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US Airmen celebrate 100 years of aviation history in Dominican Republic

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Eric Petosky
  • 12th Air Force (Air Forces Southern) Public Affairs
SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic --  The F-15E demonstration team took center stage Mar. 26-27 during "The Great Air show" in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

More than 2.2 million people attended the show celebrating 100 years of aviation history in the country.

The F-15E Strike Eagles, from Seymour-Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., performed a series of high-speed passes and aerial maneuvers 1,000 feet above the water near the beachfront of the city. Two A-10 Thunderbolts from the Missouri Air National Guard's 303rd Fighter Squadron at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., flew multiple passes in front of the crowd. An E-3 Sentry, Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) from Forward Operation Location Curacao in the Dutch Antilles, made a cameo appearance overhead as well. The U.S. Air Force crews participated alongside Dominican Air Force and civilian demonstration pilots.

Lt. Gen. Glenn Spears, 12th Air Force (Air Forces Southern) commander, attended the two-day event. He was presented a plaque of appreciation by the Dominican Republic President Leonel Fernandez at show-center amidst a crowd of well-wishers and media outlets.

"The U.S. Air Force participation in this air show represents just one of the ways that we foster a positive relationship with the Dominican Republic and our fellow Airmen," General Spears said. "I was honored to be presented a gift by President Fernandez. I'd like to express my sincere thanks to him for inviting us to be part of the 100th anniversary of Dominican aviation history."