1. Exercise Joint Warrior 16-2
Photographer (Lossie): np1991
Photographer (Leeming): LTFT5
Thread: viewtopic.php?f=16&t=138080 & viewtopic.php?f=16&t=138505
Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/59398793@N03/
Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/119132465@N05/
Both RAF Lossiemouth and RAF Leeming played host to the second instalment of Exercise Joint Warrior of 2016 between 6th and 21st October. Joint Warrior is the largest military exercise in Europe and one of the largest NATO exercises in the world with all services of the Armed Forces involved. Missions played out during the two weeks are vast - including crisis and conflict scenarios, disputed territory and anti-terrorism/piracy operations. Objectives of Joint Warrior include the training of multi-national, multi-service participants in developing new skills and tactics in order to become an effective combined joint task force. The next edition of Joint Warrior should take place in April 2017. Air assets deployed to RAF Lossiemouth for Joint Warrior 16-2 included:
5x Lockheed Martin F-16AMs of the Portuguese Air Force. The Portuguese Air Force operates a fleet of around 30 F-16AM aircraft which were purchased in 1999 in order to replace the A-7 Corsair. The F-16A's were later upgraded during a mid-life upgrade to become the F-16AM. The fighter aircraft are split between two squadrons: 201 'Falcons' Squadron and 301 'Jaguars' Squadron - both based at Monte Real Air Base, Leiria. The Portuguese Air Force recently agreed a deal with the Romanian Air Force to sell 9 of their surplus F-16's in order for the country to replace its ageing MiG-21's. Serials: 15105, 15110, 15117, 15133, 15141
Portuguese Lighthouse by Niall Paterson, on Flickr2x Lockheed CP-140 Aurora's of the Royal Canadian Air Force. The Canadians currently have 19 CP-140 maritime patrol aircraft in their inventory which have been in service since the early 1980s. The aircraft have been through several upgrades to keep them up to date with modern MPA aircraft. The CP-140's are operated by four squadrons: 404 Long Range Patrol and Training Squadron, 405 Long Range Patrol Squadron, 415 Long Range Patrol Force Development Squadron - all based at CFB Greenwood, Nova Scotia, and 407 Long Range Patrol Squadron based at CFB Comox, British Columbia. Serials: 140111, 140118
140118 by Niall Paterson, on Flickr2x Boeing P-8A Poseidon's of the US Navy. The P-8A is something people at RAF Lossiemouth will have to get used to seeing with the RAF recently placing an order for 9 of the type. The US Navy has placed an order for 122 of the type, by contrast, with around 37 delivered so far. They are operated by seven squadrons: VP-5 'Mad Foxes', VP-8 'Tigers', VP-10 'Red Lancers', VP-16 'War Eagles', VP-26 'Tridents', VP-30 'Pro's Nest' and VP-45 'Pelicans'. Serials: 168760, 168857
VP-26 Commanders P8 by Niall Paterson, on Flickr2x Westland Sea King ASAc7's of the Royal Navy. The last surviving Sea King variant operated by the Royal Navy, the ASac7, is a an airborne early warning and control variant of the veteran helicopter. It is operated by three flights of 849 Naval Air Squadron based at RNAS Culdrose, Cornwall. The unit currently has around eight of the type left in service and it will eventually be replaced by a modified version of the Merlin under the 'Crowsnest' project by the end of 2019. Serials: ZE422, XV656.
Sea King ASaC7 by Niall Paterson, on Flickr1x Breguet Atlantique of the French Navy. The French Naval Aviation or AéroNavale Atlantiques were ordered in 1963 with deliveries beginning in 1965. This veteran maritime patrol aircraft has seen numerous upgrades over the years - the last of which began in 2012 with 18 aircraft scheduled to receive it, extending its service life until 2032. The Atlantique is operated by two squadrons - 21F and 23F - both of which are based at Lann Bihoue, Lorient. The aircraft has recently been engaged in operations over Iraq in the war against Daesh.
French Atlantique by Niall Paterson, on FlickrThere were also some aircraft based further afield for the exercise:
12x Saab JAS-39C/D Gripens of the Swedish Air Force. The Swedish Air Force deployed no less than twelve Gripen's to RAF Leeming for Exercise Joint Warrior 16-2 consisting of 11 JAS-39C and 1 JAS-39D. The Swedes operate a fleet of 98 Gripen's split between 74 single-seat JAS-39C and 24 twin-stick JAS-39D aircraft. The jets are operated by three Wings: F7 Wing at Satenas, F17 Wing at Kallinge and F21 Wing at Lulea. Serials: 39222, 39289, 39264, 39269, 39247, 39212, 39274, 39257, 39283, 39285, 39286 and JAS-39D 39829.
SAABJAS 39C Gripen, 39274, 211 Fighter Squadron, F 21 Norrbotten Wing, Lulea,
Swedish Air Force by
LTFT5, on Flickr
2. French Air Force Alphas at Bournemouth
Photographer: bizfreeq
Thread: viewtopic.php?f=16&t=138330
Photobucket: http://s1194.photobucket.com/user/bizfreeq/library/
Visiting Bournemouth International Airport on 18th October were a pair of French Air Force Dassault Alpha Jets. The Armée de l'air operate a fleet of around 86 of the type in the advanced jet trainer role. The French Air Force also conduct the advanced jet training for pilots of the Belgian Air Component. The aircraft that visited Bournemouth were E170/705-RY and E153/705-RU. The aircraft are operated by EAC.00.314 based at Tours Air Base.
3. Foreign C-17's at Prestwick and Stansted
Photographers: Herkchaser & andygolfer
Threads: viewtopic.php?f=16&t=138033 & viewtopic.php?f=16&t=138421 & viewtopic.php?f=16&t=137923
Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/145037534@N08/
Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/125470545 ... 156508181/
C-17A KAF342 Kuwait AF by Robert Kelly, on FlickrGlagow Prestwick Airport played host to a few foreign C-17's during October. The first of which, belonging to the Kuwaiti Air Force arrived on 6th October before departing again on the 12th. The Kuwaiti Air Force operates two of the type in the heavy transport role - the first of which was bought in September 2010. The C-17 that visited was serialled KAF-342 and is based at Abdullah Al-Mubarak Air Base.
177702 CC-177 RCAF by Robert Kelly, on FlickrThe second C-17 to arrive at Prestwick was from the Royal Canadian Air Force - serialled 177702 - which arrived during the evening of 18th October. Upon departure the following day the aircraft suffered a bird-strike and had to return immediately to the airport. This saw a second C-17A - 177703 - arrive from Canada the following evening. The Royal Canadian Air Force operates a fleet of five C-17's - designated the CC-177 in Canadian service - from Trenton, Ontario. Four of the type were delivered between 2007-2008 and a fifth was added in 2015. They are flown by 429 Squadron.
MAO C.17 Qatar Air force STN 8-10-2016 1509 by Andrew Goldsmith, on FlickrAlso seeing some foreign heavy airlift activity this month was London Stansted Airport with no less than five Qatar Emiri Air Force examples visiting the airport. The first two arrived on 6th October and were serialled A7-MAP and A7-MAO. A third C-17 - A7-MAE - arrived on 9th October and on Thursday 27th, another two examples arrived at Stansted. These were A7-MAA and A7-MAB. The Qatar Emiri Air Force had four C-17's in service with a further four on order - all are operated by 12 Squadron at Al Udeid Air Base.
4. BAE Systems delivers two more Saudi Typhoons
Photographer: Mickeystix
Thread: viewtopic.php?f=16&t=138407
Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/48538370@N06/
LC8A2400 by mickeystix, on FlickrAs reported in last months Highlights section development and testing of new Saudi Air Force aircraft continues - but this month - on 20th October two of the Typhoons - serialled 8017 (ZK616) and 8018 (ZK617) - departed BAe Systems Warton facility as "Tarnish 1 Flight" on delivery to Saudi Arabia where they will join No. 80 Squadron.
5. Exercise Vambrace Warrior
Photographer: MarkRanger
Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/markranger/
"WOLF 11flt" by Mark Ranger, on FlickrHeld between the 8th and 15th of October this month was Exercise Vambrace Warrior. The exercise focused on air-defence assets protecting Llanbedr Airfield and the disused nuclear facility at Trawsfynydd from air-attacks. The Royal Air Force helped to support this exercise with Tornado GR4's from No. 12(B) Squadron taking part - with up to five aircraft attacking simultaneously. The exercise was also supported by the US Air Force. The main participants of the exercise were the Honourable Artillery Company - a reserve unit of the British Army specialising in the surveillance and target acquisition role. Exercise Vambrace Warrior was the largest UK ground-based air-defence exercise since 2003.
WOLF 11-15 ON THE BREAK-1 by Mark Ranger, on Flickr6. C-40B at Stansted
Photographer: dinger
Thread: viewtopic.php?f=16&t=138165
Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/kevin_bell_photography/
C-40B 01-0015 Stansted by Kevin Bell, on FlickrArriving at London Stansted Airport on Friday 14th October was US Air Force Boeing C-40B Clipper 01-0015. The aircraft is assigned to the 15th Wing, 65th Airlift Squadron and based at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii. The main role of the C-40B assigned to the 65th AS is the global transportation of the Commander of US Pacific Command as well the Commander of the Pacific Air Forces. The aircraft can also be made available to other high-ranking or important people. The C-40B is designed to be an "office in the sky" and is fitted with a vast array of communications equipment enabling the commanders to issue orders or gather information whilst airborne worldwide. This aircraft departed the following day as "Mango 55".
7. Australian C-27 Visits Brize
Photographer: Nick197
Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/75729258@N07/
A34-003 | C-27J | RAAF by Nick Collins, on FlickrCaught departing RAF Brize Norton on the 2nd October was this Royal Australian Air Force Alenia C-27J Spartan. The Australians ordered ten of the type in 2011 in a deal worth approximately $950 million which was placed in order to augment the Force's Lockheed C-130J Hercules and Boeing C-17A Globemaster fleet. The aircraft is to prove invaluable in its service with its ability to operate from unprepapared strips unavailable to the larger aircraft. The C-27J can operate from over 1900 airstrips across Australia, 1400 more than the C-130. The first of the C-27's was delivered to Australia on 25th June 2015 and the aircraft are operated by No. 35 Squadron based at RAAF Base Richmond, New South Wales. The squadron is due to transfer to RAAF Base Amberley, Queensland by December 2017.
8. Air Combat Power Visit at Coningsby
Photographer: Yunglee
Thread: viewtopic.php?f=16&t=138625
Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/leeadc/
US Navy P-8A Poseidon by Lee Adcock, on FlickrBeginning on Monday 24th October was the Royal Air Force's annual Air Combat Power Visit. The event, which used to be held at RAF Waddington, was hosted by RAF Coningsby for the second year in a row in 2016. The purpose of the Air Combat Power Visit (or ACPV) is to showcase the full array of the RAF's strength and capability. This year, for the very first time, a Boeing P-8A Poseidon was provided for static display by the US Navy. The aircraft, 168434, was provided by VP-45 'Pelicans' and flew into Coningsby on Monday 24th. Also on the ground for this year's ACPV was a 99 Squadron Boeing C-17A Globemaster III serialled ZZ177, a specially marked Lockheed C-130J Hercules, ZH880, (which is painted to commemorate the 100th anniversary of 47 Squadron), Tornado GR4 ZA614/076, Chinook HC.4 ZA680, Tutor T1 G-BYUC, King Air B200 ZK452/L, Squirrel HT1 ZJ266, Tucano T1 ZF378 and Airbus A400M, ZM400. There were also two Typhoons part of the static display - kitted out with differing weapons loads. These were ZK313/W and ZK372. As part of the event, Flt Lt Mark Long provided a Typhoon display on the first three days of the week.
Typhoon display #1 by Lee Adcock, on Flickr9. Swedish Blackhawks at Spadeadam
Photographer: dannyboyo20
Thread: viewtopic.php?f=16&t=138596
Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/dannyboyo20/
161231 Swedish AF 2Hkvskv Hkp.16A Blackhawk (12) by Danny Banks, on FlickrOn Friday 30th September a NATO C-17 arrived at RAF Leeming and delivered two Swedish Air Force Sikorsky UH-60M Blackhawk helicopters. The UH-60M is designated the Hkp.16 in Swedish Air Force service and is operated by 2 Helikopterskvadronen at Malmen Air Base. The Swedish Air Force ordered 15 of the type in 2011 as an urgent operational requirement due to the delay to the NH-90 project in order to support their forces and those of ISAF in Afghanistan. The helicopters at RAF Leeming were serialled 161231 and 161235 and were deployed for a week in order to use the Spadeadam range.
10. Lockheed EP-3E visits Mildenhall
Photographer: billydog
Thread: viewtopic.php?f=16&t=138746
Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/66186611@N07/
156529 EP-3E (2) by jut73, on FlickrOn Saturday 29th October the US Navy visited RAF Mildenhall, Suffolk, with a Lockheed EP-3E Aries II aircraft. The aircraft is a heavily-modified derivative of the P-3C Orion maritime-patrol aircraft designed to provide commanders with real-time SIGINT (signals intelligence) and high-quality video intelligence. The Aries II can provide threat warnings, battlespace situational awareness, suppression of enemy air defences (SEAD) and destruction of enemy air defences (DEAD) as well as numerous other roles. The US Navy operates a fleet of 14 EP-3E aircraft and this one - serialled 156529 - is flown by VQ-1 'World Watchers' based at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Washington.
And from abroad:
1. Meiringen, Switzerland
Photographer: A380_sully
Thread: viewtopic.php?f=16&t=138317
Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/126159226@N03/
F18A J-5010 on your marks, get set, go! by Kelvin Sullivan, on FlickrSome members of the Fighter Control community recently visited Switzerland in anticipation of the annual Swiss exercise Axalp. The exercise and public aerial demonstration was understandably cancelled following the death of three Swiss Air Force pilots this year. This didn't stop their visit however and plenty of flying still took place from Meiringen Air Base - home of the 13th Fighter Wing and it's two squadrons. The 11th Fighter Squadron operate the McDonnell Douglas F/A-18C/D Hornet and the 8th Fighter Squadron operating the Northrop F-5E/F Tiger II. The Swiss Air Force operates 30 F/A-18's split between 25 single-seat F/A-18C's and 5 twin-seat F/A-18D's and around 50 F-5E/F's.
F-A 18C J-5005 Meiringen take off (1 of 1) by Kelvin Sullivan, on Flickr2. International SAR Meet 2016 at Koksijde
Photographer: Lamboali
Thread: viewtopic.php?f=16&t=137971
Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/63417774@N05/
IMG_7166by Ali Hunt, on
Flickr
On 10th October 2016, the first International Search and Rescue Meet since 2010 began at Koksijde, Belgium. The exercise was well attended by several military air arms from around Europe. The home participants were the 40th Squadron of the Belgian Air Component who provided an Alouette III, a Sea King and a NH-90 NFH. The German Navy provided Sea King Mk 41 89+50 from MFG-5 based at Nordholz and the Austrian Air Force brought an Alouette III, 3E-KA, to the exercise. There was due to be participation from Poland, the Netherlands, Norway, Latvia and Portugal but all of these nations had to cancel due to operational reasons. Day one of the exercise featured the "Highland Games" phase - featuring a navigational exercise and ground based team-building exercises used to examine the SAR crews ability to work as part of a team with the next day seeing the winching and survival competitions. At the end of the exercise, the home team of the 40th Squadron of the Belgian Air Component were declared the winners of the SAR Meet. The 2017 edition of the exercise will be organised by MFG-5 of the German Navy and held at Nordholz.
Well that's it for another month - i'll now start the preparations for November!
Cheers,
Steven.
Keep up the brilliant work Steven et all!