Inside the Cockpit

Ambassador Scott Brown, the U.S. Ambassador to New Zealand, and his wife, Gail Huff Brown, tour the Pacific Air Forces' C-17 demonstration team aircraft at Christchurch International Airport, New Zealand, March 29, 2018. U.S. forces are participating in the Warbirds Over Wanaka (WOW) International Airshow 2018 to strengthen military-to-military ties with our New Zealand partners while enhancing relationships with partners in the Indo-Pacific region. Aerial events like WOW Airshow 18 provide U.S. An opportunity to strengthen its international partnerships and military-to-military relationships with allies and partners throughout the region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jarrod Vickers)

US Ambassador to New Zealand visits Demo team

Published April 10, 2018
By Senior Airman Jarrod Vickers
35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

WANAKA, New Zealand -- “Hosting U.S. demonstration teams in New Zealand helps build country-to-country relations,” said Scott Brown, the U.S. Ambassador to New Zealand and Samoa. “It is a superb way to enhance the working relationships between our militaries.”

After his personal tour, Brown traveled to Wanaka, where the demonstration teams performed their shows.

“It was a really cool experience,” said U.S. Air Force Capt. Jacob Impellizzeri, a 14th Fighter Squadron F-16 Fighting Falcon pilot. “I've never had the opportunity to showcase our mission in such a way and it was awesome for him to invest his time to learn about our mission and why we're here.”

This year marks the 30th annual Warbirds Over Wanaka International Airshow. This is the first iteration to feature U.S. Air Force F-16s and the second appearance of the C-17.