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380AEW Article

November 2018 ADAB Retreat Ceremony

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Mya M. Crosby
  • 380th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
AL DHAFRA AIR BASE, United Arab Emirates --  Service members assigned to the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing keep tradition going by honoring the fallen during a retreat ceremony at Al Dhafra Air Base, United Arab Emirates, Nov. 2, 2018.

The ceremony is held on the first Friday of every month to honor the brave men and women who lost their lives in the previous month while serving the nation - a tradition that began as early as the Revolutionary War, and then signaled the end of the duty day. 

As the flag is lowered at the stroke of 5 p.m. and the first note of Reveille sounds, everyone is commanded to attention by the commanding officer and renders a salute, a sign of respect.

Members from around the wing are gathered by not only the wing's priorities of pride, teamwork and core values, but also honor and remembrance of how they're individually involved in supporting the mission. The 380th AEW delivers decisive air power across all five Air Force core missions, develops enduring relationships with host nation and coalition partners, and stands ready to defend the region against any adversary. 

"We need to have the strength and courage to move forward to defend our country," said Senior Airman Chen Liang, 380th Expeditionary Force Support Squadron food service accountant. "A ceremony such as this retreat ceremony definitely honors our military members and lets us remember who we are, what we are doing and what our mission is."