Spectators watch as a 93rd Bomb Squadron B-52H Stratofortress flies a visual approach prior to landing at the Sliac Airport on Aug. 29, 2012, Sliac, Slovakia. The 93rd BS, assigned to the 307th Bomb Wing, Barksdale Air Force Base, La., arrived in Sliac in support of the Slovak International Air Fest 2012, marking the first time a B-52 has visited the Slovakia Republic. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Greg Steele/Released)
A 93rd Bomb Squadron B-52H Stratofortress lands at Sliac airport in support of the Slovak International Air Fest 2012, Aug. 29, 2012, Sliac, Slovakia. The 93rd BS is assigned to the 307th Bomb Wing, Barksdale Air Force Base, La., and this landing is historical for being the first time a B-52 has visited the Slovak Republic. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Greg Steele/Released)
Ivan Gašparovic, President of the Slovak Republic, takes the controls of a B-52H Stratofortress on Aug. 29, 2012, Sliac, Slovakia. Gašparovic is given a tour of the aircraft by U.S. Air Force Col. Keith Schultz, 307th Operations Group commander, who piloted the B-52 to Sliac to support theSlovak International Air Fest 2012. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Greg Steele/Released)
Ivan Gašparovic, President of the Slovak Republic, talks with local media after getting a tour of a B-52H Stratofortress on Aug. 29, 2012, Sliac, Slovakia. The B-52 is assigned to the 93rd Bomb Squadron, 307th Bomb Wing, Barksdale Air Force Base, La., and arrived in Sliac support to support the Slovak International Air Fest 2012. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Greg Steele/Released)
The Slovak International Air Fest is the largest aerial event of the year with displays and aerial demonstrations from aircraft all across Europe and Asia, Sept. 2, 2012, Sliac, Slovakia. An estimated 115,000 people attended the event. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Greg Steele/Released)
A crowd begins to gather around a 93rd Bomb Squadron B-52H Stratofortress despite rain showers that persisted throughout the first day of the Slovak International Air Fest, Sept. 1, 2012, Sliac, Slovakia. The 93rd BS B-52, assigned to the 307th Bomb Wing, Barksdale Air Force Base, La., made history by being the first B-52 to ever participate in SIAF. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Greg Steele/Released)
U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Robbie Turcotte, 307th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron flight line expeditor, joins in for a photo during the Slovak International Air Fest 2012, Sept. 1, 2012, Sliac, Slovakia. An estimated 115,000 people attended the two-day air show, which featured displays and performances from aircraft across Europe and Asia. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Greg Steele/Released)
The crowd gathers around a 9rd Bomb Squadron B-52H Stratofortress during the Slovak International Air Fest, Sept. 2, 2012, Sliac, Slovakia. The 93rd BS is assigned to the 307th Bomb Wing, Barksdale Air Force Base, La., and this was the first time a B-52 supported the event. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Greg Steele/Released)
A parachutist flying the flag of the Slovak Republic, is seconds from landing during the opening ceremonies for the Slovak International Air Fest, Sept. 2, 2012, Sliac, Slovakia. An estimated 115,000 people attended the two-day air show, which hosts aerial demonstrations and displays from countries throughout Europe and Asia. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Greg Steele/Released)
U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Robbie Turcotte, 307th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron flight line expeditor, signs a B-52 fact sheet for a spectator during the Slovak International Air Fest, Sept. 1, 2012, Sliac, Slovakia. The SIAF is the largest air show in Slovakia with aerial demonstrations and displays from aircraft throughout Europe and Asia. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Greg Steele/Released)
A boy waits for his picture of a B-52 to be signed by a 93rd Bomb Squadron aircrew member during the Slovak International Air Fest, Sept. 1, 2012, Sliac, Slovakia. The 93rd BS, assigned to the 307th Bomb Wing, Barksdale Air Force Base, La., supported the air show with personnel and one B-52H Stratofortress. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Greg Steele/Released)
A 93rd Bomb Squadron B-52H Stratofortress draws a crowd during the Slovak International Air Fest, Sept. 1, 2012, Sliac Military Air Base, Sliac, Slovakia. The B-52 was the only U.S. representative at the air show and an estimated 115,000 people attended the two-day event. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Greg Steele/Released)
U.S. Air Force Maj. Karwin Weaver, 307th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron commander, poses for a photo with a spectator in the bomb bay of a 307th Bomb Wing B-52H Stratofortress during the Slovak International Air Fest, Sept. 1, 2012, Sliac, Slovakia. The event is the largest air show in Slovakia and an estimated 115,000 people attended the air fest. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Greg Steele/Released)
Spectators watch an aerial demonstration during the Slovak International Air Fest, Sept. 2, 2012, Sliac, Slovakia. Approximately 115,000 people attended the two-day air show, which included a display of a 307th Bomb Wing B-52H Stratofortress. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Greg Steele/Released)
The 307th Bomb Wing deployed personnel and one B-52H Stratofortress to support the Slovak International Air Fest, Aug. 28, 2012, Sliac Military Air Base, Sliac, Slovakia. The air show featured displays and aerial demonstrations with aircraft from across Europe and Asia; the B-52 was the only U.S. representative at the event. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Greg Steele/Released)
A Slovak Air Force MiG-29 takes off to perform an aerial demonstration during the Slovak International Air Fest, Sept. 2, 2012, Sliac, Slovakia. Aircraft from across Europe and Asia participated in the air show with displays and aerial demonstrations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Greg Steele/Released)
A 307th Bomb Wing B-52H Stratofortress sits as one of the main attractions during the Slovak International Air Fest, Sept. 2, 2012, Sliac, Slovakia. The B-52 was the only U.S. representative during the air show, which hosts aerial demonstrations and displays from across Europe and Asia. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Greg Steele/Released)
U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Brandon Smith, 307th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief, is asked questions about the B-52H Stratofortress during the Slovak International Air Fest, Sept. 1, 2012, Sliac, Slovakia. The 307th Bomb Wing supported the air show by sending personnel and one B-52, which is assigned to the 93rd Bomb Squadron, Barksdale Air Force Base, La. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Greg Steele/Released)
Theodore Sedgwick, the U.S. Ambassador to Slovakia, is greeted by U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Dave Webb, 307th Operations Support Flight commander, during the Slovak International Air Fest, Sept. 1, 2012, Sliac, Slovakia. Sedgwick was one of many dignitaries to visit a 307th Bomb Wing B-52H Stratofortress, which was on display during the air show. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Greg Steele/Released)
A member of the Slovak Air Force stays ready to engage enemy aircraft with a Man-Portable Air Defense System (MANPADS) during a training exercise involving a 93rd Bomb Squadron B-52H Stratofortress, Sept. 3, 2012, Nitra, Slovakia. The MANPADS is a shoulder launched surface-to-air missile and has a range of approximately 5 miles. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Greg Steele/Released)
A 93rd Bomb Squadron B-52H Stratofortress can be seen in the distant sky on the outskirts of a Slovak Air Force surface-to-air missile (SAM) base near Nitra, Slovakia, Sept. 3, 2012. The B-52 participated in a joint training exercise which tested the aircraft's defense capabilities against SA-10 and SA-6 SAMs. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Greg Steele/Released)
Members of the Slovak Air Force take aim with their Man-Portable Air Defense Systems (MANPADS) as they engage a 93rd Bomb Squadron B-52H Stratofortress during a training exercise, Sept. 3, 2012, Nitra, Slovakia. The MANPADS have a range of approximately 5 miles and are used to defend the missile base against incoming enemy aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Greg Steele/Released)
by Master Sgt. Greg Steele
307th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
9/17/2012 - Barksdale AFB, La. -- On Aug. 29, 2012, the 307th Bomb Wing deployed personnel and a B-52H Stratofortress to the Sliač Military Air Base, Slovak Republic, in support of the Slovak International Air Fest 2012. The air show is the largest event of the year and hosts many different aircraft and exhibitions from across Europe and Asia. The B-52 was the only representative from the U.S.
"It's unique to support an air show and be the only Americans there," said Col. Keith Schultz, 307th Operations Group commander. "We're very appreciative to the members of the Slovak air force and local communities for their support and enthusiasm in helping to make this happen."
The date, Aug. 29, is significant to the people of Slovakia since it marks the anniversary of the Slovak National Uprising of 1944, which is now a national holiday celebrating and paying honor to the members of the armed rebellion organized by the Slovak resistance movement against the Nazis during World War II.
The arrival of the bomber gave more reason for celebration as eager crowds gathered to watch the historic, first-time landing of a B-52 in the Slovak Republic. A few on the list of distinguished visitors to greet the aircraft and crew were the President of the Slovak Republic Ivan Gašparovič, Slovak Defense Minister Martin Glváč, Slovak Air Force Commander Maj. Gen. Martin Babiak and the U.S. Ambassador to Slovakia Theodore Sedgwick.
"This is a special day for the people of Slovakia," said Gašparovič. "To have a B-52 sitting on our airfield is an incredible sight."
On the day prior to the start of the air show, the B-52 aircrew and support personnel gave tours of the aircraft to a group of underprivileged school children.
"We're very grateful to be able to give the kids this tour," said Lt. Col. Christopher Burelli, Air Attaché to the U.S. Embassy. "Many of these kids come from villages that are so rural they had to walk miles to get to an area where they could take public transportation to the air base."
When the air field gates opened on Sept. 1, starting the first day of the air show, the Airmen from Barksdale found themselves awash in a sea of people anxious to touch the legendary B-52; collecting autographs and taking photos with each of the airmen.
"I can't tell you how many times I've signed my name and had my picture taken," said Master Sgt. Robbie Turcotte, 307th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron flight line expeditor. "I've never experienced anything like it."
By the end of the second and final day of the air show, an estimated 115,000 people attended the Air Fest, not including military and government personnel. Last year's attendance was estimated at 75,000.
On Sept. 3, with fanfare rivaling the day of its arrival, the B-52 lifted off the Sliač runway, but before heading for home, it would participate in a training mission with the goal of trying to fly and defend itself against some of the Slovak Air Force's most advanced weapons systems, the Mikoyan MiG-29AS jet fighter, the SA-6 "Gainful" and SA-10 "Grumble" surface-to-air missile systems.
"Both the SA-6 and SA-10 are extremely lethal weapons," said Lt. Col. Dave Webb, 307th Operations Support Flight commander and B-52 electronic warfare officer. "They can reach out and touch you at very long ranges. It's a very rare opportunity for us to be able to practice our defensive tactics against the missiles and watch how their operators employ the systems real-time."
The SA-10 is able to engage a number of targets simultaneously, launching a missile that can travel at speeds up to 2,610 miles per hour, and able to hit targets 50 miles away and at an altitude of 80,000 feet.
The MiG-29s, sitting Quick Reaction Alert, played an intercept role, scrambling from the air base and catching up to the B-52.
"This is a great opportunity for us," said Maj. Frantisek Pytlik, MiG-29 pilot. "We never get a chance to fly against such a big aircraft, so it will be interesting to see how it shows up in our radar scopes."
During the mission, the MiG pilots practiced their NATO Integrated Air Defense System Procedures, which included aircraft escort, identification, intercept and head-on tactics.
"The professionalism and courtesy shown by the B-52 aircrew and personnel was outstanding," said Theodore Sedgwick, U.S. Ambassador to the Slovak Republic. "Without a doubt, the B-52 stole the show, and it's a great symbol for what the U.S. stands for in this part of the world."
Comments
9/30/2012 6:50:04 AM ET Thank you gentlemen from B52 you were wonderfull nice and friendly easy to talk to. I only attended show because of my Dad but was suprised to see how many ladies turned up.It was very impressive to see such big aircraft in such a small country like Slovakia. Well I hope that you all enjoyed your stay. Good luck and safe trips
Dasha McCallum, Melbourne Australia
9/21/2012 12:22:15 PM ET Well done gentlemen. Yet another demonstration of 307th Bomb Wing excellence and professionalism. Y'all make me proud to be a member of the Clan-O-Wahoo.
Col Bob Nordberg, Barksdale AFB LA
9/16/2012 2:11:34 PM ET Thank you guys B 52 was very interesting part of that Air Show and thanks to every airman who was there because they were very kind and friendly.
