On the morning of Saturday September 17, 2011 the 67th commemoration took place for the Market-Garden operation near Arnhem (the Netherlands). That day, a fleet of transport aircraft flew various missions from the Eindhoven airbase in the Netherlands (ICAO: EHEH); dropping paratroopers from various countries. 4 Lockheed C-130J's from the 37th Airlift Squadron of the US Air Force Europe at Ramstein airbase in Germany (ICAO: ETAR), were temporary stationed at Eindhoven airbase. In 1944 the 37th AS (then named '37th Troop Carrier Squadron' was involved in the original MarketGarden operation, flying the legendary C-47 Dakota. Added by a German Air Force C-160, a Royal Air Force C-130 and a Battle of Britain Memorial Flight C-47; these aircraft flew 3 missions to drop over 800 paratroopers over the 1944 dropzone at the Ginkelse Hei. The paratroopers were from the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Belgium, Canada, Italy, United States of America and from Germany.
The USAFE detachment of 4 C-130s was commanded by Captain Walton of 37th Airlift Squadron, part of the 86th Airlift Wing at Ramstein AB. Capt. Walton flew in 6 years more than 1500 hours in the C-130 and a year ago she was stationed at Ramstein AB. Paradroppings are exercised on a monthly basis by the C-130J's of the 37th AS, but this MarketGarden commemoration was a very special event for the crews of the 4 aircraft. For Capt. Walton, the highlight of this commemoration was the huge amount of spectators on the ground near the 1944 landingzone at the Ginkelse Hei. She was very pleased to see so many spectators that day.
Special thanks to PAO Ramstein, PAO Eindhoven, 37th AS crews and Senior Airman Holt.
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