U.S. aircraft, troops popular at Moscow air show

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Mona Ferrell
  • U.S. Air Forces in Europe News Service
ZHUKOVSKY, Russia (AFPN) --  Staff Sgt. Christy Jeffreys is not new to traveling. In her nine year Air Force career, her job as a boom operator on the KC-10 Extender has taken her to more than 10 countries.

But, this was the first time her job has also made her feel like a celebrity.

Sergeant Jeffreys, a reservist assigned to the 79th Air Refueling Squadron at Travis Air Force Base, Calif., was part of a team of about 100 people representing the U.S. military at the Moscow International Aviation and Space Salon here Aug. 16 to 21.

“Interacting with the Russian public and air show visitors has been a phenomenal experience,” she said. “Everyone wants to talk to the Americans, and I think it’s also a little unusual for them to see a woman in a flight suit, so everyone wants to get my autograph and take my picture with them.

“It’s actually a little overwhelming, but it makes you feel good at the same time,” Sergeant Jeffreys said. “It kind of makes you feel like a celebrity.”

And, the feeling of being famous was not limited to just one person.

“It’s been a real privilege to be here,” said Senior Airman Justin Rickles, a 48th Security Forces Squadron controller from Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England. “Everyone really welcomed us with open arms and swarmed around our corral wanting autographs.

“I guess I was expecting them to be a little less friendly,” he said. “But they’ve all tried really hard to speak to us in English and have thanked us for coming. It’s been a really cool experience.”

Air show officials estimated that more than 750,000 people attended the show. Many got a close-up look at America’s F-15E Strike Eagle, F-16 Fighting Falcon, KC-10, KC-135 Stratotanker and the B-1B Lancer during the air show. The B-1B also performed a daily aerial demonstration for three days of the show.

Both the U.S. aircraft and servicemembers were well received, said Col. Scott Nielson, U.S. Air Forces in Europe Reserve forces adviser and air boss for the event.

“From our perspective, the air show has been fantastic,” Colonel Nielson said. “Our people really stepped up to the plate -- from helping out with security around our aircraft, to smiling and taking photographs as they explained the specifics of the airframes -- they’ve been top-notch ambassadors for the United States of America.”

This is the second time the United States has displayed military aircraft at the air show, the first time was in 2003. In 2001, the United States participated with a technology booth.

“Our being here is an important step in continuing to build the bridge and foster good relations between the United States and Russia,” said Colonel Nielson.

“For me it really hit home when I gave a retired Soviet air force colonel one of our Air Force lapel pins,” he said. “The man, who was dressed in his uniform, tried to give me his hat in return. Even that Cold War warrior wanted to show his friendship to me. We’ve come a long way.”

Although the celebrity status may wear off, the memories will last forever, Sergeant Jeffreys said.

“Everyone has an idea in their head what Russia and its people are going to be like, and this is nothing like I expected,” she said. “The only thing I regret is not being able to speak Russian. I would come back in a heartbeat.” (Courtesy of USAFE News Service)