American Airpower Participate in RIAT 2017: Event Recognizes U.S. Air Force’s 70th Birthday

U.S. Airmen and Sailors will participate in flying demonstrations and static displays for the Royal International Air Tattoo, July 14-16, 2017, at Royal Air Force Fairford, United Kingdom.

U.S. participation in RIAT highlights the strength of the U.S. commitment to European security, the NATO Alliance, our ever-strong Alliance with U.K., and demonstrates interoperability with Allies and partners from around the world.

U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds and F-22 demonstrations teams will perform. Current U.S. military aircraft scheduled for display: B-52, B-1, C-17, CV-22, MC-130J, F-16 and P-8. Additional aircraft may support.

The opportunity for international aviators and air chiefs to meet at RIAT enable military discussions, showcase military aviation and enable the Alliance to better work together as a team.

This year’s airshow was also designated as a commemoration for the U.S. Air Force’s 70th birthday by U.S. Air Forces in Europe with the theme: American Airmen: Breaking Barriers since 1947.

“We embrace a culture of innovation and dare to break barriers,” said U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Goldfein. “It should come as no surprise that Airmen are known for taking challenges and turning them into opportunities … quite simply, it’s in our DNA. If you say something can’t be done, there’s a good chance an Airman is doing it.”

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For more information, contact Capt. Benjamin Sowers at +49 (0)160 272 0449 or benjamin.sowers.1@us.af.mil

U.S. European Command is one of the United States’ two forward-deployed Geographic Combatant Commands whose area of focus cover almost one-fifth of the planet, including all of Europe, large portions of Asia, parts of the Middle East and the Arctic and Atlantic Oceans. The command is responsible for military relations with NATO and 51 countries with a total population of close to a billion people.