Photo By Staff Sgt. Angelita Lawrence | A local Bahraini boy looks out of a U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III while holding...... read more read more
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MANAMA, Bahrain — Service members from the U.S. Air Force and Navy completed their mission to highlight U.S. Airpower at the inaugural Bahrain International Airshow held in this small island-nation Jan. 21-23
The three-day event included static displays of fighter jets, transport planes and light aircraft along with aerial demonstrations by a U.S. Navy tactical demonstration crew and other foreign military flight teams.
Military leaders, civilian officials and thousands of Bahrainis made the journey to a brand new airfield built in the desert to view the latest in aviation technology and meet with aircrews from the United States, Europe and the Middle East. Fighters parked next to civilian airliners in the bright sun, surrounded by colorful displays and flags representing many different countries. A military band entertained the crowd with local and international tunes, leaving a festive air to the entire event.
The festivities were enjoyed by many of the Airmen and Sailors who visited with multitudes of spectators every day. For one Airman in particular, it was a treat interacting with people from a different culture.
"It has been very exciting for me and I love it," said Airman Erik Eisenach, a C-17 Globemaster III loadmaster assigned to the 317th Airlift Squadron, an Air Force reserve unit at Charleston Air Force Base, S.C. "This is my first airshow ever as an aircrew member and it really gives you a lot of insight into how people see the C-17 when they don't know a lot about airplanes."
"You watch the people come on board and you see their eyes go wide at the size of the plane," he said. "It is really great seeing their reaction to my plane."
Several F-18E/F Super Hornets supported by more than a dozen Sailors made the journey to Bahrain to showcase the aircraft both on the ground and in the air. People found their way to the flightline every time the powerful attack fighter roared into the sky.
Spotlighting the jet and connecting with the Bahrainis was exciting for the Sailors as well.
"On a scale of one to 10, I would call this event a 13," said Aviation Electrician's Mate 2nd Class Kyle Venable, VFA-103 "Jolly Rogers" Squadron assigned to the U.S.S. Dwight D. Eisenhower aircraft carrier. "It's been really enjoyable meeting the people from all the different countries, all the while representing my own country and the U.S. Navy at the same time. It has been a real experience for me."
The Bahrain International Airshow will become a biennial event with the next show scheduled for January 2012.
| Date Taken: | 01.23.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 01.23.2010 20:30 |
| Story ID: | 44351 |
| Location: | MANAMA, BH |
| Web Views: | 170 |
| Downloads: | 118 |
This work, Airmen, Sailors wrap up three-day Bahrain International Airshow, by TSgt Joseph Kapinos, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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