56th CES Hosts 9/11 Memorial Service

Luke Air Force Base Airmen assigned to the 56th Civil Engineer Squadron salute as a flag is raised during a 9/11 memorial event, Sept. 11, 2025, at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona. The 56th CES hosted a memorial run, flag raising, last call, and bell ceremony in honor of those who died during the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Flag raising ceremonies are a long-standing tradition that symbolize unity, pride, and respect, often marking the beginning of significant events or honoring service and sacrifice. In memory of all who died during the 9/11 attacks, the flag is raised to half staff. When flown at half-staff, the flag serves as a solemn gesture of mourning and remembrance, honoring those who have passed and recognizing moments of national or community loss. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Elias Carrero)

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56th CES Hosts 9/11 Memorial Service

U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. David Berkland, 56th Fighter Wing commander, addresses Airmen assigned to the 56th Civil Engineer Squadron during a 9/11 memorial event, Sept. 11, 2025, at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona. The 56th CES hosted a memorial run, flag raising, last call, and bell ceremony in honor of those who died during the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Berkland spoke about his experience on the day of the attacks, and on a service member’s need to always be ready and competent to act on a day a crisis may occur in order to live up to the oath they swore. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Elias Carrero)

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56th CES Hosts 9/11 Memorial Service

Luke Air Force Base Airmen assigned to the 56th Civil Engineer Squadron listen to an address given by U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. David Berkland, 56th Fighter Wing commander, during a 9/11 memorial event, Sept. 11, 2025, at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona. The 56th CES hosted a memorial run, flag raising, last call, and bell ceremony in honor of those who died during the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Berkland spoke about his experience on the day of the attacks, and on a service member’s need to always be ready and competent to act on a day a crisis may occur in order to live up to the oath they swore. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Elias Carrero)

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56th CES Hosts 9/11 Memorial Service

U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. James Hickman, 56th Civil Engineer Squadron superintendent of operation, gives a speech during a 9/11 memorial event, Sept. 11, 2025, at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona. The 56th CES hosted a memorial run, flag raising, last call, and bell ceremony in honor of those who died during the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Hickman spoke on the meaning of sacrifice in the line of duty and the importance of honoring those who have given the ultimate sacrifice in the service of others. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Elias Carrero)

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56th CES Hosts 9/11 Memorial Service

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Daniel Pippins, 56th Civil Engineer Squadron firefighter, participates in a flag is raising during a 9/11 memorial event, Sept. 11, 2025, at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona. The 56th CES hosted a memorial run, flag raising, last call, and bell ceremony in honor of those who died during the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. In memory of all who died during the 9/11 attacks, the flag is raised to half staff. When flown at half-staff, the flag serves as a solemn gesture of mourning and remembrance, honoring those who have passed and recognizing moments of national or community loss. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Elias Carrero)

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56th CES Hosts 9/11 Memorial Service

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Branden Delong (center), 56th Civil Engineer Squadron commander, and Airmen assigned to the 56th CES stand in formation during a 9/11 memorial event, Sept. 11, 2025, at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona. The 56th CES hosted a memorial run, flag raising, last call, and bell ceremony in honor of those who died during the 9/11 terrorist attacks. At the start of the ceremony, Delong spoke with his squadron about the significance of sacrifice, warrior ethos, mission readiness, and honoring those who have come before. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Elias Carrero)

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56th CES Hosts 9/11 Memorial Service

U.S. Air Force Airmen and firefighters assigned to the 56th Civil Engineer Squadron participate in a flag is raising during a 9/11 memorial event, Sept. 11, 2025, at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona. The 56th CES hosted a memorial run, flag raising, last call, and bell ceremony in honor of those who died during the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Flag raising ceremonies are a long-standing tradition that symbolize unity, pride, and respect, often marking the beginning of significant events or honoring service and sacrifice. In memory of all who died during the 9/11 attacks, the flag is raised to half staff. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Elias Carrero)

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56th CES Hosts 9/11 Memorial Service

Luke Air Force Base firefighters assigned to the 56th Civil Engineer Squadron raise a flag during a 9/11 memorial event, Sept. 11, 2025, at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona. The 56th CES hosted a memorial run, flag raising, last call, and bell ceremony in honor of those who died during the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Flag raising ceremonies are a long-standing tradition that symbolize unity, pride, and respect, often marking the beginning of significant events or honoring service and sacrifice. In memory of all who died during the 9/11 attacks, the flag is raised to half staff. When flown at half-staff, the flag serves as a solemn gesture of mourning and remembrance, honoring those who have passed and recognizing moments of national or community loss. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Elias Carrero)

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56th CES Hosts 9/11 Memorial Service

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Andrew Baird, 56th Civil Engineer Squadron firefighter, rings a ceremonial bell during a 9/11 memorial event, Sept. 11, 2025, at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona. The 56th CES hosted a memorial run, flag raising, last call, and bell ceremony in honor of those who died during the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The ringing of the bell is a fire service tradition that is over 150 years old. Typically used to mark the start of a shift, sound alarms, and announce the completion of a call, in ceremonies the bell serves as the final tribute in a line-of-duty death ceremony, where the bell is rung three times in three sets to signify a firefighter’s last alarm. In memory of all who died during the 9/11 attacks, the bell is instead rung in a solemn pattern of five rings repeated five times, a multiplication totaling 3,125; a number closest to the total lives lost during the attacks. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Elias Carrero)

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56th CES Hosts 9/11 Memorial Service

Published Sept. 12, 2025
By Senior Airman Elias Carrero
56th Fighter Wing

LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. -- Luke Air Force Base Airmen assigned to the 56th Civil Engineer Squadron salute as a flag is raised during a 9/11 memorial event, Sept. 11, 2025, at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona. The 56th CES hosted a memorial run, flag raising, last call, and bell ceremony in honor of those who died during the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Flag raising ceremonies are a long-standing tradition that symbolize unity, pride, and respect, often marking the beginning of significant events or honoring service and sacrifice. In memory of all who died during the 9/11 attacks, the flag is raised to half staff. When flown at half-staff, the flag serves as a solemn gesture of mourning and remembrance, honoring those who have passed and recognizing moments of national or community loss. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Elias Carrero)