First up we have a RC135 (64842) at RAF Mildenhall,the Aircraft was departing back Stateside flying as 'Snoop 55'. This Aircraft comes from the 55th Air Wing at Offut AFB in the USA. There are 16 different variants of the RC135 and has been in service for the past 30+ years. The RAF have 3 of the type on order to fly from RAF Waddington with 51 Squadron under the designation of RC135W 'Air Seeker'.
Also at RAF Mildenhall this week was a French Air Force CASA (62-1M) of ETE 03.062 Ventoux Squadron based at Mount De Marson. The French have 20 of the type on strength with a possible 8 to be added in the future. The Aircraft is used in the Tactical Transport Role and has been used in both Afghanistan and Libyan Operations.
Dunk
This week saw Two RAF Hawk T2s (ZK020 and ZK017) depart BAE Warton heading to the USA. The Aircraft are believed to be out there to show the Hawks capabilites in a bid for the USA's T-X Bid to replace the ageing T-38s. The Aircraft flew under the callsign of Ascot.
Gary1701
Brize Norton recieved another visit from a Foreign C27J in the form of an Italian Air Force example (46-86) The aircraft is one of 12 in service with the Italians and is used by the 98th Gruppo of 46th Brigata Aerea, based in Pisa. The Aircraft is used in the Tactical Transport role.
Lev67
Caught in Maderia, Spain, was this Portugese Air Force example of a C130H (16801). The Aircraft comes from 501 'The Bisons' Squadron based at Airbase 6 in Montijo Selibac. As with most Air Forces/Arms the C130H is used in the Tactical Transpot role by the Portugese.
Radleigh
5 B1Bs from 7 Bomber Wing at Dyess AFB were present at Nellis AFB for Green Flag. Green Flag stresses realistic training with more than 75 aircraft flying in a variety of combat scenarios.The main mission of Green Flag was to prepare pilots to fight in a combined air, ground and electronic threat environment.
AnActualTom
As repoted last week -http://fightercontrol.co.uk/forum/viewt ... fb#p265269 - the Qatar Amiri Flight sent it elegantly painted C17 to Malta on Humanitarian efforts. This week saw there Grey painted C17 (MAA) taking up the role.Two C17s operated by the Qatar Amiri Flight are part of a fleet of 13 various aircarft based at Doha International Airport.
Skymoss
Stewart AFB ( New York ) is the home to the 105 AN AMC of the the New York Air National Guard. The Unit is made up of C5 Galaxys, however it is slowly introducing C17s into it inverntory. The 105 AN AMC operate 2 C17s (95-0103 + 95-0105).
Mbo570
Shots of the units C5s can be found here - http://fightercontrol.co.uk/forum/viewt ... 16&t=41837
Skymoss
A rather rare and different visitor flew into Newcastle International this week in the form of a L39 (ES-TLE) . The Aircraft ( Ex East German Air Force ) is used bySkyline Aviation based in Holland and specialises in target towing, electronic warfare, communications failure, radar calibration, and providing a variety of flying platforms for testing or training. The aircraft is based at Eelde/Groningen.
More about Skyline Aviation can be found here - http://www.skyline-aviation.com/
MRG2507
This week saw one of the A400M 'Grizzly' (EC-404) Development aircraft at Filton.The Airfield at Filton - run by BAE Systems - is due to close next year. The A400, still in the test flight phase, has 174 orders from eight nations including the UK with 22 on order.
More on the A400M can be found here - http://www.airbus.com/aircraftfamilies/ ... aft/a400m/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Mictheslik
Caught this week at RNAS Culdrose was the new Merlin HM2 (ZH829). The Merlin Mk. 2 upgrade program will encompass four helicopters to validate the flight performance, avionics and mission system.Toward the end of next year, the helos will shift to Boscombe Down for further tests before the system is released into service with the Royal Navy. The Merlin Mk. 2 is slated to enter service in 2013 and reach full operational capability in 2014.
This week saw a AN124-100 (RA-82075) fly into Wattisham to return and collect AH64s involved in Crimson Eagle. Crimson Eagle is an eight-week intensive programme in the states of Arizona and California. The excersise eases the crews into appropriate environmental conditions that they will encounter in Afghanistan - mountainous, hot, high and sandy. The AN124 comes from Polet in Russia who operate 4 of the type.
Buzzer
More shots of the loading can be found here - http://fightercontrol.co.uk/forum/viewt ... 16&t=42216
Gary1701
Nick197's thread from RAF Brize Norton shows how busy it is with its support of ongoing operations - http://fightercontrol.co.uk/forum/viewt ... 16&t=42113
A great thread here from Ranger703 showing the Range at Tain has been busy of late with different types using it - http://fightercontrol.co.uk/forum/viewt ... 16&t=42062
Two superb threads here showing some real Royal Navy Nostalgia -
http://fightercontrol.co.uk/forum/viewt ... 17&t=41911 - From Buzzer
http://fightercontrol.co.uk/forum/viewt ... 17&t=41875 - From Biglamp
Thats all for this week!An interesting thread here from Keltos showing 3 Armed A109 of the Begian Air Component - http://fightercontrol.co.uk/forum/viewt ... 16&t=42231
Sorry there a bit late all!