Royal air show displays military aircraft on global scale

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Donna T. Jeffries
  • 514th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
ROYAL AIR FORCE FAIRFORD, U.K. --  Bouts of heavy rain and low clouds did not stop a crowd of more than 130,000 from attending the largest military air show at Royal Air Force Fairford in Gloucestershire, United Kingdom July 7-8.

For 41 years, the Royal International Air Tattoo has been the true melting pot of aviation drawing the largest array of aircraft in both static displays and aerial demonstrations from around the world. An aviation enthusiast's dream, the air show affords spectators with a close-up view of aircraft they would rarely have a chance to see.

The annual air show also provides the aircrew of these aircraft an opportunity to mix and mingle, sharing their technology and aerial experiences with one another.

"Attending this air show gave us an opportunity to work and observe other nations and their air power," said Capt. Frank Gilliard, a pilot for the 756th Air Refueling Squadron at Joint Base Andrews, Md. "We were able to reach out to the public and show their cadets the perspective of American forces. Not only does this air show allow us to interact with different cultures, but it provides great international training."

The event is preceded with an Air Chiefs Conference where, in an informal environment, senior military representatives from around the world gather to discuss matters of mutual interest.

Of the 43 chiefs in attendance this year, Gen. Norton A. Schwartz, U.S. Air Force; Gen. Sung II Hwan, Korea; Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Dalton, Royal Air Staff and HRH Lieutenant General Prince Feisal bin Hussein of Jordan, were present.

"Without the support of the United States Air Force both in Europe and back in the States, this air show would not be possible," said Chris Murray, the show's director of operations.

Although RAF Fairford is a U.K. military base, it is operationally owned by the U.S. Air Force.

The site is home to the 501st Combat Support Wing and 422nd Air Base Group. The U.S. Air Force turns the airfield over to British show coordinators for the period of the air show which is unique because that doesn't happen anywhere else said the director.

"That is a tangible example of the close relationship that exists between the two nations," said Murray.

RAF Fairford leadership agrees.

The special relationship that our two nations enjoy stretches back to 1942 and the reign of King George VI when the U.S. military first arrived in England. Since then, the bonds have been continually strengthened by the sense of purpose and a shared belief said U.S. military leadership assigned to RAF Fairford.

In addition to providing the airfield, the U.S. Air Force also showed its mettle in metal. Twenty-two of the 268 aircraft on display were from the U.S. military.

Participating nations included Belgium, Brazil, Colombia, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Korea, Poland, Oman, Netherlands, Norway, Slovakia, Sweden and United Arab Emirates. Static displays included bombers, fighters, cargo and tanker aircraft as well as helicopters. The U.S. Air Force, Navy and Marines displayed active duty, Reserve and Air National Guard assets.

Multiple aerial demonstration teams wowed the crowd with their skill and precision flying.

Some air show highlights were aerial demonstrations by the Black Eagles of South Korea flying the KAI T-50B jet aircraft; the RAF Red Arrows with the Hawk T Mk 1 A aircraft and the Royal Jordanian Falcons and the US Marines' Bell-Boeing Osprey MV-22.