Honor, valor, tradition

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Mariah Tolbert
  • 4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. --  Since December of 1990, when aircrews here deployed in support if Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, they carried a piece of the United States with them: an American flag.

The American flag has not only represented justice, valor and pride since June 1776, but it also represents tradition to the American people.

"The wing conference room flag was recently flown in combat Oct. 17, 2011, by Lt. Col. David Moeller," said Lt. Col. Todd Dyer, 335th Fighter Squadron director of operations. He flew the flag 10 years ago on his first combat sortie in Afghanistan and again 10 years and one day later.

From 1990 to 2011, the flag has been flown by the 335th and 336th Fighter Squadrons, in support of Operations Noble Eagle, Anaconda, Enduring Freedom and more.

"We continue to fly the flag today because not only is it a symbol of our country, but also of the men and women of the 4th Fighter Wing who contribute to generating Strike Eagle airpower as well as supporting the families of deployed Seymour Johnson Air Force Base Airmen," said Moeller, 335th FS commander.

Between deployments and sorties the flag hangs in the wing headquarters conference room, with plaques beneath it stating where it has been.

"This flag, like the 4th FW, has been a part of virtually all combat operations the Air Force has been a part of since 1990," Moeller said. "The tradition of flying this flag is a testament not only to the continual presence of the 4th FW Airmen and aircraft in harm's way, but also to the tremendous achievements of Strike Eagle airpower, anytime and anywhere during the past 20 years."