Volume 24, No. 15 NATO Air Base Geilenkirchen 8 August

Next NATO Skywatch:22 August

Submissions due by:14 August

Component recognizesNijmegen march

participantsSee page 6

NATO Air Base Geilenkirchen 8 August 2008Volume 24, No. 15

Clean fuel is essential for mission success

SSgt. Benjamin Hall carefully measures out a fuel sample in order to analyze it for sediments and water.

Photo TSgt. Michael P. Ballor

POLPetroleum, Oil and Lubricants

See page 8

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8 August 2008 NATO Skywatch 3

NATO Skywatch is an authorized, unofficial commercial enterprise newspaper published under exclusive written agreement with the NAEW&CF E-3A Component by HOUX DIGIPRINT, Arendstraat 3, 6135 KT Sittard, +31 (0)46 4582111. Opinions expressed by contributors are their

Volume 24, No. 15 8 August 2008

own and do not necessarily reflect the official views of, or endorsement by, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. The appearance of advertising in this publication, including inserts or supplements, does not constitute an endorsement by NATO of the products or services advertised. Submissions are due seven days before publication and may be edited for style and space.Send articles and classified advertisements to the NAEW&F E-3A Component Public Affairs (PA), Postfach 433007, D-52511 Geilenkirchen, or base distribution Mail Stop 33. Call PA at (02451) 632480 or fax (02451) 7936 or e-mail [email protected]. For paid advertisements call Hub Durlinger media at +31 (46) 452 9292, fax +31 (46) 452 9285 or [email protected] may be reproduced after permission has been obtained from the editor, provided mention is made of NATO Skywatch.

CommanderBrig. Gen. Stephen D. Schmidt

Chief, Public AffairsCapt. Richard Komurek

EditorSMSgt. Johan Hijmenberg

By SMSgt. Johan Hijmenberg

A double Change of Command occurred on 28 July in Hangar 2 when Col. Rafael Sahagún assumed command of the Information Technology Wing (ITW) and became the Senior National Representative for the Spanish contingent on base, taking over both commands from Col. Ángel Burgos.

E-3A Component Commander Brig. Gen. Stephen Schmidt presided over the change of command with Brig. Gen. Javier Cabeza, Spanish National Military Representative at SHAPE, hosting the event in front of representatives of the ITW and the E-3A Component Spanish contingent. Around 100 distinguished guests also attended the ceremony.

“A unit’s change of command is a significant event and this one is no exception,” stated E-3A Component Commander Brig. Gen. Stephen Schmidt in his speech. “The men and women of the ITW have been extremely fortunate to have served under Col. Burgos… and the Component has benefited greatly as well.”

Col. Burgos was ITW Commander for four years and performed outstanding accomplishments as

mentioned by the Component Commander. “Col. Burgos has skilfully mastered many complex IT issues maintaining our Legacy hardware and software systems on board our AWACS. His job got much more intense as we transitioned to the NATO Mid-Term (NMT) upgrade of the E-3A computer systems. He was the right person we needed to lead the NMT transition.”

The ITW has a complement of 278 posts from which half are civilians. The military members represent 12 of the 15 participating nations at the Component. Although small in size compared to other wings, the ITW is a major contributor to the overall success of the base operations.

“But Col. Burgos is not only smart with his IT expertise,” Brig. Gen. Schmidt continues in his speech, “he is also smart about his people. He knows them well, he knows their business well, and they respect him for it. All of his people, ITW and Spanish personnel, as well as their families, know Ángel Burgos is always there to defend their interests and to put their needs first. As his commander, I had the privilege of seeing that firsthand.”

Thereafter Brig. Gen. Schmidt welcomed Col. Sahagún. “Our

ITW will continue to excel under outstanding leadership. He brings with him a wealth of experience and leadership from across the IT world. He has been extremely successful at every level throughout his career and those skills will definitely be put to full use as he leads the ITW in completing the NATO Mid-Term transition.”

The ITW’s mission is to design, develop, implement, and maintain

all NATO information systems for the E-3A Component, including Forward Operating Bases/Location, both on and off the aircraft, and to provide software-related mission support for NATO operations.

In his farewell speech Col. Burgos summarized some of the results the ITW accomplished in the last four years.

See ITW on page 5

Information Technology Wing gets new commander; Spanish have new SNR

We deeply regret to announce the death of Master Sergeant Markus Sötzen on 2 August 2008 after a long and serious illness.

Master Sergeant Markus Sötzen was a valued member of the National Support Unit Germany, where he worked since 1994. As Chief of the supply section he had established himself as a very reliable and responsible member of the NATO Community. His comrades, colleagues and supervisors always regarded him as an honest and straightforward man who was hard working and dedicated to his duties.

He was respected, liked by everybody and always willing to help his comrades and colleagues. Everyone who had the pleasure of knowing and working with him will sorely miss him.

Despite the long fight against his illness, Markus was determined to return to duty. Unfortunately he didn’t get to his goal and at only 35 years old, he was gone too early.

The Component community extends its deepest sympathy to Markus’ wife Monika and their two children Fabian and Janek.

Reinhard MackColonel, DEUAFSNR Germany

In Memoriam

Col. Rafael Sahagún addresses the audience during the Change of Command ceremony in hangar 2 on 28 July.

Photo Andrea Hohenforst

4 NATO Skywatch 8 August 2008

By Lt. Col. Jose Mendes

MSgt. Carlos Lucas joined the Portuguese Air Force in 1981 and holds qualifications as an Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician, Explosive Ordnance Reconnaissance and Disposal Instructor, Member of

the Portuguese Air force Explosive Biological and Chemical Munitions Disposal Team in NATO NRF3 and Security Police Instructor. In recognition of his work he was awarded with the Copper (1984)

and Silver Medal of Good Conduct (1997).

MSgt. Lucas started his tour at the E-3A Component on 1 September 2005 as a member of the International Military Police. He stands out for his exceptional commitment to mission accomplishment as an International Military Police Deputy Flight Chief,

relentlessly ensuring the security over NATO Air Base Geilenkirchen.

Besides his normal day-to-day duties, MSgt. Lucas developed a Master Training Plan that concurred not only to improve flight member’s performance but also to enforce flight actions, tasks and procedures as a team. During his assignment, he has been On-Scene Commander on several police responses with an outstanding performance.

For his contribution, MSgt. Lucas received a Letter of Appreciation from the Base Support Commander, Col. Reinhard Mack, which states: “Every once in a while a person singles himself out and stands head and shoulders above his peers by his singularly distinctive behaviour. Master Sergeant Carlos Lucas is such a person.”

His motto is inspired in Confucius: “Choose a job that you like and you will never have to work a day in your life.”

“I cannot express the joy and pleasure of my GK assignment,” says MSgt. Lucas. “It’s a challenging job, which provides a unique opportunity to learn and improve. It has been really gratifying for me, working together with persons from different nationalities, like the ones in IMP Bravo Flight.”

Although not easy to choose among other outstanding NCOs in the Portuguese contingent, a special recognition is due to MSgt. Lucas for his high value contribution to the Component mission and the reflection that his achievements have on the image of the Portuguese detachment.

Portuguese NCO Spotlight

MSgt. Carlos Lucas in front of the

International Military Police building.

Photo NSPRT

Defence Technology VisitThe German Association of Defence Technology visited the NATO E-3A

Component on 30 July. After welcomed an overview briefing was given by Brig. Gen. Stephen Schmidt.

After that the visitors proceeded to the flight line for an aircraft static display followed by a lunch in the Officers Club.

Photo Andrea Hohenforst


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ITWContinued from page 3

He also he expressed his gratitude to all ITW personnel, their professionalism, their work capacity and their skills. “You as a team have been the fuel, the engine, the frame of this car. My work was simply to change gears and to turn the steering wheel right or left. I am aware

that budget constrains, manpower shortages, infrastructure shortfalls, etc. sometimes reduced our cruising speed, nevertheless your strength and good work, made sure the car did not stop. You and you alone represent the real value of this Wing.” As the event was a two-fold change of command Col. Burgos also addressed the Spanish personnel in his mother tongue.

This is not Col. Sahagún’s first

NATO assignment. In 2003 he was appointed to AIRSOUTH, Naples, Italy as Section Head in the Logistics Division and from 2004 to 2006 he was appointed to CC Air HQ Izmir, Turkey as Logistics Plans, Evaluations and Medical Branch Head.

In his welcome speech Col. Sahagún stated that the level of performance of a group of professionals, working in a multicultural environment, is very

dependent upon the ability to integrate different interests, customs and ways of doing things.

“For that reason, one of my main goals will be to maintain and improve personal relationships. In this respect, I assure you that the door of my office will always be open for all members of the ITW who wish or need to share their views with me or raise an issue for which they consider I have to be aware or involved.”

U.S. National Support Unit changes command

On 26 July the United States Element at the E-3A Component, the 470th Air Base Squadron, said farewell to its outgoing Commander, Lt. Col. Gregory Hebert and welcomed its new commander Lt. Col. Michael Grogan. Lt. Col. Hebert, who served as the Commander of United States National Support Unit since July 2006, departed the Component for a new position at the Pentagon in Washington D.C., U.S.A.

Lt. Col. Grogan (right), who previously served as the Operations Officer of the 57th Operations Support Squadron at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, received the colours from the presiding officer, Col. William Nadolski, 52nd Fighter Wing Mission Support Group Commander, Spangdahlem Air Base.

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By. Col. Ton van Happen

On Friday, 18 July, it was my privilege to hand out the Vierdaagse march medals, not only to the E-3A Component members but also to the Eurocorps Detachment. On behalf of our Component Commander Brig. Gen Stephen Schmidt I congratulated the Component team on finishing with all participants. I also complimented all of them for acting as great ambassadors of NATO and the military in general and our unit in particular.

The whole team, marchers and the support group, displayed great team spirit. This small group to me reflected on a miniature scale what the Component is all about: a group of different nationalities focussing on the mission and helping each other to achieve maximum results as a team.

Successfully completing four consecutive marches of 40 kilometres with a minimum of 10 kg on your back is - probably especially true for air force folks - no small feat. Although Nijmegen is world famous for the festivities that surround the marches, the mix of the long distances, lack of sleep and the backpack makes it serious business

that wears even some of the toughest soldiers down.

It is not unusual to see comrades literally dragging their fellow team members across the finish line, nor is it rare to see grown men and women cry with relief when actually making it. What helps are the people lining the streets of all the villages the marchers pass through, cheering them on. This friendly atmosphere, especially towards individual military

marchers and detachments is what makes Nijmegen special.

It also makes for a great opportunity to promote the Component. Carrying the Component flag, handing out AWACS stickers and other goodies and behaving in a professional military manner certainly helps to establish and maintain a good relationship between the military and the population. Unfortunately

a scheduled P-sortie had to be diverted. We therefore missed the opportunity to show our flagship aircraft in action.

The Vierdaagse of Nijmegen is

one of the largest events in the Netherlands. Close to 1.3 million people visited the marches, as spectator along the roads or taking part in the festivities.

Almost 43,000 people from roughly 70 nations, including some 5,000 military, started on 15 July, of which almost 35,000 successfully completed the march. Total dropouts accumulated to 3,470, a bit over 9%. Of note: the oldest marcher was 91 year-old Willem Bijl from Bussum, the Netherlands and the youngest was 11 year-old Fleur Willemsen from Weeze, Germany. The record holder was Bert van der Lans, from the city of Nijmegen, who has participated 61 times!

Will you join the team next year?

This year, participants from three Component nations took part in the march. Next year, we hope to have even more participation from additional Component member nations to greater reflect the multinational composition of E-3A Component.

Component recognizes Nijmegen march participantsCol. Ton van Happen pins on the deserved medals after the members absolved the last 40-kilometres on the fourth day.

Photo SSgt. Nicole Hendrix

By Sgt. Dean Parsons

Terry Fox was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and raised in Port Coquitlam, British Columbia, a community near Vancouver on Canada’s west coast. An active teenager involved in many sports, Terry was only 18 years old when he was diagnosed with osteogenic sarcoma (bone cancer) and forced to have his right leg amputated 15 cm (six inches) above the knee in 1977. While in hospital, Terry was so overcome by the suffering of other cancer patients, many of them young children, that he decided to run across Canada to raise money for cancer research. He would call his journey the ‘Marathon of Hope’.

After 18 months and running over 5,000 kms (3,107 miles) to prepare, Terry started his run in St. John’s, Newfoundland on 12 April 1980 with little fanfare. Although it was difficult to garner attention in the beginning, enthusiasm soon grew, and the money collected along his route began to mount. He ran 42 kms (26 miles) a day through Canada’s Atlantic Provinces, Quebec and Ontario. It was a journey that Canadians never forgot.

However, on 1 September after

143 days and 5,373 kms (3,339 miles), Terry was forced to stop running outside of Thunder Bay, Ontario because cancer had appeared in his lungs. An entire nation was stunned and saddened. Terry passed away on 28 June 1981 at age 22. The heroic Canadian was gone, but

his legacy was just beginning.

To date, more than $400 million has been raised worldwide for cancer research in Terry’s name through the annual Terry Fox Run, held across Canada and around the world.

Like other years, we are pledging our donations to the German Cancer Society from a few major events. Our first event was our Annual Car Wash held at the GK Motorpool on 1 August. In the next few issues we will let you know how we are doing in our efforts, pictures, from our events, and details on what is coming up. Here is a quick look at our calendar to look forward to and participate in events: 6 September 1000 to 7 September 1000 Annual Terry Fox 24 Hr Relay at the GK Track. This is a great event to

have fun, walk or run, and raise money along with awareness for Cancer Research. We are looking for some International Teams to keep with the spirit of NATO! For Team Registration or info contact Cpl Thornhill at ext. 3664 or MCpl Hardy at ext. 4472.

On 14 September there is the

Annual Marathon of Hope Run/Walk from Selfkant-Kaserne. Event to raise mostly awareness is always a great time. Every year more people from different countries register for this event. For more information, read upcoming issues, contact event OPI’s, or Terry Fox Committee Chair WO Todd Lake at ext. 3750.

“ The running I can do, even if I have to crawl every last mile. We need your help.”

Terry Fox, October 1979

Terry Fox Campaign 2008

An international fundraiser


By Maj. Josiane Roberds

On 24 July, Lt. Col. Spurgeon Stewart relinquished command of Squadron Two and the Canadian Contingent’s Operations Element to Lt. Col. Mark Chinner. Every two years, a Change of Command occurs in Squadron Two, which is presided over by the Component Operations Wing Commander and Canadian Contingent Commander, Col. Manfred Arndt. In attendance were Squadron members, family and

friends, as well as representatives from various base organizations and the Canadian National Support Unit.

The banner handover, signing ceremony and exchange of gifts were orchestrated with prefect precision. Col. Arndt thanked Lt. Col. Stewart for his leadership over the past two years and welcomed Lt. Col. Chinner as the new Commanding Officer. As

expected of a departing Commanding Officer, Lt. Col. Stewart’s speech recapped the many highlights of his command as well as lessons learned and humorous anecdotes. Lt. Col. Stewart thanked everyone for their hard work in helping to achieve all the challenges that were set before the Squadron.

The incoming Commanding

Officer, Lt. Col. Chinner, was honoured by the trust bestowed upon him and highlighted his expectations and goals. The formal part of the ceremony was followed by refreshments and hors-d’oeuvre while memories of past tribulations and stories of things to come were shared amongst all.

Since a Canadian OF-4 always leads Squadron Two, it inherited the nickname ‘The Canadian Squadron’. Despite the nickname, the Squadron’s 160 members are drawn from all NATO nations contributing to the NAEW&CF, including the latest additions from Hungary and Poland.

This enormous pool of knowledge and cultural diversity has been a significant contributor to the Squadron’s success over the years.

The members of Squadron Two and

the Canadian Operations Element wish Lt. Col. Stewart and his wife Wanda all the best in their new post in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada. Lt. Col. Stewart will serve as the Department of National Defence Liaison Officer to Veterans Affairs. They welcome the arrival of Lt. Col. Chinner, who will continue to provide the stellar leadership shown by each of the COs that have gone before him.

Squadron 2 receives new commander

The Signing Ceremony for Squadron Two change of command from Lt. Col. Spurgeon Stewart (right) to Lt. Col. Mark Chinner (left) is presided over by Col. Manfred Arndt. Photo Andrea Hohenforst

ORCAS fall season startsTerry Fox Campaign 2008

An international fundraiser Photo courtesy The Toronto Star

By Joseph Skerly

The fall competitive swimming season of the Geilenkirchen Orca’s International Swim Team begins next week, 12 August and runs through 8 February, 2009. The team is open to all children age 6-19 of civilian, contractor or military personnel supporting the NATO mission at Geilenkirchen NATO Airbase, Germany, JFC HQ Brunssum, NL and Schinnen Garrison, or students at a DoD school. Applicants must be able to swim a minimum of 50 meters in a recognized competitive stroke.

Training takes place Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings from 1845 to 1945 for the 10 years & under and from 1945 to 2100 for the 11 years & older at the JFC HQ Brunssum pool. During the fall season, we have 9 regular season meets scheduled, with four at home and five in different locations in Germany and Belgium.

Additionally, we will be attending the European Forces Swim League (EFSL) Divisionals meet at SHAPE in Mons, Belgium, and planning to attend the EFSL Championships in Berlin, Germany with all Champs qualifiers.

Signup can be accomplished at any practice. Registration forms and additional information can be found at the JFC Brunssum pool, and on the ORCAS’ web site at: http://www.geilenkirchenorcas.org

Come on out … it’s a WHALE of a team!


Text and photos TSgt. Michael P. Ballor

Since its inception in 1982, one thing has and will never change for NATO: without POL (Petroleum, Oil and Lubricants) the E-3A would be one very expensive static display. POL is the life-blood of NATO’s ability to effectively operate and carry out mission requirements. POL support is needed not only to sustain aircraft flying missions, but also to provide vital resources for ground vehicles and support equipment. So, what is POL and what are the responsibilities and significance of such a job?

POL is the organization on base that handles and distributes those products associated with its name: Petroleum, Oil and Lubricants. They deal with everything ranging from a small 50-milliliter tube of lubricating oil to a large 5 million liter storage tank of jet fuel. The POL section issues these kinds of items and much more each year to various users in order to maintain mission readiness and ensure its successful completion. For instance, when hydraulic fluid needs to be added to the aircraft or the oil in the engines needs changing, these items must first be procured from POL, which tracks their shelf life data and expiration limits to ensure serviceable product is delivered. When vehicles are running low on diesel fuel, they fill up the tank at the base service station, which is operated and maintained by POL personnel. Over 30,000 liters of diesel fuel is issued each month to base-assigned and transient vehicles. And probably the most well known aspect of this job is the ever-demanding need for aviation fuel, aka JP-8.

In excess of 120 million liters of JP-8 pass through the rigorous scrutiny of POL on a yearly basis. Whether it’s being issued to various aircraft or being received from the Central European Pipeline System, POL is there to ensure strict guidelines are met. Aviation fuel is clearly one of the top expenditures of any base with an active flying mission. With a cost that high, it’s easy to see the importance of following proper procedures to

eliminate unnecessary waste. However, cost alone is not the only reason POL personnel maintain such high standards of excellence. Most of them would say fuel quality is by far the most important. After all, you wouldn’t want to fill up your private cars with bad gas, would you? So how does the POL section control the fuel quality?

One responsibility not so widely known about POL is that they perform their own laboratory testing on all aircraft fuel to guarantee it meets certain specifications and that it’s in accordance with NATO regulations. The POL section here at NATO Air Base Geilenkirchen is equipped with a fully functional Fuels Laboratory. The Fuels Lab is responsible for field-testing all POL equipment, storage tanks, filter housings and fuel issue points for quality purposes. “Clean fuel is essential for mission success,” explains SSgt. Benjamin Hall, the fuels lab specialist. “If we issued bad fuel, it could cause very serious problems. The airplanes could crash and people would die. It’s our job to make sure that doesn’t happen.”

The specific tests performed by the fuels lab include checking for microscopic sediments, which, if gone undetected, could restrict the fuel flow, or even worse cause a catastrophic failure in the plane’s engines. The fuels lab also tests for small amounts of water present in the fuel. This is important because of the altitudes planes fly and the fact that water freezes. There is an additive in the jet fuel referred to as Fuel System Icing Inhibitor (FSII), which is also tested for. It bonds

with this water and prevents it from freezing, but too much water or not enough FSII is not something you want to discover at 30,000 feet. If ice crystals form in the fuel, they could clog the filter elements and result in engine stalls. All of these tests have very specific criteria, which must be met before the fuel can be issued. “The whole process is very exacting and meticulous,” says SMSgt. Jens Klett, Chief POL, “but very necessary. After all, people’s lives are in our hands.”

POL’s responsibilities extend far past simply putting gas on planes. In addition to issuing, receiving, storing and analyzing POL products, they are also charged with processing these individual transactions into a main database and preparing each one for billing through the base accounting and finance office. With NATO spending millions of euros each year on these resources, it’s imperative the POL section track and account for all petroleum, oil and lubricants that pass over the base’s boundary. “Everything is accounted for, everything, down to the very last drop,” explains SSgt Uwe Ackermann, a POL specialist. “It can be stressful at times, yes, but also very rewarding to know that you are entrusted with a multi-million Euro account.”

These are only a few of the many tasks POL is responsible for. It may not always be the most glamorous job at times and it definitely won’t get you a six-figure salary, but they take it very seriously here and always put forth 110 percent. Most of them have worked in POL for many, many, many years now and have seen their fair share of experiences. From the smell of fuel on their clothes, which happens quite often, to the bitter cold of winter’s bite all flightline workers endure, the job definitely has its ups and downs. All in all the dedicated workers of POL wouldn’t change a thing. There’s a strong sense of comradery and togetherness here, and with a total count of 24 personnel, the men and women of this organization here at GK work very hard to deliver the best to all of their customers. So the next time someone utters the words, “What’s that smell”, you shout back “POL”. And be sure to remind them “Without fuel, pilots are pedestrians.”

‘Without fuel, pilots are pedestrians’

SrA Joseph Walters tests the fuel sample to ensure the correct amount of FSII (Fuel System Icing Inhibitor) is present.

Mr. Heinz Billens performs a refuel on one of the many transient aircraft we support each year.

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Tel. + 49 (0) 24 56 - 29 96


JFC HQ Alliance Theatre presents

The theatre is located in Building #406, JFC HQ Brunssum, the Netherlands. Doors open 30 minutes prior to film

start. Admission for adults is €4,

and for children (11 and under)

is €2.

Baby-Mama (PG-13)Friday, 8 August, 1930Tina Fey, Amy Poehler

Iron Man (PG-13)Saturday, 9 August, 1600Robert Downey Jr., Terrence Howard

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (PG-13)Saturday, 9 August, 1900Harrison Ford, Karen Allen

The Happening (R)Friday, 15 August, 1930Mark Wahlberg, Zooey Deshchanel

You Don’t Mess with the Zohan (PG-13)Saturday, 16 August, 1600Adam Sandler, Rob Schneider

What happens in Vegas (PG-13)Saturday, 16 August, 1900Cameron Diaz, Ashton Kutcher

Vacancy Announcement

Applications are invited for the following temporary LWR post: DRIVER, AGK THSVO 0270, Advertisement Number 08016, grade LWR, assigned to the Vehicle Transport Section, Vehicle Operations Branch, Motorpool Squadron, Base Support Wing. This post is due to be filled as soon as possible.

Closing date: 8 September 2008.

For further details, please visit the Component Information Portal (WISE) under Headquarters, PEC, Recruitment/Services Section or review the advertisement posted in Building 8.

Note: Only applications of qualified personnel will be considered.

Food festival Maaseik

Coming weekend, 8 and 10 August, the market place in Maaseik, Belgium is the scenery for a food festival where the best restaurants of the local area present their specialties, to include quite a variety of wine and of course Belgian beer.

During the food feast, the restaurants temporarily operate out of luxury tents, but it is also possible to just sit on one of the many terraces and enjoy the very attractive atmosphere with lots of live music and a guaranteed large crowd of visitors.

Programme: Friday, 8 August, 1900 opening of the festival, 2100-0230 live music; Saturday, 9 August, 1430-0230 live music; Sunday, 10 August, 1100-0230 live music.

There are no entrance fees; tickets for food and drinks cost €1.70 each. A part of this amount will be donated to social and cultural projects. Website: www.hartbufkespreuve.com (in Dutch). Maaseik is located about 40 kilometres west of Geilenkirchen.

IYA trip to Eltz Castle and Cochem on the Mosel

The IYA is offering a bus trip to the Mosel valley on Saturday, 30 August, 0800-2000. First, the tour stops at the huge medieval fairy-tale castle Burg Eltz and its treasury. From there the bus travels on to the beautiful historic town of Cochem. On the market place in the old town and along the Mosel River the local winegrowers are celebrating the annual Weinfest with music, wine booths and traditional food. Cost is €17 for adults, €15 for ages 6-17, and €10 for ages 5 and under. Information and registration at the IYA Office in Bldg 95, ext. 4954 or 4955.

Component holds first-ever bike race as fitness event

By Fritz Stelten and CMSgt. Claus Cohnen

On 31 July the Sports Department held its first-ever Component bike race. Around 30 bike enthusiasts covered a distance of 20 kilometres, consisting of 2 laps 10 kilometres each throughout the base and around the runway.

Capt. Wolfgang Rösener and Mr. Jo Collaris, members of the Base Support Wing, share an office. As an expression of good teamwork they decided to share one bike. Consequently they pushed together the pedals of a so-called tandem bike to show “team spirit”, which is one of the goals of the monthly sports events.

Besides the “normal” trekking and mountain bike riders, some racers pedalled hard for speed. After half an hour of perfect relay in “Tour de France style” they crossed the finish line at the Frisbee Club.

Eight bikers qualified for the German Sports Award: SSgt. Denny Haarbach, CMSgt. Claus Cohnen, SSgt. Daniel Hinojosa, Ms. Brigitte Redgwell, Airman Richard Langer, Lt. Col. Wolfgang Hartung, Airman Gregor Tabor and MSgt. Uwe Schiele.

All participants enjoyed their time out in the sun although the take-off of one TCA and a tanker landing roughly interrupted their rhythm at the red light of the runway.

The International Military Police were also present during the race and secured the area.

The next monthly event is planned for Thursday, 28 August at the area around the swimming pool.

The event will feature swimming, running and biking. So mark your calendars! More details will in an upcoming edition of the Skywatch.

Photos Andrea Hohenforst

Workshop & spare parts: Bernd Schü[email protected] – Phone +49 (0)2452 9510 16

Sell: Marcel Gehlen – [email protected] – Phone +49 (0)2452 9510 13Fax +49 (0)2452 9510 20 – www.autohaus-conen.de – English spoken

Authorized Honda partner, Acura and Citroën workshopLarge selection of new and used cars

Spare parts (Honda, Acura and Citroën)Maintenance and services (for US-spec. also)

Body repair and spray paint jobs

Conen GmbH

Erkelenzer Straße 76 - Heinsberg-DremmenTAXFREE

TAXFREE

Starting price € 21.419 Starting price € 20.449

Heating oillow price

top service

Bischoff & Leeuw oHG Berliner Ring 15-17 ● 52511 Geilenkirchen ● +49 (0)2451 68001

VERTRETUNG DER ESSO AG

Bischoff, Vliex & Schöngen GmbH und Co. KG

Café Restaurant Partyservice

52538 Gangelt • Am Freibad 10

Phone +49 (0)24 54 - 14 14Fax +49 (0)24 54 - 93 9301 www. Haus-Hamacher.de

A holiday for everyone staying at homeEvery day of the week we provide you with delicious meals from our à la carte menus. Why not come and try our ample selection of cakes and ice cream specialities?Close to minigolf, boat trips, swimming pool and footpaths.

The cherry on the cake: in the summer please check our special ‘CARIBBEAN WEEK’ promotion!

English spoken

For reservations please call: +49 (0)2454 1414, or fax: +49 (0)2454 939301Open: daily from 1100 hrs • Reservations highly recommended

TAX FREE SALE

TAX FREE SALE

Authorized Hyundai partner in Heinsberg-Dremmen

Diplomat salesNew car sales

Friendly English-speaking staffOriginal spare parts

Service and maintenance

Sales: Thorsten MevissenPhone: +49 (0)2452 96731 15 • Fax: +49 (0)2452 96731 29

mail: [email protected]

Sales: Manuel de CastroPhone: +49 (0)2452 96731 16 • Fax: +49 (0)2452 96731 29

mail: [email protected]

Authorized Citroën partner

Large selection of new cars

Spare parts for Citroën

Hyundai Santa Fe Hyundai I 30 Citroën C5 NEW Citroën C-Crosser

CAR-CENTER-CONENGladbacherstraße 5 - 52525 Heinsberg-Dremmen

www.car-center-conen.de

LIVE IN STYLE.. .

How to find us:

From Geilenkirchen/Brunssum

take the motorway E314 direction

Antwerpes, exit Maasmechelen

or from Aachen over the Holland

border direction Antwerpes,

1200-m after the Belgium custom,

exit Maasmechelen.

Rijksweg 477 • 3630 Maasmechelen

BELGIUM • Tel. +32 (0)89 76 19 23

A large

variety of clocks

at the

best price!

...with our selected collection of solid Belgian style and oak furniture.Please come and see for yourself!

• Bedrooms

• Occasional furniture

• Suites

• Clocks

• Wall units

• Lamps

• Dining room corner units

Special Nato Discount and Tax Free Sales!A

bb. z

eigt

Son

derm

odel

le T

EAM

auto-himmels.de

Heinsberg Humboldtstr. 13 (Nähe Real) 0 24 52/90 30 30Geilenkirchen Gutenbergstr. 5 (Niederheid) 0 24 51/40 90 90Erkelenz Gewerbestr. Süd 73 (Nähe Praktiker) 0 24 31/9 77 77 0

For more information call:0 24 51/40 90 911

Documents

Volume 24, No. 15 NATO Air Base Geilenkirchen 8 August