Behind-the-scenes work continues as air show set to begin

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Chuck Roberts
  • U.S. Air Forces in Europe Public Affairs
BERLIN (AFPN) --  One of the world’s premier air shows gets underway May 16, but military organizers have been working behind the scenes for several months to ensure a successful display of U.S. military aviation at the 2006 Berlin Air Show.

Initial groundwork began two years ago when the previous Berlin Air Show ended. The pace quickened in January to coordinate the participation of 10 Air Force and Army aircraft from the United States and Europe. The U.S aircraft are joining more than 1,000 exhibitors from 42 countries, said Navy Lt. Cmdr. Todd Wilson, a trade show coordinator from U.S. European Command.

In addition to the air show coordinators from EUCOM, Commander Wilson said numerous agencies, such as U.S. Air Forces in Europe, U.S. Army in Europe and the Office of Defense Cooperation, have pulled together to coordinate the logistics required, such as lodging, transportation, communications, security and the scheduling of the aircraft themselves.

One day before show opening, all the pieces began to fall into place amid the last-minute chaos of display tents. The air show, held at the Berlin Schoenefeld Airport, opens to trade visitors May 16 to 19 and to the general public May 19 to 21. It has been a lot of hard work but worth it, Commander Wilson said.

“To see the smile on the faces of the kids and adults who visit these air shows, and to be part of that one-on-one diplomacy, that makes a difference,” Commander Wilson said.

Master Sgt. Hank Liverance, a security forces specialist from the USAFE security forces division, has been coordinating with the German police, military and airport authorities to ensure the safety of aircraft and personnel.

“The spirit of cooperation has been great,” Sergeant Liverance said. “We couldn’t have gotten any of this done without their support.”

Also working behind the scenes is Staff Sgt. Alfonso Rivera, an avionics technician from Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, who helped bed down the arrival of two F-15 Eagles from the 48th Fighter Wing.

Sergeant Rivera stood by, rendering fire guard assistance to the aircraft’s crew chief as the fighter jets taxied to a stop near several Russian aircraft. The jets soon were moved to the static display area where the U.S. contingent will include the C-130J Hercules, C-17 Globemaster III, B-1B Lancer, F-16CJ Fighting Falcon, KC-135 Stratotanker, A-10 Thunderbolt II, UH-60 Blackhawk and AH-64 Apache.

Being in Berlin is a “great experience and a good opportunity to show off the F-15 to a new set of eyes,” Sergeant Rivera said.