Howler 61 & Howler 62 Saturday 4th November 2023

[Skywatcher]

FYI think just had a Howler call up ,didn’t catch the freq but I think it was Howler 62
So possibly rtb
As airfield rwy lights showing green and tower still up but no rwy open active official business only type Notam
Plus the bird scarer van is out on stand by as well
Tower is saying rwy 27 active
Iv been out this evening at family friends and only just got radio back on .

[Madhatter492]

Visual on one B-1 entering Daventry Rc Thrapston end . 22:30

[sdad]

Heard north of Northampton.

[BOLLO]

The launch of Rake 72H to meet Howler Flight over Malta at midnight suggests a top up before heading back to FFD, anyone confirm they are due back tonight please as long trip down tomorrow for 0124

Think they are on a long one,not due back to later tomorrow.Got a few more ARs to do befor e they come back

[Skywatcher]

Cheers Madhatter that will be her then I suspect it’s Howler 62 rtb from 613s
So probably 252.875 ?

[BOLLO]

22.42 RAKE 72H SE/B passing to the west o Sardinia fl 350

[SamP]

Are we sure there’s a B-1 returning to Fairford from the North? That doesn’t seem right given the tankers track unless they split on departure

[keithh]

It sounded like one of them has just landed

[Skywatcher]

Yes Howler 62 landed RWY 27 just seen him land at 23:00 (estimated)
Seen from Welford Road
Lights off now and bird scarer van has moved from the approach end .

[SamP]

Thanks for the confirmation Max

[Skywatcher]

No worries at all Sam mate it was quite the sight in the near fog .impossible to tell which one it was (except from his callsign),unless Graham knows as it was only myself and Graham there .
Also Highly unusual for them to land without an active open for official business only type Notam thought they had to open the base with that Notam outside of usual hours ? Unless there was obviously maybe a Higher HQ request.maybe. don’t think there was one this evening earlier but unsure as have been at family friends (well we actually went to a pub ) tonight.

[BOLLO]

23.17 HOWLER 61 checking in with Malta radar west on 130.975

[BOLLO]

23.21 RAKE 72 checking in with Malta fl 350

HOWLER 61 requesting to execute a 360 from their present position.

[BOLLO]

23.28 HOWLER 61 61 requesting direct SUBOK ?? with Malta radar

[BOLLO]

23.36 Malta radar with HOWLER 61 requesting a/c type and destination .

HOWLER 61 is a Bravo One and the destination is EGVA Fairford

[BOLLO]

23.38 RAKE 72 has a visual with HOWLER 61 and declaring MARSA for air refueling in the block 200/220

HOWER 61 requesting the join with RAKE 72 in the block 200/220

[BOLLO]

23.49 HOWLER 61/RAKE 72 now joined as a flight and calling RAKE 72 flt cleared via SUBOK/ARLOS fl 220.

[Seacat192]

0519:

Rake 72 showing on ADSB on approach to Mildenhall.

[DILLIGAF1]

Howler 62 location?

[zero_gravity]

Seemed to be some confusion about the split last night , I was not monitoring the Mode A screen , but Tony54321 was quite right , looking at the archive one of the B1's broke away and heading north via SHAW crossed the country to the east coast and then went out to the area around AARA6 on 3351/6101 then for a while swiched to 6401 before heading back down the coast , turning SSW a little north of the Wash and back though the corridor [again on 6101].