Incirlik celebrates Hispanity Day

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Brittany E. N. Murphy
  • 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

On Oct. 12, 2018, the Spanish Army celebrated Spain’s national holiday, Hispanity Day.

To foster an appreciation of culture, leadership from the three NATO allies at Incirlik Air Base, Turkey, came together to celebrate the anniversary of when Christopher Columbus first set foot in the Americas in 1492. To commemorate the anniversary, the Spanish Army hosted a military parade, where members of Incirlik AB stood alongside them in formation honoring their special holiday.

“I was excited that [Hispanity Day] was going to be a NATO event. Personally, I felt it would be really interesting to be part of it, especially the ceremony,” said U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Alberto Losada Ojeda, 39th Logistics Readiness Squadron customer service journeyman, who assisted in the planning of Hispanity Day. “Sharing my ideas with the United States and Spanish military forces was a very stimulating learning experience.”

 

Continuing the festivities, members from across the installation ran an 8K race together and competed against each other during a Spain versus U.S. volleyball tournament. While the U.S. Air Force team took home gold, as a show of mutual support and respect, both commanders presented their NATO ally a trophy.

An event focused on diversity, Hispanity Day not only provided an opportunity for NATO allies to come together and strengthen alliances, but also served as a reminder that each member’s background plays a critical role in maintaining the mission.