Singapore air and trade show wraps up

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Ally Day
  • 13th Air Force Public Affairs
CHANGI, Singapore (AFNS) --  Approximately 69 Sailors, Airmen and Department of Defense personnel from across the Pacific represented U.S. military forces at the largest air show in Asia here Feb. 14-19.

As one of the top three aerospace and defense exhibitions in the world, the biennial Singapore Airshow 2012 drew thousands of people to the Changi Exhibition Centre.

"We are honored to have been invited by the government of Singapore to participate in the air show," said Col. Marc Caudill, the U.S. forces mission commander for the air show from Pacific Air Forces at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii. "As the mission commander, I've had nothing but smooth coordination with Experia and U.S. forces on the ground to make this air show a success."

According to Experia, the show organizers, more than 149,000 people attended the trade and air show.

With so many people attending, security has played a vital part for the safety of everyone concerned, Caudill said.

"Experia has done a great job working with us while maintaining their tight security measures," he added.

Aircraft on display included a P-3 Orion from Patrol Squadron 16, a KC-135 Stratotanker and an E-3 Sentry from 18th Wing at Kadena Air Base, Japan.

In addition to the static displays, there were flyovers by a B-52 Stratofortress deployed from Minot Air Force Base, N.D, to Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. The demonstration team from JB Hickam flew a C-17 Globemaster III daily during the air show, but was also able to join other aircraft in the static display corral.

"I have always enjoyed sharing the many aspects of the C-17 and talking about its capabilities," said Maj. Mike Pasquino, a 535th Airlift Squadron C-17 pilot. "More than anything, being here has given me the opportunity to engage with members of our partner nations."

Through participation in air shows like this, the U.S. is able to demonstrate its commitment to security in the Asia Pacific region, Caudill said.

An added dimension to the air show was the presence of the Band of the Pacific-Hawaii from JB Hickam.

"Their involvement this week added a new dimension to our PACAF engagement strategy both at the air show and at numerous venues around Singapore," Caudill said. "It was truly an extraordinary cohesion of aircraft, Sailors and Airmen projecting an enduring message of peace, security and goodwill across Asia-Pacific.

Through participation in air shows and other regional events, the U.S. is able to demonstrate its commitment to the security of the Asia-Pacific region, promote the standardization and interoperability of equipment, and display capabilities critical to the success of current and future military operations.