315th Press Release

Remembering our Nations heroes
315th celebrates 60th anniversary of VE Day
By 1st Lt. Wayne Capps - 315th AW Public Affairs

As the c17 carrying the World War II veterans made a slow pass above the almost forgotten airstrip nestled in the English countryside, tears rolled down the mature faces of the heroes from our greatest generation. Only a handful of Americans have ever heard of Spanhoe Field, but its importance was evident to members of the former 315th Troop Carrier Group who returned to the airfield after more than 60 years.

Four veterans and the son of a deceased veteran hopped a ride with an aeromedical evacuation and maintenance training mission to participate in Operation Spanhoe, a celebration commemorating the 60th anniversary of victory in Europe. The American veterans were the guests of honour in the two day event, filled with World War II re-enactments, vintage aircraft flyby's, memorabilia displays and a flyby from the C17.

The event concluded with an emotional and eye watering service where the names of all 54 fallen heroes from the 315th Troop Carrier Group were read by Col. Gary Cook, 315th AW and Lt. Col. Frank Taylor, 315th Mission Support Group. One of the returning veterans, Lt. Col. Dick Ford, who retired from the Air Force in 1972, summed up his experience at Operation Spanhoe as "very emotional but gratifying".

For one 701st Airlift Squadron member, the experience was twice as special. Senior Airman Stan Schmotzer, a loadmaster, said he had the opportunity of a lifetime when he was able to fly not only as a member of the crew but to accompany his grandfather, Charles Schmotzer, a former c47 pilot. "It was a honor to fly with him. To see what he experienced made it much more thrilling", said Airman Schmotzer.

Throughout the years, though, it seems the 315th hasn't changed all that much. According to retired Col. Ford, the number designation "315" was first assigned during World War II to a newly formed troop carrier group which flew C47's. The C47's initial mission was to deliver airborne troops during the D Day invasion, and later in Holland and Germany. The unit was responsible for airlifting, on virtually a daily basis, critically needed supplies to the frontline areas and to evacuate injured troops requiring special care. "The 2000 members of the group established an outstanding record of never failing to deliver anywhere or anytime to any place they were ordered", said the retired col.

It is fitting that this number designation "315" remains an active part of today's Air Force as the 315th Airlift Wing, flying the C17's, carrying out the same mission with equal excellence in an expanding role, delivering personnel and supplies whenever needed throughout the World.

This was an extract taken from the "Palmetto Airlifter" newsletter in June 2005.