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The first day of the Weekend show has welcomed 90,000 visitors
The first day of the 12th year of NATO Days in Ostrava and the 3rd year Czech Air Force Days has confirmed the status of its exceptionality by its extent, programme and number of participants. Even in spite of the unfavourable weather in the morning more than 90,000 visitors have been watching the amazing display of the show’s participants from 19 countries.
The most attractive part of the programme was the precise display of aerial refuelling of the Czech Gripen aircraft, the monumental flight of the American B-52 strategic bomber of the U.S. Air Force Reserve and also the spectacular exhibition of the British Red Arrows. The main topic of this year is remembrance of the 10th anniversary of NATO Summit in Prague, where an expansion of NATO by 7 countries has been agreed. The event has been visited by many political and other dignitaries, including the Minister of Defence of the Czech Republic, H.E. Alexandr Vondra.
The most attractive part of the programme belonged to 250 minutes of flying displays, with highlight of aerial refuelling of Czech Gripens by the C-135FR tanker of the French Air Force. The RAF has a record participation with four display teams, including the legendary Red Arrows aerobatics team, which displayed only in four countries outside of the UK this year. Another exceptional sight offered the B-52 pilots, who presented touch and go by their landing, which resulted in applause of the spectators.
For the first time the French Air Force has presented their Mirage 2000N supersonics team Ramex Delta outside of France. Then there were the Italian Typhoon fighter display, also Italian C-27J Spartan, the Swiss Super Puma Helicopter or Slovenia with PC-9M Hudournik trainer aircraft. Very interesting display has been offered by the Turkish F-16 Soloturk or by a duo of Su-22’s of the Polish Air Force. On the ground the visitors could see dynamic displays of military, police and rescue units and services. Another pull for the visitors has been the joint police rapid intervention units from Ostrava and Polish Katowice, which presented another of their displays, even with a Mi-8 helicopter. Also the units of the Army of the Czech Republic, Ostrava Municipal Police and other have presented their artistry.
We thank all of our visitors for their interest and we hope that you bring only positive emotions from the event together with unforgettable experience
We are looking forward to seeing you at the Mošnov airport tomorrow
