Lakenheath Visitor Summary - 2024

[slogen51]

RCH 737 (01-0193) C-17 arrived from Jordan

Also (N481MC) B744 arrived from Jordan

21:40 RCH 735 (04-4130) arrived from Muwaffaq Salti Air Base Jordan

[slogen51]

Both C-17 have departed

Just for the record I have updated the summary list on page 1 of this thread

174 visitors including repeats during 2024 excluding civil airliners

Probably missed a couple but thanks to a team effort I reckon most visitors if not all have been noted

25 F-35A ( Including the 3 WA machines, 10 RNoAF, 8 Klu, 4 VT)
3 RAF F-35B did a practice diversion (PD) during 2024 - an unfortunately low number I think
36 F-15E (24 SJ, 12 MO)
6 F-15QA movements - only 4 aircraft of course
12 F-22 AK
4 F-18C ( Finnish Air Force from Waddington)
1 Typhoon RAF
4 F-16 ( 2 BAF one a low approach, 2 AV from Farnborough Airshow)
2 Hunters low approach ( civil)
2 A-4N ( civil temporary assigned)
3 Chinook RAF - seemed like more
1 Puma RAF
35 C-17 including Bartoks of course
31 C-130J HKY flights including many repeats / shuttle flights
5 C-21
4 KC-46

[Philly1971]

Thanks for the updated list. I was actually going to start a new thread but you have answered my question, which is, how many times have the RAF visited Lakenheath this year. The 48th seem to do many PDs across the RAF bases, but I wonder why the RAF don’t seem to replicate. Three F-35Bs and one Typhoon visit suggests Lakenheath is almost off limits? Was it always this way. Can’t recall seeing lots of RAF visitors in the past, but have seen a Tornado and Hawk, plus seen RAF PDs at Mildenhall as well, and if you do a search on YouTube and you can find plenty of examples, so wondering why it’s gone so low now?

[slogen51]

Plus all three F-35B callsign Marham 10# were in January - I guess for training they can do the PD on their simulator but you would expect at least one between February and December.

The Typhoon landed - can't remember why now, perhaps a photo occasion?

The Vortex are proper visitors - gas and go and usually not read off!

No German or French aircraft

( In recent weeks there have been an average of 20 F-35A departures in the morning wave and roughly 10 in the second wave which is at least 150 F-35A missions per week - plus the Eagles (12-14 per day) - there is no room for visitors!)

[Bilvo]

Thanks for the updated list. I was actually going to start a new thread but you have answered my question, which is, how many times have the RAF visited Lakenheath this year. The 48th seem to do many PDs across the RAF bases, but I wonder why the RAF don’t seem to replicate. Three F-35Bs and one Typhoon visit suggests Lakenheath is almost off limits? Was it always this way. Can’t recall seeing lots of RAF visitors in the past, but have seen a Tornado and Hawk, plus seen RAF PDs at Mildenhall as well, and if you do a search on YouTube and you can find plenty of examples, so wondering why it’s gone so low now?

Its no different now to what it's ever been, RAF types rarely perform PDs to USAF bases, even back in the 80s and 90s, that's nothing new.

[AlexanderClover]

25 F-35A ( Including the 3 WA machines, 10 RNoAF, 8 Klu, 4 VT)
3 RAF F-35B did a practice diversion (PD) during 2024 - an unfortunately low number I think
36 F-15E (24 SJ, 12 MO)
6 F-15QA movements - only 4 aircraft of course
12 F-22 AK
1 Typhoon RAF
4 F-16 ( 2 BAF one a low approach, 2 AV from Farnborough Airshow)
2 Hunters low approach ( civil)
2 A-4N ( civil temporary assigned)
3 Chinook RAF - seemed like more
1 Puma RAF
35 C-17 including Bartoks of course
31 C-130J HKY flights including many repeats / shuttle flights
5 C-21
4 KC-46

You forgot the 4 Hawks as well

[slogen51]

Do you mean the RAVN Hawks? They arrived in 2023 and are mentioned on page 1 as carried forward from last year

[slogen51]

According to acars RCH 290 (02-1106) might visit later this afternoon/early evening from Muwaffaq Salti Air Base, Jordan.

If it shows it will be the 36th C-17 visitor of 2024 which ties with the 36 F-15E visitors this year as the most common type!

[markranger]

Both C-17 have departed

Just for the record I have updated the summary list on page 1 of this thread

170 visitors including repeats during 2024 excluding civil airliners

Probably missed a couple but thanks to a team effort I reckon most visitors if not all have been noted

25 F-35A ( Including the 3 WA machines, 10 RNoAF, 8 Klu, 4 VT)
3 RAF F-35B did a practice diversion (PD) during 2024 - an unfortunately low number I think
36 F-15E (24 SJ, 12 MO)
6 F-15QA movements - only 4 aircraft of course
12 F-22 AK
1 Typhoon RAF
4 F-16 ( 2 BAF one a low approach, 2 AV from Farnborough Airshow)
2 Hunters low approach ( civil)
2 A-4N ( civil temporary assigned)
3 Chinook RAF - seemed like more
1 Puma RAF
35 C-17 including Bartoks of course
31 C-130J HKY flights including many repeats / shuttle flights
5 C-21
4 KC-46

Very good Mike,

Only one i can maybe think of but not sure was a couple of Hornets overshot from Waddington? Might be wrong on this?


EDIT, After searching the waddington section 13th September 2024

Finnish
Bison 11/12 did an approach to Lakenheath and Mildenhall
Bison 13/14 did an approach to Lakenheath


Thanks

[slogen51]

Nice one cheers

Are the serials known by us? I will take a look

Ta

[markranger]

Nice one cheers

Are the serials known by us? I will take a look

Ta

It was this thread , I assume the PM sorting which i don't think has the numbers. page 2
viewtopic.php?f=455&t=247568

[slogen51]

Thanks I will add them in - they probably were photographed as there is usually always someone lurking

[Nighthawke]

I think serials are in the Lakenheath daily thread for the 13th September:

viewtopic.php?f=8&t=247562&hilit=BISON&start=20

Lower half of page 2 but can I please leave you to check?

Thanks and all the best.

[slogen51]

Marvellous thanks

RCH 290 C-17 is on the way which takes the total for the year to 175

22:02 RCH 290 (02-1106) on the deck

( Odd how the Finnish Air Force (EFHK) Hornet designation is F-18C rather than F/A-18C ?)

[slogen51]

Just for the record I have updated the summary list on page 1 of this thread

175 visitors including repeats during 2024 excluding civil airliners and warbirds

Probably missed a couple but thanks to a team effort I reckon most visitors if not all have been noted

25 F-35A ( Including the 3 WA machines, 10 RNoAF, 8 Klu, 4 VT)
3 RAF F-35B did a practice diversion (PD) during 2024 - an unfortunately low number I think
36 F-15E (24 SJ, 12 MO)
6 F-15QA movements - only 4 aircraft of course
12 F-22 AK
4 F-18C ( Finnish Air Force Practice Diversion from Waddington)
1 Typhoon RAF
4 F-16 ( 2 BAF one a low approach, 2 AV from Farnborough Airshow)
2 Hunters low approach ( civil)
2 A-4N ( civil temporary assigned)
3 Chinook RAF - seemed like more
1 Puma RAF
36 C-17 including Bartoks of course
31 C-130J HKY flights including many repeats / shuttle flights
5 C-21
4 KC-46

[slogen51]

Just been informed a National 'lump' turned up at Lakenheath yesterday early evening in the shape of N756CA B744-412(BCF) ex 9V-SMM , from Jordan

[slogen51]

18:10 there she goes - National Cargo 525 airborne on 136.50 switching to London 121.230 ' see you again '

[slogen51]

18:15 Camber 595 descending on 121.230; direct Lakenheath switching to 136.50 runway 23

one in one out

Camber 595 not surprisingly also inbound from Jordan according to FR24

Showing as (N936CA) B744-446(BCF) ex JA8086 ACFC26

18:22 switching to tower 122.1 cleared to land runway 23

On the deck - very good because it is quite misty- parking on victor

[slogen51]

28/12
15:50 National Cargo 510 (N936CA) airborne from Lakenheath towards BANEM

I did hear them yesterday evening on ground talking about flight plan delays

[slogen51]

29/12 Camber 589 inbound runway 23 on 136.50

Showing as (N663CA) B744F National Cargo ex VP-BIM Air Bridge Cargo

Tracking from Jordan I think

14:30 B744F noted on the ILS to 23 - Sunny at last!

Fully automatic landing according to the pilot

17:52 National Cargo 427 cleared to take off , went up like a rocket according to adsbexchange, cleared BKY on 132.605 FL400 switching to 135.255