Exercise Saber Strike - Advanced Info/Discussion

[joe spares]

Does anyone know if we are still expecting the Michigan ANG tanker support at Fairford?

Many thanks.

good point they had a patch done for this exercise.

I was hoping for the ANG tankers too, but unlike the B52 patch, the Michigan one doesn't actualy have "fairford" on it, if they come they may be based elsewhere.......

[von_trippenhopf]

Surely that can't be all the movements for the whole exercise?

You've got to remember that flying actual missions is only part of the big picture, practising logistics, support & maintenance at a deployed location are also part of the exercise. No good having planes on the flightline if you can't maintain, fuel, & arm them or feed and house the crews & support staff.

Dunk, love the 'Willy waving' comment

[RichC]

In the past exercises, the ANG tankers have operated from the area of where the exercise is held. So i expect they are operating as per the usual. This exercise happens every year.

[nellis6]

Dunk, my post said 11th and 17th, not 11th and 12th! I don't know about any other dates I'm afraid

[Trojan02]

Can we expect any E-6B activity during the B-52 missions?

[nellis6]

Can we expect any E-6B activity during the B-52 missions?

Why would an E-6B take part? Nothing to do with B-52 missions as far as I am aware. The aircraft is a command post that relays communications for the US Navy's ballistic missile submarine force

[magnum]

Can we expect any E-6B activity during the B-52 missions?

Probably not for this exercise.

[Mark K]

Why would an E-6B take part? Nothing to do with B-52 missions as far as I am aware. The aircraft is a command post that relays communications for the US Navy's ballistic missile submarine force

I can loosely see why the question of whether an E-6B might have been taking part. Don't forget that this exercise is also part of BALTOPS (More info here:http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=81492) while there may not be an E-6B involved the Navy are involved at Fairford as was evident by the Naval personnel working on the munitions on pallets not far from the B-52s.

In theory an E-6B could have been used as a command and control platform but A NATO AWACS E-3A is being used operating in Swedish airspace, providing air and surface surveillance to participants.

Mark

[Trojan02]

On May 14th an E-6B was active above Germany in contact with 2 B-2's on HF 11175 and UHF 323.800 during exercise Global Lightning, so for that reason I was wondering if he will take part in this exercise. Thanks for the explanations guys.

[markwillis]

Hi All,

Sorry if this has been mentioned before. i normally do civil stuff but my lad (11 years old) is mad on the B52's and as he is at school i can't get him out during the week to see the deployment, however i understand one of the aircraft will be up on Saturday for the D Day anniversary? does anybody know what time it will be off?

like i say i am sorry if this has been mentioned before.

Good to know your son is an aviation 'buff!'

1 or 2 aircraft should launch tomorrow for DDay flypasts (weather dependant), but its a case of staking out and waiting patiently i'm afraid.

Dunk

Hi Dunk,

thanks for getting back to me/us. Yes he is a mad nut for the "old" stuff...B52's, A-10's, AC-130's/ F-111's etc etc, but its getting harder to see them these days...flying anyway... i think his infatuation is the plastic models i have done for him and put in his room, that and the old photos i have of them all "in the days"..

hope the weather is better than forecast, but if not, then i guess we will both have to throw a sicky on day in the week!!!

[Topol-M]

Can we expect any E-6B activity during the B-52 missions?

Why would an E-6B take part? Nothing to do with B-52 missions as far as I am aware. The aircraft is a command post that relays communications for the US Navy's ballistic missile submarine force

Maybe you should read my two blog articles:
http://planesandstuff.wordpress.com/2013/09/
and
http://planesandstuff.wordpress.com/201 ... lightning/

Both involve USAF B-2s and E-6Bs with not a USN Submarine in sight anywhere. The E6s do far more than just relay EAMs to Subs - saying that, I don't think one will be involved in this

Oh God, just realised I mentioned B-2s - standby for more rumours

[Tronk 11]

Hi Folks,
I just wonder if the USAF were fulfilling contracts to supply equipment. There was 8 B-52's scheduled they'd have to supply the ground equipment, & wondered if it was cheaper to fly the kit in from VARIOUS bases rather than pay the penalty of cancelling the flights.

[Dunk]

Dunk, my post said 11th and 17th, not 11th and 12th! I don't know about any other dates I'm afraid

Yup understood that fella, was just saying im off on those particular days, so hoping to see some airborne Buff action on the 11th

[Thunder]

In the past exercises, the ANG tankers have operated from the area of where the exercise is held. So i expect they are operating as per the usual. This exercise happens every year.

Maybe putting two and two together and coming out with five, but it looks like some exercise support is being based at Lossie. Can't think of any other reason a KC-135 and P3 would arrive at Lossie on the same day.

viewtopic.php?f=74&t=98836

[Topol-M]

Correct. If you recall last year, there were a few P3s in at Leuchars for a week or so - and a KC10 I think

[GRUMPY66]

Thee is a KC10 in at Leuchars now but I think
it is leaving on Monday.

[Mike]

Thee is a KC10 in at Leuchars now but I think
it is leaving on Monday.

Didn't it leave yesterday? viewtopic.php?f=16&t=98848

[GRUMPY66]

Hi Mike KC10 landed back at Leuchars
at 15.14.

[Mike]

Hi Mike KC10 landed back at Leuchars
at 15.14.

Cheers Grumpy.

[BOLLO]

Nothing yet. According to the NOTAMs, Fairford isn't even open today. Will keep an eye on it and see if anything changes.

B1007/14 - MILITARY ATZ ACTIVATION 5NM RADIUS 514101N 0014720W (FAIRFORD AD,
GLOUCESTERSHIRE). 14-06-0487/AS 7. 0500-2200, 02 JUN 05:00 2014 UNTIL 20 JUN
22:00 2014. CREATED: 29 MAY 09:22 2014

Does this not cover FFD untill the EX ends including todays alleged movements ??