Dubai 2003 sees the strongest-ever US Department of Defense (DoD) presence at an international airshow with a total of 18 aircraft participating.
Lt Gary Arasin says the event gives the USA an opportunity to further develop and reinforce ties in the region.
"Any time you have to operate outside your normal boundaries, any time you have to work on foreign soil, you have to do events like this that strengthen ties and build other ones," he says.
An even larger presence was planned but a 19th aircraft could not appear due to maintenance issues.
At similar events there are typically 12 aircraft. Although the significant military presence is not primarily for commercial reasons, it is beneficial, says Joel Johnson, vice-president, international affairs of Aerospace Industries Association (AIA), the official organisation that represents American aviation companies.
He says no other country can match the US display: "From an industry perspective, if you're looking at purchasing hardware, there's something to be said for being interoperable with a country that can put that stuff in your back yard.
Symbiotic
"It's taken a number of years to develop what I would say is a symbiotic relationship. The US government has an interest in showing its commitment to a region like this. "At the same time from an industry perspective that very presence has a marketing dimension to it."
The presence of pilots and crew is also beneficial, as they are often the most enthusiastic about their aircraft. "These guys are not salesmen but if you want to buy a sports car you'd really like to talk to the driver," Johnson says.
American defense is growing in the Gulf. Paul DeBenedictis, president of the American defense Council, says there were close to 100,000 Americans living in the region and working for almost 1,000 private sector companies.
"The Dubai airshow gives us a chance to reinforce our message to US industry that this region is important but also allows us to demonstrate what US defense can provide."
Source: Flight Daily News
