NATO Days in Ostrava & Czech Air Force Days

Two spectacular presentations in the air and on the ground will adorn this year’s NATO Days in Ostrava & Czech Air Force Days that will be marking the 20^th anniversary of independent Czech Republic.

The An-124 Ruslan has been presented to the Czech public for the first time on 4 June 1988.

A new addition to the static park is the legendary An-124 Ruslan heavy transport aircraft. This flying giant is a rare appearance at similar events in whole Europe. However, there is a ”special relationship” between the Ruslan and the Ostrava-Mošnov airport. It was right here where the plane was presented for the very first time to the Czechoslovak public in 1988 when its visit in colours of the Soviet Aeroflot drew huge crowds.

After 20 long years, the public could see the Ruslan again at NATO Days in Ostrava 2008. However, due to the tight schedule of the aircraft, visitors could only enjoy its presence for several short hours. And now, the Ruslan is coming to Ostrava for the third time in 25 years and this time, visitors will have a chance to view it up close for the entire duration of the show.

And for the second and last time so far, the Ruslan was presented to Czech public at NATO Days in Ostrava 2008.

This unique opportunity comes thanks to the close cooperation with Czech Armed Forces who are going to unload their Afghanistan military cargo from the Ruslan at Ostrava. For many years, the Ruslan aircraft have played a key role in providing strategic airlift capability for missions in Afghanistan. “We would like to thank the Czech Armed Forces for their great support and for offering the public a chance to see not only its assets but also the leased equipment of which the Ruslan is a great example,” comments Zbyněk Pavlačík, chairman of Jagello 2000 association, NATO Days in Ostrava main organizing agency.

Czech Republic is a member of the international SALIS (Strategic Airlift Interim Solution) programme, leasing the Volga-Dněpr company operated Ruslan aircraft on a continuous basis.

Thanks also to NATO Days in Ostrava & Czech Air Force Days, the Ostrava airport is the only airport in Central Europe where a host of strategic aircraft has been presented to public – the Ruslan for three times, and the US B-52 bombers and strategic C-17 Globemaster and C-5 Galaxy transports as well. Moreover, in 1989, Ostrava was also host to the world’s biggest aircraft, the mighty Soviet An-225 Mrija. 
Another unique display will take place in the air as a commemoration of 20^th anniversary of existence of the independent Czech Armed Forces and Armed Forces of the Slovak Republic. To demonstrate excellent relations and cooperation between the two militaries, two most significant air events in both countries – NATO Days in Ostrava & Czech Air Force Days and Slovak International Air Fest (SIAF) will start with joint fly-bys of the tactical aviations.

First, at the end of August at the Sliač AFB and then in September at the Ostrava Leoš Janáček Airport, the flypasts will feature Jas-39 Gripen and L-159 Alca aircraft of the Czech Air Force and the Slovak Air Force´s MiG-29 and L-39 Albatros. Visitors of both events will thus enjoy an exceptional opportunity to see this unique Czech-Slovak Air Forces formation.

 “The joint formation has been a rare sight in the Czech skies. First such a flight occurred in České Budějovice in 2004 featuring both Air Forces' MiG-29s. Then Mi-24 combat helicopters flew together at Přerov in 2006 and so far for the last time, tactical aircraft presented jointly at the Aviation Fair in Pardubice in 2011. This year, however, it will be the first time that this presentation will be organized reciprocally for two most important events in both countries,” comments Col. Libor Štefánik, Czech Air Force Commander.

Joint fly-by of the Czech and Slovak Air Forces was last time in 2010 at 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain, when Czech Gripen and Slovak MiG-29 were led by the British Hurricane, direct Battle of Britain participant, used also by Czechslovak RAF pilots.

Slovak Air Force Chief General Miroslav Korba is also welcoming this special opportunity. “Joint flypasts of the Czech and Slovak Air Forces tactical aviation are a real treat  that will surely be appreciated by more than only military aviation fans. Collaboration and relations between our two air forces are special, and this joint formation is a great proof of that,” adds General Korba.

Slovak International Air Fest is held on 31 August and 1 September at the Sliaš Air Force Base, and NATO Days in Ostrava & Czech Air Force Days will take place on 21 – 22 September at the Ostrava Leoš Janáček Airport. Twentieth anniversary of the independent Czech Republic and its Armed Forces and other security agencies is highlighted by a special commemorative NATO Days' logo.

See you at
13^th NATO Days in Ostrava & 4^th Czech Air Force Days!

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

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