FighterControl

I appreciate this is a question that not many people will know the answer too 100% but I also figured that this is the best place to ask without people responding like idiots, I'm looking at you facebook.

With one of the LN squadrons already out in the Sandpit, are the MO's likely to pass through this week en-route back home? Or have they/will they take an alternative route home?

I appreciate the risks involved with travelling to a base and what is needed to be done with regard social distancing when/if I get there.

Many thanks for any responses.

Well I am one of the great unwashed who don't have any inside information but the deployed F-15E usually transit through Lakenheath ( Keep a lookout out for any tankers coming up the Med). But apparently the only sure thing in life is death and taxes!

Thanks for the reply mate... Noticed a KC-10 went into Mildenhall today from another re-fuelling mission, If I remember correctly the SJ's/MO's swap last year co-incided with KC-10's repositioning to Mildenhall. Even though I've asked the question I appreciate its a matter of keeping a look out on the heads up etc

Tanker now went back to the USA

Yeah just saw that, thanks for the update.

Anymore information if these MO’s will be passing through lakenheath?

Sam

Roma 82/92 KC10s into Mildenhall this evening, no idea if connected.

MO's are returning from the sandpit this week

DM

Looking good for today - both tankers headed south this morning

SCRAMBLE saying they are due Lakenheath today

Being covered here

viewtopic.php?p=1187438#p1187438

Ross Forsyth wrote: ↑

Wed May 27, 2020 9:46 am

SCRAMBLE saying they are due Lakenheath today

12 today and 6 tomorrow....hopefully.

The place will be rammed tomorrow then, every man and his dog will be there Social distancing?

roughcutter wrote: ↑

Wed May 27, 2020 6:06 pm

The place will be rammed tomorrow then, every man and his dog will be there Social distancing?

In all fairness today wasn't bad from where we were at the wood. Everyone was keeping away when they walked past. Looking over into the field everyone was very well spaced out. Dont get me wrong its the busiest i have ever seen it.

If they hadn’t have passed through in October I’m sure it would have been even busier!

May aswell use this post again as somethings been bugging me recently that probably has a logical answer.

Why aren't the Mildenhall based tankers used in these types of re-fuelling missions?

A KC-10 can carry around 160 tonnes of fuel, roughly double that of a KC-135. One KC-10 can support 6 fighters on each of the 2 legs to get from the sandpit to Stateside. Would require 2 KC-135 (and 2 crews) to do the same job

Aaaaagh, that makes sense. Nice one!

That may be true for the MOs coming from the Near East, but it requires 2x KC-10s to bring a cell of fighters from the Middle East.

Also, why then have KC-135s turned up - one for each cell to accompany the KC-10? Possibly because they are flying against the high speed Westerly transatlantic winds at their transit height?

The 6 on Saturday went with 3 KC135's. They would have saved time and fuel I think taking a more westerly heading instead of going up the east coast, but they have their reasons, perhaps they prefer to stay near the water in case of squirt tests etc.

Cheers
John 'flightpath'.