Ramstein Airmen visit Rheinland-Pfalz State Fair

by Airman 1st Class Trevor Rhynes
86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs


The community of Rheinland-Pfalz held its 29th annual state fair in Ingelheim/Rhein from June 1 to 3.

Representing Team Ramstein were Airmen from multiple squadrons and groups, including the 86th Comptroller Squadron, the 721st Aerial Port Squadron and 1st Combat Communications Squadron. Several of the Airmen got the chance to meet Minister President Kurt Beck, Rheinland-Pfalz state governor.

“It was great for me to meet some of the people who help defend us,” Beck said. “Our military is here with the American military showing what their mission is.”

For one Airman, getting the chance to attend this year’s state fair offered him the opportunity to try something that most Airmen don’t experience.

“We got to meet someone in a leadership position, who we normally wouldn’t get a chance to meet,” said Airman 1st Class Joshua Peckham, 86th Comptroller Squadron financial management apprentice. “It was a nice experience. He shook
our hands and thanked us for what we do.”

The fair was also an opportunity for the community to learn more about the military’s mission in Germany.

The different static displays allowed Airmen to interact with visitors
and also showed them how involved the military is in the community.

“People got to ask questions and see demonstrations, like a military working dog display,” Peckham said. “I even learned some things from the different personnel briefings at each stand.”

“This whole event shows the community that we’re working with our (host nation) counterparts,” he said. “The interaction between military and civilians shows that we care about being here.”