Lakenheath and Mildenhall Fighter Follies April 2017

The chance of seeing all 18 Mountain Home Eagles was too good an option to pass up. So, after a hastily arranged day off, Colin and John made an early start and headed off to Suffolk.

Upon arriving at Mildenhall the fog was too thick to see the field. Luckily over at Lakenheath it had already started to burn off. Result.

We took a walk to see the 12 that had arrived over the past two days before returning to wait on the arrival of the final six...and of Pogo who was enroute. Dazza had to wait until he finished work before dashing up.

Lakenheath 08-04-17

62AW "McChord"
99-0166 McDonnell-Douglas C-17A Globemaster III P-66

389FS/391FS / 366FW "Gunfighters"
87-0169/MO McDonnell-Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle 1034
87-0170/MO McDonnell-Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle 1035
87-0173/MO McDonnell-Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle 1038
87-0183/MO McDonnell-Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle 1048
87-0198/MO McDonnell-Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle 1063
87-0204/MO McDonnell-Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle 1069
88-1697/MO McDonnell-Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle 1106
88-1707/MO McDonnell-Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle 1116 - also marked 366FW

89-0506/MO McDonnell-Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle 1153
90-0234/MO McDonnell-Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle 1164
90-0240/MO McDonnell-Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle 1172
90-0243/MO McDonnell-Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle 1176
90-0250/MO McDonnell-Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle 1185
90-0253/MO McDonnell-Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle 1189

90-0255/MO McDonnell-Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle 1193
91-0319/MO McDonnell-Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle 1226
91-0323/MO McDonnell-Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle 1230
91-0333/MO McDonnell-Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle 1240

Today's arrivals were 1707, 240, 319, 255, 1697, 183.

492FS/494FS / 48FW "Madhatters/Panthers"
91-0307/LN McDonnell-Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle 1214

91-0309/LN McDonnell-Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle 1216
91-0311/LN McDonnell-Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle 1218 - also marked 48FW
91-0312/LN McDonnell-Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle 1219
91-0313/LN McDonnell-Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle 1220
91-0324/LN McDonnell-Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle 1231
91-0327/LN McDonnell-Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle 1234
91-0331/LN McDonnell-Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle 1238
91-0332/LN McDonnell-Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle 1239

91-0334/LN McDonnell-Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle 1241
91-0605/LN McDonnell-Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle 1248
92-0364/LN McDonnell-Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle 1249
96-0202/LN McDonnell-Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle 1335

96-0204/LN McDonnell-Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle 1341
97-0219/LN McDonnell-Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle 1357
97-0220/LN McDonnell-Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle 1358
00-3000/LN McDonnell-Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle 1366
00-3002/LN McDonnell-Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle 1368

Today's departures were 605, 202, 332, 331, 307, 219. Air spares 312 and 327 both returned.

Mildenhall 08-04-17

60AMW "Travis"
83-0075 Douglas KC-10A Extender 48216
83-0076 Douglas KC-10A Extender 48217

84-0187 Douglas KC-10A Extender 48226

305AMW "McGuire"
79-1711 Douglas KC-10A Extender 48203

87-0120 Douglas KC-10A Extender 48306

171ARW "Pennsylvania"
58-0060 Boeing KC-135T Stratotanker 17805

22ARW "McConnell"
60-0335 Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker 18110
63-8002 Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker 18619

72ARS / 434ARW "Grissom"
60-0322 Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker 18097

314ARS / 940ARW Beale
60-0331 Boeing KC-135T Stratotanker 18106


38RS / 55WG "Offutt"
62-4139/OF Boeing RC-135W Rivet Joint 18479

77ARS / 916ARW "First in Flight"
62-3577 Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker 18560

351ARS / 100ARW
58-0118 Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker 17863
60-0324 Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker 18099
61-0267 Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker 18174
61-0299 Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker 18206
61-0321 Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker 18228

62-3559 Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker 18542

67SOS / 352SOG
11-5731 Lockheed MC-130J Commando II 5731
11-5733 Lockheed MC-130J Commando II 5733
11-5737 Lockheed MC-130J Commando II 5737
12-5757 Lockheed MC-130J Commando II 5757
12-5759 Lockheed MC-130J Commando II 5759
13-5778 Lockheed MC-130J Commando II 5778
13-5786 Lockheed MC-130J Commando II 5786

7SOS / 352SOG
08-0051 Bell-Boeing CV-22B Osprey D1042
12-0064 Bell-Boeing CV-22B Osprey D1045

Just as we were leaving Mildenhall the Dazcat turned up so another quick bash over to the 'Heath was called for. He'd missed the first 6 MOs by an hour! Still, he was happy to get 12, better than none. He was more frustrated one of his last LNs had departed earlier and that he'd missed Walkers...Pogo had cleared them out of burgers :-)

We didn't expect to be back in East Anglia so soon but news of some Hill AFB F-35As was an oppurtunity that was too good to be missed. As we were visiting Ma and Pa in Lincs an overnight stay and morning departure was in order. Colin, John and Chas were not to be disappointed.

Lakenheath 15-04-17

34FS / 388FW
13-5072/HL Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II AF-78 - also marked 388FW

14-5094/HL Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II AF-95

14-5096/HL Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II AF-97

14-5097/HL Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II AF-98

14-5098/HL Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II AF-99

14-5102/HL Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II AF-103


Two others were due but went tech and stopped at Bangor.

Mildenhall had nothing to offer and Nay had to get to work so Buster and Chas headed off for some liners at LHR.

A few days later and news that the two remaining F-35s are due in. An after work dash is on the cards for LB and Nay. There should be a couple of Raptors at Mildenhall as well.

Lakenheath 19-04-17

34FS / 388FW
13-5081/HL Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II AF-87

14-5091/HL Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II AF-92


492FS/493FS/494FS / 48FW "Madhatters/Grim Reapers/Panthers"
86-0166/LN McDonnell-Douglas F-15C Eagle 1014
91-0334/LN McDonnell-Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle 1241
97-0220/LN McDonnell-Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle 1358

01-2000/LN McDonnell-Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle 1371

01-2001/LN McDonnell-Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle 1372
01-2003/LN McDonnell-Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle 1374
01-2004/LN McDonnell-Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle 1375

436AW "Dover"
85-0001 Lockheed C-5M Super Galaxy 500-087

76AS / 86AW
90-0300 Gulfstream C-20H 1181

Nice to see the 48FW and a bit of night flying. It was more or less dark when we got to Mildenhall so no photos here.

Mildenhall 19-04-17

3WG
06-4118/AK Lockheed F-22A Raptor 4118
06-4129/AK Lockheed F-22A Raptor 4129

38RS / 55WG "Offutt"
64-14847/OF Boeing RC-135U Combat Sent 18787

VMGR-252
165810/BH Lockheed KC-130J Hercules 5509

9SOS / 27SOW
14-5795 Lockheed MC-130J Commando II 5795

155AS / 165AW "Memphis"
00-0176 McDonnell-Douglas C-17A Globemaster III P-76

Well, the 48 hour layover for the Raptors we'd hoped for went out the window. Nothing else for it but another after work run up from Luton!

Mildenhall 20-04-17

3WG
07-4149/AK Lockheed F-22A Raptor 4149
07-4150/AK Lockheed F-22A Raptor 4150

91ARS / 6AMW "MacDill"
63-8033 Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker 18650

132ARS / 101ARW "Maine"
59-1446 Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker 17934
62-3513 Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker 18496

141ARS / 108ARW "New Jersey"
63-8040 Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker 18657

171ARW "Pennsylvania"
58-0072 Boeing KC-135T Stratotanker 17817

22ARW "AMC"
60-0355 Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker 18130

VMGR-252
165810/BH Lockheed KC-130J Hercules 5509

Some locals were flying enabling a couple of shots.

67SOS / 352SOG
11-5733 Lockheed MC-130J Commando II 5733


7SOS / 352SOG
11-0057 Bell-Boeing CV-22B Osprey D1036


Lakenheath 20-04-17

60AMW "Travis"
06-6161 McDonnell-Douglas C-17A Globemaster III P-161

492FS/494FS / 48FW "Madhatters/Panthers"
91-0312/LN McDonnell-Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle 1219
91-0334/LN McDonnell-Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle 1241
97-0220/LN McDonnell-Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle 1358
97-0222/LN McDonnell-Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle 1360
01-2000/LN McDonnell-Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle 1371

01-2001/LN McDonnell-Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle 1372
01-2002/LN McDonnell-Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle 1373
01-2003/LN McDonnell-Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle 1374
01-2004/LN McDonnell-Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle 1375

Rumours of the last two Raptors due in this afternoon meant it was worth another Saturday run up to Mildy for Colin and John. Alas, whilst there we heard they had been put back another 24 hours. Oh well, you win some you lose some. All part of the fun.

Mildenhall 22-04-17

38RS / 55WG "Offutt"
62-4139/OF Boeing RC-135W Rivet Joint 18479
64-14847/OF Boeing RC-135U Combat Sent 18787

133ARS / 157ARW "New Hampshire"
57-1430 Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker 17501

153ARS / 186ARW "Mississippi"
57-1486 Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker 17557

59-1453 Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker 17941

756ARS / 759ARW "Andrews"
62-3543 Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker 18526


3WG
07-4149/AK Lockheed F-22A Raptor 4149
07-4150/AK Lockheed F-22A Raptor 4150

62AW "McChord"
99-0059 McDonnell-Douglas C-17A Globemaster III P-59


305AMW "McGuire"
79-1947 Douglas KC-10A Extender 48207

436AW "Dover"
85-0004 Lockheed C-5M Super Galaxy 500-090


Based noted:
58-0094 Boeing KC-135T Stratotanker 17839

61-0267 Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker 18174
12-0063 Bell-Boeing CV-22B Osprey D1044
11-5731 Lockheed MC-130J Commando II 5731
11-5733 Lockheed MC-130J Commando II 5733
11-5737 Lockheed MC-130J Commando II 5737
12-5759 Lockheed MC-130J Commando II 5759
13-5778 Lockheed MC-130J Commando II 5778

The following day the final two Raptors were making their way over from sandier climes. Nay had sneaked out from work early to get back in time to get up to Mildenhall for them.

However, half way home he'd heard they diverted into Sigonella and turned around. It wasn't until much later we'd both realised they did turn up without a tanker.

With Nay away in London it was a solo midnight run for Buster. Arriving at Mildenhall around 0030hrs!

Fortunately there were plenty of ramp lights on and the Raptors were easily seen.

Mildenhall 24-4-17

3 WG
(04-4074)/AK Lockheed F-22A Raptor 4074
(06-4127)/AK Lockheed F-22A Raptor 4127

There was a KC-10 in as well, but not readable in the dark.

No plans for a trip up this weekend until our last SAC C-17 turned up. We'd seen two at Papa AB before so may as well complete the set. Mildenhall was very quiet being a Bank Holiday weekend.

Mildenhall 30-04-17

60AMW "Travis"
85-0033 Douglas KC-10A Extender 48238

756ARS / 759ARW "Andrews"
62-3543 Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker 18526

22ARW "McConnell"
57-1439 Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker 17510

Lakenheath 30-04-17

Strategic Airlift Capability "Papa"
01 McDonnell-Douglas C-17A Globemaster III SAC-1

03 McDonnell-Douglas C-17A Globemaster III SAC-3

492FS/494FS / 48FW "Madhatters/Panthers"
91-0309/LN McDonnell-Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle 1216
91-0313/LN McDonnell-Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle 1220
91-0324/LN McDonnell-Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle 1231
91-0329/LN McDonnell-Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle 1236
91-0334/LN McDonnell-Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle 1241
91-0335/LN McDonnell-Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle 1242
91-0602/LN McDonnell-Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle 1245
91-0604/LN McDonnell-Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle 1247
96-0204/LN McDonnell-Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle 1341
00-3002/LN McDonnell-Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle 1368

01-2004/LN McDonnell-Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle 1375