The “silver jubilee” E-3A Airborne Warning and Control System aircraft makes its first landing at Geilenkirchen air base, Germany, on April 12 after receiving a special 25th anniversary paint job in Venice, Italy. (Courtesy of Geilenkirchen air base)
GEILENKIRCHEN, Germany — More than 50 of NATO’s aircraft will be on display as Geilenkirchen air base opens its gates to the public this weekend for a 25th anniversary celebration.
The two-day event will offer visitors an up-close look at the alliance’s only multinational flying unit.
“The program for this weekend features static display aircraft representing 17 nations, cuisine from our 15 member nations, live musical and dance performances on three separate stages, classic cars, fireworks and the silver jubilee painted AWACS aircraft,” said U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Stephen D. Schmidt, NATO E-3A Component commander.
The air base — on the Wurm River near the Germany’s border with the Netherlands — is home to the NATO Airborne Early Warning and Control Force Command’s E-3A Component.
Geilenkirchen’s E-3s, topped with their characteristic radar dishes, provide an early-warning radar system to enhance NATO’s air defense capabilities.
In recent years, Geilenkirchen has provided air security for events such as last year’s World Cup and has conducted humanitarian operations to help victims of the 2005 Hurricane Katrina and the devastating 2005 earthquake in Pakistan.
Because of increased security concerns, the base warns, visitors should be prepared to follow strict protection measures. Guests must keep their entry tickets and a valid form of personal identification with them. Guests cannot bring animals, alcohol, backpacks, coolers, air horns or items that could be used as weapons.
The event will be open to visitors from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, with the last admission to the event at 4:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at the gate for 5 euros, with free admission for children under 14. Parking will cost 2 euros.
Shuttle buses will be available from the Geilenkirchen train and bus stations, as well as from the parking lot to the event area.
For more information, visit http://www.e3a.nato.int/25th_Anniversary/html/home.htm
U.S. personnel, planes traveling to Paris air show
About 70 Air Force and Army personnel will represent the U.S. military at this year’s Paris International Air Show, which starts Monday.
During the weeklong show, various models of U.S. military aircraft and equipment will be on display, according to a U.S. European Command news release.
The featured aircraft includes the F-16C/D Fighting Falcon, F-15E Strike Eagle, F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, C-17 Globemaster, C-130J Hercules and the HH-60 Pave Hawk.
U.S. military personnel participating in the air show will provide aircrew, maintenance and administrative support.
The release said that this level of involvement underscores the U.S. commitment to the security of Europe and demonstrates that American industry is producing equipment critical to the success of current and future military operations.
— Stars and Stripes
