17th AF supports Morocco's Aeroexpo

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Stefanie Torres
  • 17th Air Force Public Affairs
Members of the 17th Air Force Plans and Programs Directorate worked for months planning DoD participation in Aeroexpo Marrakech and saw first-hand the fruits of their labors during the international trade show, which took place Jan. 27-30 in Morocco.

While aircrews gave tours of their static display aircraft on the ramp, senior leaders met for bi-lateral discussions inside one of several designated chalets. Maj. Gen. Ronald R. Ladnier, 17th Air Force commander, personally held bilateral discussions with air force and defense leaders of six African nations to explore the possibility of establishing a military-to-military relationship.

"The Aeroexpo has been a unique and wonderful opportunity for our senior leaders to renew friendships and discuss challenges that are common to us all," General Ladnier said. "I appreciate the Kingdom of Morocco and their gracious hospitality in affording us this opportunity.

Assigned the lead by U.S. Africa Command, 17th Air Force organized all Department of Defense participation in Aeroexpo Marrakech 2010.

U.S. Africa Command has the lead on two air shows this year - in Marrakech, Morocco, and South Africa, explained Lt. Col. Stephen daSilva, 404th Air Expeditionary Group Detachment 1 commander and lead planner for the event.

"17th AF is the air component to U.S. Africa Command, but we have no flying assets to bring to the air show, so coordination with other Air Force units was critical," he explained.

For such events supporting forces are usually identified through the request for forces, or RFF, process which is ultimately approved by the Secretary of Defense, and this one was no different.

"We knew at the beginning that this is the first time Africa Command has ever developed planning for an international air show and we wanted to make it a success," Colonel daSilva said. "We also knew that because of the expertise of people on our planning staff, we had a lot of great ideas. The first step was finding out what kind of aircraft the host nation wanted to see."

The Moroccan Royal Air Force recently purchased 24 F-16 Block 52 aircraft through the Secretary of the Air Force International Affairs and they wanted to see how well those aircraft perform in a demonstration, he explained. The 169th Fighter Wing, South Carolina National Guard unit is the only unit in the Air Force with Block 52 F-16s, and coordination began with them. The F-16s would require a refueling capability from a KC-135 Stratotanker in flight to Morocco. The 151st Air Refueling Wing, Utah National Guard has that capability and since Utah has a State Partnership Program with Morocco, they were perfect to support the show and help us bring the F-16s over as well, said Colonel daSilva.

"This really is the Total Force concept," said Master Sgt. Steve Brown, 404th AEG Det 1 SNCO in charge. "We have the Guard, Reserve, Active Duty and civilians involved in this effort."

Planning began in September in the Plans and Programs Directorate, and many of those with key roles led the on-site execution of the event in Morocco as the 404th AEG element, Colonel daSilva said. Coordinating closely with the Office of Security

Cooperation at the U.S. Embassy in Rabat, Morocco helped 17th AF work the details on how to get U.S. military aircraft and personnel into country. Some team members traveled to Morocco months in advance to view the airfield and determine where the aircraft could set up displays, as well as what ground support would be needed and to begin coordination for activity on both the military and civilian sides of the flightline.

"We didn't have a lot of time on our side and like any type of planning with other countries, challenges are going to present themselves," Colonel daSilva said. "I think the most difficult part was coordinating back and forth through the country and having to talk to different people who weren't in the loop. We had to deviate a little but we learned to overcome and adapt."

However, the positive aspect outweighed the challenges at the Aeroexpo.

"The best part about this was building the contacts and working with the country team," said Sergeant Brown.

The Aeroexpo Marrakech 2010 involved static displays of the C-130J Super Hercules from the 37th Airlift Squadron here, two F-16s from the 169th Fighter Wing, South Carolina ANG; and a KC-135 Stratotanker from the 151st Air Refueling Wing, Utah ANG.