PACAF F-16 Demonstration Team showcases U.S. capabilities at Singapore

PACAF F-16 Demonstration Team showcases U.S. capabilities at Singapore International Airshow

By Senior Airman Sadie Colbert, Headquarters Pacific Air Forces Public Affairs / Published February 10, 2018

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U.S. Air Force Maj. Richard Smeeding, Pacific Air Forces’ F-16 Demonstration Team pilot, shoots off flares while performing an aerial maneuver during a demo practice at the 2018 Singapore International Airshow, Feb. 5, 2018. Exhibiting the maneuverability of the aircraft shows the F-16 Fighting Falcon’s strength and durability, assuring our Pacific partners of the U.S.’s ability to meet global needs in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Sadie Colbert)

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U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Steven Pedrick, a Pacific Air Forces' F-16 Demonstration Team crew chief, pumps the jet fuel sorter prior to a practice at Paya Lebar Air Base, Singapore, Feb. 3, 2018. The demonstration team traveled to various countries in the Indo-Pacific region. Their performances strengthen the United States' international partnerships through aerial performances that showcase the F-16 Fighting Falcon's tactical flexibility and power. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Sadie Colbert)

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U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Emily Wall, a Pacific Air Forces' F-16 Demonstration Team crew chief, cleans off an F-16 Fighting Falcon's canopy before an airshow practice at Paya Lebar Air Base, Singapore, Feb. 3, 2018. Prior to a performance, the demo team drenches the top of the canopy, clearing any fog that could distort the pilot's vision. The team performed at the 2018 Singapore International Airshow, showcasing the agility and power of the F-16, as well as promoting regional stability and security. (U.S. Air Force photos by Senior Airman Sadie Colbert)

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U.S. Air Force Airmen with the Pacific Air Forces' F-16 Demonstration Team march to their finishing position prior to a practice at Paya Lebar Air Base, Singapore, Feb. 3, 2018. Along with building partnerships, the 2018 Singapore International Airshow provided an opportunity for the U.S. to demonstrate its combat capabilities. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Sadie Colbert)

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U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Charles Bolles, a Pacific Air Forces' F-16 Demonstration Team crew chief, measures the tire pressure of an F-16 Fighting Falcon at Paya Lebar Air Base, Singapore, Feb. 3, 2018. The demo team worked out of Paya Lebar Air Base to execute pre-flight and post-flight checks before and after the pilot performs a show at the Changi Exhibition Center. Participating in the Singapore International Airshow 2018 affords the United States an opportunity to strengthen U.S.-Singaporean ties and highlight U.S. support to allies in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Sadie Colbert)

CHANGI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, Singapore --

Billed as Asia’s largest aerospace and defense event, more than 100,000 attendees have the opportunity to witness pure airpower at the 2018 Singapore International Airshow.

The Pacific Air Forces’ F-16 Fighting Falcon Demonstration Team from Misawa Air Base, Japan, is participating in the airshow, Feb. 6-11, to showcase the Viper’s multi-role capabilities.

The biennial airshow focuses on building stronger relations between Singapore and the international community, bringing 50 countries together through a common interest: airpower.

The United States demonstrated its air capabilities through a B-52H Stratofortress flyover and static displays of a C-17 Globemaster III, RQ-4 Global Hawk, E-3B Sentry, KC-135 Stratotanker, P-8 Poseidon, F-35B Lightning II, F-22 Raptor and an F-18 Super Hornet, but Team Misawa’s F-16 was the only U.S. asset to demonstrate its in-air capabilities.

“We are the only Pacific Air Forces’ demo team as well as the longest-running demo in the U.S. Air Force,” said Maj. Richard Smeeding, PACAF F-16 Demonstration Team pilot. “Without our personnel executing their individual jobs, none of our shows would happen.”

Smeeding said their demo team performs in more countries worldwide than any other U.S. demo team.

“I thought the demonstrations were spectacular,” said Hambali Mohammed, a Singapore pilot training cadet. “The best part was the jet went low, fast, and the pilot pushed the aircraft hard—harder than I’ve ever seen an F-16 go. It was inspiring for a young pilot like myself to watch.”

Not only was the experience unique for the airshow attendees, but the personnel on the demo team got to see a whole new side of the demo team mission, too.

“It was really cool to get see all the coordination that goes into making a demo performance happen,” said Staff Sgt. Brent Gibson, a 13th Aircraft Maintenance Unit weapons load crewmember. “Normally, as maintenance personnel, you don’t get to see every piece of the puzzle when it comes to getting jets in the sky. Going with the demo team gave me the opportunity to see everyone‘s hard work and the effort put into executing one aerial performance.”

Participating in the airshow allowed the U.S. to demonstrate its strong ties with Singapore and continued support for friends and allies in the region.

“All of our demo teams performing these shows play a key role by demonstrating some of the U.S. Air Force's capabilities,” said Col. Chris “Frenchy” Faurot, the Singapore International Air Show 2018 mission commander assigned to Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii. “We give assurance to our allies and partners by showing what our aircraft can do. In the end, the work the Demo Team performs helps to strengthen our relationships in the area and keep the peace in the Indo-Pacific region as a whole.”