RAF Fairford Deployments 1980's and 1990's

[skyking_comms]

Hi,

I'm trying to put together a page on deployments to RAF Fairford in the 1980's and 1990's. Looking for any pictures or information you may have to help - here's what I have so far http://www.raf-fairford.co.uk/Exercises

Particularly looking for dates of exercises, aircraft's involved and patches produced. I'm guessing quite a few articles would have been produced in Air Forces Monthly or the various other magazines. Would be really grateful for anything you have that I can upload for all those with an interest in Fairford.

Thanks,

Darren
www.raf-fairford.co.uk

[sonicbenj]

Hi Darren,

Whilst I can't help you I just had a look at your site and this looks to be an amazing resource when completed - it's already really interesting. I wanted to wish you the very best with it.

Cheers

Ben

[bigcrow]

Hi Darren

This link of mine & dads shots of past deployments may help with tieing up a few dates..

viewtopic.php?f=18&t=109005

[skyking_comms]

Thanks for all the responses - some really useful links!

The sharpshooter website is helpful for Fighter deployments and I spotted a 1994 deployment called Resolute Response which I never knew about previously.
Such a shame they didn't record the Bomber deployments!

I'm willing to put in as much time and effort needed to record all these deployments, so if anyone has any further information it will be gratefully received.

Like I said in the original post I think there's probably lots of information in magazines. Even if people could scan through them and take photo's of the articles I can use them and I will give credit to the individual and magazine.

Darren

[Malcolm]

Just been fighting my ADQ database to try and extract MY information . This is a list of all the B52's I've 'made' at Fairford between 1985 and 1999, including IAT/RIAT's. My first trip stateside wasn't till 1989, so should be fairly complete till then. It says.

57-6489 Boeing B-52 G Stratofortress [464194] 13/06/1985
57-6506 Boeing B-52 G Stratofortress [464211] 13/06/1985
57-6512 Boeing B-52 G Stratofortress [464217] 13/06/1985
57-6519 Boeing B-52 G Stratofortress [464224] 13/06/1985
58-0210 Boeing B-52 G Stratofortress [464278] 13/06/1985
59-2586 Boeing B-52 G Stratofortress [464349] 13/06/1985
59-2599 Boeing B-52 G Stratofortress [464362] 13/06/1985
59-2602 Boeing B-52 G Stratofortress [464365] 13/07/1985
57-6476 Boeing B-52 G Stratofortress [464181] 21/09/1985
59-2565 Boeing B-52 G Stratofortress [464328] 21/09/1985
59-2598 Boeing B-52 G Stratofortress [464361] 21/09/1985
58-0216 Boeing B-52 G Stratofortress [464284] 30/08/1986
58-0240 Boeing B-52 G Stratofortress [464308] 30/08/1986
59-2569 Boeing B-52 G Stratofortress [464332] 30/08/1986
58-0172 Boeing B-52 G Stratofortress [464240] 02/05/1987
58-0241 Boeing B-52 G Stratofortress [464309] 02/05/1987
59-2578 Boeing B-52 G Stratofortress [464341] 02/05/1987
58-0233 Boeing B-52 G Stratofortress [464301] 17/07/1987
58-0224 Boeing B-52 G Stratofortress [464292] 07/09/1987
59-2588 Boeing B-52 G Stratofortress [464351] 07/09/1987
59-2596 Boeing B-52 G Stratofortress [464359] 07/09/1987
58-0226 Boeing B-52 G Stratofortress [464294] 29/04/1988
58-0232 Boeing B-52 G Stratofortress [464300] 29/04/1988
58-0251 Boeing B-52 G Stratofortress [464319] 29/04/1988
58-0241 Boeing B-52 G Stratofortress [464___] 29/04/1988
58-0224 Boeing B-52 G Stratofortress [464___] 29/04/1988
58-0240 Boeing B-52 G Stratofortress [464___] 29/04/1988
59-2596 Boeing B-52 G Stratofortress [464___] 29/04/1988
58-0212 Boeing B-52 G Stratofortress [464280] 04/06/1988 2 BW
59-2595 Boeing B-52 G Stratofortress [464358] 04/06/1988 2 BW
59-2569 Boeing B-52 G Stratofortress [464___] 04/06/1988 2 BW
59-2599 Boeing B-52 G Stratofortress [464___] 04/06/1988 2 BW
58-0186 Boeing B-52 G Stratofortress [464254] 30/07/1988
58-0225 Boeing B-52 G Stratofortress [464293] 30/07/1988
59-2573 Boeing B-52 G Stratofortress [464336] 30/07/1988
58-0251 Boeing B-52 G Stratofortress [464___] 30/07/1988
58-0224 Boeing B-52 G Stratofortress [464___] 30/07/1988
58-0241 Boeing B-52 G Stratofortress [464___] 30/07/1988
58-0226 Boeing B-52 G Stratofortress [464___] 30/07/1988
58-0195 Boeing B-52 G Stratofortress [464263] 10/09/1988
58-0213 Boeing B-52 G Stratofortress [464281] 10/09/1988
58-0235 Boeing B-52 G Stratofortress [464303] 10/09/1988
58-0255 Boeing B-52 G Stratofortress [464323] 10/09/1988
58-0189 Boeing B-52 G Stratofortress [4643__] 16/09/1989
58-0216 Boeing B-52 G Stratofortress [4643__] 16/09/1989
58-0233 Boeing B-52 G Stratofortress [4643__] 16/09/1989
59-2565 Boeing B-52 G Stratofortress [4643__] 16/09/1989
59-2570 Boeing B-52 G Stratofortress [4643__] 16/09/1989
57-6498 Boeing B-52 G Stratofortress [464203] 15/02/1991 416 BW
58-0182 Boeing B-52 G Stratofortress [464250] 15/02/1991 379 BW
58-0204 Boeing B-52 G Stratofortress [464272] 15/02/1991 379 BW
58-0231 Boeing B-52 G Stratofortress [464299] 15/02/1991
58-0237 Boeing B-52 G Stratofortress [464305] 15/02/1991
58-0245 Boeing B-52 G Stratofortress [464313] 15/02/1991 2 BW
58-0247 Boeing B-52 G Stratofortress [464315] 15/02/1991 379 BW
59-2589 Boeing B-52 G Stratofortress [464352] 15/02/1991
58-0168 Boeing B-52 G Stratofortress [464236] 24/02/1991
59-2579 Boeing B-52 G Stratofortress [464342] 03/03/1991
58-0229 Boeing B-52 G Stratofortress [464297] 20/07/1991
58-0206 Boeing B-52 G Stratofortress [464274] 08/09/1991
58-0195 Boeing B-52 G Stratofortress [4643__] 08/09/1991
58-0218 Boeing B-52 G Stratofortress [4643__] 08/09/1991
58-0226 Boeing B-52 G Stratofortress [4643__] 08/09/1991
61-0003 Boeing B-52 H Stratofortress [464430] 25/06/1992 92 BW
61-0008 Boeing B-52 H Stratofortress {464435] 25/06/1992 92 BW
61-0017 Boeing B-52 H Stratofortress [464444] 25/06/1992 92 BW
61-0028 Boeing B-52 H Stratofortress [464455] 25/06/1992 92 BW
61-0040 Boeing B-52 H Stratofortress [464467] 25/06/1992 92 BW
60-0060 Boeing B-52 H Stratofortress [464425] 24/07/1993
61-0015 Boeing B-52 H Stratofortress [464442] 16/09/1993
61-0020 Boeing B-52 H Stratofortress [464447] 16/09/1993
60-0058 Boeing B-52 H Stratofortress [464423] 22/07/1995
60-0013 Boeing B-52 H Stratofortress [464378] 08/06/1996
61-0013 Boeing B-52 H Stratofortress [464440] 08/06/1996
60-0003 Boeing B-52 H Stratofortress [464368] 18/07/1997

HTH
Malcolm

[skyking_comms]

Malcolm that's a very comprehensive list! I will try and add the details next to each OP

Just received some information on an exercise called CLOUDY CHORUS back in June 1980 - now added http://www.raf-fairford.co.uk/Exercises

Overwhelmed by all the responses :-)

[Malcolm]

Malcolm that's a very comprehensive list! I will try and add the details next to each OP

Just received some information on an exercise called CLOUDY CHORUS back in June 1980 - now added http://www.raf-fairford.co.uk/Exercises

Overwhelmed by all the responses :-)

I've updated the list with a few entries from a couple of old log books - highlighted in red.

I've also looked through BARG for 1979-80, and I can't find any mention of a Busy Brewer to Fairford that year. Indeed, it says the base wasn't handed back to the USAF till 1st September 79. There were B-52D deployments to Upper Heyford and Marham though in 1979.

[ginge]

I visited on 4thApril 1999 and these were deployed here during the conflict in Bosnia
B1b's
85-0075
85-0083
85-0091
86-0102

B52H's
60-0009
60-0020
60-0044
60-0052
60-0059
61-0016
61-0021
61-0023

Cheers
Martyn

[skyking_comms]

Thanks Malcolm, updates made to the site. Have to admit that I'm not a serial spotter but I believe they help build the history file for these exercises

I will check with the guy who sent me the information on the 1979 B-52's

[graham luxton]

Very interesting site - will check my data for any additions. Filmed/video'd every USAF bomber to visit since 1979 and I can confirm that there were no B-52D's that year.

[skyking_comms]

Thanks Martyn, I have a separate page for that OP - http://www.raf-fairford.co.uk/home/allied-force
Instead of putting the serials on the page I added this link - http://sharpshooter-maj.com/html/profil05.htm

I visited on 4thApril 1999 and these were deployed here during the conflict in Bosnia
B1b's
85-0075
85-0083
85-0091
86-0102

B52H's
60-0009
60-0020
60-0044
60-0052
60-0059
61-0016
61-0021
61-0023

Cheers
Martyn

[skyking_comms]

Graham, I hear that you are the most knowledgeable person on deployments to Fairford so welcome any additional information you can provide!

The page is coming along nicely now

Very interesting site - will check my data for any additions. Filmed/video'd every USAF bomber to visit since 1979 and I can confirm that there were no B-52D's that year.

[skyking_comms]

Quick question - Does anyone know the dates when seven KC-135s arrived for Exercise Autumn Forge? Could it be September 1978?
There's a great photo here - http://www.airliners.net/photo/USA---Ai ... a98a2a7de1

[tim_3216]

Skyking

Your web site is an excellent resource

As a stand-by and deployment base for so many years, Fairford was (and still is as current FC threads show) very well covered. Full coverage of historical flying activities might actually be achievable compared to say Mildenhall or the other active bases, where I don't think you'd ever get everything covered.

Thanks for the Op Allied Force link to Sharpshooter. I wrote that article an unbelievable 16 years ago. The information was hot off the press at the time and there may well be inaccuracies. I'm sure more information will have come out over the years since but I've not researched it further or made any updates. Much of the information at the time came from the Mil-Spotters email group.

The Sharpshooter site is no longer updated but the webmaster is happy to keep it live to his great credit. It is a fantastic resource, the Coronet pages are a unique, in-depth, one place record of cold war activities, with the photos adding an extra dimension. Much of the information came from archive copies of BAR, which if you could track them down would probably fill in any Fairford deployment gaps. I'd imagine a few of the FC members have those stashed away.

A more ambitious addition would be recording the comings and goings of the KC-135s during the tanker years at Fairford. Good luck with that!

Best wishes for your project.

Tim

[graham luxton]

Quick question - Does anyone know the dates when seven KC-135s arrived for Exercise Autumn Forge? Could it be September 1978?
There's a great photo here - http://www.airliners.net/photo/USA---Ai ... a98a2a7de1

Believe it was 6 rather than 7 and all were Mildenhall TDY a/c

KC-135A - 71441 92BW, 38026 305AREFW, 38035 2BW
KC-135Q - 80045 380BW, 80117 and 91490 both 100AREFW

First arrival was 6th Sep and on the 13th 5 were in place for a 2 week trial to establish whether Fairford was suitable for tanker ops.

Regarding B-52 visits. Since Fairford became a Forward base for `Buffs` in 1980, 137 have visited - 6 D's, 60 G's and 71 H's - hopefully by the end of this week that total may have increased slightly!

regards,
Graham

[Firefighter]

Osprey Aviation published a book in 1995 (my copy 2000) about the B-52 Boeing's Cold War Warrior, has a chapter about Desert Storm, The 'Buff's' Last War? Fairford is mentioned along with some B/W pictures, as is Graham Luxton in the books introduction.

[skyking_comms]

Quick question - Does anyone know the dates when seven KC-135s arrived for Exercise Autumn Forge? Could it be September 1978?
There's a great photo here - http://www.airliners.net/photo/USA---Ai ... a98a2a7de1

Believe it was 6 rather than 7 and all were Mildenhall TDY a/c

KC-135A - 71441 92BW, 38026 305AREFW, 38035 2BW
KC-135Q - 80045 380BW, 80117 and 91490 both 100AREFW

First arrival was 6th Sep and on the 13th 5 were in place for a 2 week trial to establish whether Fairford was suitable for tanker ops.

Regarding B-52 visits. Since Fairford became a Forward base for `Buffs` in 1980, 137 have visited - 6 D's, 60 G's and 71 H's - hopefully by the end of this week that total may have increased slightly!

regards,
Graham

Thanks for the info Graham, I've now updated the 11th Strategic Group Page to reflect this - http://www.raf-fairford.co.uk/home/11th-sg

[skyking_comms]

Really pleased with my 2 recent additions - never seen them before!





Darren
http://www.raf-fairford.co.uk