Air Force Crews Transport American Flags Flies Over Afganistan

The spirit of Sept. 11, 2001, is still evident in the sky above Afghanistan as airmen there do their part to support a long-standing tradition of carrying U.S. flags onboard aircraft flying combat missions. Crewmembers from the 777th Expeditionary Airlift Support Squadron and the 22nd Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron have flown more 600 flags since December during combat missions over Afghanistan.

“The way the program works is base members contact their units’ administrative sections with the request and a flag,” said Tech. Sgt. Theresa Cruger of the 777th EAS. “The units then contact us and we arrange to fly them and then make a certificate with the flight information, crew names, etc.

“We can also vary the certificate format per the wishes of the flag owner,” she said. Her unit flies the C-130 Hercules.

The flag owners, in-turn, present the flag to deserving military members, family members, home-base units, towns and other organizations.

“These flags are often presented to individuals on special occasions or as gifts of appreciation for support given especially during contingency operations,” said Col. Steven Kelley, 376th Air Expeditionary Wing commander. “This special memento is a unique reminder to the recipient of the sacrifices made to ensure freedom, liberty and democracy for all civilized nations.”

The aircrews also take a lot of pride in this tradition and are proud to be part of this program, Sergeant Cruger said. While the U.S. flags are flown primarily, the squadrons also honor special requests, Sergeant Cruger said.

“We once flew 300 miniature U.S. flags on one flight that were sent here by a group of Boy Scouts,” she said. “We have also flown teddy bears and, most recently, a Vietnam prisoner-of-war bracelet for (a) sergeant here who wanted to present it to the family of the individual whose name was on the bracelet, because his remains had just been found.”

The crews who fly the KC-135 Stratotankers also have an active flag-flying program, said Senior Airman Angela Owens of the 22nd EARS.

“We take requests from units just like the airlift squadron and sometimes people want to fly their flag on both airframes,” she said. “I think it’s a great program and, as a matter of fact, I even flew one for my dad who simply loved the gesture.”

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