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Farnborough International Airshow

U.S. and U.K. guests of honor pose for a photo following the opening ceremony of the Farnborough International Airshow July 16, 2018. The ceremony featured an Apollo 15 flag presentation to the Royal Air Force Chief of Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Hillier, to commemorate their RAF centennial celebration. U.S. guests of honor included: the Honorable Robert Wood Johnson, U.S. Ambassador to the U.K., 22nd Secretary of the Army Eric Fanning, and Retired Col. Al Woden, Command Module Pilot for the Apollo 15 lunar mission in 1971. (U.S. Navy photo by MC2 Cody Hendrix)

Farnborough International Airshow

Retired Col. Al Woden, Command Module Pilot for Apollo 15, presents a flag from the 1971 lunar mission to Royal Air Force Chief of Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Hillier, during the Farnborough International Airshow opening ceremony July 16, 2018. By participating in the U.K-sponsored airshow, the U.S. will promote standardization and interoperability of equipment with NATO Allies and other potential coalition partners in front of more than 1,500 exhibitors from 52 countries. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Allie Delury/Released)

US Presents Apollo 15 Flag to Royal Air Force during Farnborough Opening Ceremony

Published July 18, 2018
By Capt. Allie Delury
USAFE-UK Public Affairs

FARNBOROUGH, England -- Following the Royal International Air Tattoo, Department of Defense senior leadership kicked off the week-long Farnborough International Airshow at the opening ceremony July 16, 2018, in Farnborough, United Kingdom.

The ceremony featured an Apollo 15 flag presentation to the Royal Air Force Chief of Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Hillier, as a part of their RAF centennial celebration. U.S. guests of honor included: the Honorable Robert Wood Johnson, U.S. Ambassador to the U.K., 22nd Secretary of the Army Eric Fanning, and Retired Col. Al Woden, Command Module Pilot for the Apollo 15 lunar mission in 1971.

“Because of the 100th anniversary of the RAF, we had to do something to make sure everyone understands the relationship and the family that we’re all in,” said Woden.

Held every two years, the Farnborough International Airshow is a unique opportunity for the U.S., along with other military allies, to showcase leadership in aerospace technologies to international stakeholders.

“There's nothing more important at the end of the day than security--nothing. Because if you’re not secure, there's no way to be prosperous,” said Johnson. “The aerospace industry is one of the shining examples of the U.S. enterprise. We’re selling more than just a thing, we’re selling a concept.”

Following the 2018 RIAT held over the weekend at RAF Fairford, the FIA opening ceremony reiterated the strong partnership between the U.S. and U.K.

A partnership which is demonstrated by RAF and USAF aircrew as they fly and fight alongside each other in the skies over Syria, Iran, Iraq and Afghanistan, said Hillier.

By participating in the U.K.-sponsored event, the U.S. will promote standardization and interoperability of equipment with NATO Allies and other potential coalition partners in front of more than 1,500 exhibitors from 52 countries.

The event will feature demonstrations and static displays of various U.S. aircraft, to include: AH-64 Apache, F-16 Fighting Falcon, C-130J Super Hercules, C-130H Hercules, P-8 Poseidon, C-17 Globemaster III, and CH-47 Chinook.