Special flag flies above Afghanistan, Vance Published Feb. 22, 2010 By Public Affairs 71 Flying Training Wing Public Affairs VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- A special flag will fly atop the Vance AFB flagpole Friday, Feb. 26. It was carried onboard an F-15E Strike Eagle during a ground forces support mission Dec. 7, 2009. "The flag, at 3 feet by 5 feet, is smaller than what we are used to seeing, but certainly it is no less significant," said Col. Glen VanHerck, 71st Flying Training Wing vice commander. "I ask Team Vance to take a moment on Friday to reflect on the flag and what it stands for and the men and women at home and abroad defending the flag of this great nation." After Friday's debut, the U.S. flag may make reappearances on special occasions. The following letter from Col. James J. Beissner, the vice commander of the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, explains what makes the flag special. "This flag was flown on a mission over Afghanistan on 7 Dec 2009 specifically for the men and women of Vance Air Force Base. During this mission, Dude 01, a flight of two F-15E Strike Eagles, supported United States and Coalition ground forces by flying air cover over three troops-in-contact (TICs) situations. "The first two TICs were initiated over the Konar province when United States Air Force Joint Terminal Attack Controllers (JTAC), callsign Darknight 22 and 40, directed Dude flight to conduct armed overwatch over of multiple convoys. These troop-carrying vehicles were taking indirect fire from mortars and direct fire from small arms. Upon arrival, Dude flight started an immediate search of the area in hopes of locating insurgents hidden throughout the mountainous terrain of northern Afghanistan. As the deterrent "Sound of Freedom" roared overhead, all enemy activity immediately ceased, and the convoy proceeded to their Forward Operating Base without any further engagements. "Immediately after supporting the U.S. convoy, Dude flight was retasked to the Kapisa province. Once on station, Dude flight contacted Zippo 10, a French JTAC. Dude received an area of operations update that described a French ground unit in "contact" with insurgent forces. Because the firefight was taking place in a civilian village, Dude flight decided against employing weapons which would have unnecessarily caused loss of innocent life and collateral damage to village structures. Instead, the F-15 E crew conducted a "show of force" flying 500 feet AGL [Above Ground Level] at 550 KIAS [Knots Indicated Air Speed] directly above enemy forces. Like the first two engagements, once air power arrived on scene, fighting immediately stopped and ground forces were able to move freely through the battle space. "It was not a coincidence that this American flag was flown on December 7, a date which will live in infamy. Today your Air Force provides our nation an asymmetric advantage over all other countries. Our ability to project power and conduct air missions where and when we want is a tribute to all those aviators past, present, and future who take the fight to the enemy. "To the Vance instructor pilots, I say thank you for training the very best. To the students, I ask nothing but 100% every time you step to fly. To all those on the Vance team that support flying operations, know that there are none better. For all, I thank you for your professionalism, unwavering service and dedication to duty. Our Air Force history is being re-written every day; ensure your chapter is worth reading!" James J. Beissner, Col., USAF Vice Commander, 455 Air Expeditionary Wing Vance, Class 88-04