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BERLIN — Airmen with the 37th Airlift Squadron represented U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa and the U.S. at this year’s Berlin Trade and Air Show May 20 to 25.
Five Airmen from the 37th AS joined Airmen from several USAFE-AFAFRICA bases to provide spectators insight into U.S. Air Force capabilities.
“This is one of the larger trade and air shows we do,” said Capt. Jeff Broffman, 37th AS aircraft commander and C-130J Super Hercules pilot. “The event lets us show the capabilities of the C-130J, and as new countries receive theirs, it increases our interoperability with them and our ability to function as a unit outside of ourselves.”
The biannual trade show was open to the public and provided Airmen with the opportunity to showcase the nation’s leading aerospace technologies and equipment used by the Air Force.
“We bring in pilots and loadmasters, but we bring in the crew chiefs as well,” Broffman said. “That way we get all aspects of the aircraft to help (spectators) understand what our capabilities are.”
By participating in this international event, the Airmen were able to show international audiences the capabilities Airmen bring to the European and African theater.
“There’s a lot of people who have an impact on getting this aircraft ready,” said Staff Sgt. Andrew Vrahiotes, 37th AS flying crew chief. “The presence here shows spectators how we are a tactical airlift unit. If something happens, we are out here responding.
“As far as my role as a flying crew chief, we are expected to make sure this plane takes off and not only gets to that mission but completes it,” Vrahiotes continued.
The trade show hosted more than 100 nations, approximately 200 aircraft and more than 250,000 attendees. Participants were able to see latest developments and products in the aerospace industry, nation-specific aircraft displays and technologies, and several aerial demonstrations.
