Memorial Day look-back: 380th Air Expeditionary Wing honors fallen heroes

Photo By Master Sgt. Jenifer Calhoun | Airmen from the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing Honor Guard, as well as from the rest of the wing, and associated units participate in a special Memorial Day retreat ceremony at a non-disclosed base in Southwest Asia, May 31, 2010. The ceremony included the reading of names of fallen service members from the month of May as well as several other remembrance overtures in honor of the holiday. The 380th AEW supports operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom and the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa.  

(UNDISCLOSED LOCATION)

06.07.2010

Story by Senior Airman Jenifer Calhoun 

380th Air Expeditionary Wing

SOUTHWEST ASIA -- Airmen from the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing held a special Memorial Day retreat ceremony, May 31, at a non-disclosed base in Southwest Asia.

Memorial Day, which falls on the last Monday of May, commemorates the men and women who died while serving in the American military. Originally known as Decoration Day, it originated in the years following the Civil War and became an official federal holiday in 1971. Many Americans observe Memorial Day by visiting cemeteries or memorials andholding ceremonies such as the 380th AEW ceremony.

Air Force protocol procedures state the retreat ceremony serves two purposes. First, it signals the end of the official duty day and second, serves as a ceremony for paying respect to the flag. Because the time for the end of the duty day varies, the commander designates the specific time for the retreat ceremony.

A retreat ceremony may take place at the unit area, on the base parade ground, or in the vicinity of the flagstaff as it is done with the 380th AEW. If conducted at the base parade ground, retreat is a part of the parade ceremony. If conducted within the unit area, it is usually a ceremony not involving a parade.

If the retreat ceremony is conducted at the flagstaff, the units participating may be formed in line or they may be massed, depending upon the size and number of units and the space available.

The 380th AEW is home to the KC-10 Extender, U-2 Dragon Lady, E-3 Sentry and RQ-4 Global Hawk aircraft. The wing is comprised of four groups and 12 squadrons and the wing's deployed mission includes air refueling, air battle management, surveillance and reconnaissance in support of overseas contingency operations in Southwest Asia. The 380th AEW supports operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom and the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa.

• Date Taken: 06.07.2010
• Date Posted: 06.07.2010 14:39
• Story ID: 51020
• Location: (UNDISCLOSED LOCATION)