FighterControl

Champagne formation cleared to start

Four French Gazelles and a French Puma.

Many thanks for the updates. Could you confirm which runway they use on departure? Much appreciated. Btw Ian

Departed from the Eastern grass , the Chinooks are arriving on rw19

French departure sequence was DDU, GAF, GAI, GAY and GFB.

Most kind sir. Very much appreciated.

Were they heading north by any chance? A Puma followed by two pairs of Gazelles passed just to the west of Bedford at about 1230 local. They were heading north-east and Champagne flight would appear to be the likely culprits.

MTIA,
Rob

Yes they did turn north back over the airfield, it has to be them as there aren't that many Gazelles about these days.

Thanks for that, much appreciated.

Missed these earlier anybody know if they've come back yet?

Yes they were back at 5.45, but the Puma was hangared at that time..
The Gazelle with the code ending in J is GCJ read off before they put the covers on it.
Andy

Thanks

Thanks for confirming GCJ.

When I was there this morning it had covers on. But it sounds like it may have flown later if you also saw covers going back on?

2 X Puma and 1 X Gazelle overflew Northolt at 1047.Callsign was SHF008 formation

The above movement is for Thursday 22/9

4 x Gazelle and 1 x Puma flew over Peterborough at just before 1600hrs local. Couldn't catch the call sign but mentioned Benson flew across the Wittering matz. Any serial tie ups greatly appreciated.

Your choppers are in the heads up section

viewtopic.php?f=8&t=137062

Basically the ones at Benson minus GCJ which didn't fly according to the post.

By the way it is near enough 12 months since the last section of AlaT appeared at Middle Wallop - could be coincidence.

Has anybody definitely read off code GCJ - when I was at Benson is was very difficult - looked like GBJ to me , sorry!

Thanks!!

100% read off as GCJ, I have a photo of it on the pan too clearly readable

Magic.

Thanks.

08:15 on Friday 23rd - crews loading bags into the Five Gazelles and the Puma, looking like their departure for home is pretty imminent.

Does anybody know the name of the deployment they were over here for?

Thanks

James