Flags switched to give proper respects, follow age-old regulation Published July 26, 2011 By Staff Sgt. Travis Edwards 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany -- The German and American flags flying in front of the 86th Airlift Wing command building have exchanged positions recently to give prominence to the German flag. The change took place July 20, and according to Master Sgt. Eugene "J" Berry, 86th Airlift Wing protocol office superintendent; there has been a flood of questions about it. "The [86th AW] has received numerous calls about the flags being wrong after the switch," Berry said. "We explain to them the agreement and how the position of honor is given to the German flag." The aforementioned agreement, Flite Document No. 7500721 between Germany and U.S. Forces in Europe from 1958, states that when flown outside and together, the German flag will be placed in the position of honor (to the right) of its American counterpart. This is determined from the flag's actual position in relation to other flags next to it. "These standards hadn't been in any Air Force regulation, we were just unaware of the document until it was recently pointed out," he said. He added that the call came from the NATO headquarters on Ramstein to the U.S. Air Forces in Europe protocol office, who then contacted the wing protocol office about the discrepancy. "It's the best way we can show our host nation respect every day," said Berry. However, this placement is not unlike other nations that host American military members. Italy has a similar story. The position of honor is given to the Italian national flag on outdoor garrison and installation flagpoles. - Army in Europe Regulation 840-10 "I didn't know [about the change] ... but it is appropriate," said Eva Maldanado, 86th AW host nation advisor. "It is healthy to have the national flag as a symbol of pride for your country; it's nice to see the German flag honored on Ramstein."