From the S&S archives: Precision teams thrill Bitburg throng

BITBURG, Germany — Sky demonstration teams of four nations thrilled nearly a quarter of a million persons here Saturday with an aerial salute in honor of NATO's 10th anniversary.

USAFE Skyblazers, Italian Red Devils and Royal Air Force, and French Air Force jet units kept things humming in the air with 2½ hours of precision flying.

The ceremony opened with presentation of the U.S. Air Force Outstanding Unit Award to the 36th Tactical Fighter Wing, based here.

The presentation was made to Col Walter B. Putnam, wing commander, of Oklahoma City, and was made by Brig Gen James E. Roberts, deputy chief of staff for personnel at USAFE Hq, Wiesbaden..

The aerial show opened with a flyover by F102 Delta Daggers based here. It was followed by flights of F100s, F84 (German Air Force), F86 Mark VI (Canada), B66s and C100s (U.S. Air Force).

Open house at the base also included a static display of planes and equipment from participating countries.

The static ground display included guided missiles and other armament, communications and electronic equipment, as well as training, fighter, bomber and transport aircraft. Among the latter was the giant double-decker C124.

Music for the occasion was provided by the U.S. Air Force Band from Wiesbaden.

The scheduled parachute jump by Army paratroopers was canceled at the last minute because of high and difficult winds. For a practice drop, the Army holds to a maximum of 18 knots. The wind velocity Saturday was 16 knots.