FighterControl

Ex. Saxon Warrior eventually reached RAF Spadeadam on Wed 9th August with a Royal Navy Wildcat operating in an observational / control role to the edge of the range while 3 or 4 USN F-18 Super Hornets rotated above and simulated attack on a LZ near Berry Hill.
Shortly after a pair of USN SH-60 Seahawks arrived very low to the LZ and briefly operated in the area to the west of Berry Hill, before passing low eastwards over the Irthing gorge (not in). The RN Wildcat operated on the southern edge of the range, changed position regularly, presumably in response to threats created by RAF Spadeadam. The F-18 continued provided top cover for the Seahawks and then departed north upon completion of the Operation.
The helicopters all then departed to Carlisle airport for refuelling and then headed north, in the case of the Seahawks, to a Scottish rendezvous with the USS George W Bush.
Luckily, this all for once happened in sunlight and despite a low heat haze affecting the low level visibility it was good to be able to watch the mainly distant interoperability Exercise. And very pleasing to catch the unusual rare sight of US Navy aircraft and helicopter assets working together over the U.K. with a Royal Navy helicopter.

Very Smart indeed.Good to see some Operational shots from the Exercise.What height were the F-18s operating at?
Cheers and Thanks.

Like Punkrunner says, I'm glad someone has seen some action from this exercise. Those SH60's must be one of the best catches anyone has got at Spade/Carlisle, well done Chris.

Nice catch

166639 AJ-213 again , that's the second shot of it airborne - didn't see that on top at Stokes bay in 2017 but that F/A-18 was also at Stokes bay in 2011 with the same modex.

Fantastic, we'll done.
Dave.

Very smart and I really like the portrait head on shot of 622

Punkrunner62 wrote:Very Smart indeed.Good to see some Operational shots from the Exercise.What height were the F-18s operating at?
Cheers and Thanks.

Thanks. The F-18s were mainly medium to high level (not sure of actual height I'm afraid), and despite good conditions were difficult initially to see and photograph, later on they came down to lower level for simulated ground attack. But a fair degree of cropping needed despite an 840mm equivalent lens!
Cheers, Chris

toom317 wrote:Like Punkrunner says, I'm glad someone has seen some action from this exercise. Those SH60's must be one of the best catches anyone has got at Spade/Carlisle, well done Chris.

Thank you. Standing in hope with good weather at Spade is always tinged with fear of a total blank, so when it clouded over for a while the worry was we'd see nothing overhead unless it was low. Luckily, blue sky and occasional cloud returned with the arrival of the F-18, so definitely good to see both them and the Seahawks operating with the Wildcat. Can't imagine we'll see either at Spade in the near future.
Cheers, Chris

slogen51 wrote:Nice catch

166639 AJ-213 again , that's the second shot of it airborne - didn't see that on top at Stokes bay in 2017 but that F/A-18 was also at Stokes bay in 2011 with the same modex.

Cheers, well spotted despite cropping, slight blur and other distortion!
Regards Chris

Dave934 wrote:Fantastic, we'll done.
Dave.

Thank you, it's always good when the gambles and guesses pay off with a bit of good luck!
Regards, Chris

Yunglee wrote:Very smart and I really like the portrait head on shot of 622

Cheers, definitely the head on portraits are my favs too, especially if a bit of landscape too in the background.
Regards Chris

Great images from Carlisle! Lovely to see

What a great set Chris and well deserved for all the effort you put in at Spadeadam

Cheers,
Walter

PeteHemsley wrote:Great images from Carlisle! Lovely to see

Cheers, a pleasing catch after an anxious long wait!
Regards Chris

WattieB wrote:What a great set Chris and well deserved for all the effort you put in at Spadeadam

Cheers,
Walter

Thanks Walter, appreciated! The waiting is definitely the challenge but then I guess the peaceful solitude has its virtues!
Hope there's been enough good captures for you too of late!
Cheers, Chris

Your swanning around paid off big time with those crackers

otafox wrote:Your swanning around paid off big time with those crackers

Cheers, I've still along way to go in improving quality of distant shots, heat haze excepted, but one day.....!! But at least it's a record of the gamble, that we all know is part of this pursuit, that paid off
Thanks, Chris

Nice set Chris. Great departure from Carlisle too!

Great shots,good to see some Hornets overland.
They are the first operational shots i've seen from Saxon Warrior.

Ian

Duane Hewitt wrote:Nice set Chris. Great departure from Carlisle too!

Cheers Duane, the run from Spade to Carlisle luckily got us there just in time for completion of refuel, so good to catch head on departure. Hopefully catch up with you on an Ex up north in the not too distant future?
Regards Chris