Photo By Airman 1st Class Synsere Howard | 31st Fighter Wing Historian Mattea Sanders poses for a photo in front of an F-16...... read more read more
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AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy – In a role that bridges time and preserves legacies, Mattea Sanders spent four years with the 31st Fighter Wing immersing herself – and others – in the rich, intertwined histories of NATO, Italian air force and American military partnerships. As the historian for the wing, she not only honored stories of the past but embedded herself in the community, leaving a lasting impact of her own.
"The wing offsites always provided so many amazing opportunities," Sanders reflected, recalling the moments she had to connect base leadership with the broader historical narrative. The offsites offered her a chance to share these binding stories and to immerse leaders in the significance of Aviano’s heritage, strengthening the ties that bind U.S. Forces with our NATO Allies and Italian hosts.
A particularly poignant memory for Sanders was her trip to the American Cemetery in Florence in 2022 where she joined former 31st Fighter Wing commander, U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Jason E. Bailey, in laying a wreath at the gravesite of Airmen from the 31st Fighter Group.
“To stand there and honor those who served before us was incredibly powerful,” she said. This symbolic gesture was a humbling reminder of the sacrifices made for freedom and the enduring legacy of the wing.
Fast forward to this past summer: Sanders traveled to Normandy with 31st Fighter Wing leaders and members from the 57th Rescue Squadron, retracing the footsteps of Allied forces on the 80th anniversary of D-Day.
“Being in the American Cemetery in Normandy on the exact day of D-Day, 80 years later, is not something I will soon forget,” she recalled. The reverence of the moment – a collision of both the past and present – etched itself into her memory, adding a profound layer to her role as a historian.
For Sanders, fostering connections has extended beyond American and NATO forces to include our ITAF counterparts, enriching the bonds at Aviano. In Livorno, Sanders delivered the sole English language speech commemorating Operation Herring, an Italian World War II mission. Standing alongside Italian paratroopers and the 731st Munitions Squadron, she helped ensure the operation’s history would be remembered by both nations. Her work also included efforts to make the ITAF museum on base more accessible to the Wyvern Nation community, offering those who visit a deeper understanding of ITAF history.
Despite her deep immersion in history, Sanders took a step towards the future and into a new role in 2023, deploying from October to April to serve with a joint task force for the Special Operations Command and the 75th Ranger Regiment. She admits the experience profoundly changed her, both professionally and personally.
"It was the hardest but most rewarding six months of my life,” she said, noting that the deployment inspired her to consider new possibilities within the operational side of the Department of Defense.
"Dr. Mattea Sanders' contributions to the 31st Fighter Wing have been truly transformative," said Brig. Gen. Tad Clark, 31st Fighter Wing commander. "Her passion for history has inspired us to embrace our legacy and strive for excellence."
We thank Sanders for her time at Aviano and wish her all the best as she moves forward to her new position in Stuttgart, Germany, working for U.S. AFRICOM.
| Date Taken: | 11.13.2024 |
| Date Posted: | 12.23.2024 07:40 |
| Story ID: | 488197 |
| Location: | AVIANO AIR BASE, IT |
| Web Views: | 59 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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