ILA 2012 - Lockheed Martin F-16C und McDonnell Douglas C-17A, US Air Force
(Copyright Messe Berlin GmbH.)

Navy Cmdr. Kimberly Ernst, U.S. European Command trade show coordinator, worked with many different agencies to make the U.S. military presence at ILA 2012 possible.

“Every trade show is different,” Ernst said. “You have to be flexible. We get requests from the U.S. Embassy and the aviation industry for the aircraft to be displayed at the event but it all depends on what aircraft are available.”

This year the U.S. Air Force and Army both have aircraft on display.

“We have a good mix of aircraft at ILA 2012,” Ernst said. “The UH-60 Black Hawk, UH-72A Lakota, F-16C Fighting Falcon, C-17 Globemaster III, and C-130J Hercules are all featured this year.”

Numerous distinguished visitors, including German Chancellor Angela Merkel, U.S. Ambassador to Germany Philip Murphy and Gen. Philip M. Breedlove, U.S. Air Forces in Europe and U.S. Air Forces Africa commander, have already visited the Department of Defense corral.

The presence of the U.S. military aircraft at this event promotes strong ties between the U.S. and NATO as well as with Europe.

“We need to be able to keep our equipment, tactics, techniques and procedures standardized,” Breedlove said. “It’s very important that we don’t lose contact with the people who we have fought alongside for many decades.”

The air show also allows the U.S to demonstrate the types of technology it is producing.

“If we are not showing the flag, how will people know about our capabilities?” the general said. “This is an opportunity for us to showcase some incredible American aircraft and even more importantly, the American airmen who take care of these aircraft."

"The air crew and maintenance personnel representing the U.S. are some of the most professional people I have ever worked with,” said Senior Master Sgt. Warren McCullough, ILA 2012 U.S. military ground boss who is stationed at Ramstein Air Base, Germany. “Each crew has assessed what they need to do and taken care of their aircraft. They have made my job really easy.”

The first three days of the show is restricted to trade show visitors; however, the last three days will allow the general public a chance to see the various aircraft displays first hand.

“I love telling people about the aircraft,” said Lt. Col. Craig Bartosh, 315th Airlift Wing at Joint Base Charleston, S.C., C-17 Globemaster III aircraft commander. “This is a great opportunity to talk to and show our international partners what we do.”

During visits to the U.S. military aircraft, patrons may get the opportunity to view or tour the interiors, including individual tours of the flight decks and cargo areas and the opportunity to asked crew members about each aircraft.