Author: www.natodays.cz|Caption: German Leopard 2 at NATO Days
The NATO Days in Ostrava and the Czech Air Force Days are the biggest defence and security shows in Central Europe. The event’s aim is to present a wide spectrum of resources and capabilities of the Czech and Allied armed forces. The main program takes place at Ostrava Leoš Janáček Airport and consists of presentation of modern and historical military vehicles and equipment, police and rescue equipment, dynamic displays of special forces, flying displays and presentations of armament, equipment and gear of individual units.
“Our security cannot be taken for granted and there is no prosperity without security”
The event brings the recent technology used by soldiers, fire fighters, policemen, customs officers, the prison service, the municipal police and other armed forces in one location and presents them to the general public. At the same time the event provides opportunities of meetings, presentations or workshops, attended by representatives of both the private commercial and public sphere, local governments, top management of participants and partners of the event, important guests from political, commercial, academic, cultural, social or sports areas.
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Regular distinguished guests include representatives of the Czech Government, NATO and the European Union, representatives of regions, cities and municipalities, ambassadors, defence attachés, members of civilian and military delegations and other guest from the Czech Republic and foreign countries – especially from Europe and the United States of America.
This year’s program is being worked on; it’s final version will be released shortly before the event. Program of the NATO Days in Ostrava consists of associated events, taking place from Wednesday to Friday 12th–16th September in Ostrava, and a main part, taking place from Saturday to Sunday at the Ostrava Leoš Janáček Airport. Many of the participants have already confirmed their presence. Concerning the aircraft and helicopters they are, so far:
- The Belgian Air Force sends the F-16 Demo Team with a specially coloured machine, accompanied by a C-130 Hercules transport aircraft,
- The Croatian Air Force sends the Wings of Storm (Krila oluje) aerobatic team with six Pilatus PC-9M turboprop trainers,
- The Royal Danish Air Force will present its F-16 during the dynamic display,
- The Finnish Air Force will present the F/A-18 Hornet Solo Display,
- The French Air Force prepares the Dassault Rafale exclusive flight demonstration,
- The German Luftwaffe will send the Eurofighter Typhoon fighter,
- The German Navy returns with the P-3C Orion reconnaissance aircraft and the Sea Lynx and Sea King helicopters.
- The Bundeswehr prepares a premiere of the EC 135 and Bell 206 helicopters,
- The Hungarian Air Force will send the JAS-39 Gripen fighter for a dynamic display,
- The Lithuanian Air Force will present the C-27J Spartan transport aircraft, the AS365N3+ Dauphin multirole helicopter and two L-39 Albatros jet trainers,
- The Royal Norwegian Air Force will present at static display the DA-20 Falcon electronic warfare aircraft and the P-3 Orion used for maritime surveillance and submarine detection,
- The White-and-Red Sparks aerobatic demonstration team of the Polish Air Forces is expected,
- The Slovak Air Force will present the C-27 Spartan transport aircraft and the UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter; the MiG-29 fighter will perform a popular dynamic display,
- The Spanish Air Force will bring the Eurofighter Typhoon fighter for a dynamic display,
- The Royal Air Force sends the British Typhoon Demo Team.
The German Army will present one of its Leopard 2 tanks on a static display, the second one will show its driving characteristics and will also participate in the demonstration of the Czech Army's combat activities.
The U.S.A. will be the partner nation of the NATO Days in Ostrava & Czech Air Force Days 2018, as announced by the US Ambassador to the Czech Republic, Stephen B. King in Stara Boleslav during a meeting with US soldiers transfering across the territory of the Czech Republic in the framework of the Saber Strike 2018 exercise.
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The main organizers are the Jagello 2000 Association, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Czech Republic, the Fire Rescue Brigade of the Moravian-Silesian Region, the Regional Police Directorat of the Moravian-Silesian Region, the Emergency Rescue Service of the Moravian-Silesian Region, and the Ostrava Leoš Janáček Airport.
For more information and news visit the NATO Days in Ostrava & Czech Air Force Days website at www.natodays.cz and the Facebook event.