Ostrawa 2023-09-19
„NATO Days in Ostrava 2023”.
This year, the 23rd NATO Days in Ostrava took place on September 16, 2023, Saturday and September 17, 2023, Sunday. For the participants, the event lasted from Friday, but the first crews arrived at the beginning of the week. For visitors, the gates were open from 08:30 to 18:00.
As every year, admission for spectators was free. There were no age restrictions. There was a parking fee designated by the organizers: 350 Czech Crowns; 15 EURO; 70 zlotys (PLN). The organizers expected 40,000 spectators to attend each day, i.e. on Saturday and Sunday. But we get the impression that there could have been as many as 100,000 people in one day. This was confirmed by the organizers after the event. Saturday 100,000 people, Sunday 85,000 people. Weather was good. We consider the event to be rich and well-prepared.
The event retained the pattern of previous shows. The same places for aircraft stands, the same places for land forces and special services demonstrations, and the same way of performing demonstration flights. This year (2023), the partner country of the event was Poland. Armed forces from 19 countries took part in the show; Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Poland, Italy, France, Great Britain, Netherlands, Austria, Spain, Slovenia, Greece, Brazil, Belgium, Romania, Lithuania, Portugal, USA and others. Participants from Poland include: ORLEN Żelazny Aerobatic Group, 25th Air Cavalry Brigade, ORLIK Aerobatic Group, F-16 Tiger Demo Team.
For us, the biggest attraction was the display of Lockheed Martin F-35 aircraft in various versions. The planes were presented in the air and on the stand.
Written by Karol Placha Hetman