U.S. commitment displayed at Aero India

  • Published
  • By Capt. Kim Schaerdel
  • Pacific Air Forces Public Affairs
AIR FORCE STATION YELAHANKA, India --  Exhibitors and aviation fans from around the world flocked to Aero India 2011, one of Asia's premier aerial events and the largest in India, including more than 100 U.S. military personnel and DoD civilians to support the event Feb. 9-13.

"Aero India brings the opportunity for regional and world senior leaders and like-minded air forces together to discuss the items that matter to us all: strategic interoperability, joint exercises and training, and the main reason, to demonstrate the technology that is in the world and industry today," said Gen. Gary North, Pacific Air Forces commander.

Organized by India's Ministry of Defense, Aero India boasted participation from 61 visiting countries with approximately 670 exhibitions. The U.S. has participated in this bi-annual trade show since 2005. Such participation reflects President Barack Obama's intention to craft an indispensible partnership with India in order to shape a secure and prosperous 21st Century.

A cross-section of U.S. military aircraft, including the C-17 Globemaster III, W C-130J Hercules, F-16 Fighting Falcon, KC-135 Stratotanker, and F/A-18 Hornet, were on display. Military members were available to explain the capabilities of these aircraft, highlight and explain the diversity of U.S. military missions, and share their varying experiences with interested foreign military personnel and visitors to the air show.

The India Air Force showcased numerous aircraft from their inventory, including its newly added C-130J Hercules. Inducted into the IAF inventory Feb. 5, the Hercules will provide the IAF with advanced tactical and humanitarian airlift capability. The C-130J displayed here is the first of six total C-130Js to be added into the IAF inventory.

Flying around the world, the WC-130J Hercules from the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, Kessler AFB, Miss., was also in attendance here. Affectionately known as a Hurricane Hunter, this modified C-130 is configured with palletized weather instrumentation for penetration of tropical storms and disturbances, hurricanes and winter storms to obtain data on movement, size, and intensity.

"It has been a pleasure to display a worthwhile aircraft in India since this aircraft has capabilities that interest them," said Lt. Col. Shannon Hailes, 53rd WRS aircraft commander. The Indian Air Force recently received a C-130J and I have talked with the pilot and loadmasters. We have had the aircraft longer so we discussed how to handle certain situations and built a great rapport."

The F-16 Fighting Falcon from the PACAF Demonstration Team stationed at Misawa Air Base, Japan took to the sky and performed multiple aerial demonstrations throughout Aero India. Unlike other demonstration teams, the members of this team are mission-capable, allowing them to support both aerial demonstration requests and operational deployments.

"Aero India has been a great experience because of the sheer number and variety of countries and aircraft participating," said Capt. Jeffrey Schneider, the PACAF Demonstration Team's F-16 fighter pilot. "This was an awesome opportunity to gain insight from pilots from all over the world."

Relationship building and promoting interoperability was the ongoing purpose for participating in Aero India.

"The U.S. and India share common interests and defining values," said General North. "Both countries are committed to a stable Pacific and events such as Aero India allow us to advance that dialogue and strategic partnership."