US-German exchange pilots showcase interoperability

  • Published
  • By Tech Sgt. Corey Clements
  • U.S. Air Forces in Europe Public Affairs
BERLIN, Germany --  Enhancing the U.S.-German military-to-military relationship and promoting standardization and interoperability of equipment are key themes of the Berlin Air Show.

These themes have been realized through the U.S. and German exchange pilot programs decades ago but are overtly apparent here at the air show.

Lt. Col. Marc Beutler is a German air force pilot assigned to the 14th Airlift Squadron at Charleston Air Force Base, S.C. and is aircraft commander for the daily flight demonstrations throughout the show.

Lt. Col. Beutler has completed three and half out of the four years planned with the C-17 Globemaster unit and is sadden that it's about to come to an end.

"It breaks my heart to think about leaving," said Beutler. Life for me and my family has been great in the U.S. and we have been 100 percent integrated into the squadron and the U.S. Air Force.

The Hannover, Germany native has been very successful through it all. An exchange pilot progressing to the level of aircraft commander is a great accomplishment.

"It has been challenging," said Lt. Col Beutler, but the guys in my wing accept me and treat me as one of them.

Lt. Col. Beutler has clocked over 1,400 flying hours and flown numerous missions in the C-17 including support of the Global War on Terrorism.

Experiencing the C-17's night vision capability, the airdrop procedures, and the air refueling process was all new to him.

Maj. Beutler said he has learned a lot since flying the C-17 and Airmen have benefited from his experience as well. Having flown the German C-160 Transall transport aircraft and now the Globemaster creates a great mix of experience, he said.

That mix of experience is also beneficial to U.S. Air Force exchange pilot Maj. Troy Lanich who now flies with the German air force Special Air Mission Wing.

Maj. Lanich has flown the Airbus 310 aircraft over 300 hours in just over a year, routinely transporting the German Chancellor, Dr. Angela Merkel, defense ministers from several countries, and other distinguish officials.

"Lanich's billet is the only exchange pilot position of all the countries the U.S. has programs with that allows an exchange pilot to transport a foreign head of state official," said Lt. Col. Brent Deen, the Europe Country Director for the office of the Deputy Under Secretary of the Air Force for International Affairs. "It's comparable to flying the U.S. President in Air Force One."

Maj. Lanich also flies refueling, and medical evacuation missions with the Airbus 310.

"It's very rare that an airlift pilot gets to fly refueling missions, said the Blountstown Fla. native. Flying the different configurations of the 310 has allowed me to do that and it's great that I'll be able to take that knowledge back with me to the receiving side of air refueling."

"Maj. Lanich has been very good," said German air force Lt. Col. Peter Nicolin who has been in charge of the U.S. exchange pilots since 1995. He is in the top of the elite of all the pilots we've had so far and we've now scheduled him to become an aircraft commander."

Lt. Col. Beutler and Maj. Lanich both have been an example of the U.S. and German interoperability and strong military-to-military relationship here.

Lt. Col. Nicolin flew to the 2003 Dayton Air Show commemorating the "100th Year of Flight" with me when he was an exchange pilot with my C-17 unit," said Lanich. "It's great to be working with him again at the Berlin Air Show commemorating the 60th anniversary of the Berlin Airlift."

"Being a German pilot, flying demonstrations in the "Spirit of Berlin" C-17 aircraft, and celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Berlin Airlift at the Berlin Air Show is a once-in-a-lifetime occurrence," said Lt. Col. Beutler.