AL UDEID AIR BASE, Qatar -- In the early morning hours of July 14, before the attack in Nice, France, distinguished visitors and Coalition military members gathered here to celebrate the French holiday, Bastille Day, that honors Liberty, Equality and Fraternity.
France is one of 20 nations supporting the air Coalition that provides decisive air and space power to combat Daesh and other terrorist organizations and ensure the stability of the Southwest Asia region.
“The recent attack in Nice, France, is a terrible tragedy and visible reminder of the significance of defeating terrorist groups,” said Lt. Gen. Charles Brown, U.S. Air Forces Central Command commander. “We remain united with our French allies and steadfast in our resolve to defeat Da'esh and any other terrorist group.”
The ceremony here included a speech describing the background of the historic event that began the French Revolution, the playing of the national anthem of France, “La Marseillaise” and the raising of the French flag, known as the Tricolour.
Brown and Monsieur Eric Chevallier, Ambassador of France to Qatar, awarded the Air Force Achievement Medal and French National Defense Medal to French and American military members who participated in operational activities supporting the air Coalition.
More than 60 nations are united and committed as a Coalition to stopping the terrorist organization Daesh, which lost 45 percent of the territory it controlled in Iraq and 20 percent in Syria.