What does it all mean to be the “eyes and ears” of a commander in the field? CAPT Radek Vrabec, who serves as deputy commander of a reconnaissance company with the 102nd Reconnaissance Battalion in Prostějov, helped us find out. In this interview, he talks about his path into airborne reconnaissance, demanding training, and why there is no such thing as a stereotype in his line of work. He also shares his experience from overseas deployments in Afghanistan and Mali, his involvement during the pandemic in hospitals, and cooperation with helicopter aviation during displays at NATO Days in Ostrava & Czech Air Force Days, as well as beyond them.

What happens when a passion for aircraft and aviation takes over? For 1LT Jakub Jelínek, it means becoming a combat air traffic controller. He recently returned from France, where he completed NATO Intermediate training. You may have also met him in Mošnov – at the Czech Air Force stand or at the presentation of the 26th Air Command, Control and Surveillance Regiment, which he is responsible for. But what exactly does a combat controller do? How are aircraft directed when you do not have a view of them? And what can you find at the Czech Air Force stand at NATO Days in Ostrava & Czech Air Force Days?

One of the world's best aerobatic groups is returning to the largest security show in Europe. Visitors to the 26^th NATO Days in Ostrava & the 17^th Czech Air Force Days can look forward to an unforgettable performance by the British Red Arrows team just after one year.

Lieutenant Colonel Mariusz Łapeta has served in the Polish Special Forces for more than 20 years. He began his career with the Military Police in Gliwice and later served with the elite AGAT unit, where he was also involved in training young soldiers. He completed civilian studies at the University of Physical Education and gradually worked his way up into the command structure of the Special Forces. In the interview, he describes the reality of serving in elite units, the demanding selection process, and his deployments in the Middle East. He also highlights the importance of international cooperation within NATO and the role of Special Forces in today’s security environment, including the fight against disinformation. He shares a personal perspective on service, which he believes is built primarily on people and mental resilience.

During secondary school, Barbora Nová’s interest in the military and aviation led her all the way to overseeing the maintenance of L-410 and Airbus A319 aircraft in the rank of Second Lieutenant. In the interview, she describes a typical day on base as well as during events such as NATO Days in Ostrava & Czech Air Force Days, what she enjoys most about being a technician, and what it is like to be a woman in the male-dominated environment of military aviation. She also shares inspiration for young people considering a career in the armed forces.

Karel Mellar has been serving with the Municipal Police in Ostrava for nearly 25 years and has been involved in canine work since childhood. He specialises in protection training and decoy work, and over the course of his career he has handled and trained a number of service dogs. He is currently on duty with a German Shepherd named Eliot Ma-La-No Opava. In the interview, he describes what the work of a municipal police dog handler looks like, what training involves, as well as the day-to-day life with a service dog and how a strong bond develops between a handler and his four-legged partner. He also shares his experience from public displays, including the NATO Days in Ostrava & Czech Air Force Days, and highlights how to behave properly around service dogs.

Col. Jiří Němčík has been serving with the Fire Rescue Service for more than 28 years. Starting his career as a frontline firefighter, he gradually worked his way up to become Deputy Director of the Fire Rescue Service of the Moravian-Silesian Region for the Integrated Rescue System and operational management, as well as Director of the Ostrava district department. In this interview, he reflects on his early days in the fire service, talks about the challenges of emergency response and shares his experiences from international rescue missions abroad. He also explains the role firefighters play in ensuring safety during NATO Days in Ostrava & Czech Air Force Days.

What does the job of a military pilot involve? How do the Venom and Viper helicopters differ, and in what ways are they similar? And what fascinates a pilot who began his career on the Mi-24? Major Miroslav Hovorka — a pilot and AH-1Z Viper instructor, currently, as he himself put it, “seconded” to the Czech Air Force Command — shared this and much more with us.

Mine rescue workers from the state enterprise DIAMO are among those you simply cannot miss at NATO Days. While visitors admire the specialised equipment on display, behind each exhibit stand people with decades of experience in extreme rescue operations. In this interview with long-serving mine rescuer and Deputy Head of Emergency Response Jan Šulej, you will learn what it takes to work deep underground, why the decline of mining does not mean the end of mine rescue, and what role DIAMO plays in ensuring safety and shaping the future of post-mining areas.

From gliders to the Gripen. Capt Jan Ratz, also known as “Gust”, is the sixth Czech display pilot of the JAS-39 Gripen. In the interview he tells us how his childhood dream of becoming a pilot turned into reality, how he got his callsign, what he experienced during his very first solo flight, and he also has a message for those who dream of a career as a military pilot.