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The 93rd BS makes history in Slovakia

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Greg Steele
  • 307th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
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."