A B-52 Stratofortress sits on display on the Ostrava, Czech Republic air strip for NATO Days 2012. The Air Force Reserve 307th Bomb Wing deployed two aircraft to support the air show. More than 250,000 people attended the Sept 22-23 event. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Master Sgt. Jessica D’Aurizio/Released)
Barksdale Airmen Tech. Sgts Michael Mettenbrink, 2nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron (middle) and Jessie Brouillette, 307th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron (right) unload a tow bar on Sept. 20, 2012, for the B-52 Stratofortress along with member of the 914th Air Wing, Niagara Falls, N.Y. from a C-130 Hercules upon their arrival to Ostrava, Czech Republic. Both aircraft participated in the NATO Days Air Show Sept. 22-23. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Master Sgt. Jessica D’Aurizio/Released)
Col. Jonathan Ellis, 307th Bomb Wing Commander, Dr. Zdenek Novotny, Ostrava Children’s Home director and Tomas Jirousek, translator look on as Col. Joseph Jones, 307th Bomb Wing vice commander presents a check for 10,000 Crown to the school on behalf of the 93 Bomb Squadron Heritage Association on Sept. 21, 2012. This is equivalent to approximately $500. The facility was set up in the 1920s when the city had many mine and factory workers that were impoverished. They now have around 250 children per year come there with around 85% adopted out. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Master Sgt. Jessica D’Aurizio/Released)
Lt. Col. Denis Heinz, the 343rd Bomb Squadron commander signs a picture of a B-52 Stratofortress for a boy during a speaking engagement at the Librex book store in Ostrava, Czech Republic Sept. 21, 2012. Members of the 307th Bomb Wing, along with other air show participants from other countries were asked to speak about their aircraft and military experience in a public forum while in Ostrava for NATO Days 2012. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Master Sgt. Jessica D’Aurizio/Released)
Lt. Col. Denis Heinz, the 343rd Bomb Squadron commander and Squadron Leader Nigel Scopes, Royal Air Force, prepare to sample a meal at the Polish Consulate reception in Ostrava, Czech Republic on Sept. 12, 2012. Commanders from all the countries participating in the NATO Days 2012 were invited to attend the kickoff event. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Master Sgt. Jessica D’Aurizio/Released)
Tech. Sgt. James Dudash, 307th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron presents a coin to a Czech Republic Army support person after he refuels a B-52 Stratofortress deployed there for NATO Days 2012 on Sept. 22, 2012. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Master Sgt. Jessica D’Aurizio/Released)
Lt. Col. Dave Webb, the 307th Operations Support Flight commander helps suit up Maj. Gen. Bengt Svensson, Swedish Air Force Chief of Training, Brig. Gen. Albert Safar, Hungarian Air Force Chief of Staff and Brig. Gen. Jiri Verner, Czech Republic Air Force Chief of Staff for a flight in the B-52 Stratofortress during the NATO Days 2012 Air Show at Ostrava, Czech Republic Sept. 22. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Master Sgt. Jessica D’Aurizio/Released)
Lt. Col Dave Webb, the 307th Operations Support Flight commander and Colonel Jonathan Ellis, 307th Bomb Wing commanders tell attendees at the NATO Days 2012 about the B-52 Stratofortress during the air show at Ostrava, Czech Republic Sept. 22-23. This is the third year in a row that the 307 BW has supported the event and added many activities to their agenda for the week to include visiting local schools, speaking at public engagements, and much more. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Master Sgt. Jessica D’Aurizio/Released)
The Junior Modelers of the “ALCA” Club, Sazava, Czech Republic present a B-17 Flying Fortress model they constructed to the 307th Bomb Wing during the NATO Days 2012 Air Show on Sept 23. The club honors past members of the 20th Bomb Squadron who flew that namesake aircraft in World War II. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Master Sgt. Jessica D’Aurizio/Released)
Col. Joseph Jones, the 307th Bomb Wing vice commander presents a challenge coin to the head of the Junior Modelers of the “ALCA” Club, Sazava, Czech Republic during the NATO Days 2012 Air Show Sept. 23. A model of a B-17 Flying Fortress was presented to the 307 BW at the air show. The club honors past members of the 20th Bomb Squadron who flew that namesake aircraft in World War II. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Master Sgt. Jessica D’Aurizio/Released)
by Senior Master Sgt. Jessica Daurizio
307th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
9/28/2012 - 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.
Comments
10/2/2012 5:11:08 PM ET Dear Jonathan Ellis Joseph Jones David Webb and all the othersPlease let me thank you for your willingness during your stay at NATO days. It was really a honor for us to meet you in person and show you that we have not forgotten and will never forget the sacrifice of US airmen who gave their lives over our country also for our freedom 68 years ago.I also want to thank you for the oportunity to look inside of B-52. Something unforgettableShould you have a time in the future it would be a honor for us to give you a tour on crash sites war graves and our museums. Anytime.
Roman Susil, Zlin Czech Republic
10/1/2012 1:32:10 PM ET 307th Bomb wing and 343d Bomb Squadron made this Airshow the best one in central Europe. Their mission of building new relationships and better understating between our countries was also accomplished. Well welcome USAFR members anytime in our city of Ostrava.
