NATO Days in Ostrava & Czech Air Force Days

Belgian Air Force becomes another confirmed NATO Days in Ostrava & Czech Air Force Days 2013 participant. Dynamic presentation of Agusta A109 helicopter will be complemented by static displays of F-16 MLU fighter plane and Aermacchi SF.260 light training aircraft.

At first, there was a chance to welcome Les Diables Rouges (Red Devils) aerobatic team, consisting of four SF.260 propeller planes, but as we have learned meanwhile, from operational and other reasons this would not be possible. Nevertheless, the Belgian Air Force is more than compensating the Devils absence by sending three different aircraft types from its inventory,“ says Zbyněk Pavlačík chairman of the Jagello 2000 main organizing agency.

Belgium participated at Ostrava in 2009, 2010 and 2011 and has so far presented the A109 helicopter in the air and F-16 and C-130 Hercules cargo plane on the static.

Agusta A109 is a light, 8-seat helicopter with distinctive retractable landing gear. The helicopter is used in transportation and medical roles in civilian versions. Its military variant sees use in providing fire support against ground targets and in search and rescue operations. Belgian Air Force has 23 A109s in its inventory.

The F-16 multipurpose fighter plane has been in production since 1970s and more than 4500 of these legendary machines have been built to date. F-16 is a backbone of many NATO and other states´ air forces. There will be an attractive dynamic presentation of this aircraft by the Royal Netherlands Air Force F-16 Demo team this September in Ostrava.

The SF.260 plane is of Italian origin and serves in many NATO states as training aircraft of which a weaponized version has been developed as well, having been used in fighting in Asia and Africa. NATO pilots encountered this type of aircraft during air operation in Libya that has used the type against insurgents despite the non-flying zone.

 “There is a certain possibility that a Belgian AF SF.260 displayed at Ostrava might be in colours of the Red Devils aerobatic group while standard colour of this type is yellow, but we will have to wait the final confirmation,” concludes Pavlačík.

See you at 13^th NATO Days in Ostrava, 4^th Czech Air Force Days,
and the FLYIN 2013 Exhibition!

The General Partner of NATO Days in Ostrava & Czech Air Force Days is the company

Send article