

 

D-Day C-130J Coast

D-Day C-130J Normandy Coast

Credit: U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jordan Lazaro

A C-130J assigned to the 37th Airlift Squadron, based at Ramstein Air Base in Germany, fly as part of a multi-aircraft formation over the Normandy coast, June 1st, 2024.

D-Day C-130J Captian William C. Thomas

D-Day C-130J Captian William C. Thomas

Credit: U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jordan Lazaro

Captain William C. Thomas, an instructor pilot with the 36th Airlift Squadron, at the controls of a C-130J over the northern French coastline, June 1st, 2024.

D-Day C-130J Refuel

D-Day C-130J Refuel

Credit: U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Robert L. McIlrath

Senior Airman Ian Alvarez Vallejo, a flying crew chief with the 86th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, supervises refuelling of a C-130J at Cherbourg-Maupertus Airport, June 2nd, 2024.

D-Day C-130J Ramp View With Staff Sgt. Taylor Hubstenberger

D-Day C-130J Ramp View With Staff Sgt. Taylor Hubstenberger

Credit: U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Edgar Grimald

Staff Sgt. Taylor Hubstenberger, a loadmaster with the 714th Training Squadron, on the open ramp of a C-130J during a flight over the Normandy coast, June 2nd 2024.

D-Day C-130J Ramp View

D-Day C-130J Northern France Ramp View

Credit: U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jordan Lazaro

The view from the ramp of a C-130J as a four-aircraft formation flies over the coast of northern France, June 3rd 2024. 

D-Day C-130J WW2-Era Roundel

D-Day C-130J WW2-Era Roundel

Credit: U.S. Air National Guard photo by Airman 1st Class Annaliese Billings

The commemorative livery was applied to this C-130J at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville. Master Sgt Lee Stanley is seen applying a WW2-era roundel, May 15th, 2024.

D-Day C-130J Take-Off

D-Day C-130J Take-Off

Credit: U.S. Air National Guard photo by Phil Speck

A C-130J assigned to the 123rd Airlift Wing departs Kentucky Air National Guard Base May 22nd, 2024 en route to the D-Day anniversary events in France.

D-Day C-130J 57th Rescue Squadron Pararescuemen Jump

D-Day C-130J 57th Rescue Squadron Pararescuemen Jump

Credit: U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jessica Sanchez-Chen

57th Rescue Squadron Pararescuemen jump from an MC-130J Commando II over Mont-Saint-Michel, June 2, 2024, as part of almost two weeks of commemorative events to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day.

The United States Air Force has made extensive contributions to the 80th anniversary of D-Day. Among the assets deployed were C-130Js carrying the black-and-white "invasion stripes" applied to allied aircraft ahead of the operation in 1944.

The decision to give aircraft the distinctive, simple and highly visible scheme for Operation Overlord was taken following the loss of more than 20 C-47s during the invasion of Sicily in 1943, when army and navy gun crews mistook them for enemy aircraft.  Eighty-eight airmen were killed, 162 wounded and 69 listed missing.

The commemoration events began May 31 and run through June 10.

Angus Batey

Angus Batey has been contributing to various titles within the Aviation Week Network since 2009, reporting on topics ranging from defense and space to business aviation, advanced air mobility and cybersecurity.