Come back in time to 1944 when RAF Saltby was a hub of military activity in the build up to the invasion of Europe – D-Day.

Eighty years on, celebrate the anniversary. See and hear how the unsung heroes of Troop Carrier Command and paratroopers of the US 82nd Airborne Division helped change the course of the war, plus how airborne troops from three nations mustered and trained in the district in a unique allied coalition.

RAF Saltby was home to the 314th Troop Carrier Wing, their young pilots flying unarmoured C-47 aircraft to transport American paratroopers into the heat of battle.

Airfield access. This allows general access to the airfield between 10.30am and 3pm, the commemoration service beside the Allied flags and an information board, military re-enactors and an Army field kitchen serving food. Talks must be booked separately.

Talk One - 12 noon - RAF Saltby 314th Troop Carrier Group. Col Mark Vlahos, one of the world’s experts on WWII U.S. Army Air Forces Troop Carrier C-47 and glider operations, will present an illustrated half-hour talk on the 80th anniversary of D-Day. Mark will portray Colonel Clayton Stiles, Commander of the 314th Troop Carrier Group that was stationed at RAF Saltby in 1944 and ‘visiting ’for the first time since the war ended. In 2011, Mark completed a 29-year career in the United States Air Force.

Talk Two - 1pm - Airborne Forces of Britain, the United States and Poland. Saltby airfield has its own memorial to British, US and Polish personnel who served at the airfield, including the Airborne forces who trained locally and flew into battle in Normandy and the Netherlands from here. Aviation and military historian Brian Riley will describe the significant Airborne Forces’ heritage of the local area, outlining unit histories and operations, and describing some of the remaining sites that link us to the past.

Talk Three - 2pm - America’s 82nd Airborne Division. Heritage enthusiast Darren Bond will relate the glittering history of the 82nd Infantry Division, which became the first airborne division in the history of the U.S. Army, from its WW2 operations in Sicily to Arnhem. Since its initial members came from all 48 states, the division acquired the nickname All-American - the basis for its "AA" on the shoulder patch. Darren will be demonstrating the kit that a 508th paratrooper would have worn when they left from Saltby on June 6th, together with that of a British paratrooper.

Kindly hosted by Buckminster Gliding Club. See website for directions. Buckminster Gliding Club | Saltby Airfield (buckminstergc.co.uk)

If this event sells out or you require further information please contact communityengagement@southkesteven.gov.uk