2/4/2013 - JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii -- The Pacific Air Forces C-17 demo team departed base Jan. 31 en route to Bangalore, India, to showcase the diverse capabilities of the C-17 Globemaster III at the bi-annual international tradeshow Aero India 2013.
The team is scheduled to perform for the more than 250, 000 expected attendees Feb. 6-10.
Maj. Kenneth Kirkpatrick, 535th Airlift Squadron and PACAF demo team lead, said the airshow will provide a platform for the C-17 to demonstrate its precise maneuvering capabilities to the international community while also giving the host country's government an opportunity to see its latest aircraft purchase in action.
The largest tradeshow of its kind in India, Aero India is expected to draw more than 29 different countries and 675 companies to the multi-day event.
"Ultimately, we attend Aero India to show support for India ... that's our main purpose," Kirkpatrick said. "However, it doesn't hurt to show our enemies what we can do and that the Air Force is present. I think seeing our aircraft capability in action is definitely good for deterrence."
During the show, the PACAF demo team will execute high angle take-offs, high speed passes, low speed configured passes, 360 degree maneuvers and an assault landing. A media flight and ground static display will round out the team's participation providing maximum exposure for the multi-purpose aircraft.
In addition to capitalizing on the opportunity to strengthen relations with India, participating in the airshow also provides an excellent training opportunity for the demo team.
"When we fly demos it teaches us how to fly in tight spaces and helps us in our everyday flying," Kirkpatrick said. "It really helps strengthen our skills in flying more precisely."
Promoting interoperability also remains a key component in the demo team's participation in the international event.
"This is a big deal ... huge," said Lt. Col. William Berck, 535th AS director of operations. "This is more than just an airshow, it's a theater engagement for PACOM and allows us a chance to engage nation to nation. It's a fantastic opportunity for us to demo our capability to our allies and for us to engage with our nation's partners, build relationships and discuss the benefits of our interoperability."
The U.S. has been participating in Aero India since 2005.
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