Lakenheath 02-12-19
USAF visitors
(12-1044) F-15SA Strike Eagle FMS Saudi Arabia
(12-1062) F-15SA Strike Eagle FMS Saudi Arabia
(12-1080) F-15SA Strike Eagle FMS Saudi Arabia
(12-1081) F-15SA Strike Eagle FMS Saudi Arabia
(12-1082) F-15SA Strike Eagle FMS Saudi Arabia
With the building work and lighting these were a lot harder to see than anticipated. After some time we were happy that all were seen. A quick pop over to Mildy for some POTUS support transports on the way home was still on the table though.
Mildenhall 02-12-19
USAF visitors
09-0017 C-32A 89AW
(09-9207) C-17A Globemaster
Too late to check anywhere else, the alarm will be going off at 0500.
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With Nay back at work, I was somewhat bored and decided to head back to Northolt for a few hours in the afternoon. The Trump helis were doing their practice runs today, so a chance to graph the Nooks and hopefully catch the other VH-60.
Northolt 30-11-19
USArmy visitors - 1-214th AVN (B)
13-08134 CH-47F Chinook
13-08432 CH-47F Chinook
13-08436 CH-47F Chinook
13-08437 CH-47F Chinook
USMC visitors - HMX-1
163259 VH-60N Nighthawk
163264 VH-60N Nighthawk
Another VH-60 in the bag, and a handful of piccies, shame about the light etc... but hey ho.
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With Nay and LB both being off we decided to head down to Northolt to try and catch a VH-60 or two! A C-17 was due 1100ish, so arriving a bit earlier we took a walk down the A40 to see the four Chinooks that had arrived the previous day.
By the time we were in place at the end of the runway the C-17 was on approach. A short wait saw a VH-60 being off loaded. Unfortunately the other one was hangared and not seen.
Northolt 29-11-19
USAF visitors
03-3126 C-17A Globemaster "McGuire"
USArmy visitors
13-08134 CH-47F Chinook 1-214th AVN (B)
13-08432 CH-47F Chinook 1-214th AVN (B)
13-08436 CH-47F Chinook 1-214th AVN (B)
13-08437 CH-47F Chinook 1-214th AVN (B)
USMC visitors
163264 VH-60N Nighthawk "HMX-1"
Royal Air Force
ZA714 Chinook HC.6A "Over-flew"
Based aircraft
32 Sqn
GZ100 A109
ZE700 BAE 146
ZE707 BAE 146
ZE708 BAE 146
With the action all done for the day we checked the ADSB to see if anything was about. Nothing special, except that elusive Global at Cambridge! The UAE machine was doing race track patterns over Norwich at FL410, so we decided a sprint up the motorway was justified.
Plenty of traffic on the M25 and M11 tried its best to halt our progress, and as we approached the south of Cambridge the Global had descended to FL80.
Fortunately it wasn't done playing and stayed up long enough for us to get to the drome before coming in. Perfect timing and a slow flypast to boot! Finally in the bag!
Cambridge 29-11-19
1326 Global Express UAE Air Force
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A couple of days running to and from Suffolk, due to the change over in the desert.
The MO's were going out and SJ's coming home. Dazcat had a day off, so he met up with us at Luton for an early morning departure.
LB was on nights so it would be a smash and grab effort, although as always something gets in the way. A Korean Airbus was due into Cambridge, so a divert and a short wait were in order.
The bulk of the MO's had arrived the previous night, so a hump over the field found them.
Lakenheath 10-10-19
USAF visitors
366FW - 389FS
87-0183/MO F-15E Strike Eagle
87-0198/MO F-15E Strike Eagle
87-0201/MO F-15E Strike Eagle
87-0202/MO F-15E Strike Eagle
87-0209/MO F-15E Strike Eagle
87-0210/MO F-15E Strike Eagle
88-1667/MO F-15E Strike Eagle
88-1678/MO F-15E Strike Eagle
88-1705/MO F-15E Strike Eagle '389FS'
89-0506/MO F-15E Strike Eagle
90-0227/MO F-15E Strike Eagle
Mildenhall 10-10-19
USAF visitors
64-14846/OF RC-135V Rivet Joint 55WG
84-0186 KC-10A Extender 305AMW McGuire
87-0122 KC-10A Extender 305AMW McGuire
French AF
525/31-CN KC-135RG Stratotanker
Cambridge 10-10-19
701 C-130J Hercules - Royal Bahraini AF
G-988 C-130H Hercules - Royal Netherlands AF
5601 C-130J Hercules - Royal Norwegian AF
MRTT053 KC-330 Cygnus - Airbus Military
The MO stragglers had arrived, so after LB caught up with some kip we headed of to find them. A few of the SJ's had started to filter back, so we waited to graph them on approach.
Lakenheath 11-10-19
USAF visitors
366FW - 389FS
87-0169/MO F-15E Strike Eagle
87-0170/MO F-15E Strike Eagle
87-0208/MO F-15E Strike Eagle
88-1699/MO F-15E Strike Eagle
88-1707/MO F-15E Strike Eagle
90-0227/MO F-15E Strike Eagle
4FW - 336FS
87-0199/SJ F-15E Strike Eagle - no sqn marks
87-0171/SJ F-15E Strike Eagle - no sqn marks
87-0177/SJ F-15E Strike Eagle
87-0196/SJ F-15E Strike Eagle - no sqn marks
88-1706/SJ F-15E Strike Eagle
87-0181/SJ F-15E Strike Eagle
437AW - Charleston
10-0221 C-17A Globemaster
There was nothing of note for us in Mildenhall, plus it was dark by the time we left the Heath.
Another deployment caught, and just in the nick of time. A week later and we would have missed them, but the Nellis ramps would make up for it I'm sure ;-)
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Another Saudi delivery saw LB and Nay dash up after LBs nightshift ended at 0600. No messing just up and back as he was in again at 1800 and needed at least a few hours kip.
Lakenheath 24-09-19
USAF visitors
12-1004 F-15SA Strike Eagle FMS Saudi Arabia
12-1029 F-15SA Strike Eagle FMS Saudi Arabia
12-1042 F-15SA Strike Eagle FMS Saudi Arabia
12-1079 F-15SA Strike Eagle FMS Saudi Arabia
It'd be rude not to have a quick look at Mildy though, we missed the P-8 by 20 minutes or so
Mildenhall 24-09-19
USAF visitors
57-1453 KC-135R Stratotanker 117ARW/106ARS 'Alabama'
61-0313 KC-135R Stratotanker 'AFRC'
63-8879 KC-135R Stratotanker 940ARW/314ARS 'Beale'
85-0027 KC-10A Extender 305AMW 'McGuire'
USN visitors
164598/AX-598 KC-130T-30 Hercules VR-53
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Cobra Warrior was on again so a leisurely drive up Sunday afternoon to see Ma and Pa was in order for LB and Nay...not to mention a roast dinner. Night stopping in Wyberton we left as a 3 ball, with Chas on board, for a local run around aiming to be in situ at Waddo for 0900.
Waddington 02-09-19
Royal Air Force - Based
ZJ692 Sentinel R.1
ZJ694 Sentinel R.1
ZZ417 Shadow R.1
ZZ418 Shadow R.1
ZZ419 Shadow R.1
ZZ666 Rivet Joint
Royal Air Force - overflew
ZZ332 Voyager KC.3
German Air Force - TLG73
30+47 Eurofighter Typhoon
30+50 Eurofighter Typhoon
30+51 Eurofighter Typhoon
30+56 Eurofighter Typhoon
30+64 Eurofighter Typhoon
30+65 Eurofighter Typhoon
30+73 Eurofighter Typhoon
(30+74) Eurofighter Typhoon - still with TLG74?
30+88 Eurofighter Typhoon
(31+20) Eurofighter Typhoon
Israeli Air Force - 106 Sqn
(583) McDonnell-Douglas F-15C Baz
706 McDonnell-Douglas F-15D Baz
715 McDonnell-Douglas F-15D Baz
733 McDonnell-Douglas F-15D Baz
810 McDonnell-Douglas F-15C Baz
818 McDonnell-Douglas F-15C Baz
980 McDonnell-Douglas F-15D Baz
Italian Air Force
(MM7311/4-55) Eurofighter Typhoon 4 Stormo
MM7321/37-12 Eurofighter Typhoon 37 Stormo
MM7352/36-55 Eurofighter Typhoon 36 Stormo
MM7353/36-56 Eurofighter Typhoon 36 Stormo
Happy enough with what we got it was time to make the most of an active day and try to knock off some local mil. Pretty quiet at Cranwell and Barkston though
Cranwell 02-09-19
ZM303 Prefect T.1
ZM318 Prefect T.1
ZM333 Phenom T.1
ZM335 Phenom T.1
ZM337 Phenom T.1
Barkston Heath 02-09-19
ZM308 Prefect T.1
ZM311 Prefect T.1
ZM314 Prefect T.1
ZM321 Prefect T.1
As Coningsby's runway works seem to be delayed we also popped in here for a few new Tiffers.
Coningsby 02-09-19
XX962 SEPECAT Jaguar - cockpit section
(ZJ807) Eurofighter Typhoon - fuselage
ZJ810 Eurofighter Typhoon - fuselage
ZJ928/928 Eurofighter Typhoon FGR.4
ZJ931/931 Eurofighter Typhoon FGR.4
ZK309/309 Eurofighter Typhoon FGR.4
ZK311/311 Eurofighter Typhoon FGR.4
ZK318/318 Eurofighter Typhoon FGR.4
ZK335/335 Eurofighter Typhoon FGR.4
ZK361/361 Eurofighter Typhoon FGR.4
ZK363/363 Eurofighter Typhoon FGR.4
ZK382/382 Eurofighter Typhoon T.3
ZK428/428 Eurofighter Typhoon FGR.4
ZK429/429 Eurofighter Typhoon FGR.4
ZK432/432 Eurofighter Typhoon FGR.4
ZK436/436 Eurofighter Typhoon FGR.4
ZK438/438 Eurofighter Typhoon FGR.4
Job done, back to disturb Mum's peace and quiet and drop Chassy back. More family time before heading back home late evening.
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It had been a while since we last popped up to East Anglia but another Saudi delivery was too tempting. Nay was off shift and LB was between days and lates so an 0500 start saw us reach EGUL just before 0600.
Lakenheath 30-07-19
USAF visitors
87-0171/SJ F-15E Strike Eagle 4FW/335FS
12-1050 F-15SA Strike Eagle FMS Saudi Arabia
12-1051 F-15SA Strike Eagle FMS Saudi Arabia
12-1052 F-15SA Strike Eagle FMS Saudi Arabia
12-1076 F-15SA Strike Eagle FMS Saudi Arabia
12-1077 F-15SA Strike Eagle FMS Saudi Arabia
12-1078 F-15SA Strike Eagle FMS Saudi Arabia
The two Texas F-16s were presumably HAS'd.
Over to EGUN as we required the duff Buff and the latest based Herc.
Mildenhall 30-07-19
USAF visitors
58-0071 KC-135T Stratotanker 6AMW 'MacDill'
60-0009/MT B-52H Stratofortress 5BW/69BS - marked 69BS
61-0313 KC-135R Stratotanker AFRC
62-3552 KC-135R Stratotanker AMC
63-8019 KC-135R Stratotanker AMC
86-0030 KC-10A Extender 305AMW 'McGuire'
USAF based
09-5713 MC-130J Commando II 352SOW/67SOS
Then a dash back home so LB could grab a couple of hours kip before his 1200 shift.
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Finally a weekday free for both LB and Nay so time to pop up for the Homestead F-16s. Eight went up to play which made picking off the four on the deck somewhat easier.
Lakenheath 13-05-19
Visitors - USAF
482 FW / 93 FS 'Makos'
85-1438/FM F-16C Fighting Falcon
85-1487/FM F-16C Fighting Falcon
86-0264/FM F-16C Fighting Falcon
86-0307/FM F-16C Fighting Falcon
86-0319/FM F-16C Fighting Falcon
87-0233/FM F-16C Fighting Falcon
87-0244/FM F-16C Fighting Falcon
87-0259/FM F-16C Fighting Falcon
87-0287/FM F-16C Fighting Falcon
87-0338/FM F-16C Fighting Falcon
88-0404/FM F-16C Fighting Falcon - marked 482FW
88-0405/FM F-16C Fighting Falcon - marked 93FS
A quick look at Mildenhall revealed nothing to write home about...
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As the two SJ stragglers had arrived yesterday from Bangor it was time for another early trip up to East Anglia. Nay was off and LB was on his day/night crossover so the timing was good. Especially as both were required frames. We'd planned to be back home late morning so LB could get a few hours kip in, however, the MOs were due out so we waited for those. None were required but always the chance of some photos. Pity the light wasn't the best.
Lakenheath 16-04-19
Visitors - USAF
4 FW
87-0196/SJ F-15E Strike Eagle 335FS
88-1670/SJ F-15E Strike Eagle 335FS
88-1676/SJ F-15E Strike Eagle 335FS
88-1706/SJ F-15E Strike Eagle 336FS
366 FW
90-0236/MO F-15E Strike Eagle 391FS
90-0237/MO F-15E Strike Eagle 391FS
90-0238/MO F-15E Strike Eagle 391FS
90-0241/MO F-15E Strike Eagle 391FS
90-0244/MO F-15E Strike Eagle 391FS
90-0247/MO F-15E Strike Eagle 391FS
90-0248/MO F-15E Strike Eagle 391FS
90-0250/MO F-15E Strike Eagle 391FS
91-0300/MO F-15E Strike Eagle 391FS
91-0319/MO F-15E Strike Eagle 391FS
91-0330/MO F-15E Strike Eagle 391FS
91-0600/MO F-15E Strike Eagle 391FS
There were also plenty of the based F-15E's playing.
A quick pop in to Mildy on the way home. Nay caught his last Osprey (0052) and there was a Kalitta 747 (N701CK) on a CMB flight
Mildenhall 16-04-19
Visitors - USAF
58-0104 KC-135R Stratotanker (157ARW/133ARS)
73-1580/DM EC-130H Compass Call 55ECG
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Lakenheath 12-04-19
Visitors - USAF
4 FW
88-1700/SJ F-15E Strike Eagle - no marks
88-1703/SJ F-15E Strike Eagle - no marks
89-0488/SJ F-15E Strike Eagle - no marks
335 FS - 'Chiefs'
89-0502/SJ F-15E Strike Eagle
90-0232/SJ F-15E Strike Eagle
87-0192/SJ F-15E Strike Eagle
87-0196/SJ F-15E Strike Eagle
87-0199/SJ F-15E Strike Eagle
336 FS - 'Rocketeers'
87-0181/SJ F-15E Strike Eagle
88-1706/SJ F-15E Strike Eagle
48 FW
492 FS - 'Madhatters'
91-0302/LN F-15E Strike Eagle
91-0315/LN F-15E Strike Eagle
91-0316/LN F-15E Strike Eagle
91-0317/LN F-15E Strike Eagle
91-0321/LN F-15E Strike Eagle
96-0202/LN F-15E Strike Eagle
96-0205/LN F-15E Strike Eagle
97-0220/LN F-15E Strike Eagle
98-0131/LN F-15E Strike Eagle
98-0133/LN F-15E Strike Eagle
98-0134/LN F-15E Strike Eagle
494 FS - 'Panthers'
91-0309/LN F-15E Strike Eagle
91-0310/LN F-15E Strike Eagle
91-0311/LN F-15E Strike Eagle - '48FW'
91-0314/LN F-15E Strike Eagle - '494FS'
91-0320/LN F-15E Strike Eagle
91-0326/LN F-15E Strike Eagle
91-0602/LN F-15E Strike Eagle
92-0364/LN F-15E Strike Eagle
96-0201/LN F-15E Strike Eagle
00-3002/LN F-15E Strike Eagle
00-3003/LN F-15E Strike Eagle
00-3004/LN F-15E Strike Eagle
01-2001/LN F-15E Strike Eagle
01-2003/LN F-15E Strike Eagle
As Lakenheath packed up midday I ventured over to the Hall, a C-17 was due that I needed. A bonus to catch my last Osprey.....at last!
Mildenhall 12-04-19
Visitors - USAF
64-14845/OF RC-135V Rivet Joint - 55WG
64-14846/OF RC-135V Rivet Joint - 55WG
79-1948 KC-10A Extender - 60AMW 'Travis'
84-0189 KC-10A Extender - 305AMW 'McGuire'
85-0028 KC-10A Extender - 305AMW 'McGuire'
10-0219 C-17A Globemaster III - 62AW 'McChord'
Visitors - US Army
N8200L DHC-8-202 - US Army(Dynamic AG)
Based noted
351ARS
57-2605/D KC-135R Stratotanker
58-0001/D KC-135R Stratotanker
61-0288/D KC-135R Stratotanker
7 SOS
08-0051 CV-22B Osprey
10-0052 CV-22B Osprey
12-0063 CV-22B Osprey
12-0064 CV-22B Osprey
67SOS
12-5757 MC-130J Commando II
13-5778 MC-130J Commando II
13-5786 MC-130J Commando II
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Six months on and it's time for a shift change in the desert. Last time the MO's managed to get over in one hit, how would the SJ's fair?
True to SJ form it was another debacle! The first six arrived whilst both Nay and LB were at work. We had hoped they would be in for at least 24 hours giving us a chance to catch them, unfortunately not, as they departed the next morning.
Still, after a delay the final twelve were due to head over and we were both off! The only downside was the arrival time would have them landing in the dark, it wouldn't stop us.
So we awaited the twelve but only ten arrived, two going tech in Bangor, sound familiar? Photo's and trying to read them in the dark proved fruitless, so a walk in the field for LB was in order, whilst Nay warmed up in the car, bless him.
But first a quick nip over to the Hall, hopefully that elusive Osprey would be out.
Mildenhall 11-04-19
Visitors - USAF
64-14845/OF RC-135V Rivet Joint - 55WG
78-0577/OK E-3B Sentry - 552ACW
85-0028 KC-10A Extender - 305AMW 'McGuire'
Lakenheath 11-04-19
Visitors - USAF
4 FW
87-0181/SJ F-15E Strike Eagle - 336FS
87-0192/SJ F-15E Strike Eagle - 335FS
87-0196/SJ F-15E Strike Eagle - 335FS
87-0199/SJ F-15E Strike Eagle - 335FS
88-1700/SJ F-15E Strike Eagle - no marks
(88-1703)/SJ F-15E Strike Eagle - no marks
88-1706/SJ F-15E Strike Eagle - 336FS
(89-0488)/SJ F-15E Strike Eagle - no marks
89-0502/SJ F-15E Strike Eagle - 335FS
90-0232/SJ F-15E Strike Eagle - 335FS
LB managed to read 8 out of 10 in the dark, the other serials had come to light by morning. Still the lack of photo's wouldn't do. Nay was back at work the next day, so LB decided to head up to the Heath on his own, a day graphing Eagles on the menu.
A quick nip into Stansted on the way home for a UAE C-17 which had arrived.
Stansted 11-04-19
1229 C-17A Globemaster III UAE Air Force
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A rare mil visitor in the local and an 0500 photo opp
Luton 05-04-19
144617 CC-144 Challenger Royal Canadian Air Force 412sqn
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Saudi Eagle time again and as LB and Nay were both rostered off it was game on. First port of call was Stansted as there was a Maltese AW139 due.
Stansted 26-03-19
AS1429 AgustaWestland AW139 Maltese Armed Forces
A look in at Cambridge for the Danish Chally, still can't catch the UAE Global outside though...
Cambridge 26-03-19
C-215 Challenger 604 Royal Danish Air Force
Then up to Mildy where it was rather quiet. Just the TDY Seymour Johnson tanker in. Didn't bother with the based today bar a quick look at the Ospreys as we still need 0052. It wasn't about.
Mildenhall 26-03-19
Visitors - USAF
63-8014 Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker 916ARW/77ARS 'First in Flight'
And over to LN to await Retro 61-64
Lakenheath 26-03-19
Visitors - USAF
12-1046 Boeing F-15SA Strike Eagle FMS Saudi Arabia
12-1049 Boeing F-15SA Strike Eagle FMS Saudi Arabia
12-1074 Boeing F-15SA Strike Eagle FMS Saudi Arabia
12-1075 Boeing F-15SA Strike Eagle FMS Saudi Arabia
Back to MHZ for the tanker.
Mildenhall 26-03-19
Visitors - USAF
84-0189 Douglas KC-10A Extender 305AMW 'McGuire'
There were mentions of a P-3 due at 2100 so we went off for a BK then had a little wait, and a nap, to see if it turned up. We gave up at just gone 9pm...it finally turned up at 0600 next morning so good job we didn't hang about any longer.
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Not exactly fighters to start off with but the lure of a few Buff's was more than enough to get Buster and Nay out. Luckily we were both off shift so also time to start catching up on some UK mil.
Fairford 18-03-19
Visitors - USAF
60-0024/- Boeing B-52H Stratofortress 2BW/20BS 'Buccaneers'
60-0025/LA Boeing B-52H Stratofortress 2BW/20BS 'Buccaneers'
60-0032/LA Boeing B-52H Stratofortress 2BW/96BS 'Red Devils'
60-0058/LA Boeing B-52H Stratofortress 2BW/20BS 'Buccaneers'
61-0013/LA Boeing B-52H Stratofortress 2BW/20BS 'Buccaneers'
61-0015/LA Boeing B-52H Stratofortress 2BW/96BS 'Red Devils'
63-8014 Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker 916ARW/77ARS 'First in Flight'
We then headed south for some Wildcats.
Yeovilton 18-03-19
Royal Navy
XX285 Hawk T.1
ZJ125/J Merlin HC.4
ZJ129/N Merlin HC.4
ZJ130/O Merlin HC.3
ZJ134/S Merlin HC.4
ZJ135/T Merlin HC.3
ZZ375 Wildcat HMA.2
ZZ380 Wildcat HMA.2
ZZ500 Avenger T.1
ZZ517 Wildcat HMA.2
ZZ518 Wildcat HMA.2
ZZ519 Wildcat HMA.2
ZZ528 Wildcat HMA.2
ZZ534 Wildcat HMA.2
ZZ535 Wildcat HMA.2
Army Air Corps
ZZ387 Wildcat AH.1
ZZ391 Wildcat AH.1
ZZ395 Wildcat AH.1
ZZ399 Wildcat AH.1
ZZ520 Wildcat AH.1
ZZ524 Wildcat AH.1
ZZ525 Wildcat AH.1
Nice timing saw us arrive at Yeovil the same time as the Wildcat.
Yeovil 18-03-19
ZZ105 Merlin Mk.612 - for Norwegian Air Force
ZZ106 Merlin Mk.612 - for Norwegian Air Force
ZZ550 Wildcat Mk.220 - for Philippine Navy
A couple of quick stops on the way home. Boscombe Down found nothing bar a couple of G- QinteiQ's. Middle Wallop had 5 Apaches on the ramp but none were readable at 1700.
