BERLIN –
Aircraft soaring high over the crowd, music blaring at the highest levels and some pretty high profile individuals dropping in for a visit helped kick off the 2008 Berlin Air and Trade Show on a "high note" here May 27.
More than 15 flight demonstrations wowed the crowd during the first day here including the Charleston C-17 Globemaster III named the "Spirit of Berlin."
The C-17 crew assigned to the 437th Airlift Wing is part of about a 90-person U.S. contingent joined with more than 1,000 exhibitors from 37 countries here at the Berlin-Schoenefeld Airport, Germany.
The C-17 was the center of attention here for the kick-off. The German Chancellor Dr. Angela Merkel, the first female head of the German government, and U.S. ambassador to Germany, William Timken Jr., both took part in a commemoration ceremony of the Berlin Airlift's 60th anniversary staged in front of the C-17 display.
The ceremony highlighted the accomplishments of Col. Gail Halvorsen, The Berlin Candy Bomber, and several other veterans who took part in the Berlin Airlift to bring food and supplies to West-Berliners who were cut-off during a Soviet Union blockade of all surface transportation in 1948.
One of the other nine U.S. aircraft on display here is the C-130J Hercules from the 493rd Airlift Group at Little Rock AFB, Ark.
Air Force Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Duncan McNabb stopped by to pay a visit to the crew of the C-130J while touring the U.S. corral.
"It was cool to meet him, since he was the one who flew the first Air Mobility Command C-130J from the factory." said Staff Sgt. Steven Kenney, a C-130J maintenance crew chief.
Among other high profile visitors was Gen. Roger Brady, U.S. Air Forces in Europe commander, who spent time with Airmen from F-15 and KC-135R units from U.S. bases in the United Kingdom as well as others.
He thanked the Airmen for being at the air show and told them how important these events are to strengthen the Air Force's relationships with its allies.
"It was great showcasing the KC-135R aircraft to all the foreigners -- some of them military," said Senior Airman Brett Nelson from the 100th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron at Royal Air Force Mildenhall, U.K.
He said they were impressed with the great condition the plane was in compared to their planes that were built in the same year -- 1958.
Another U.S. demonstration is the U.S. Department of Defense's technology exhibit showcasing prototypes of jets, helicopters and engine models of the Air Force and Army.
Ambassador Timkin, General McNabb and General Brady opened the exhibit earlier in the day during a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
The Berlin Air Show is one of the premier events of its type in the world. U.S. military participation contributes to a number of U.S. security and foreign policy interests.
Participation promotes standardization and interoperability of equipment with NATO allies and other potential coalition partners, highlights the strength of the U.S. commitment to the security of Europe and the Global War on Terrorism, and demonstrates that U.S. industry is producing equipment that will be critical to the success of military operations in the future.