Feria Aeronautica Internacional

A KC-10 Extender from Travis Air Force Base, Calif., refuels an F-16 Fighting Falcon during Feria Aeronautica Internacional—Colombia 2017 in Rionegro, Colombia, July 14, 2017. The United States Air Force is participating in the four-day air show with two South Carolina Air National Guard F-16s as static displays, plus static displays of a KC-135, KC-10, along with an F-16 aerial demonstration by the Air Combat Command’s Viper East Demo Team. United States military participation in the air show provides an opportunity to strengthen our military-to-military relationships with regional partners and provides the opportunity to meet with our Colombian air force counterparts and facilitate interoperability, which can be exercised in future cooperation events such as exercises and training. (Courtesy Photo)

Travis KC-10 shows off capabilities at Colombian F-AIR

Guests participate in Feria Aeronautica Internacional—Colombia 2017 in Rionegro, Colombia, July 14, 2017. The United States Air Force is participating in the four-day air show with two South Carolina Air National Guard F-16s as static displays, plus static displays of a KC-135, KC-10, along with an F-16 aerial demonstration by the Air Combat Command’s Viper East Demo Team. United States military participation in the air show provides an opportunity to strengthen our military-to-military relationships with regional partners and provides the opportunity to meet with our Colombian air force counterparts and facilitate interoperability, which can be exercised in future cooperation events such as exercises and training. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Airman Megan Floyd)

Feria Aeronautica Internacional

Guests tour various aircraft during Feria Aeronautica Internacional—Colombia 2017 in Rionegro, Colombia, July 14, 2017. The United States Air Force is participating in the four-day air show with two South Carolina Air National Guard F-16s as static displays, plus static displays of a KC-135, KC-10, along with an F-16 aerial demonstration by the Air Combat Command’s Viper East Demo Team. United States military participation in the air show provides an opportunity to strengthen our military-to-military relationships with regional partners and provides the opportunity to meet with our Colombian air force counterparts and facilitate interoperability, which can be exercised in future cooperation events such as exercises and training. (Courtesy Photo)

Feria Aeronautica Internacional

Guests tour a KC-10 Extender from Travis Air Force Base, Calif., during Feria Aeronautica Internacional—Colombia 2017 in Rionegro, Colombia, July 14, 2017. The United States Air Force is participating in the four-day air show with two South Carolina Air National Guard F-16s as static displays, plus static displays of a KC-135, KC-10, along with an F-16 aerial demonstration by the Air Combat Command’s Viper East Demo Team. United States military participation in the air show provides an opportunity to strengthen our military-to-military relationships with regional partners and provides the opportunity to meet with our Colombian air force counterparts and facilitate interoperability, which can be exercised in future cooperation events such as exercises and training. (Courtesy Photo)

Feria Aeronautica Internacional

Travis KC-10 shows off capabilities at Colombian F-AIR

Visitors to the Colombian Air Force's Feria Aeronautica Internacional—Colombia 2017 in Rionegro, Colombia, July 14, 2017 tour a KC-10 Extender from the 349th Air Mobility Wing at Travis Air Force Base, Calif. The United States Air Force is participating in the four-day air show with two South Carolina Air National Guard F-16s as static displays, plus static displays of a KC-135, KC-10, along with an F-16 aerial demonstration by the Air Combat Command’s Viper East Demo Team. United States military participation in the air show provides an opportunity to strengthen our military-to-military relationships with regional partners and provides the opportunity to meet with our Colombian air force counterparts and facilitate interoperability, which can be exercised in future cooperation events such as exercises and training. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Airman Megan Floyd)

Travis KC-10 shows off capabilities at Colombian F-AIR

F-AIR Colombia 2017

Guests attend Feria Aeronautica Internacional – Colombia held at the José María Córdova International Airport in Rionegro, Colombia, July 16, 2017. United States military participation in the air show provides an opportunity to strengthen our military-to-military relationships with regional partners and provides the opportunity to meet with our Colombian air force counterparts and facilitate interoperability, which can be exercised in future cooperation events such as exercises and training. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Airman Megan Floyd)

Travis KC-10 shows off capabilities at Colombian F-AIR

Published July 25, 2017
By Staff Sgt. Nicole Leidholm
60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs

TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – A KC-10 Extender with crews from the 6th and 79th Air Refueling Squadron spent a week in Rionegro, Colombia, supporting the Colombian air force’s Feria Aeronautica Internacional, July 13 to 16.

This was the first time a KC-10 Extender has stayed in Colombia for an airshow.

“Our mission was two-fold,” said Senior Master Sgt. Russell Downie, 79th ARS boom operator. “Our first job was to refuel F-16 (Fighting Falcons) from South Carolina and make sure they made it to the airshow and the second was to sit as a static there.”

The week started with the KC-10 bringing two F-16s from the 157th Fighter Squadron, South Carolina Air National Guard, to meet up with the Colombian air force’s Kfirs, based in Palenquero, for mid-air training. The series of drills and intercepts, which lasted for an hour and a half, aimed at assisting the Colombians in preparing for Red Flag in March 2018.

“It was an excellent time,” said Downie. “It was a great opportunity, and we were very well received. They were very interested in our capabilities and our air superiority.”

The U.S. Air Force’s participation in the air show provided an opportunity to strengthen the military-to-military relationships with regional partners and provided the opportunity to meet with Colombian air force counterparts.

“We were able to talk about the aircraft, what we do, what air refueling is and what it enables the U.S. Air Force to do,” said Capt. David Reed, 6th ARS KC-10 pilot and aircraft commander for the mission. “Being at the airshow and showing off our capabilities to the Colombian government shows our commitment to them, their country and helps build our relationship with them.”

Other aircraft participating in the four-day air show included a KC-135 Stratotanker from Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma., and Air Combat Command’s Viper East Demo Team from Shaw Air Force Base, S.C. United States Strategic Command also coordinated a B-52 Stratofortress flyover during the air show’s kick-off ceremony.

The week also included a key leader engagement between the state’s Adjutant General, U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Robert Livingston, and leaders from the South Carolina Air National Guard, all meeting with Colombian air force leadership, U.S. Air Force’s Southern Commander, Lt. Gen. Mark Kelly and the U.S. Ambassador to Colombia, Kevin Whitaker. The series of meetings throughout the week further strengthened the partnership.

“It was important because we helped solidify the relationship we have with the Colombians,” said Downie.

(NOTE: Capt. Stephen Hudson, 169th Fighter Wing Public Affairs, contributed to this story.)