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Barksdale B-52 a 'magnet' at NATO Days

  • Published
  • By Senior Master Sgt. Jessica Daurizio
  • 307th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  The 307th Bomb Wing's B-52 Stratofortress was a major attraction during NATO Days 2012 in Ostrava, Czech Republic, Sept. 22-23.  .

"The B-52 was like a magnet for the people at NATO Days," said Col. Jonathan Ellis, 307th BW commander. "From visiting the Polish Consulate to flying foreign dignitaries and helping support the local orphanage, it will be an experience that will live in my heart for a long time."

This was the wing's third consecutive visit to the Czech Republic and an opportunity to continue to improve international relations.

Barksdale's Citizen Airmen had a full agenda prior to the air show. They visited the 1st International School of Ostrava to kick off the community relations events.

"We had the opportunity to share our experiences in the American military with students from all over Europe," said Lt. Col. James Morris, 307th Operations Group deputy commander. The school is set up to educate the children of foreign workers. The students may spend anywhere from 2-4 years there and then relocate with their parent(s) to another job. They are taught the British National Curriculum so they will easily transition to another school in Europe.

"We were able to host more than 100 children from local schools to get an up close look at the B-52," said Maj. Bryan Bailey, 93rd Bomb Squadron. "The children are our future and the relations we build with them we hope will be lasting." The children were from ages 5-11, and they were able to tour the aircraft through a translator.

Col. Joseph Jones, 307th BW vice commander and Lt. Col. Denis Heinz, 343rd Bomb Squadron commander were invited to a book store in Ostrava to speak to a group of local citizens about the 307th BW and the B-52.

"It is so rewarding to have people come up to you and say what a difference the United States made for them during World War II. We were able to converse with stories relating to the 343rd BS and their time in what was then called Czechoslovakia," said Heinz. The two met relatives of people that supported Airmen shot down during the war that left lasting memories they passed on to their children.

More than 250,000 people attended the airshow this year.