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Flying with the 100th ARW

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bigcrow
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Flying with the 100th ARW

Post by bigcrow » Thu Aug 13, 2015 3:04 pm

Last month I was given the great privilege to fly with the United States Air Force's 100th Air Refuelling Wing based at RAF Mildenhall, in one of their Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker aircraft call-sign 'Quid 74'. We flew down to a refuelling area known as the 'Speedy Track' over the Adriatic Sea to refuel eight General Dynamics F-16CM Fighting Falcon's from the 31st Fighter Wing based at Aviano AFB in Northorn Italy, call-signs 'Venom 21' & 'Buzzard 22' Flights. Here are some of the results. Click on the link below for my report on the wing

#1

Image63-8021/D KC-135R 100th ARW, 351st ARS, RAF Mildenhall. by Stuart Freer - Touchdown Aviation, on Flickr

#2

Image63-8021/D KC-135R 100th ARW, 351st ARS, RAF Mildenhall. by Stuart Freer - Touchdown Aviation, on Flickr

#3

Image89-2057/AV F-16CM-40-CF 31st FW, 510th FS "Buzzards", Aviano AFB. by Stuart Freer - Touchdown Aviation, on Flickr

#4

Image88-0525/AV F-16CM-40-CF 31st FW, 510th FS "Buzzards", Aviano AFB. by Stuart Freer - Touchdown Aviation, on Flickr

#5

Image88-0525/AV F-16CM-40-CF 31st FW, 510th FS "Buzzards", Aviano AFB. by Stuart Freer - Touchdown Aviation, on Flickr

#6

Image87-0351/AV F-16CM-40-CF 31st FW, 555h FS "Triple Nickel", Aviano AFB. by Stuart Freer - Touchdown Aviation, on Flickr

#7

Image88-0444/AV F-16CM-40-CF 31st FW, 510th FS "Buzzards", Aviano AFB. by Stuart Freer - Touchdown Aviation, on Flickr

#8

Image88-0525/AV F-16CM-40-CF 31st FW, 510th FS "Buzzards", Aviano AFB. by Stuart Freer - Touchdown Aviation, on Flickr

#9

Image89-2057/AV F-16CM-40-CF 31st FW, 510th FS "Buzzards", Aviano AFB. by Stuart Freer - Touchdown Aviation, on Flickr

#10

Image88-0413/AV F-16CM-40-CF 31st FW, 510th FS "Buzzards", Aviano AFB. by Stuart Freer - Touchdown Aviation, on Flickr

#11

Image89-2057/AV F-16CM-40-CF 31st FW, 510th FS "Buzzards", Aviano AFB. by Stuart Freer - Touchdown Aviation, on Flickr

#12

Image88-0525/AV F-16CM-40-CF 31st FW, 510th FS "Buzzards", Aviano AFB. by Stuart Freer - Touchdown Aviation, on Flickr

#13

Image89-2009/AV F-16CM-40-CF 31st FW, 555th FS "Triple Nickel", Aviano AFB. by Stuart Freer - Touchdown Aviation, on Flickr

#14

Image89-2009/AV F-16CM-40-CF 31st FW, 555th FS "Triple Nickel", Aviano AFB. by Stuart Freer - Touchdown Aviation, on Flickr

#15

Image88-0525/AV F-16CM-40-CF 31st FW, 510th FS "Buzzards", Aviano AFB. by Stuart Freer - Touchdown Aviation, on Flickr

http://www.touchdown-aviation.com/repor ... th-arw.php
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Jazz
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Re: Flying with the 100th ARW

Post by Jazz » Thu Aug 13, 2015 3:36 pm

The Muts. Congrats :thumb:
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lardyboy999
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Re: Flying with the 100th ARW

Post by lardyboy999 » Thu Aug 13, 2015 3:36 pm

Lovely stuff!

Brings back memories of a few trips I did with them back in the 90's.

Thanks for posting.

:thumbs:
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BigTed

Re: Flying with the 100th ARW

Post by BigTed » Thu Aug 13, 2015 4:25 pm

Stunning shots

C.
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LANCER
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Re: Flying with the 100th ARW

Post by LANCER » Thu Aug 13, 2015 5:04 pm

Brilliant !!
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Blackcat1
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Re: Flying with the 100th ARW

Post by Blackcat1 » Thu Aug 13, 2015 5:45 pm

Im turning green!!! lol ;-), awesome shots, all great shots but being a fan of the KC135 my fav is the KC135 cockpit shot! theres a difference Pacer Crag makes!!!

Thanks for sharing

Cheers
Gareth

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Thunderbolt II
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Re: Flying with the 100th ARW

Post by Thunderbolt II » Thu Aug 13, 2015 5:46 pm

Fantastic- made the most of your opportunity!
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GhostFlight91
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Re: Flying with the 100th ARW

Post by GhostFlight91 » Thu Aug 13, 2015 9:04 pm

:thumbs: :thumbs: :thumbs: :thumbs: Stunning mate stunning hats off
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DanBeeden
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Re: Flying with the 100th ARW

Post by DanBeeden » Fri Aug 14, 2015 7:41 am

Terrific stuff - FC really is rolling out some stunning threads at the moment!!
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Stu
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Re: Flying with the 100th ARW

Post by Stu » Fri Aug 14, 2015 11:49 am

Some very nice shots there :thumb:
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Ashley Wallace
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Re: Flying with the 100th ARW

Post by Ashley Wallace » Fri Aug 14, 2015 1:12 pm

Lovely mate - glad it all finally worked out. Its not as easy shooting up there as people think is it?
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bigcrow
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Re: Flying with the 100th ARW

Post by bigcrow » Fri Aug 14, 2015 1:47 pm

Cheers guys as Ash states its not easy at all up there, you are very cramped in the boom pod, not that, that was a problem when I was up there seeing as my boom operator was female.. :P Also the glass/windows are not that great with scratches & Hydraulic fuel all over them, but it is an amazing experience...
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LTFT5
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Re: Flying with the 100th ARW

Post by LTFT5 » Fri Aug 14, 2015 2:49 pm

bigcrow wrote:Cheers guys as Ash states its not easy at all up there
I find it hard enough when both feet are firmly on the ground. :D
A great set of images, really enjoyed viewing them

Andy
“Live in the sunshine, swim the sea, drink the wild air.”
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Nick Thompson
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Re: Flying with the 100th ARW

Post by Nick Thompson » Fri Aug 14, 2015 3:50 pm

Fantastic set Stuart, the close ups with the aircraft approaching the boom and the dynamic banking away shots stand out in particular.
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graham luxton

Re: Flying with the 100th ARW

Post by graham luxton » Sun Aug 16, 2015 3:27 pm

Great shots and article Stu and yes, you were very privileged. After this and Ashley's trips I have visions of Mildenhall's Public Affairs being bombarded with requests to go flying!

Having had some experience of taking shots from KC-135's in the 70's and 80's I agree its not easy up there and one has to be very careful not to disturb the Boomer's concentration while trying to get those shots of a lifetime. Also managed to get F-16's but only once - 388TFW/HL's on Coronet Falcon, from Bergen to Hill in March'81.

Those flights were certainly the high point in over 50 years of being a USAF enthusiast.

cheers,
Graham
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tanker
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Re: Flying with the 100th ARW

Post by tanker » Sun Aug 16, 2015 5:16 pm

Beautiful set of pics,thanks for sharing.
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TeeJay
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Re: Flying with the 100th ARW

Post by TeeJay » Mon Aug 17, 2015 4:52 am

Hi Stuart
Another fantastic airborne set of images :clap:
Simply superb
Thanks for sharing with us
All the best
Trev
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paddyboy
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Re: Flying with the 100th ARW

Post by paddyboy » Tue Aug 18, 2015 10:09 am

Hi Stuart :P

Sorry for the tardy reply :blush:

North Norfolk is still a no-go Wi-Fi zone in parts :whistle:

Stunning work, mate :thumbs:

Cheers

Paddyboy :clap:
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