Photo By Master Sgt. Nancy Falcon | Members from the 727th Expeditionary Air Control Squadron watch a piano burn after the...... read more read more
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Members of the Royal Air Force embedded in the 727th Expeditionary Air Control Squadron, “Kingpin,” shared a piece of their history through a Battle of Britain commemoration parade Sept. 15 here.
“The Royal Air Force commemorates the Battle of Britain in September each year, firstly to remember those who sacrificed everything but also to celebrate our success,” said Sqn. Ldr. Kevin Wright, 727th EACS detachment commander.
The ceremony began with RAF members marching down to the parade grounds in remembrance of the battle, followed by the posting of the RAF Ensign and the playing of national anthems “God Save the Queen” and “The Star Spangled Banner”.
The commemoration marked the 81st Anniversary of the Battle of Britain. It was one of Britain’s most important victories of World War II where the RAF defended the U.K. against large-scale attacks by Nazi Germany’s Air Force. It has been described as the first major military campaign fought entirely by air forces.
“Europe was on its knees, crumbling under the lightning advance of Nazi Germany,” said Wright. “We, as an independent air force, stopped them in their tracks, ensuring Britain remained free and could become the Bastion, from which the operation to eventually liberate Western Europe was mounted.”
Members of the 727th EACS recited famous speeches of Sir Winston Churchill’s “Their Finest Hour” and “The Few,” as is a tradition during the parade. Churchill was the prime minister during most of the world war. His speeches payed tribute to the exertions made by the fighter pilots and bomber crews to establish air superiority over England.
“Today we continue in the tradition that the airman of the Royal Air force showcased for us,” said Lt. Col. Wesley Rounsaville, 727th EACS commander. “We never fight alone, as you can see by the different uniforms around us today.”
Those who watched and participated in the ceremony were of various backgrounds and nationalities. Today’s ceremony is the first at Shaw AFB and will become a tradition every year.
“One of the best parts about Kingpin is building relationships with our British, Danish, Belgium, Canadian and Australian partners,” said Wesley. “We feel their impact every day, whether it is executing operations in theater or in the community.”
| Date Taken: | 09.14.2021 |
| Date Posted: | 09.28.2021 02:30 |
| Story ID: | 406004 |
| Location: | SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, SOUTH CAROLINA, US |
| Web Views: | 85 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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