An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : Media : News : News Article View
NEWS | March 9, 2023

U.S. Brings Airpower, Community to Australia Airshow

By Tech. Sgt. Hailey Haux Pacific Air Forces Public Affairs

AVALON INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, Australia -- A sea of spectators begins to stand, creating a wave effect; they’re there to watch a show—and that’s exactly what they’ll get. One by one they turn their phones to camera mode to capture one of the U.S. Air Force’s most lethal aircraft in its element.

The F-22 Raptor was one of the many aerial demonstrations for the Australian International Aerospace & Defence Exposition and Airshow—AVALON 2023, Feb. 28 through March 5, where roughly 172,000 people attended over the course of six days.

At this year’s airshow the U.S. Department of Defense featured the B-52H Stratofortress, C-17 Globemaster III, M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, AH-64 Apache, F-22 Raptor, three different aircraft from the tanker fleet, a C-5M Super Galaxy, and many more.

“We were honored to participate in AVALON with an array of aerial and static displays,” said U.S. Air Force Col. Henry Schantz, AVALON 23 air boss. “This event isn’t just another airshow for us. It’s an opportunity to demonstrate our steadfast relationship with Australia, highlight the importance of our strategic partnerships in the Indo-Pacific, and showcase our coalition personnel and equipment for the 100 plus thousand people attending this event each day.”

AVALON 23 is the largest event of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere, attracting aviation and aerospace professions, key defense personnel, aviation enthusiasts and the general public.

“International airshows are so important because it allows us to show solidarity to our partners and Allies,” said U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. George Fagan, F-22 Raptor Demo Team announcer. “Australia has been one of the longest standing Allies to the United States and it’s awesome to work together to pull off a challenge like [an aerial demonstration]. Airshows are not inherently easy to execute; with personnel, equipment and aircraft moving from all over the world, but they provide great opportunities for nations to work together and overcome obstacles.”

From the Japan Air Self-Defense Force’s Taiko Drum Team performing for hundreds of on-lookers in front of their Kawasaki C-2 Transport Aircraft, to the Republic of Korea Air Force’s Black Eagles aerobatic display, there was no shortage of static, and aerial displays of airpower to take in.

With its tail standing at 65 feet tall, the C-5 from Dover Air Force Base, Delaware stood as a beacon for attendees.

“People were generally amazed at the size of the aircraft and its capabilities,” said U.S. Air Force Capt. Scott McCoy, C-5M Super Galaxy aircraft commander. “Our jet funneled everyone from the airshow to the Air Mobility Command display, so at least 90 percent of the attendees got to experience walking through the largest cargo plane in the Air Force inventory.”

This six-day event also falls in line with the 2nd anniversary of the trilateral security partnership of Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States—AUKUS—which seeks to deepen and modernize our relationships with two key Allies, bolster international security, and promote a free and open Indo-Pacific.

The U.S. is committed to maintaining peace and stability in the region, and this event reaffirms the U.S. presence.

AVALON is held biennially and AVALON 23 is the 15th iteration, allowing generations of industry and defense representatives and tourists alike to experience the true power of partnerships, alliances, airpower and community.

The full list of United States AVALON 23 displays:

  • F-22 Raptors from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska
  • C-17 Globemaster III from Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii
  • B-52H Stratofortress from Barksdale, Louisiana
  • F-15 Eagles from Kadena Air Base, Japan
  • C-5M Super Galaxy from Dover Air Force Base, Delaware
  • KC-135 Stratotanker from Sioux City, Iowa
  • KC-46 Pegasus from McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas
  • KC-10 Extender from Travis Air Force Base, California
  • AH-64 Apache from Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington
  • UH-60 Black Hawk from Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington
  • HIMARS from Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington
CONNECT WITH USINDOPACOM
Facebook

Like Us
X
362,617
Follow Us

ENGAGE & CONNECT MORE WITH PACOM

                                                 

IN THE USINDOPACOM NEWS
The United States, Nepal Conclude Multinational Peacekeeping Exercise Shanti Prayas IV
Combined service members from 18 countries participate in the closing ceremony of Exercise Shanti Prayas IV at the Birendra Peace Operations Centre parade field on March 4, 2024. Shanti Prayas IV is a multinational peacekeeping exercise sponsored by the Nepali Army and U.S. Indo-Pacific Command and is the latest in a series of exercises designed to support peacekeeping operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl John Hall)
March 4, 2024 - Nepal and the United States conducted the closing ceremony of exercise Shanti Prayas IV at Birendra Peace Operations Training Centre, Panchkhal, Nepal, Mar. 4, 2024...

U.S., ROK Marines Conduct Exercise Freedom Shield 24
U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Todd Sturgill, the company commander for Headquarters Company, Headquarters Battalion, 1st Marine Division, speaks to Marines about building a combined command post in preparation for Freedom Shield 24 in Pohang, South Korea, Feb. 25, 2024. FS 24 is a defense-oriented exercise designed to strengthen the ROK-U.S. Alliance, enhance the combined defense posture, and further strengthen security and stability on the Korean peninsula. Sturgill is a native of Virginia. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Amanda R. Taylor)
March 4, 2024 - U.S. Marines from across III Marine Expeditionary Force, and Marines from 1st Marine Division, I MEF, deployed from Japan and the United States to join their ROK counterparts to exercise as the Combined Marine Component...

U.S. Coast Guard, Navy Helicopter Squadron execute critical medical evacuation of Filipino mariner northwest of Guam
In a display of interagency cooperation, a commercial mariner in urgent need of medical care was safely evacuated from a vessel 100 nautical miles offshore to Guam on March 2, 2024, thanks to the actions of the U.S. Coast Guard and the U.S. Navy's Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 25 (HSC-25). Responders initiated the operation after a 26-year-old Filipino mariner aboard the 850-foot Liberian-flagged container ship Carmell 1, initially located 400 nautical miles northwest of Guam, reportedly exhibited severe abdominal issues. (U.S. Navy photo)
March 4, 2024 - In a display of interagency cooperation, a commercial mariner in urgent need of medical care was safely evacuated from his vessel 100 nautical miles offshore to Guam on March 2, 2024, thanks to the actions of the U.S. Coast...

Statement from President Biden on Addressing National Security Risks to the U.S. Auto Industry
March 1, 2024 - American automakers and auto workers are the best in the world. The iconic Big Three and American auto workers are leading the world in quality and innovation. A dynamic auto industry is vital to the U.S. economy...

Lancer Brigade takes part in Exercise Cobra Gold 2024
March 1, 2024 - Hundreds of soldiers from the 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team “Lancer Brigade,” 7th Infantry Division, arrived in the Kingdom of Thailand to participate in the 43rd iteration of Exercise Cobra Gold 2024...