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Weather complicated preparations, the 100th anniversary celebrations will not be affected though

Only few hours are left to next NATO Days in Ostrava & Czech Air Force Days which will both commemorate the 100th anniversary of Czechoslovakia and emphasize the long-term cooperation with the United States which took over the role of Special Partner Nation this year. Although the venue got hit by rain, according to forecast, weather will not affect the weekend programme and visitors can look forward to unfogettable experience, which will be enriched by various foreign premieres. 

Dozens of aerial and ground forces equipment, up to 40 dynamic displays both in the air and on the ground, and 16 hours of the weekend programme - all of this, and even more will be provided by this year's NATO Days. It represents one of the most important public events commemorating the 100th anniversary of formation of Czechoslovakia and its armed forces, and thus provides a unique meeting of contemporary and historical military equipment which has already been prepared in the venue where preparations are still ongoing.

“There have been more than three years of intensive planning behind this year's NATO Days in order to provide visitors of the show with unique experience based on the exceptional anniversary of our country. The historical flypast of 16 different types of aircraft and helicopters being a reminder of the air force's development in the last 100 years, will definitely be one of the highlights and will be enhanced by the tones on Smetana's Vltava,” emphasizes Zbyněk Pavlačík, chairman of Jagello 2000. “After three years, weather forecast is also promising for the whole weekend and we hope for meeting you all in the venue of Leoš Janáček Ostrava Airport.”

The weekend programme also brings number of foreign premieres which will be presented by the Special Partner Nation, the United States, in the first place. For the first time in history of the event, there will be shown US armoured vehicles at Mošnov Airport, represented by the M1M2 Abrams main battle tank and a pair of M2 Bradley infantry fighting vehicles. The latter will also take part in a unique ground dynamic display alongside with Czech and German main battle tanks. The UH-1Y Venom multirole helicopter of the US Marine Corps, which participation has been provided by its manufacturer, Bell Helicopter, will also debut at NATO Days.

„Participation of the United States in the role of the Special Partner Nation reflects our long-term cooperation, we are thus grateful that it has prepared for visitors its largest presentation in Central Europe this year, and will thus contribute to their satisfaction,” appreciates Pavlačík.

Thanks to giving a priority to dynamic displays instead of the static ones by foreign participants, which had been asked for by the organizers due to the exceptional nature of this year's NATO Days, the weekend programme will also consist of premieres of two aerobatic teams - the Wings of Storm of the Croatian Air Force which takes part in the show for the first time, and Polish White-Red Sparks. In addition, Belgian and Polish F-16s have prepared a premiere dynamic displays compared to previous years when they were shown only at the static ones.

 A great comeback has been arranged by the Swedish Air Force Historic Flight which brings to NATO Days Saab J32 Lansen, twin-seat AJS37 Vigen and single-seat SK 35 Draken. These aircraft will then present themselves in a unique Nordic flypast along with the Finnish F-18 and Danish F-16. Nevertheless, the historical equipment will also take part in dynamic displays where visitors will have the opportunity to see, for example, LT-38 and T-34/86 tanks.

There will be some great equipment at the static exposition as well as Norwegian DA-20 surveillance aircraft, Austrian PC-7 Turbo Trainer or German EC 135 and Bell 206 helicopters will debut at Mošnov Airport. Visitors will also have a chance to see the US aerial giants, B-52 and C-17, which will be accompanied by, for example, a pair of C-27J Spartan transport aircraft. The historical section will then provide them with not only legendary aircraft such as Spitfire Mk.IX, Aero 145 or Mi-24D helicopter, but also US Army camp and ground forces equipment from the inter-war years.

„Although the Friday rain has complicated the planned arrivals and rehearsals, and unfortunately even today, one day prior the event, participation of few aircraft has been cancelled, both dynamic and static displays are for this year truly rich and we believe that you will enjoy your stay at NATO Days,” adds Pavlačík.

We are looking forward to your visit!

See you at
NATO Days in Ostrava & Czech Air Force Days!

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