Like many fighter pilots in the United States military, Air Force Maj. Matthew Robbins is proud to fight and serve his country alongside its coalition partners.
While his call sign is “Red” his favorite color is blue, unless you ask him about his F-16 Fighting Falcon assigned to the 555th Fighter Squadron at Aviano Air Base, Italy. Then, the assistant director of operations knows only one color, “Once green, always green.”
That is why the Annapolis, Maryland, native flew the squadron’s showcase F-16 to the Dubai Airshow 2019.
“I flew the F-16 in for the Dubai airshow,” said Robbias. “But, that isn’t just any F-16. It is our squadron’s showcase jet. It has the only tail like that you’ll see. It is important to showcase all of our assets in theater.”
The strong Coalition partnerships and fighting spirit of aviators, which deters aggressors and helps support stability in the region, can be seen among the many fighters on the Dubai airshow flightline, just like Robbias.
“F-16s are one important piece of that puzzle that makes our Air Force what it is,” the proud pilot from the Triple Nickel. “Every jet is different. Every one provides specific and unique mission sets. We have to show everyone in this theater. My favorite part of being in Dubai is the display of superior technology, air and space systems from around the world.”
The Dubai Airshow 2019 is the largest aerial tradeshow in the world, and allows U.S. forces to demonstrate the unique capabilities it provides throughout the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.