FighterControl

40 years ago this month RAF Woodbridge was host to a USAF LODEO competition with the majority of european units in attendance.During the week long exercise several additional aircraft from participating units also visited which made it a busy time.The following photos are all i took and certainly nowhere near all the units or aircraft involved,they also include a few VIP & support aircraft.

01532 F-5E by 80560, on Flickr

01532 F-5E by 80560, on Flickr

AR 69-381 RF-4C by 80560, on Flickr

HR 80-636 F-16B by 80560, on Flickr

HR 81-737,TJ 82-015 F-16A by 80560, on Flickr

RS 68-372 F-4E by 80560, on Flickr

RS 68-386 F-4E by 80560, on Flickr

RS 68-386 F-4E by 80560, on Flickr

RS 68-528 F-4E by 80560, on Flickr

TJ 82-015 F-16A by 80560, on Flickr

TJ 82-991 F-16A by 80560, on Flickr

TJ 82-991,82-015 F-16A by 80560, on Flickr

TJ 83-167 F-16B by 80560, on Flickr

TJ 83-167,83-168 F-16B by 80560, on Flickr

TJ 83-167,83-168 F-16B by 80560, on Flickr

TJ 83-168 F-16B by 80560, on Flickr

A German AF,Jbg31 Tornado was parked with the 78TFS A-10s and was maybe on exchange visit as it has been zapped with the 78TFS badge,

44+27 Tornado Jbg31 by 80560, on Flickr

10882 C-9A by 80560, on Flickr

10882 C-9A by 80560, on Flickr

30512 C-23A by 80560, on Flickr

Thanks a lot Kenny64 for sharing these images with us. They are a nice overview of USAF aircraft we could see in the eighties. In those days the F-15 was around in Europe. Were they not participating? By the way, funny to see an RF-4C at a LODEO. I guess it was just a visitor.

Thanks for sharing these with us, there's some great memories here. It does show the variety of types and units that were around forty years ago.

Superb set of shots there

Especially those first two

Splendid set of images, just got to love those Ramsteins. Regrettably I very rarely ventured down to
Bentwaters /Woodbridge, they had some excellent visitors in the 80's.

Lovely set of pics from another era - oh to go back to that time.

I've never been to Woodbridge, but looking on Google maps, it looks remarkably complete and well looked after, with runway relatively clear and HAS sites all present etc. Could this airfield be reactivated relatively easily if it was ever needed?

Halcyon days at Bentwaters/Woodbridge. thank you.

NickB wrote: ↑

Fri Apr 25, 2025 9:13 am

Lovely set of pics from another era - oh to go back to that time.

I've never been to Woodbridge, but looking on Google maps, it looks remarkably complete and well looked after, with runway relatively clear and HAS sites all present etc. Could this airfield be reactivated relatively easily if it was ever needed?

It's still in use as MoD Woodbridge and used by the army. The airfield is still maintained.

Thanks Alf - interesting.

Awesome! HR and TJ in one picture. For me the one!

Happy days,excellent set of shots.

NickB wrote: ↑

Fri Apr 25, 2025 9:13 am

Lovely set of pics from another era - oh to go back to that time.

I've never been to Woodbridge, but looking on Google maps, it looks remarkably complete and well looked after, with runway relatively clear and HAS sites all present etc. Could this airfield be reactivated relatively easily if it was ever needed?

The former RAF Woodbridge is now known as 'Rock Barracks' and is part of 16 Air Mobile Brigade of the British Army. The Apaches from nearby Wattisham occasionally pop in but there is little flying. Not sure about runway condition, but a few years back Airbus used a specially constructed surface to test rough field performance of the A400 as part of its development.
Interesting to see then nearly-new F16's, some of which are still in front-line service.

Great nostalgia, thanks for sharing More please.....

Growing up as a teenager in Lincolnshire in the 80s was great... But Norfolk and Suffolk would have been equally great... Cracking set there

Absolutely Splendid!
Thanks for sharing your superb captures