NATO Days Wrap up in Ostrava, Czech Republic
- 14 years ago
It's the biggest military show in Central Europe, that has amazed crowds in the Czech Republic. More than 100 thousand showed up to watch the display. Our NTD correspondent brings us the story.
The Czech Republic city of Ostrava played host to an event called NATO Days for the 10th year in a row. It's showcase of a variety of military technology.
More than 100 thousand showed up for a unique opportunity to see the famous U.S. Air Force's strategic bomber, the B-52H Stratofortress.
This legendary aircraft was created by the company Boeing. With a wingspan of 185 feet and a length of 159 feet, the heavy bomber is capable of carrying nuclear weapons.
The B-52 has been in service in the U.S. Air Force since 1955. It's been used in recent U.S. military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Locals got to meet the B-52 pilots in Ostrava's largest bookstore.
[...]
Many that turned up at the bookstore were impressed by the pilots.
[Michal Mádl, Attendee]: (male)
"I enjoyed it very much, because aviation is my long-term hobby. I was greatly excited that I could ask concrete questions to the pilots which I could not resolve, because the answers were sometimes not available in such a great extent. And I was also impressed by their warm, open attitude, that they were willing to answer our every question and gave us autographs."
[Jan Becher, Bookstore Owner]: (male)
"Their good temper was infectious and it's great that we have such activities because we can see that the army is not some homogeneous material, but that it's mainly the people. People who do an important job, and even though maybe we would be happier if no soldiers have to exist in the world, they have to be here. And we have to thank them for what they do for us that we can sleep in peace at night."
NTD News, Ostrava, Czech Republic.
The Czech Republic city of Ostrava played host to an event called NATO Days for the 10th year in a row. It's showcase of a variety of military technology.
More than 100 thousand showed up for a unique opportunity to see the famous U.S. Air Force's strategic bomber, the B-52H Stratofortress.
This legendary aircraft was created by the company Boeing. With a wingspan of 185 feet and a length of 159 feet, the heavy bomber is capable of carrying nuclear weapons.
The B-52 has been in service in the U.S. Air Force since 1955. It's been used in recent U.S. military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Locals got to meet the B-52 pilots in Ostrava's largest bookstore.
[...]
Many that turned up at the bookstore were impressed by the pilots.
[Michal Mádl, Attendee]: (male)
"I enjoyed it very much, because aviation is my long-term hobby. I was greatly excited that I could ask concrete questions to the pilots which I could not resolve, because the answers were sometimes not available in such a great extent. And I was also impressed by their warm, open attitude, that they were willing to answer our every question and gave us autographs."
[Jan Becher, Bookstore Owner]: (male)
"Their good temper was infectious and it's great that we have such activities because we can see that the army is not some homogeneous material, but that it's mainly the people. People who do an important job, and even though maybe we would be happier if no soldiers have to exist in the world, they have to be here. And we have to thank them for what they do for us that we can sleep in peace at night."
NTD News, Ostrava, Czech Republic.