Airmen prepare for 2008 Berlin Airshow

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Corey Clements
  • U.S. Air Forces in Europe Public Affairs
BERLIN (AFPN) --  Aircrew and support personnel from bases in Europe and the U.S. have been hustling in over the last few days to prepare for one of the premier airshows in the world, the 2008 Berlin Airshow.

The "Spirit of Berlin" C-17 Globemaster III, from Charleston Air Force Base, S.C. and C-47 Skytrain heritage flight is scheduled to kickoff the daily events at the Berlin-Shoenefeld Airport, Germany, from May 27 to June 1.

"Coordinating the timeline for arrivals, departures and demonstrations, particularly the C-17 and C-47 heritage flight for the opening ceremony, are the biggest preparations being worked at the moment," said Lt. Col. Mike Kilbourn, the show's U.S. air boss from Headquarters U.S. Air Forces in Europe, Air and Space Operations. He is responsible for overseeing the movement of all U.S. aircraft in the show.

"Taking care of maintenance, arranging parking places for the aircraft and all the logistics behind it all has kept us very busy. Our hardworking Airmen working with our dedicated German air force counterparts to tow airplanes and work security issues and other functions will surely make the airshow a success," Colonel Kilbourn said.

Airmen are preparing various models of U.S. military aircraft for flight demonstrations and static displays, including the B-1B Lancer, C-130J Hercules, C-17 Globemaster III, C-5 Galaxy, KC-135 Stratotanker, F-15E Strike Eagle, F-15 Eagle and the F-16 Fighting Falcon.

"Our mission is two-fold," said Senior Master Sgt. Rich Bryan, the NCOIC of maintenance on the B-1at the 7th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas.

"Our primary focus is service and maintenance on the aircraft to get them ready to fly, and secondly to clean the aircraft for static display to project a professional positive image of the U.S. Air Force and the U.S.," he said.

Senior Airman Marcus Smith, a B-1maintenance crew chief, said he's very happy to be here on his first temporary-duty assignment away from his home station at Dyess AFB.
"I'm excited about showing off our bomber and what I do, and sharing with the spectators the highlights of our aircraft," he said.

"I hope I get the chance to share some knowledge about the F-15," said Staff Sgt. Amy Stroud, an F-15E jet engine mechanic from Royal Air Force Lakenheath, United Kingdom. "Now that I have my airframe license, I know all about it," she said.

We look forward to letting the spectators on board the KC-135, letting them get down in the boom pod and see the cockpit, said Capt. Rob Arnett, the aircraft commander for the KC-135 from the 100th Air Refueling Wing at RAF Mildenhall, U.K.

"This will be a great opportunity for us to interact with the public and show off our jet and how great it is to be in the U.S. Air Force," Captain Arnett said.

U.S. participation in the Berlin Airshow enhances the U.S.-German military-to-military relationship and supports our security cooperation strategic direction efforts. The defense department's involvement in this event is about fostering good relations and better understanding among nations.

This year's airshow coincides with the 60th anniversary of the Berlin Airlift and will likely create more interest with the German citizens. That airlift provided food, fuel and medicine to 2.5 million West Berliners cut-off from the world by a Soviet Union-imposed blockade of all surface transportation in 1948.

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