BERLIN – As the Charleston based C-17 Globemaster III landed in Germany for the 2012 Berlin Air Show, one aircrew member brought with him a different set of experiences.

Maj. Sebastian Demitz is a Luftwaffe (German Air Force) pilot participating in the Air Force’s Military Personnel Exchange Program, currently flying the C-17 Globemaster III with the 14th Airlift Squadron at Joint Base Charleston, S.C.

Demitz, the 17-year Air Force veteran with more than 2,400 flight hours in various aircraft was asked to be one of the pilots to display the C-17 at the weeklong trade show and air expo known as ILA 2012.

“This is awesome and a great opportunity to show the German participants the strengths and bonds that we have formed between our nations,” said Demitz. “We are all learning a lot from each other.”

Demitz is just over a year into his three and a half year exchange program where he lives in Charleston, S.C. with his wife and child.

“The exchange program is a great opportunity to learn about other airframes and other cultures. We also get to experience life in America,” said Demitz. “This is not only a chance for me to learn about the American culture, it is also a chance for the Americans to learn about our culture.”

Demitz was an accomplished C-160 instructor pilot and squadron operations officer in Germany before being selected for the exchange program. “I was impressed with his knowledge of the aircraft,” said Capt. Stan Schmotzer, a reserve pilot from the 701st Airlift Squadron at Joint Base Charleston, S.C. “He came from another culture, another airframe and learned this aircraft and our system pretty quickly. I don’t think I could have done that.”

Heidi Grant, the Undersecretary of the Air Force for International Affairs, who is in charge of the exchange program, stressed its importance, “The Military Personnel Exchange Program is one of the most effective building partnership tools the USAF employs,” said Grant while attending the air show. “These relationships create long-term opportunities for increased cooperation and understanding, as many former exchange officers will advance to senior levels within their air forces.”

The Military Personnel Exchange Program has been a success and Grant and Demitz hopes it will continue to grow. “This has been a great program for me so far,” said Demitz. “I would love to see the program continue for future exchange pilots.”

Second Lt. Kyle Mings was one of the other pilots on the Berlin Air Show mission and enjoyed flying with Demitz. “I was very impressed with him, he knows the C-17 well.

Mings especially enjoyed the cultural exchanges and having the opportunity to see Berlin through the Luftwaffe officer’s eyes. “To think how far we have come in the past 70 years. It is a testament to the reconciliation of our countries,” said the lieutenant. “This experience would not have been as rewarding and would have been very different without him.”

According to the Undersecretary of the Air Force for International Affairs’ office, the Military Personnel Exchange Program currently supports 154 Military positions in 22 countries. Exchanges include, but are not limited to, pilots, maintainers, space officers, planners, attorneys, medical, academic instructors, and intelligence personnel.