USS Gerald R. Ford CVN-78 Stokes Bay 15-11-22

Buster, Nay and Pogo met up at Stokes Bay to view the first visit of CVN-78 and the first USN carrier in 4 years.  Pogo had booked himself on one of the boat tours whilst we stayed landside.

Cross checking afterwards we confirmed we had all read every code from both vantage points.

Nothing noted below deck, all shut up.

CVW-8

VFA-37 "Ragin' Bulls"
165872/AJ-101 F/A-18E Super Hornet
165862/AJ-102 F/A-18E Super Hornet
165866/AJ-103 F/A-18E Super Hornet
166832/AJ-104 F/A-18E Super Hornet
166834/AJ-105 F/A-18E Super Hornet
166836/AJ-106 F/A-18E Super Hornet
166431/AJ-110 F/A-18E Super Hornet
166607/AJ-111 F/A-18E Super Hornet

VFA-213 "Black Lions"
168890/AJ-200 F/A-18F Super Hornet
166802/AJ-202 F/A-18F Super Hornet
166793/AJ-203 F/A-18F Super Hornet
168891/AJ-204 F/A-18F Super Hornet
166664/AJ-205 F/A-18F Super Hornet
166620/AJ-206 F/A-18F Super Hornet
166631/AJ-211 F/A-18F Super Hornet
166633/AJ-212 F/A-18F Super Hornet

VFA-31 "Tomcatters"
166872/AJ-301 F/A-18E Super Hornet
166778/AJ-302 F/A-18E Super Hornet
166781/AJ-305 F/A-18E Super Hornet
165871/AJ-306 F/A-18E Super Hornet
166784/AJ-310 F/A-18E Super Hornet
165870/AJ-311 F/A-18E Super Hornet
166786/AJ-312 F/A-18E Super Hornet

VFA-87 "Golden Warriors"
168910/AJ-400 F/A-18E Super Hornet
168911/AJ-401/CO F/A-18E Super Hornet
168912/AJ-402 F/A-18E Super Hornet
168916/AJ-406 F/A-18E Super Hornet
168470/AJ-407 F/A-18E Super Hornet
169395/AJ-410 F/A-18E Super Hornet
169396/AJ-411 F/A-18E Super Hornet

VAQ-142 "Gray Wolves"
168775/AJ-501 EA-18G Growler
168385/AJ-502 EA-18G Growler
168271/AJ-503 EA-18G Growler
168392/AJ-504 EA-18G Growler

VAW-124 "Bear Aces"
169231/AJ-601 E-2D Hawkeye
169082/AJ-603 E-2D Hawkeye

VRC-40 "Rawhides"
162168/45 C-2A Greyhound
162164/57 C-2A Greyhound

HSC-9 "Tridents"
168591/AJ-610 MH-60S Sea Hawk
168540/AJ-614 MH-60S Sea Hawk
166314/AJ-617 MH-60S Sea Hawk

HSM-70 "Spartans"
168158/AJ-700 MH-60R Sea Hawk
168125/AJ-701 MH-60R Sea Hawk
167037/AJ-702 MH-60R Sea Hawk

Deck Trainer
163129 F/A-18A Hornet



In dock neither the USS Thomas Hudner (DDG-116) nor SPS Alvaro de Bazan (F-101) were showing off their helis.

Thanks to various forums/photo sites for confirming some of the serials not visible in our photos or through the scopes.

Fighter Follies October 2022

As 8 SJs had arrived and another 4 were due another trip up to Mildy was in order. A little stop at Teversham for a Marines Herc was first up though.

Cambridge 13-10-22
165957/QD-957 KC-130J Hercules VMGR-152

Mildenhall 13-10-22
USAF Visitors
84-00157 C-12U Huron E/1-214 AVN
87-0181/SJ F-15E Strike Eagle 4FW/335FS
87-0192/SJ F-15E Strike Eagle 4FW/335FS
87-0193/SJ F-15E Strike Eagle 4FW/335FS
88-1670/SJ F-15E Strike Eagle 4FW/335FS
88-1671/SJ F-15E Strike Eagle 4FW/335FS
88-1699/MO F-15E Strike Eagle 366FW/389FS
88-1703/SJ F-15E Strike Eagle 4FW/335FS
88-1708/SJ F-15E Strike Eagle 4FW/335FS
89-0474/SJ F-15E Strike Eagle 4FW/335FS
89-0478/SJ F-15E Strike Eagle 4FW/335FS
89-0483/SJ F-15E Strike Eagle 4FW/335FS
89-0487/SJ F-15E Strike Eagle 4FW/335FS - marked 335FS
89-0503/SJ F-15E Strike Eagle 4FW/335FS
00-0174/AK C-17A Globemaster III 'Alaska' 176WG/144AS
15-46069 KC-46A Pegasus (305AMW)
16-46022 KC-46A Pegasus (22ARW)
18-46049 KC-46A Pegasus (22ARW)
20-5933 MC-130J Commando II (27SOW/9SOS)

The Belgians were still in over the road so we popped over for a few pics, none were required though.

Lakenheath 13-10-22
Belgian Air Force 10 Wing
FA-102 F-16AM Fighting Falcon
FA-121 F-16AM Fighting Falcon
FB-15 F-16BM Fighting Falcon

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Qatar time again. The usual after work splash and dash trip in the dark.

Mildenhall 24-10-22
USAF Visitors
60-0313 KC-135R Stratotanker 22ARW
63-7995 KC-135R Stratotanker 22ARW
17-0028 F-15QA Eagle FMS Qatar
17-0029 F-15QA Eagle FMS Qatar

24 have now come through but poor old Pogey missed these two as he was away in Scotland.

Fighter Follies September 2022

A run out for Cobra Warrior saw Buster and Nay head up to Lincs. First stop was to pick up Chas and have a cuppa before the local run around.

Waddington 12-09-22
German Air Force TLG51
46+23 Tornado ECR
46+25 Tornado ECR
46+32 Tornado ECR
46+49 Tornado ECR
46+50 Tornado ECR
46+51 Tornado ECR

Italian Air Force
MM7298/51-01 Typhoon 51 Stormo
MM7313/36-35 Typhoon 36 Stormo 
MM7317/4-43 Typhoon 4 Stormo
MM7329/4-58 Typhoon 4 Stormo
MM7330/4-56 Typhoon 4 Stormo
MM7345/37-45 Typhoon 37 Stormo
MM62303/14-12 E-550 14 Stormo

NATO
LX-N90443 E-3A Sentry

Cranwell 12-09-22
Visitors - Irish Air Corps
264 PC-9M FTS

Based - 3FTS
ZM303/03 Prefect T.1 57 Sqn
ZM320/20 Prefect T.1 57 Sqn
ZM333 Phenom 45 Sqn
ZM336 Phenom 45 Sqn
ZM337 Phenom 45 Sqn

Barkston Heath 12-09-22
Based - 3 FTS
ZM304/04 Prefect T.1 57 Sqn
ZM305/05 Prefect T.1 57 Sqn
ZM310/10 Prefect T.1 57 Sqn
ZM312/12 Prefect T.1 57 Sqn
ZM314/14 Prefect T.1 57 Sqn
ZM318/18 Prefect T.1 57 Sqn
ZM319/19 Prefect T.1 57 Sqn
ZM322/22 Prefect T.1 57 Sqn

Coningsby 12-09-22
ZJ913 Typhoon FGR.4 29 Sqn
ZJ914 Typhoon FGR.4 29 Sqn
ZJ929 Typhoon FGR.4 29 Sqn
ZJ937 Typhoon FGR.4
ZJ950 Typhoon FGR.4
ZK310 Typhoon FGR.4
ZK321 Typhoon FGR.4
ZK342 Typhoon FGR.4
ZK351 Typhoon FGR.4
ZK367 Typhoon FGR.4
ZK372 Typhoon FGR.4
ZK373 Typhoon FGR.4
ZK377 Typhoon FGR.4
ZK381 Typhoon T.3 29 Sqn
ZK382 Typhoon T.3
ZK426 Typhoon FGR.4 29 Sqn
ZK430 Typhoon FGR.4
ZK431 Typhoon FGR.4
ZK433 Typhoon FGR.4

Then back to Ma and Pa's for dinner. The AV F-16s were playing over The Wash and supplied some after dinner entertainment. GRIM flight of 3 remained unknown though. 

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Another Qatari delivery equals another after work run out.

Mildenhall 20-09-22
USAF Visitors
62-3508 KC-135R Stratotanker 108ARW/141ARS 'New Jersey'
62-4139/OF RC-135W Rivet Joint 55RW/38RS
63-8035 KC-135R Stratotanker 117ARW/116ARS 'Alabama'
17-0026 F-15QA Eagle - FMS Qatar
17-0027 F-15QA Eagle - FMS Qatar

Civil
N705KW Boeing 767 Eastern

A quick look at EGUL as there was still light and LB required 1 of the AVs

Lakenheath 20-09-22
USAF 31FW/555FS
89-2137/AV F-16CG Fighting Falcon

Only 1 visible by the HAS's and somebody had obviously trodden in something. One rather pleased Buster.

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We had overnighted at Wyberton as Chas needed a couple of the AVs and some work on the local F-35s. The weather was not playing ball though and we had to wait for the visibility to improve just to read the F-35s in the shelter at Marham.

Marham 23-09-22
ZM145/011 F-35B Lightning
ZM155/021 F-35B Lightning
ZM158/024 F-35B Lightning

Over to Mildy where the viz was still poor. Good job the box was on and the good Thunder was heard coming in.

Mildenhall 23-09-22
USAF
63-8035 KC-135R Stratotanker 117ARW/116ARS 'Alabama'
06-6168 C-17A Globemaster III 436AW 'Dover' - RCH424
07-4635/RS C-130J-30 Hercules 86AW/37AS - HKY669
16-46020 KC-46A Pegasus 157ARW/133ARS 'New Hampshire' - CAFE62
20-5941 MC-130J Commando II 352SOW/67SOS

USMC
168293/EG-05 MV-22B Osprey VMM-263 - Thunder 11

The latest based MC was also knocked off.

Lakenheath 23-09-22
USAF 48FW/495FS
19-5474/LN F-35A Lightning II
20-5571/LN F-35A Lightning II
20-5572/LN F-35A Lightning II
20-5574/LN F-35A Lightning II

USAF 31FW/555FS
88-0425/AV F-16CG Fighting Falcon
88-0435/AV F-16CG Fighting Falcon
88-0460/AV F-16CG Fighting Falcon
88-0532/AV F-16CG Fighting Falcon
89-2016/AV F-16CG Fighting Falcon
89-2044/AV F-16CG Fighting Falcon

Top Aces
C-GLTO/069 Alpha Jet

C-GVTA/009 Alpha Jet


The 2 AVs Chas was after both flew and we got the added bonus of catching the Alpha Jets depart back to Germany. A little detour back via Mildenhall for Chas' last 100ARW tanker made us late for dinner. Nothing unusual there...

Fighter Follies July 2022

As is becoming the norm for the Qatari's another after work dash for the latest delivery for Buster and Nay. Pogo had launched the day before.

Mildenhall 12-07-22
USAF Visitors
84-0185 KC-10A Extender - 60AMW 'Travis'
17-0003 F-15QA Eagle - FMS Qatar
17-0011 F-15QA Eagle - FMS Qatar
17-0024 F-15QA Eagle - FMS Qatar

17-0025 F-15QA Eagle - FMS Qatar

20 down, 16 to go...

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The lure of six Alaskan Raptors was too much to ignore for Buster, Nay and Pogo. Alas, a delayed departure from Luton meant two of us arrived 15-20 mins after their arrival. Despite a hunt from both sides of the airfield we could only read two (074/151), a third being HAS'd before we had the chance to pole it. Pogey had better timing and caught all of them on arrival.

Lakenheath 26-07-22
USAF Visitors
89-9104 C-130H Hercules - 910AW/757AS 'Youngstown'
04-4074/AK F-22A Raptor - 3WG/90FS
05-4090/AK F-22A Raptor - 3WG/90FS - marked 90FS
06-4110/AK F-22A Raptor - 3WG/90FS - marked 11AF
06-4112/AK F-22A Raptor - 3WG/90FS
07-4151/AK F-22A Raptor - 3WG/90FS
10-4193/AK F-22A Raptor - 3WG/90FS - marked 3WG

Mildenhall 26-07-22
USAF Visitors
75-0556/OK E-3B Sentry - 552ACW/960ACCS
85-0008 C-5M Super Galaxy - 436AW 'Dover'

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The second half of the expected dozen caught up two days later. The same trio were intending to meet up again but this time the working day delay caught up with Pogo who had to abort his mission. Buster and Nay made it in time though.

Lakenheath 28-07-22
USAF Visitors
05-4103/AK F-22A Raptor - 3WG/90FS

07-4136/AK F-22A Raptor - 3WG/90FS

07-4138/AK F-22A Raptor - 3WG/90FS

07-4144/AK F-22A Raptor - 3WG/90FS

07-4149/AK F-22A Raptor - 3WG/90FS

09-4190/AK F-22A Raptor - 3WG/90FS


Mildenhall 28-07-22
USAF Visitors
75-0556/OK E-3B Sentry - 552ACW/960ACCS
86-0013 C-5M Super Galaxy - 433AW

So out 8/12 for Luton, 6/12 for Stone. Hopefully there will be another 'Fighter Folly' later this year where we all convert that to a rapturous 12/12.

Fighter Folly May 2022

Another after work run out for the latest batch of Qatari Eagles. We were just approaching the last roundabout before coming off the A11 when the 4-ship and 2-ship went over and broke for landing.
A quick divert in to the petrol garage to attempt a few pics was made. Not great shots by any standards but at least they all made it this time and were seen.  16 down, 20 to go.

Mildenhall 09-05-22
USAF Visitors
63-7992 KC-135R Stratotanker - 186ARW/153ARS 'Mississippi'
75-0556/OK E-3B Sentry - 552ACW/960ACCS
79-1712 KC-10A Extender - 305AMW 'McGuire'
84-0189 KC-10A Extender - 305AMW 'McGuire'
85-0002 C-5M Super Galaxy - 436AW/9AS 'Dover'
85-0030 KC-10A Extender - 305AMW 'McGuire'
87-0119 KC-10A Extender - 60AMW 'Travis'
17-0008 F-15QA Eagle - FMS Qatar
17-0012 F-15QA Eagle - FMS Qatar
17-0020 F-15QA Eagle - FMS Qatar
17-0021 F-15QA Eagle - FMS Qatar
17-0022 F-15QA Eagle - FMS Qatar
17-0023 F-15QA Eagle - FMS Qatar

By the time we'd done the circuit, and finally caught our missing based bits, it was dark so time to head home.

Fighter Folly Mar 2022

 A run out for the latest Qatari Eagles and to try and see the 2 AV F-16s that were required. The weather was rather dreich.

Lakenheath 04-03-22
USAF 31FW / 510FS 'AV'
88-0413 F-16C Fighting Falcon
88-0444 F-16C Fighting Falcon
88-0521 F-16C Fighting Falcon
88-0541 F-16C Fighting Falcon
89-2011 F-16C Fighting Falcon
89-2018 F-16C Fighting Falcon
89-2047 F-16C Fighting Falcon
89-2057 F-16C Fighting Falcon
89-2102 F-16C Fighting Falcon

USAF 48FW / 495FS 'LN'
19-5474 F-35A Lightning II
19-5475 F-35A Lightning II
19-5476 F-35A Lightning II
19-5484 F-35A Lightning II
19-5486 F-35A Lightning II

Polish AF
1502 C-130E Hercules

We could only read 9 F-16s as the rain and wind won. Still require 88-0443 so maybe another try before they go.

At least we caught the F-35s returning, missed one as it landed whilst we were off AV hunting.

Mildenhall 04-03-22
USAF Visitors
57-2603 KC-135R Stratotanker - 452AMW 'March'
58-0018 KC-135R Stratotanker - 22ARW 'AMC'
61-2667/OF WC-135W Constant Phoenix - 55WG/45RS
62-4130/OF RC-135W Rivet Joint - 55WG/38RS
63-7992 KC-135R Stratotanker - 186ARW/153ARS
63-8000 KC-135R Stratotanker - 6ARW 'AMC'
79-1712 KC-10A Extender - 305AMW 'McGuire'
83-0075 KC-10A Extender - 60AMW 'Travis'
85-0032 KC-10A Extender - 305AMW 'McGuire'
98-0052 C-17A Globemaster III - 62AW 'McChord'
17-0007 F-15QA Eagle - FMS Qatar
17-0018 F-15QA Eagle - FMS Qatar

Civil
N258SN Boeing 747 Western Global Airlines

Only the 2 Qatari's made it over, both landing after what light there was had all but gone.