Where our flag flies, freedom follows
The Stars and Stripes have represented courage, freedom and equality since they were adopted by the Continental Congress in 1777. When flown overseas, the Star-Spangled Banner is a symbol of America’s commitment to its allies and a dire warning to its enemies. The worldwide projection of American air power embodies this commitment.
In 2016, one particular flag started a journey, flying ever higher and ever faster on board US and allied combat aircraft around the world. Its journey honors the battle-worn colors of our republic as well as the commitment and sacrifice of America’s airmen and women. It’s journey is documented here.
A-10C Thunderbolt II
On 2 April 2016, this flag flew its inaugural flight on a combat sortie from Incirlik Air Base, Turkey as part of Operation INHERENT RESOLVE. It was Piloted by Major “OnStar” of the 75th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron on Tail #80-0616. “Boar 53” flew mission #SY3653, a deliberate strike against an ISIS weapons factory in Al-Ghazlani, Nineveh, Iraq. Seven buildings were targeted by 1 GBU-12, 3 GBU-31s and 3 GBU-38s with one enemy KIA.
HC-130J Combat King II
On 21 May 2016, this flag flew from Incirlik AB to an undisclosed operating location in AFCENT, including a stopover at Erbil International Airport in Iraq, on an HC-130J, Tail #10-716 from the 1st Expeditionary Rescue Group (and returned the next day, 4 total flights).
KC-135R Stratotanker
On 1 June 2016, this flag flew a combat sortie on Tail #61-0280 from Incirlik AB over Syria with a crew from the 22d Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron, performing in-flight refueling to B-52 bombers from Al-Udeid AB, Qatar and A-10s from Incirlik. The B-52s deployed to the Middle-East from Barksdale AFB, Louisiana two months prior.
MQ-1B Predator
On 14 June 2016, this flag flew a combat sortie from Incirlik AB on an armed Predator Remotely Piloted Aircraft, Tail #02-3100 above Iraq and Syria. Launched from Incirlik by the 414th Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron, it was controlled remotely from the continental U.S. The Predator was retired from service with the USAF in March 2018.
EA-6B Prowler
On 16 June 2016, this flag flew a combat sortie on a US Marine Corps Prowler from VMAQ-4 by pilot Capt “Iceman” and three Electronic Countermeasures Officers from Incirlik AB over Iraq and Syria. The EA-6B electronic warfare airframe retired from service with a final flight on 8 March 2019.
AC-130W Stinger II
On 29 June 2016, this flag was flown on a nighttime combat sortie by the 16th Expeditionary Special Operations Squadron from Incirlik AB supporting Operation INHERENT RESOLVE.
C-17A Globemaster III
On 29 July 2016, this flag flew with me from Incirlik AB to Ramstein AB, Germany when I redeployed from Turkey. Commercial rotator flights to and from Incirlik were still cancelled at the time following an attempted military coup against the Turkish government on 15 July.
KC-10 Extender
On 5-6 December 2017, this flag flew with me on a 15.25 hour/8,125 mile non-stop flight from Travis AFB, California to Al Dhafra AB, United Arab Emirates. After in-flight refueling over Greenland, the Aurora Borealis was visible while flying over the Arctic Circle. I returned on another KC-10 on 22-23 December, this time with a stopover at RAF Mildenhall, England. The KC-10 flew its final flight in USAF service on 26 September, 2024.
E-3G Sentry (AWACS)
On 14 December 2017, this flag flew with me on a 13.5-hour combat sortie over Iraq, launching from from Al-Dhafra AB. The flight, on Tail #76-1604, was the first to employ a new communications system which I was present to train the mission crew on. This flag flew on the same tail with me on two test sorties from Tinker AFB, Oklahoma before deploying for Operation INHERENT RESOLVE.
B-17G Flying Fortress
On 12 May 2018, this flag flew with me on one of the last 11 airworthy B-17s in the world, the “Madras Maiden” out of Wiley Post Airport in Oklahoma City. Piloted by John Shuttleworth, Tail #44-8543 was built in 1944 at Vega Burbank, too late to see combat in WWII. Formerly known as “Chuckie”, this plane has since been renamed “Ye Olde Pub”.
C-130H Hercules
On 13 March 2019, this flag flew with me on a Republic of Korea Air Force C-130H, Tail #95-179 from Gangneung AB to Osan AB. The sortie was part of Exercise DRAGON LIFT, an annual aeromedical evacuation exercise in Korea.
C-12U Huron
On 13 March 2019, this flag flew with me on a US Army C-12U, Tail #84-0152 from Osan AB to Gimhae AB. The sortie was part of Exercise DRAGON LIFT, an annual aeromedical evacuation exercise in Korea.
AH-1Z Viper
On 26 March 2019, this flag flew from GwangJu AB, Korea on this USMC light attack helicopter from Marine Aircraft Group 24 (HMLA-453). The unit was on a training deployment to Korea from Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii.
CH-53E Super Stallion
On 27 March 2019, this flag flew from GwangJu AB, Korea on this USMC heavy lift helicopter from MAG24 (HMH-453) while on a training deployment from Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii.
F-15C Eagle
On 10 April 2019, this flag flew from Daegu AB, Korea on Tail #86-0147, piloted by Lt Col “Jersey” as callsign Razor 1. The aircraft was deployed as part of a Theater Security Package from the California Air National Guard in Fresno and conducted Basic Flying Maneuvers on a 1.5 hour sortie.
CH-47F Chinook
On 6 May 2019, this flag flew with the US Army from Camp Humphreys, Korea on a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) mission, piloted by a CW2 of Company B, 2nd Battalion, 52nd Aviation Regiment.
F-4E Phantom II
On 21 May 2019, this flag flew with the Republic of Korea Air Force from Suwon AB’s 153d Fighter Squadron on Tail
#78-0735. South Korea decommissioned it’s F-4s on June 7th, 2024. Since then, only 143 F-4s remain in service in 3 nations’ Air Forces (Greece, Turkey and Iran.) McDonnell Douglas produced 5,195 F-4s between 1958 and 1978. It is the most widely produced US military jet still in service. Tail #78-0735 was the 10th-to-last F-4 ever produced.
F-16C Fighting Falcon
On 7 June 2019, this flag flew with the 36th Fighter Squadron from Osan AB, Korea, piloted by Lt Col “Tazer” on Tail #89-2133.
U-2S Dragon Lady
On 13 August 2019, this flag flew with a Major from the 5th Reconnaissance Squadron from Osan AB at altitudes greater than 60,000 feet over the Pacific theater on a high altitude reconnaissance mission.
F-35B Lightning II
On 7 November 2022, this flag was flown from RAF Marham, England on Tail #ZM-157 with the Royal Air Force’s 207 Squadron. It was piloted by US exchange pilot Lt Col “Chip” on a nighttime short-takeoff and vertical landing (STOVL) qualification sortie.