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Shaw demo team shows more than F-16 firepower in Colombia

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. Christina Mundy
  • AFSOUTH Public Affairs
COLOMBIA --  Latin and North America join together to celebrate airpower during Colombia’s largest air and trade show, the third annual Rio Negro airshow June 28 - July 2.

With the Colombian airshow bringing in more than 30,000 attendees, the U.S. Air Force brought down more than 60 personnel and six aircraft to support the event.

“We’re here to support Southern Command with the international relations of the Colombian government,” said Maj. Jason “Buzzer” Koltes, Viper East commander and demonstration pilot. “We’re excited to be here and energize the crowd.”

The United States’ support for Colombia didn’t stop at the airshow gates. On their free time, aircrews from the Viper East Demonstration Team visited Clinica Infantil Santa Ana, a children’s hospital in Medellin, Colombia. The visit brought joy and inspiration to the more than 30 children who are currently being treated at the clinic.

“The children were very happy by the aircrews visiting them. They felt like they were not forgotten,” said Monica Maria Madina Vollejo, Public Relations for Clinica Infantil Santa Ana. “It was interesting for the children because they didn’t know anything about planes or pilots.”

“One of the main purposes of a demo team is to effect or cause change in young people. If we are not doing that, then we are failing at what we’re doing,” Maj. Koltes said.

In addition to visiting the hospital, aircrews hosted a second group of children from the clinic at the airshow grounds as well as children from a local orphanage and veterans from the national military of Colombia.

“The show is important to Colombia,” said Colombian Colonel Carlos MonteAlegre, Deputy Director of Civil Aviation Authority. “Thanks to the U.S. Air Force -- their support and presence in our show highlights how special the relationship is between Colombia and the United States.”

“Our team is very impressed with everyone and the professional qualities of the Colombian Air Force, Maj. Koltes said. “Having a demo team here is a cost effective way to show them we care.”

Support for the Rio Negro Airshow included: two Viper East F-16 Falcons from Shaw, two KC-10 Extenders from McGuire AFB, N.J. and Travis AFB, Calif., one C-130 Hercules from the Puerto Rican Air National Guard and one B-52 Stratofortress from Barksdale AFB, La.