From Normandy to now: 434th Airmen to reunite

Published July 29, 2014
By Tech. Sgt. Mark R. W. Orders-Woempner
434th ARW Public Affairs

GRISSOM AIR RESERVE BASE, Ind. -- From transporting paratroopers during the D-Day invasion at Normandy, France, to refueling NATO aircraft over the Libyan skies for Operation Odyssey Dawn, Airmen of the 434th have been defending freedom around the globe since 1944.

Each year, the men and women who have served with the historic unit gather together to reminisce on their service, catch up with old friends and learn more about the 434th Air Refueling Wing's current operations.

This year's reunion will be held in Columbus, Indiana, Aug. 15-16. Columbus is home to the former Atterbury Air Force Base, later renamed Bakalar AFB, where the 434th was stationed at from 1949 to 1969.

"There's a world of history with the 434th and it's special to everybody," said retired Col. Larry Alexander, former 434th Mission Support Group commander, who is organizing the reunion.
The Hoosier Wing has been around a long time, and people, past and present, are proud to be a member of it."

Alexander said the reunion will be held this year at the Atterbury-Bakalar Air Museum, which recently doubled in size and will feature many 434th exhibits.

However, he said it's not the museum that will be the biggest pull for attendees.

"This is always about getting together with old friends and sharing memories and stories," the retired colonel explained. "I personally enjoy going to listen to the old timers, and I enjoy the young timers coming in so they can listen to me."

Reservations to attend the reunion must be made with Alexander no later than Aug. 8. He can be reached at lwalex88@sbcglobal.net or at (812) 372-5643.

The 434th was officially activated on Oct. 1, 1942 as the 434th Base Headquarters and Air Base Squadron at Mitchel Field, New York. In preparation for the invasion of Europe at Normandy, the unit was moved to Alliance Army Air Field, Neb., and was designated as the 434th Troop Carrier Group on Feb. 9, 1943. The 434th TCG consisted of the 71st, 72nd, 73rd and 74th Troop Carrier Squadrons, which all flew C-47 Skytrains throughout their WWII career including D-Day.

Today the 434th ARW operates out of Grissom and is the largest KC-135R Stratotanker unit in the Air Force Reserve Command. Airmen and aircraft from the 434th ARW routinely deploy around the world in support of the Air Force mission and U.S. strategic objectives.

To learn more about the history of the 434th ARW, click here. Stay connected with the 434th ARW on Twitter and Facebook.

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Normandy to now

From Normandy to now: 434th Airmen to reunite

Public Affairs Staff