NATO Air Base Geilenkirchen 9 September 2011Volume 27, No. 16

NATO E-3A COMPONENT

IN SUPPORT OFOPERATION UNIFIED PROTECTOR

170 DAYSWESTERNSAHARA

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By Maureen Geraets-Head

“Without this Computer Upgrade Project (CUP), NATO AWACS would not be operating in major combat operations today,” said Force Commander Maj. Gen. Stephen D. Schmidt in his speech during the CUP ceremony hosted by the NATO Airborne Early Warning and Control Programme Management Agency (NAPMA) in Brunssum, the Netherlands, on 29 August.

The CUP involved renewal of the computer processing and upgrade of the power supply boards for all mission, communication and display technician consoles on board the NATO E-3As. This upgrade is also installed in the two mission

simulators and the Continuous Engineering Laboratory. Within the entire fleet retrofit the CUP delivered performance improvements through both hardware and software changes. All aircraft and mission simulator upgrades for this project were delivered either on or ahead of schedule, and it was completed within its allocated budget of 60 million US dollars.

“As a result, we now have a new, dual processor with an increased, four-gigabyte memory which will provide faster processing while minimizing software changes, and hence reducing the maintenance and support,” said Component Commander Brig. Gen. Burkhard Pototzky. He added, “From my perspective, the crews are happy with

the upgrade, and for me this is the most important aspect. Improving our aircraft capabilities is essential as we continue to stake our claim as the most advanced and modern airborne early warning platform in the world.”

Three years ago, in 2008, the CUP program received the green light from the Board of Directors, and

the companies Boeing, Cassidian and General Dynamics Canada were contracted. NAPMA provided the coordination with industry and performed a study to identify how to improve system performance and also resolve the Diminishing Manufacturing Source (DMS) issue. The Boeing Company was contracted through the Electronic Systems Center at Hanscom Air Force Base in the U.S., which is NAPMA’s counterpart on the U.S. Air Force side.

For the Component also, the CUP was an excellent example of how a team effort can lead to smooth integration and on-time delivery of equipment and software.

All the Wings provided their utmost support to NAPMA, which acted as the integration chain for delivery of the assets so that the upgrading was performed within the projected time.

Computer Upgrade Project completed

Although the entire modification entailed more then the replacement of the old 3‑card wide single board computer by the new 5‑slot wide computer, this part is the most visible change. Photos Andrea Hohenforst.

During the ceremony on 29 August, the Force Commander, Maj.Gen. Stephen D. Schmidt (left) receives the Computer Upgrade Project certificate from NAPMA General Manager Brig.Gen. Ludwig Leinhos.

Photo courtesy NAPMA/Paul van Wieringen

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9 September NATO Skywatch 3

By Janina Bien

In August, the Public Affairs Office (PAO) received a media request from a local newspaper to interview one person from every nation on base with regards to the disaster on 9/11.

Everybody remembers 11 September 2001: the day when the unreal became a true nightmare. This was the morning when planes flew down from the sky into the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, and another crashed in Pennsylvania. This was a demarcation point that changed the security stance of the US and the world dramatically, and it also introduced a ‘new enemy’ from the skies.

Nearly 3,000 people died that morning; the vast majority of them in the lower Manhattan towers, others at the Pentagon and in a rural Pennsylvania field, and many people were scared for life. Not only American citizens, but the whole world was numbed by this ugly menace of terrorism.

To support the newspaper’s request, PAO invited the Senior National Representatives or their alternates to give a short interview about their personal feelings and experiences on 9/11.

The journalist asked the participants whether they could still remember what they were doing at that very moment on 9/11, what did they think at that time, how did they feel or experience the situation afterwards, whether these cruel attacks influenced them in any way in their thinking or behavior, and what the impact was in general.

Their answers can be read in the local newspaper Geilenkirchener Zeitung on 10 September 2011 or the English translation at the WSS Portal, PAO-section, in the week of 12 September.

Col. Gregory C. Clark, Commander of the Logistics Wing and US Senior National Representative, said:

“On 11 September 2001 I was working in the Training Wing as the Aircrew Training Squadron

Commander. That morning, I was flying a pilot training sortie. When we walked into the squadron building that afternoon, there was a small crowd around the television in the break room. There was an atmosphere of shock, and speculation as to what caused this aircraft accident in New York City.

The reality of the event did not become clear until later. The collapse of the World Trade Center, the heroic rescue attempt in New York City, news of an aircraft crash in Pennsylvania and into the Pentagon, followed by reports that the US President on Air Force One diverted to Strategic Command in Omaha, Nebraska, along with the first ever closure of the US and Canadian air space, grounding all commercial aircraft in North America.

There was no clarity, no answers, just confusion of the moment, but everyone knew for better or worse our lives had

dramatically changed and we did not know what to do or how to react.

What does it mean to me? The thing I remember most is the sincere heartfelt sympathy displayed here in the local Geilenkirchen community, a church service for the 9/11 victims in downtown Geilenkirchen, the first ever declaration of NATO Article 5 in defense of the United States, and the sense of unity we shared as allies and as a community in the face of tragedy.

10 Years later, we still are reacting and responding to this coordinated act of terrorism against the United States. This threat has spread to other regions of the world, forever wiping away the innocent hope of world peace following the end of the Cold War and the unification of Germany. Our vision of a bountiful and bright future in the 21st century was forever changed on 9/11 with the dawn of a new and dangerous reality.”

10 years after 9/11

A sleek steel and glass curtain covers the bare structure of the first World Trade Center tower. Once completed, it will stand a symbolic 541‑meter tall.

An aerial view of the construction site taken in July 2011, features newly planted trees and granite memorial pools.

Construction workers test the north pool waterfall, which falls into a granite crater where the north tower fell.

The “4WTC” building, set for completion in 2013 overlooks the granite memorial pool where a fallen tower stood.

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4 NATO Skywatch 9 September 2011

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 27, No. 16 9 September 2011

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.Email articles and classified advertisements to pao@e3a.nato.int.

For paid advertisements call Hub Durlinger Media at +31 (0) 46 452 9292, cellphone +31 (0)6 5472 6473 or hub@durlingermedia.nl.

Articles may be reproduced after permission has been obtained from the editor, provided mention is made of NATO Skywatch. To read the NATO Skywatch online visit www.e3a.nato.int

CommanderBrig. Gen. Burkhard Pototzky

Chief, Public AffairsLt.Col. Antje Kalka

EditorsMrs. Maureen Geraets-Head

Mrs. Janina Bien

ISAF Commander sets his priorities for successful transition in AfghanistanGen. John R. Allen is six weeks into

his command of ISAF and US troops in Afghanistan: “We will prevail in this campaign because the forces are well entrained and [we have] the right combination to do that.”

His confidence comes despite that fact August saw the highest number of American fatalities since the war began in 2001. In the past six weeks, the Taliban have downed a Chinook helicopter, attacked a couple of governors’ compounds, hit the British Council in Kabul, killed twelve police officers in Lashkar Gah and claim to have assassinated the Mayor of Kandahar.

Gen. Allen says the enemy has been forced to resort to high profile attacks because they have lost so much ground on the battlefield.

“Around this country at this point, the insurgents have been ejected from the population through counter-insurgency

operations, through the improvement of governance and economic opportunity, through the development of the Afghan Local Police, through the reintegration of many of the insurgent fighters that have come off the battlefield ultimately to rejoin their society. So I can understand that there could be a concern over these high profile attacks.”

However, he argues that “in an insurgency that is in fact experiencing the difficulties that this one is experiencing, it is losing ground around the country.” In his first broadcast interview, Gen. Allen told NATO TV he wanted to reassure Afghans that despite the talk of troops withdrawing, foreign commitment to Afghanistan will be around for years to come.

“It is not about running for the exit. In any case, the United States, on a bilateral level, NATO, at a bilateral level, is in conversation with the Afghan government about the intent

for a long-term strategic relationship as well. So the Afghans who worry about whether we’re leaving ought to see what’s happening in front of them today: they should take heart in that, they should be encouraged by that.”

When Gen. Allen took up command, he laid down his four priorities for the ISAF campaign. First, he intends to “use all the combat power that we have, for as long as we have it. To maintain the momentum of the campaign and in fact to increase the pressure on the enemy as much as we possibly can. “

“The second priority is to get the Afghan National Security Forces as ready as we can. Get them at an institutional level, and operationally to partner with them to get them more firmly into the lead on the battlefield in an area at the end of 2014.”

Gen. Allen’s third priority is to use the existing ISAF forces to set the

conditions for and ultimately support the process of the last priority, which is “to be flexible and agile as time passes, as our troop numbers mature and as they come down, to posture ourselves so that we’ll be relevant for the operational environment in the future.”

The Commander concluded that “in the context of those four priorities, even though our numbers are coming down, we’ll adapt the campaign plan to account for those diminishing numbers so that we’ll get the most out of our combat power based on the operational environment and the mission for as long as we can.“

Source www.nato.int

Libya Conference

NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen attended the International Conference on Libya in Paris on 1 September 2011. During the meeting, the Secretary General emphasized that “we are determined to continue our mission for as long as attacks and threats continue, but not a day longer than necessary.”

The Secretary General praised the successful implementation of the UN mandate. “From the very beginning, our mission has been to protect the Libyan people”, he said, “we have managed to prevent a massacre and countless lives have been saved”.

“Today, the future of Libya is in the hands of the Libyan people”, Mr. Rasmussen said, insisting that this future would have to rest on reconciliation, unity and rule of law, not on repression, division and injustice. While the United Nations will hold the leading role in supporting the Libyan people and the National transitional Council throughout that process, NATO stands ready to play a supporting role, if and when so requested.

Source www.nato.int

NATO Secretary General on Turkey’s announcement“I welcome Turkey’s announcement to host a radar which will be an important element of NATO’s missile defence capability, which was agreed at the Lisbon summit last November”.

This represents a critical contribution to the Alliance’s overall defence against current and emerging ballistic missile threats. Turkey’s decision will significantly contribute to NATO’s capability to

provide protection to its European territory, populations and forces against the growing threat posed by the proliferation of ballistic missiles.

Source www.nato.int

On 25 August, Mr. John DeCamp, the U.S. representative on the Board of Directors (BOD) had the opportunity to fly a 6-hour mission aboard one of the NATO E-3As. Before takeoff, he met with Component Commander Brig. Gen. Burkhard Pototzky, who gave him a mission overview briefing.

Photo Andrea Hohenforst

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6 NATO Skywatch 9 September 2011

Text Janina BienPhotos Squadron 3 archive

On 20 July a delegation from Squadron 3 visited its sponsored golden eagle ‘Temudschin’ at the Euregiozoo in Aachen and handed over a gift, a T-Shirt with the new Squadron logo, to the director of the zoo, Mr. Wolfram Graf-Rudolf.

Last year Squadron 3 agreed to sponsor a male golden eagle at this local zoo as this bird also features in the Squadron’s official logo. The golden

eagle uses its agility and speed, combined with extremely powerful talons, to snatch its prey. Its territory may be as large as 155 square

kilometers.

Address: Aachen Zoo/Euregio-zoo, Obere

Drimbornstr. 44, 52066 Aachen.

Entry fee: adults €5 (yearly card €25), kids €2.50 (yearly card €10). Opening times 0900-1830.

For more information please go to www.euregiozoo.de.

Squadron 3 visits ‘Temudschin’ in Aachen

19-22 September

The Fitness Week is open to Component personnel, dependants and all MWA card holders. One of the intentions of this Fitness week is to introduce you to the fitness programs offered at the Component. The Sports Department provides a variety of sports activities during this special week and hopes to get all personnel interested in sports. All activities will take place in or around the New Gym, building 206.

Fitness Week program

19 September 1000-1400Box Fun Class, Total Body Fitness, Spinning Class for beginners

20 September 1000-1600Zumba Special, Power Walk Class, Fatburn Walk, 50+ Class, Back School, Muscle Power Class

21 September 1000-1400Nordic Walking, Jogging Cross, Fat Burn Spinning Class, Total Body Fitness

22 September 1000-1600Road Bike Tour, Terry Fox Run, Zumba Special, Muscle Power

All classes are open to all, free of charge, during this Fitness Week.

For the detailed schedule please visit the WSS Sports page or contact the Sports Department, ext. 4946.

24-25 SeptemberTickets: on sale at the German NCO Association (DUK) office, Building 46,

ext. 3465, and at the E-3A Club until 22 September 2011. Monday and Friday from 1000-1400.

Park & Sell flea market on base

The Park & Sell (flea market/ garage sale type event) is held the second Saturday of every month from May through October. The next Park & Sell is on Saturday, 10 September from 0900-1300. It is located at the U.S. Dental Clinic Parking lot (next to the NATEX grocery store).

Sellers show up and set up on the morning of the event, no reservation required. Sellers pay a small non-refundable fee and must sign and agree to the Park & Sell rules of engagement.

Items €25 and over may only be sold to E-3A Component blue ID card holders.

Interesting items and good bargains can be found there. It is especially good for incoming and departing personnel to buy and sell items unique to the area, for example, 220 volt items. Open to NATO ID card holders.

For more information please contact Greg Johnson, ext. 2258.

Tops in Blue 2011 in Brunssum

Mark your calendars for 14 September 2011, 1930, as the Tops in Blue 2011 tour is coming back to Brunssum! This year’s show will be in the ‘Brunnahal’ in Brunssum, so there will be plenty of room for everyone. For those of you, who aren’t familiar with the show, it’s a wonderful family event suitable for all nationalities featuring dancing, singing and performing by some of the most talented members in the US Air Force. This is an extremely diverse, talented and professional group and you won’t be disappointed. The show is open to everyone, so come early for the best seats.

Autumn-Country Night at the E-3A Club

This year’s Autumn-Country Night will be on 16 September at the E-3A Club, start: 1900. Open for all Component members and their guests. Enjoy a fantastic evening full of country music and line dancing organized by the Flyin´ Frisbee Boots and music by DJ Petra.

Upcoming events

From left to right: MSgt. Mirco ‘Howie’ Hauschild, Mr. Wolfram Graf-Rudolf, Lt.Col. Ekkehard Heinichen, SMSgt. Jürgen Wieczarkowiecz and MSgt. Ingo Senft.

9 September NATO Skywatch 7

By Cpl. Dustin Francis

The Terry Fox car wash event took place on 26 August 2011. The morning started out clear and sunny, but unfortunately a thunderstorm dampened the rest of the day. On the bright side of things, the cars did not need a pre-wash.

In total the Terry Fox Committee washed approximately 40 cars raising €517.85 for the Terry Fox Foundation. The Chairperson WO Shillingford and the rest of the Terry Fox Committee would like to thank the 15 volunteers and everyone who donated for making this event a success!

Additionally the Terry Foy Committee would like to invite you to participate in this year’s Terry Fox run that will be held on base on 22 September. Please register for this event and support the Terry Fox campaign by running, walking or biking the tour via WSS (more information to found on WSS).

A special thank-you to the volunteers of the Terry Fox Committee, who have put a lot of team effort into the campaign 2011.

Photo 1Lt. Patrick Schumitz

Terry Fox car wash on base

Terry Fox Campaign 2011•Geilenkirchen Realschule

4th Annual Run on 23 September•Terry Fox Campaign Gala

in Niederheid on 5 November.

Volkshochschule, the official German College for adults, is starting its fall semester the week of 26 September 2011. Classes are held in Bldg. 141. Register in class. Further information at ext. 4954. The following courses are offered:

GermanBasic price for intensive courses is €82 for 24 mornings/evenings.

A1.1 - beginners – intensive courses, Schritte plus 1. Mondaty & Wednesday, 0830-1000, instructor: Meral Alkan-Oncu, room 109, Tuesday & Thursday, 1900-2030, instructor: Marita Klee, room 118

A1.2 – advanced beginners – intensive course, Schritte plus 2. Tuesday & Thursday, 1030-1200, instructor: Tanja Rzeppa, room 109

A2.1 – pre-intermediate – intensive courses, Schritte plus 3. Monday & Wednesday, 1000-1130, instructor: Meral Alkan-Oncu, room 109, Tuesday & Thursday, 1730-1900, instructor: Marita Klee, room 118

The basic price for the intermediate German course is €41 for 12 evenings.

A2.2 – intermediate, Schritte plus 4Tuesday, 1700-1830, instructor: Christine Mertens, room 109

B1 - advanced – intensive course, Schritte plus 5. Tuesday & Thursday,

0900-1030, instructor: Tanja Rzeppa, room 109

The basic price for the B2 German course is €41 for 12 evenings.

B2 – advanced, Tuesday, 1830-2000, instructor: Christine Mertens, room 109

This course directly prepares you for the ‘Mittelstufenprüfung’, an internationally acknowledged degree. You will have the opportunity to take this exam. The teacher will announce the book at the beginning of the course.

FrenchLatitudes 1, instructor: Stéphanie Dinh-Phung, room 118.

A1.1 – beginners, Monday, 1900-2030, €41 for 12 evenings,

A2.1 – pre-intermediate – intensive course, Monday & Wednesday, 1730-1900, €82 for 24 evenings

EnglishIntensive courses, instructor: Karen Dale, room 118, €82 for 24 mornings.The teacher will announce the book at the beginning of the course.

A1.1 – beginners, Monday & Wednesday, 1030–1200,

B1 – Advanced, Monday & Wednesday, 0900-1030

Vacancy announcementsApplications are invited for the following posts:

Senior Technician (Radio), advertisement numbers 11013+11014, NATO Grade B-4, assigned to the ATC Radio Maintenance Section, Ground Radar/Radio Maintenance Branch, Airfield Services Squadron, Operations Wing. Theses posts are due to be filled as soon as possible.

Closing date: 4 October 2011.

Technician (Machine Operation), advertisement number 11015, NATO Grade

B-3, assigned to the Structural Fabrication Section, Fabrication Branch, Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Logistics Wing. This post is due to be filled as soon as possible.

Closing date: 10 October 2011.

Division Head (Requirements), advertisement number 11016, NATO Grade

A-3, assigned to the A5 – Requirements Division. This post is due to be filled as soon as possible after 30 September 2011.

Closing date: 12 October 2011.

Senior Technician (Inspection), advertisement number 11017, NATO Grade

B-4, assigned to the Aircraft Inspection Section, Aircraft Servicing & Inspection Branch, Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Logistics Wing. This post is due to be filled as soon as possible.

Closing date: 14 October 2011.

For further details, please visit the E-3A Component (WSS) Portal under Headquarters/ A1/A1CP/A1CR /Recruitment, the official E-3A Component internet homepage at www.e3a.nato.int or review the advertisement posted in Building 8.

Note: Only applications of qualified personnel will be considered.

Language courses on base

The volunteers raised €517.85 with the washing of cars.

8 NATO Skywatch 9 September 2011

By Leonie Schoelen

Are you interested in learning about life in the Rhineland in the past in an exiting and child-oriented way? The Rhinish Open Air Museum in Kommern in the Eifel region, close to Metternich - about 100 km away from Geilenkirchen - provides the perfect surroundings for a day trip with the family.

It is one of the largest museums of its kind in Europe and offers no less than 60 authentic historical buildings including residential buildings, farmyards, windmills and village community buildings such as a school, a chapel and a bakery with some dating back to the 16th century. Most buildings, however, are equipped with furniture reflecting the economic and living conditions of the 19th and early 20th century. These furnishings also account for the fact that the museum has shifted its focus from a simple display of houses in former times to an actual documentation of life and people in that period of time.

The buildings are arranged in four groups - according to the different regions in the Rhineland - set in gardens, fields and orchards. It is even possible to witness traditional work while walking around the grounds as all personnel have been trained to explain their regional work and its historical background. You can eat delicious, freshly made bread, buy sweets in a traditional ‘corner shop’ or let your children immerse in the special atmosphere of a school in the 19th century with its wooden benches, chalk and slates.

The museum also incorporates the Regional Heritage Museum hosting the permanent exhibition ‘Brave New World – Rhinelanders conquer America’.

Opening times: All year around: 1 April until 31 October 0900-1800,

1 November until 31 March 1000-1600.

Address: Eickser Straße,53894 Mechernich-Kommern.

Admission: For adults is €5.50.Free of charge for children up to the age of 17.

Family tickets at the price of €11 as well as Kiddies-Carts to pull along for €3.50 per day.

Annual season tickets, which entitle you to unlimited access for one year, are also available for €19. Parking €2.50

It is recommended to take at least two hours to get an overview (maps can easily be obtained from the information centre) plus an additional hour to visit the exhibition but you are more likely to spend a whole day in the Rhinish Open Air Museum!

Johann Nepomuk von Schwertz at work.

Rhineland in the 19th centuryAn extraordinary experience

Garden and house from Kalsbach.

Photos courtesy LVR

-Freilichtmuseum

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Arendstraat 36135 KT SittardPhone +31 (0)46 4582111

Brusselsestraat 1346211 PJ MaastrichtPhone +31 (0)43 3256505

10 NATO Skywatch 9 September 2011

skywatchcLassIFIEDSkywatch Classifieds are free to all NATO personnel.

Advertisements must be typed, including name, office symbol and duty extension. Advertisements for services that generate a regular income will not be accepted. Submissions are due to PAO, mail Stop 33, e-mail: pao@e3a.nato.int, by noon Thursday, 15 September.

Car2005 Ford Mustang GT, 4.6

liter V8, black exterior with red leather interior. Extras: sunroof, MP3 compatible, 6 CD player, built in phone mount, winter tires, standard transmission. Price: €16,000. Please contact Mr. Karl Deren, ext. 2653 or email to kderen@e3a.nato.int

Winter tiresFirestone Winterhawk 2 Evo, 4

winter tires, 155x70xR13, used only one season (November 2010-April

2011) for €150 or best offer. Please call Janina Bien, ext. 2483 or email to j.bien@gmx.de

BabysitterLooking for a reliable babysitter?

Responsible and mature teenager (16) has some extra time available and would love to look after your little ones while you enjoy a night out. Fluent in English and Dutch.

Please call 02456-508280 (leave a message) or e-mail to uwoppas@hotmail.com

Next NATO Skywatch:23 September

Submissions due by:15 September

The Fall Season is the competitive season with the first home meet starting on 24 September. This season, from 24 Sep 2011 until 19 Feb 2012, there will be four home meets and six away meets, plus participation in the Long Distance Championship in Lignano, Italy; the Divisional Championships at SHAPE, Belgium; and the European Forces Swimming League (EFSL) Championships in Eindhoven, the Netherlands.

Practices are normally held at the JFC Brunssum Pool on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday for the three-night practice option and on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday for the four-night practice

option. Normal practices are divided into two 1-hour sessions. The first session, from 1845 to 1945, is for swimmers of ages 10 and under. The second session is from 1945 to 2100 and is for swimmers of ages 11 and older.

If your child is new to competitive swimming, it is recommended that you attend the early session. The coaching staff will then place your child in the appropriate practice session for the following practices. The swimming courses are open to all families of

swimmers aged 6-19.

You can find all registration forms on

the Orcas webpage. For insurance reasons, please ensure that the registration form is filled out prior to the first practice.

Hope to see you at the

pool.

Fall season of the Orcas

IYA dance classes for kidsThe IYA dance program under the experienced and certified instruction of Mrs. Stella Schinagl already started again at the IYA Multi-purpose Room.

Costs €14 for four lessons and please register in class. The following classes are offered:

Tots (age 3) – Wednesday, 1515-1600Pre-primary Ballet – Monday, 1500-1600

Pre-primary Ballet and Tap – Thursday, 1600-1700Primary Ballet and Tap – Monday, 1600-1700

Primary Ballet and Tap – Wednesday, 1600-1700Ballet

Grade I – Tuesday, 1500-1600Grade II – Wednesday, 1700-1800

Tap & JazzGrade I – Tuesday, 1600-1700

Elementary – Tuesday, 1700-1800Grade II – Monday, 1700-1800

IYA trip to Waterloo and Brussels

Saturday, 17 September, 0800-2000. Visit the lively historical site where Napoleon’s troops met those of Wellington and Bluecher. The fascinating attractions let you relive one of the greatest battles in European history. Enjoy the rest of your day in the center of Brussels with its famous Grand Place, the Cathedral, Manneken Pis Fountain, Belle Epoque Malls and thousands of stores and restaurants. Cost is €29 for ages 18 and up, €27 for ages 7 to 17 and €21 for ages 6 and under; with your valid MWA card pay only €21 for ages 18 and up, €20 for ages 7 to 17 and €15 for ages 6 and under, including Lion Hamlet Pass to Waterloo attractions.

IYA Trip to AmsterdamSaturday, 15 October, 0800-2100. Explore the historic center, take a canal

cruise through its wealth of waterways along beautiful houses built by wealthy merchants during the Golden Age of the Netherlands. You can visit the Royal Palace, the Anne Frank House and famous museums with paintings by Van Gogh, Rembrandt and Vermeer; and you will find street markets and thousands of stores and restaurants. Cost is €23,50 per person, pay only €16,50 per person with your valid MWA Card.

Next IYA tripsPhoto Joachim Köhler

Photo courtesywww.sxc.hu

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