Shared love of aviation unites U.S., Russian airmen during Singapore Airshow 2012

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Michael R. Holzworth
  • DMA Hawaii News Bureau
CHANGI, Singapore --  At most Airshows in the United States it isn't uncommon for aircrew to get the occasional odd request, but here at the 2012 Singapore Airshow it was a bit intimidating for the Airmen of an E-3 Sentry Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) from Kadena Air Base, Japan when with out warning the Commander and Chief of the Russian Air Force, Col. Gen. Alexander Zelin asks to board one of the most classified aircraft in the Air Force's inventory.

The Airmen, expectedly surprised by this request, politely asked the General to wait while he they checked with their commander.

"When I came in the Air Force in the late 80's I never thought I would be showing the chief of the Russian Air Force around an AWACS," said U.S. Air Force Col. Marc Caudill, U.S Pacific Command mission commander for the U.S. military forces supporting the airshow.

After the E-3 Airmen checked with Caudill, U.S. Air Force Capt. Joshua Craymer a Russian-speaking pilot conducted the impromptu tour.

"Ten years ago, I never imagined having a Russian general on board a U.S. command and control platform," Craymer said.

As the tour continued with Craymer and Zelin, the two aviators were left talking about their aircraft in the shadow of the cold war long forgotten.

"It was kind of funny, we took the general up to the flight deck and after he saw the 1950's avionics he kind of smiled and said "выглядит правильно" which in Russian means looks about right," Craymer said. "I think a lot of people don't understand that regardless of nationality there is this camaraderie among Airmen across the planet and in this job."

Zelin asked questions about the equipment and shared stories about his own flying experiences. He was most proud of getting the chance to fly in a F-16 Fighting Falcon and F-15 Strike Eagle during a previous trip he had taken to the United States.

"It was great talking to the Russian chief not as adversaries, but as fellow Airmen with a love of aviation," Caudill said.