The Tunison Foundation, a non-profit organization that owns and operates World War II era aircraft, today announced the launch of the D-Day Squadron to honor the citizen soldiers who helped liberate Europe and end the War. They will lead a contingent of American C-47 aircraft in a trans-Atlantic trek to participate in the Daks Over Normandy event from June 2-9, 2019 which will include a mass flyover across the English Channel to commemorate the 75th anniversary of D-Day on June 6, 2019.
The Squadron’s website is now live at DDaySquadron.org to educate people of all ages about the significance of D-Day and how these American C-47 World War II military transport aircraft will honor veterans in an epic flyover and drop of paratroopers over the Normandy coast. See the ambitious route these meticulously restored vintage aircraft will take and pledge your support to get them safely to Europe for this historic event.
“Few veterans of D-Day are still with us, and this celebration marking the 75th anniversary may be our last chance to honor these brave war heroes,” said Moreno Aguiari, executive director of the D-Day Squadron. “We are committed to ensuring their significance and sacrifice is fully appreciated for generations to come, and are developing an education program to honor these citizen soldiers and their impact on D-Day, and ultimately the Allied victory in World War II.”
The D-Day Squadron fleet, consisting of dozens of American C-47s, will depart from the Oxford Airport in Oxford, Conn. in late May 2019. Mark your calendars to see this remarkable sight as these historic warbirds take off for their Atlantic crossing. Oxford is easily accessible from Hartford, Conn. and New York City.
Slated to join the fleet are several C-47s that were combat veterans of D-Day as well as several other crucial missions across Europe during the course of the War. Among the aircraft are the Tunison Foundation’s Placid Lassie, Valliant Air Command Warbird Museum’s Tico Belle and the Commemorative Air Force’s That’s All, Brother, the lead aircraft in the formation of 925 C-47s in the massive drop of 13,000 paratroopers behind enemy lines hours before the first troops stormed the beaches on D-Day.
About Daks over Normandy
Daks Over Normandy will be the largest assembly of authentic C-47 World War II aircraft and paratroopers since June 6, 1944, all to honor the service and sacrifice of the citizen soldiers who risked life and limb to bring about the beginning of the end of the War in Europe on D-Day. Aircraft from around the globe will participate in events both before and after the June 6 flyover, with community events and static displays in the United Kingdom and France for the education and enjoyment of the public. Learn more at DaksOverNormandy.com.
About the D-Day Squadron
The D-Day Squadron is the part of the Tunison Foundation, a non-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization. In June 2019, the D-Day Squadron will lead an American fleet of historic, restored C-47 World War II military aircraft in Daks Over Normandy, a flyover of more than 30 international aircraft to drop 250 paratroopers over the original 1944 drop zones in Normandy commemorating the 75th anniversary of D-Day. The event will honor the citizen soldiers of the War, whose bravery led the Allies to the liberation of France, and then to an end of the devastating War in Europe. The Squadron’s education program takes the compelling story of the citizen soldier to audiences at airshows and events off the flight line to honor these brave Americans and ensure their memory and significance is appreciated for generations to come. The group’s efforts are funded through the generous tax-deductible contribution of their supporters. Learn more at DDaySquadron.org.
Born in Milan, Italy, Moreno moved to the U.S. in 1999 to pursue a career as a commercial pilot. His aviation passion began early, inspired by his uncle, an F-104 Starfighter Crew Chief, and his father, a military traffic controller. Childhood adventures included camping outside military bases and watching planes at Aeroporto Linate. In 1999, he relocated to Atlanta, Georgia, to obtain his commercial pilot license, a move that became permanent. With 24 years in the U.S., he now flies full-time for a Part 91 business aviation company in Atlanta. He is actively involved with the Commemorative Air Force, the D-Day Squadron, and other aviation organizations. He enjoys life with his supportive wife and three wonderful children.
OMG, this is amazing news! Very excited and hope to be in Normandy 2019 to witness this historic event. Let the countdown clock begin. Brett Harriman, Nevada
Our Wings of Dreams Aviation Museum C-47 N834M will be one of these. She is being restored by Turin Aviation Group of Zephyrhills, FL now.
I would LOVE to be able to attend this event!! How can someone sign up?? Haha. I graduate Aviation Maintenance School in March 2019.
This will stunning to see and maybe a few tears