Airmen support inaugural Bahrain International Airshow

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  • By Tech. Sgt. Joseph Kapinos
  • U.S. Air Forces combat camera team
MANAMA, Bahrain (AFNS) --  More than 100 Airmen from across the Air Force traveled to the small island-nation of Bahrain in the Middle East to represent U.S. military forces at the Bahrain International Airshow Jan. 21.

The show is the first of its kind for the country and held on a field that was just sand and rock six months ago.

Aircraft from Air Mobility Command and Air Combat Command, flown by active duty, Air Force Reserve Command and Air National Guard aircrews made the journey.

C-17A Globemaster III and C-130H Hercules transport aircraft sat side-by-side with F-16C Fighting Falcons and a C-21A Learjet. Along with the Air Force aircraft, F-18E/F Super Hornets, supported by Sailors, also made the flight, entertaining the crowd with static displays and aerial demonstrations.

Along with the aircrews and aircraft, Airmen and Sailors worked behind the scenes to ensure the planes were ready to fly when needed.

"This is a great opportunity for us to showcase our aircraft and professionals to our good allies, the Bahrainis, along with the other coalition partners here", said Capt. Candido Mendes, the airshow maintenance director assigned to the U.S. embassy in Bahrain. "I am proud to be here working with a great group of Airmen and Sailors. They are top-notch professionals and great ambassadors for our country and their respective services."

Security forces Airmen also represented the Air Force and their country, overseeing the safety and security of aircraft and crews during this event, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for some of the Airmen.

"I truly feel it's an honor to be asked to come here and represent my country at the first ever airshow held in Bahrain," said Airman 1st Class Cody Hamilton, a security forces specialist from Dyess Air Force Base, Texas. "I am proud to be doing my part, guarding these aircraft and making sure that my fellow servicemembers, both Air Force and Navy, feel safe while participating at this event."

Bahrain has played a key role in aviation for decades due to its geographic location, centered near Asia, Africa and the European continents. Planning for the airshow began six months ago when the leader of Bahrain, His Majesty, King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, himself a believer in the importance of aviation to the country, called for the show.

Builders constructed an airfield in the middle of the desert in a very short time - complete with runways, ramps, hangars and support buildings. The ability to support and organize the airshow is a source of great pride to the Bahraini people.

"The airshow will give us the opportunity to show people what can be done here and will also give Bahrainis the opportunity to understand more about the industry," said Capt. Abdul Rahman Al Gaoud, the deputy chairman of the show's organizing committee.

"This is a great opportunity for us to highlight the excellent relationship we have with the Kingdom of Bahrain, who is a strong, loyal ally to the United States. We are very grateful for the invitation to come here and participate in this inaugural event," said Maj. Andrew Thorne, U.S. Air Forces Central Command lead planner and South Carolina Air National Guard pilot from McEntire Air National Guard Base, S.C.

Along with entertaining the crowd, many of the Airmen here were excited to be able to further build upon the relationship the Bahraini people have with Americans.

"Events such as this nurture our partnerships in the region and foster a shared commitment to security," said Col. Everette "Rett" Newton, the AFCENT director of security cooperation. "We are grateful to the Bahrainis for the opportunity to allow us to highlight the highly committed and talented men and women of the U.S. military who are working every day with our allies and coalition partners to promote security, stability and mutual interests in the region."