Shared love of aviation unites U.S., Russian airmen

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Michael R. Holzworth
  • Defense Media Activity-Hawaii News Bureau
CHANGI, Singapore (AFNS) --  At most airshows in the U.S., it isn't uncommon for aircrew to get the occasional odd request.

However, at the 2012 Singapore Airshow here Feb. 15, the Airmen of an E-3 Sentry crew said they were a bit intimidated when, without warning, the commander-in-chief of the Russian Air Force asked to board one of the most classified aircraft in the Air Force's inventory.

The Airmen from Kadena Air Base, Japan, surprised by this request, politely asked Col. Gen. Alexander Zelin to wait while they checked with their commander.

"When I came in the Air Force in the late '80s I never thought I would be showing the chief of the Russian Air Force around an (Airborne Warning and Control System)," said U.S. Air Force Col. Marc Caudill, the U.S Pacific Command mission commander for the U.S. military forces supporting the airshow.

After the E-3 Airmen checked with Caudill, U.S. Air Force Capt. Joshua Craymer, a Russian-speaking pilot, conducted the impromptu tour.

"Ten years ago, I never imagined having a Russian general on board a U.S. command and control platform," Craymer said.

As the tour continued with Craymer and Zelin, the two aviators were left talking about their aircraft in the shadow of the Cold War long forgotten.

"It was kind of funny; we took the general up to the flight deck and, after he saw the 1950s avionics, he kind of smiled and said, 'Vygljadit pravil'no,' which (translates to) 'Looks about right,'" Craymer said. "I think a lot of people don't understand that regardless of nationality there is this camaraderie among airmen across the planet and in this job."

Zelin asked questions about the equipment and shared stories about his own flying experiences. He was most proud of getting the chance to fly in an F-16 Fighting Falcon and F-15 Strike Eagle during a previous trip he had taken to the U.S.

"It was great talking to the Russian chief not as adversaries, but as fellow Airmen with a love of aviation," Caudill said.