OSTRAVA NATO DAYS
AIRPORT OSTROVA MOSNOV
CZECH REPUBLIC
Sunday 23th September 2012
The NATO Days exercise in Ostrava 2012 (officially the 12th edition of NATO Days and the 3rd edition of the Czech Air Force Days) took place on 22 and 23 September 2012, confirming itself as the largest security and defence event in Central Europe The event was hosted at the Leoš Janáček Airport in Ostrava-Mošnov, Czech Republic. The base provided ample space for both the massive static exhibits and the dynamic in-flight and ground-based exhibits.
Boeing B-52H Stratofortress United States - US Air Force (USAF)
The real star was the US Air Force's B-52H Stratofortress, present with two examples, one of which made a dynamic display for the first time in the event. Among the protagonists are the Czech JAS-39 Gripen fighters, the Eurofighter Typhoon (Austrian), the French Mirage 2000N (team "Ramex Delta") and the Slovak MiG-29.
Sukhoi Su-22M4 Fitter K Poland - Air Force
Great return for the Red Arrows who, after years, return to the skies together with other aviation excellences. During the event, an unprecedented refueling operation between the Gripen of the Czech Republic and a French C-135FR tanker was simulated; to complete the picture of the aircraft on display, also the C-27J Spartan and the M-346 Master advanced trainer.
Dassault Mirage 2000N France - Air Force
The public of the great occasions did not let itself be discouraged by bad weather, with over 200,000 total presences that established a historic record. However, the weather heavily affected the program: on Saturday the rain limited the performances, leading to the forfeit of the Saudi Hawks, while on Sunday the poor visibility forced the cancellation of almost the entire flight program, leaving operational space only for helicopters.
The heart of the event was summed up in the motto: 'Our security is not a given and there is no prosperity without security'. This spirit has been translated into a concrete presentation of the capabilities of NATO and civilian security forces, through elite exercises such as the simulation of counter-terrorism interventions conducted jointly by Czech and Polish units. The event celebrated international cohesion not only on the ground, but also on the diplomatic level, with the historic first presentation of the Czech and Slovak Transatlantic Award."
Gallery Ostrava Nato Days
