Photo By Lt. Christopher H Pagenkopf | 160220-N-CF980-001 SINGAPORE (Feb. 18, 2016) Lt. Thompson Kunz and Senior Chief...... read more read more
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By Lt. j.g. Chris Pagenkopf
VFA-115 Public Affairs
SINGAPORE - The "Eagles" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 115 participated in the 2016 Singapore Airshow at the Changi Exhibition Centre Feb. 16-21.
Two of the squadron's F/A-18E Super Hornets made the 3,300-mile trek from their home base at Naval Air Facility Atsugi, Japan, to represent U.S. Navy tactical aviation as static displays at the biennial event, billed as the largest aerospace exhibition and trade show in Asia.
This year's show was attended by an estimated 130,000 visitors and more than 1,000 aerospace firms.
The event allowed the Eagles’ pilots and maintainers to interact with their counterparts from the armed services of regional allies and partner nations, fostering relationships that promote stability and international cooperation in the Indo-Asia-Pacific.
"Representing U.S. naval aviation at the 2016 Singapore Airshow was a great experience for our aircrews and maintainers," said Lt. Cmdr. Dave Tickle, the Eagles’ detachment officer in charge. “Their hard work enabled a successful detachment that supported our forward presence mission in this vital region.”
The Eagles showcased the advanced capabilities of the U.S. Navy's premier operational strike fighter to a number of civilian visitors and senior naval officials attending the event, including Vice Adm. Joseph Aucoin, Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet, and Vice Adm. Joseph Rixey, director of the Defense Security Cooperation Agency.
“The opportunity to meet with both international visitors and senior Navy leaders here in Singapore was definitely a career highlight," said Lt. Thompson Kunz, a pilot for the Eagles. "The Singaporean citizens we met were very enthusiastic and we were happy to represent the U.S. Navy as a positive force for peace and stability in the region. In addition, speaking with pilots from regional air forces and seeing their hardware firsthand was an informative experience."
The airshow was just one of the many activities the Eagles conduct to support the collective security interests of U.S. allies and partners across the Indo-Asia-Pacific.
The “Eagles” of VFA-115 are a component of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5 and regularly embark on board USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) in support of security and stability operations throughout the Indo-Asia-Pacific.
| Date Taken: | 02.21.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 03.08.2016 23:33 |
| Story ID: | 191673 |
| Location: | SG |
| Web Views: | 797 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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