Reservists shine at Aero India

  • Published
  • By Lt. Col. Mike Odom,
  • 403rd Wing Public Affairs
BANGALORE, India (AFPN) --  Pacific Air Force, Air Force Reserve and Naval aircraft and people were well received at the 2005 Aero India International Air Show at nearby Yelahanka Air Station here.

Gleaming under sunny Indian sky and surrounded by Indian air force and other international aircraft, C-130 Hercules, Navy P-3C Orions, KC-135 Stratotankers and F-15 Eagles and their crews from bases in Japan and the United States were real crowd-pleasers, officials said.

As thousands of Indian and international flying enthusiasts greeted and smiled at the Americans, Indian air force demonstration teams, helicopters and fighter aircraft filled the sky. Aircraft with plumes of multicolored smoke, paratroopers and death-defying aerobatics were also on display.

It has been nine years since the United States has participated in Aero India.

The C-130J Hercules crew arrived at Aero India after visiting the Czech Republic and is scheduled to stop in Brunei on its way home to Keesler Air Force Base, Miss.

They are scheduled to meet the Sultan of Brunei, who is interested in the C-130J.

“This is a huge opportunity to demonstrate rapid, global mobilization to our international friends,” said Michael Colonel Underkofler, 403rd Operations Group commander. “Our people will never forget this trip and are working hard to show what this new generation of Hercules can do.”