The Ramp Ceremony

Today had an unusual beginning.

We started our shift @ 0200Z, as always. Did a minor servicing, and came back to the office. Noticed a C-17 parked oddly nearby, but didn't think more of it. Then noticed a note saying no APU's or AGPU's (Aircraft Ground Power Unit - basically a small jet engine in a trailer that powers aircraft for us - pretty cool) could be used between 0300 - 0430Z. Odd.

Later, around 0330Z, we went to go inventory our ammo area (right next to where the C-17 was parked).

Then we saw it. A Ramp Ceremony.

A Ramp Ceremony is when they load a fallen Soldier onto the aircraft for the ride home. I have no pictures of this, so I'll try to convey the scene.

The Soldier's unit forms up at the rear of the cargo aircraft. The colors are present. It's a split formation, flanking both sides, with a gap in the middle.

A Humvee pulls up, and the Honor Guard removes the flag-draped casket. It is then marched to the aircraft. The formation comes to attention, and salutes.

The casket is loaded. There is a short moment of silence, and then the formation marches off. The Soldier is going home.


Some notes about this particular one. Our airfield is busy. REGULARLY busy. Especially this time of day. There was no activity. Nothing. I could hear sounds from miles away, and I was mere feet from the runway. The base had managed to arrange for no activity, no loud noises (no firing range, no EOD explosions, no maintenance), and no aircraft for this Soldier's departure.

Another sad note. I saw the uniforms they were wearing. They were the Army's new ACU's, which are quite different from the tan ones you've seen on TV and I've been wearing. The only unit on base wearing those right now is the unit (unnamed for OPSEC) that just arrived. This Soldier had just gotten here. Sad.

That was the start of our day. We all came to a stop, and watched silently, standing, as the Soldier was loaded onto his flight home.

Hooah.