US participates in Berlin Trade Show, ILA 2014

by 2nd Lt. Clay Lancaster
86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

5/21/2014 - BERLIN, Germany  -- Nine U.S. aircraft were on display here Tuesday at this years Berlin Air and Trade Show, or ILA, to promote strengthened partnerships with NATO and other European nations.

The trade show, which is held every two years, represents a unique opportunity for U.S. and military allies to showcase their leadership in aerospace technologies and to show spectators the type of equipment being used by the U.S. that is critical to the success of current and future military operations.

"Everyone of us is very excited about being out here representing the U.S. Air Force and our U.S. Army fellow service members," said Col. Robert Webb, deputy director, Plans, Programs and Analysis, headquarters U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa at Ramstein AB, Germany. "As I look around and see NATO and partnership for peace allies on the ramp out here, we realize that we have a huge influential and strategic partnership out here and it's great to be a part of this group of individuals."

The U.S. presence at ILA this year demonstrates a commitment to interoperability with allies and the U.S. defense industry's state-of-the-art capabilities that is vital for the support and protection of national security interests throughout Europe and other regions.

"The hardware is only one part of the equation and none of these airplanes, as powerful as they are, would get off the ground without the maintainers, crew chiefs and the aircrew," Webb said. "It's a huge amount of teamwork that goes into getting any airplane airborne and you can see that pride in each crew member and they are very happy to tell their story here."

The U.S. aircraft on the ramp were open for spectators and vendors within the aerospace industry to observe and interact with all crew members who not only operate the aircraft, but also maintain them. Maintainers were posted next to their aircraft along with aircrew to speak with ILA attendees in a personal setting.

"What I would like to show spectators and have them walk away with is how we develop our airmen and NCO's and how we let a dedicated crew chief take care of a multi-million dollar aircraft," said SMSgt Nate Kiser, functional manager for F-15C Eagles and HH-60 Pave Hawks, headquarters USAFE-AFAFRICA. "I think it's important to have our maintainers here and I feel it sends a powerful message that we can trust them to keep the jets maintained and ready to go."

The more than 60 U.S. service members and their aircraft made their way from several bases within USAFE-AFAFRICA and Army commands. Additionally, the C-17 Globemaster III "Spirit of Berlin" made its bi-annual trek from Joint Base Charleston, S.C. to take part in this international event.

The first three days of the show are dedicated to displaying the latest developments and products in the aerospace industry to spectators or visitors. The last three days of the show are dedicated to inviting the public out to display the aircraft and technologies of each participating nation and to enjoy the aerial demonstrations being put on by participating nations.