An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Charleston C-17 on display for Chancellor Merkel at the Berlin Air Show

  • Published
  • By Capt. Wayne Capps
  • 315th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
BERLIN, Germany --  More than 300 aircraft from more than 50 different nations were on display during the kick off of ILA 2012 Berlin Air Show, Sept. 11.

The Berlin Air Show is considered to be one of the premier air shows in the World and the U.S. military has six different types of aircraft on display including a C-17 Globemaster III from Joint Base Charleston, S.C.

The during the air show, Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany visited the Charleston based C-17 along with Philip Murphy, U.S. Ambassador to Germany and General Philip Breedlove, commander, U.S. Air Forces in Europe and U.S. Air Forces Africa.

"I love showing people our C-17," said Lt. Col. Craig Bartosh, C-17 aircraft commander assigned to the 315th Airlift Wing. "This is an opportunity to show the world the airpower possessed by the United States military."

During the event aircrew members will be displaying the C-17 to numerous dignitaries, business leaders and spectators from around the world.

Cmdr. Kimberly Ernst, EUCOM Trade Show coordinator, worked with many different agencies to make the U.S. military presence at ILA 2012 possible.

"Every trade show is different," Ernst said, "you have to be flexible.

"We get requests from the U.S. Embassy and the aviation industry for the aircraft to be displayed at the event but it all depends on what aircraft are available."

This year the U.S. Air Force and Army both have aircraft on display.

"We have a good mix of aircraft at ILA 2012," Ernst said. "The UH-60 Black Hawk, F-16C Fighting Falcon, C-17 Globemaster III, and C-130 Hercules are all featured this year."

The team displaying the C-17 Globemaster III at the Berlin Air Show consists of a mixture of active duty, reservists and Charleston's only German C-17 exchange pilot.