CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. (USTCNS) --- A Charleston aircrew recently got the chance to go "down under" and show the capabilities and professionalism of the 437th Airlift Wing and the U.S. Air Force at the Australian International Airshow 2001, February 13-18, at the Avalon Airport.

Approximately 100 Air Force pilots, aircrew members and maintainers participated in the show, which boasted more than 700 static displays and welcomed almost 400,000 visitors during the six-day airshow.

While many would think temporary duty to an airshow in Australia might be all play, the aircrew stayed busy by flying C-17 demonstrations and setting up a static display six days in a row, said Capt. Jeff Pierce, 15th Airlift Squadron mission commander for this trip.

"The first three days were 'trade days' for people like the manufacturers, contractors and government officials," said Pierce. "About 30,000 people visited the airshow those first days. For the last three days we saw up to 120,000 per day.

"The crowd was real excited to see such a large plane that was so maneuverable and could take off and land in such a short distance," said Pierce. "We were the only large airplane open for display, with the exception of a 747 on display the final day. We were packed with people trying to set a good look through the C-17."

Pierce said the crew also got valuable training done during the mission. Four pilots were tested and qualified to fly the official C-17 demonstration.

The loadmasters on the flight had the opportunity to load an SH-2G Superseasprite, a helicopter recently purchased by Australia, for the first time.

Capt. Robby Hanovich, 15th Airlift Squadron, took the time to spend a day with school children at Kardina International College, talking about the Air Force and the C-17.

"Like the United Kingdom and Canada, the Australians have shown an increasing interest in the C-17, and could be a customer," said Col. Glenn Mackey, 437th Operations Group deputy commander. "It's important for the folks here to know what part we, the C-17 community, can play in potential international sales or leases of the C-17."

Participation in the airshow demonstrated the United States' commitment to the Pacific Region and allowed an opportunity for Pacific forces to work together, said Maj. Brad Bingaman, assistant air attaché for Australia.

Other aircraft that joined the C-17 at the airshow included a B-1B Lancer from McConnell AFB, Kan., a KC-135 Stratotanker from Kadena AB, Japan, and two Kadena AB, Japan, F-15 Eagles that were flown by the Air Combat Command West Coast F-15 Demonstration Team.

Also included were two F-16 Fighting Falcons from Misawa AB, Japan, flown by the Pacific Air Forces F-16 Demonstration Team, and a B-52 Stratofortress from Barksdale AFB, La.

(AFPN. 1st Lt. Beth Szucs, 437 AW Public Affairs contributed to this article.) (FROM CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE PUBLIC AFFAIRS).