U.S. commitment to Pacific region showcased in India

  • Published
  • By Maj. Sam Highley
  • 13th Air Force Public Affairs
AIR FORCE STATION YELAHANKA, India --  About 150 U.S. military personnel and Department of Defense civilians are among the thousands of people from around the globe taking part in the Aero India 09 air show here. 

A cross-section of U.S. military aircraft and equipment, including the C-17 Globemaster III, C-130J Hercules, F-16 Fighting Falcon, KC-135 Stratotanker, F/A-18 Hornet and Eagle Vision ground satellite system, are on display at the show, which began Feb. 11 and lasts five days. 

This year's Aero India, which is organized by India's Ministry of Defence and hosted at the air force station here near Bangalore, India, boasts participation from more than 590 exhibitors from 25 different countries. 

Col. Ray LaMarche, Director of Plans, Programs and Requirements at 13th Air Force, Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii, and the air boss for U.S. forces participating in the event, said Aero India is a perfect venue for the United States to demonstrate its commitment to the Asia-Pacific region. 

"India is the world's largest democracy, and both the United States and India are committed to a stable Pacific theater," Colonel LaMarche said. "So our countries already share some basic beliefs, and events like this allow our respective military leaders to meet and discuss common challenges." 

This special bond between India and the United States was recently highlighted by President Barack Obama, who released a statement Jan. 26 for India Republic Day highlighting the nations' shared belief in democracy, liberty, pluralism and religious tolerance. 

"It is our shared values that form the bedrock of a robust relationship across peoples and governments," the president said in the statement. "Those values and ideals provide the strength that enables us to meet any challenge, particularly from those who use violence to try to undermine our free and open societies." 

The developing partnership between India and the United States was on full display at the air show, as Indian military officers had the opportunity to see the U.S. military aircraft there up close through demonstration and orientation flights, as well as static displays. 

Maj. Mike Dinwiddie, a C-17 pilot from Elmendorf AFB, Alaska, and the mission commander for the Globemaster III at Aero India 09, said the interaction with the Indian armed forces and representatives from other regional militaries was a highlight of the show. 

"This show is really about building relationships," Major Dinwiddie said. "By making these connections now with other countries' airmen, we're preparing ourselves to work together better down the road when it really counts." 

The demonstrations also furthered efforts to promote the standardization and interoperability of the equipment and processes used by partner nations in the Pacific theater, Colonel LaMarche said. 

"We're building the knowledge base that will benefit us in the future," the colonel said. "When crisis strikes, we have to be able to share data, speak the same tactical language, and plan in parallel if we want to respond successfully. Events like Aero India go a long way toward making that happen." 

Promoting interoperability and building relationships was made all the more easier by the remarkable hospitality of the event organizers, according to Capt. Steven Massie, a C-130J pilot at Little Rock AFB, Ark., who came to Aero India to demonstrate the latest version of the Hercules airlifter. 

"Our Indian hosts have welcomed us and taken great care of us this entire time," Captain Massie said. "It's an honor to be here, to talk about what we do for a living, and to just see this great country."