[WWII] 75th Anniversary D-Day – Tribute and Remembrance flight over Belgium (Belgian Air Component)

[WWII] 75th Anniversary D-Day – Tribute & Commemorative flight over Belgium (Belgian Air Component)

Pictures Credit : Courtesy of Benoît Denet.

This Thursday, June 6th, 2019, the Belgian Air Component will pay its tribute and honour the 75th Anniversary of the remembrance of D-Day. F16s from the 349th and 350th Squadron will fly over Belgium along with a Spitfire.

Two F16s have been painted with a special ‘stripes livery’ in order to honour these fallen souls.

As per flight plan provided by the Belgian Air Component, these are the places and timing (subject to change/delay, depending on the weather or else) where you could spot them, flying at 1000 ft (approximately 300 meters)! Over Brussels, due to safety restrictions, only the two F16s bearing the ‘Stripes Livery’ along with the Spitfire will fly of the Jubilee’s park.

As reported by the Belgian Air Component: “This route is used for this training preparation for the July 21 National Parade, which is also part of the D-Day theme.”

Make sure to look up and grab your camera!

Spotter Alert ! the BEST Formation picture wins an Original Belgian Air Force gift! Send your best picture to bafmediateam (at) gmail (dot) com !

The Belgian Air Component is proud to take an active part in the commemoration: “The Belgian Air Force commemorates the beginning of the liberation of Europe 75 years ago, with a unique overview of the provinces and Brussels. This overflight will consist of a flight of a formation of seven F-16 fighter aircraft forming a “training of victory” (victory training). Two F-16s are decorated with “invasion bands” and a colourful drift, referring to the D-Day landings on June 6, 1944.“

Belgian involvement in the air on D-Day

Looking back on D-DAY, the Belgian Air Component highlights the facts back from WWII: “75 years ago. During this operation (Operation Overlord) and more specifically on June 6th, 1944 (D-Day), 349th Sqn and 350 Sqn made several missions over the beaches of Normandy. That day, the 349th Sqn won two air victories (JU-88).

Therefore, in honour of all those who put their lives in danger to liberate Europe, 349th Sqn and 350th Sqn will commemorate this date.“

Commemoration of the Belgian Air Force for 75 years of liberation

In addition to this flyover in Belgium, the Belgian Air Component also reports that there are more activities and actions taken to commemorate this milestone in WWII history: “In addition to the two F-16 Squadrons 349 and 350, a C-130 also received “invasion bands”. This is in honour of 525th Sqn, a transport unit mainly made up of Belgian pilots who will later become the 15th Air Wing. These devices will bear their marks during various air activities during the next year both in Belgium and abroad.

Commemoration activities on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of liberation began for the Belgian Air Force on May 23, 2019, with the inauguration of a new monument at Crépon in Normandy in honour of Belgium’s commitment during of liberation. On June 6th, there is this overview of the “formation of victory” by 349 and 350 Sqn. Then, on June 9, the decorated C-130 aircraft will participate in the large military parachute drop at Sainte-Mère-Eglise in Normandy alongside the special operations regiment and some 30 other Allied transport planes.”

Special 5 euro coin to celebrate D-Day

Also, should you also be a numismatist, simply to collect or please foreign friends as a gift, the Royal Mint of Belgium is also offering a 5 euro coin Belgium 2019 «75 years old D-Day».