FighterControl

Local press are reporting increased aircraft activity and simulated explosions this month, similar notices used to be posted when 352SOG were in town at this time of year. Are we due some C-130s?
https://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/new ... s-warning/

Hercs and Ospreys is the talk at the fence

A notice in on the notice board by the square in Lechlade talks of "giant voice activations, simulated detonations, simulated firearms use, adhoc notifications, increased aircraft movements and tented accomodation on base some of which may be visible"
The unit being exercised is 501st Combat Support Wing.
Note Whelford Road, the main road that passes the 09 threshold is being closed between the 15th and 31st of May between 7 and 7 there is some confusion as to whether this is a night or day closure the as temporary road signs don't seem to match the website.

27 threshold?

Yes your are right, I'm wrong, its the 27 threshold the eastern end of the runway the road is called Whelford road.

A friend whose husband works at Mildenhall said he was deploying to Fairford for three weeks soon

Wonder if the Civvy B744 Freighter flight that visited last week had anything to do with it?

RN.

RNexpat190 wrote: ↑

Sun May 04, 2025 5:26 am

Wonder if the Civvy B744 Freighter flight that visited last week had anything to do with it?

RN.

Yes it was,it delivered ordanance,for the exercise.

The Jumbo was collecting, not delivering. (From the locals).

seven wrote: ↑

Sun May 04, 2025 12:37 pm

The Jumbo was collecting, not delivering. (From the locals).

It unloaded stuff that was then transported off base

Seen by your own eyes?

Seen by mine. Unloading into a number of white HGVs.

Thanks, decisions to be made!

Another B747 due at Fairford tomorrow morning 7:35am from Dover AFB GTI8308

XX105 wrote: ↑

Sun May 04, 2025 10:10 am

RNexpat190 wrote: ↑

Sun May 04, 2025 5:26 am

Wonder if the Civvy B744 Freighter flight that visited last week had anything to do with it?

RN.

Yes it was,it delivered ordanance,for the exercise.

seven wrote: ↑

Sun May 04, 2025 12:37 pm

The Jumbo was collecting, not delivering. (From the locals).

Unless they plan on firing a JASSM across the base. These munitions are not for the exercise.
Multiple JASSM caskets eyeballed coming off that 747 (which left empty to.Hong Kong). Caskets loaded onto white 3rd party HGVs that went on their way down the M4. (Destination redacted)
The 747 due today also is unrelated.

Second B747 also due 16:30 today from Dover GTI8308

nitro999 wrote: ↑

Mon May 05, 2025 7:34 am

Second B747 also due 16:30 today from Dover GTI8308

This mornings B744 arrived using the callsign GTI 8308

Cheers

jigsaw wrote: ↑

Mon May 05, 2025 12:30 am

Unless they plan on firing a JASSM across the base. These munitions are not for the exercise.
Multiple JASSM caskets eyeballed coming off that 747 (which left empty to.Hong Kong).

Wouldn't be the first weapon integrated to C-130s!

It's possible that the MC-130Js from this morning have gone to Stuggurt to pick up personnel based off the number of tents outside the B2 hangars at Fairford.

seven wrote: ↑

Mon May 05, 2025 10:14 am

jigsaw wrote: ↑

Mon May 05, 2025 12:30 am

Unless they plan on firing a JASSM across the base. These munitions are not for the exercise.
Multiple JASSM caskets eyeballed coming off that 747 (which left empty to.Hong Kong).

Wouldn't be the first weapon integrated to C-130s!

More likely for next months BTF than for MC-130s