For the second time we return to the Ostrava Nato Day. This time we do it to celebrate an important milestone, the 15 years of an event born in 2001 and that from year to year has seen the participation of members of Nato grow giving all the fans 15 years of strong emotions. Like every year a special guest is chosen, this year it was Germany. Present at the event in addition to airplanes and helicopters many armored vehicles such as the light armored Enok and a Leopard 2 cart present during the display dedicated to land vehicles. But let’s get on the fly, large participation of aircraft in the display. Present the Saab aircraft belonging to the Swedish Air Force Flight, the Saab 29 Tunnan, the Saab 35 Draken and the Saab 37 Viggen all in the unmistakable aluminum color.
The Czech Air Force present at the event with all its assets, from the brand new Saab Jas-39C Gripen to the Aero L-159 Alca to all the aircrafts supplied to the aeronautical force with the addition of some police helicopters like a Bell-412 a Eurocopter EC-135T2 and a wonderful Bell-429.Present in flight with a pass along with two Saab Jas Jas 39C Gripen a Casa C-295M belonging to 242.tsl Squadron. Unique combat helicopter in flight Mi-35 of 221.vrlt Squadron in a somewhat unusual coloring.
Reduced to only General Dynamics F-16 Block 52 Fighting Falcon of the Demo Team Zeus the presence of F-16 at the event. What a strange thing considering the massive presence of this aircraft in most of the nations belonging to the NATO covenant. On the other hand, there were five Eurofighter F-2000 A Typhoon coming from Austria, Italy, Spain, United Kingdom and Germany. Surely a surprise the presence of the latter in the special color version. Very beautiful and now very rare to see the legendary Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21MF Lancer C of the Romanian Air Force. Present the French aeronautics with the Dassault Rafale C Demo Team capable as usual of a really exciting dislpay. The McDonnell Douglas F / A-18C Hornet of the Swiss Air Force, the aircraft coming from Meiringen and belonging to the Fliegerstaffel, is now present at almost every European event.
The only Italian acrobatic team of the Frecce Tricolori, the Italian pilots have been able to give a unique and exciting show to a public remained immobile despite an annoying rain has almost all the day Saturday.
A great event, however, characterized by a mild weather that gave the public a few moments of sunshine. The Nato Days remains one of those events that can not miss in the palmares of a true aviation enthusiast. Congratulations to the organizers who every year with great commitment and passion can give a unique show.
Ostrava 17-18 September 2016