Aeroexpo ends, friendship continues

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Benjamin Wilson
  • U.S. Air Forces Africa Public Affairs
MARRAKECH, Morocco --  Aeroexpo Marrakech 2012 ended April 7 with an open day at which the general public had the opportunity to see aerial demonstrations, aircraft static displays and tour inside a U.S. Air Force C-130J Super Hercules.

Airmen at the expo were pleased to give the Moroccan people and others in attendance the chance to view an American aircraft from loading dock to flight deck.

"Our ability to walk them into our airplane and talk to them was outstanding," said Col. Dan Heires, U.S. Africa Command air boss for the event. "Every one of them is going to go back with a positive image of an America and the Air Force."

In addition to the C-130J, two F-15E Strike Eagles and a U.S. Army UH-72A Lakota were on display for the crowd. However, the positive image fostered at the event is in large part thanks to the Airmen working at the aeroexpo.

"I have seen every member of this team pull together with a smile and a handshake and demonstrate to the Moroccans how pleased we are to be here building partnership and goodwill," the colonel said. "Everyone has done a marvelous job and they have been just fantastic as ambassadors to Morocco."

Sentiments of good ambassadorship were echoed by members of the crowd who interacted with the Airmen at the show.

"I am very happy to see your Air Force here," said Abbaoui Hakim, aeroexpo attendee. "We are very happy, especially my children. Thank you very much for your hospitality."

For many who were toured the C-130J, seeing the aircraft up close was a surreal experience.

"It's wonderful, especially for the kids," said Moulay Hassan, aeroexpo attendee. "The plane is good, I saw it in movies and documentaries, but it is nothing like in real life."

Providing the real-life experience the crowd received was a big undertaking, but it was worth it in the end.

"A core AFRICOM (U.S. Africa Command) mission is building partnership capacity and engagement with African nations and I think this has been worth every bit of effort that was put into this, the friendships and goodwill developed will pay future dividends," Heires said.

"The positive interaction and excitement generated meeting with real live American Airman as we were told repeatedly was 'just like in the movies.' Many of the folks that our Airmen met are going to go and home share their experiences with their friends and their families, along with the thousands of pictures in and around our planes smiling arm in arm with our Airman." he added. "What we set in motion was a positive impression of United States and demonstrated our enduring friendship with Morocco."