The Royal Air Force's Exercise Cobra Warrior 2019 was held at RAF Waddington this time and maybe in future years. The 2019 exercise reached a classic high; close to the City of Lincoln, it became home to fast jets from Germany and Italy and, for the first time, F-15C and Ds from the Israeli Airforce. The tactical training exercise commenced on the 1st of September and continued for three weeks.
Road closures, speed limits, overtaking bans, and step ladder bans were all in place for this 2019 exercise. It soon became the norm for the Wave cafe and its spotter's parking area to be packed to capacity with an overspill on the former RAF dispersal area alongside the A-15 highway.
With a wall of photographers lined up along the airfield perimeter fence, a high Police presence with incident support units and motorcycles cruising up and down the roads, lots of road traffic cones and yellow traffic signs, and for good measure, the odd Israeli security person mingling amongst the crowds. This all made for a very agreeable time; what was not to like?
The IDF bought seven F-15C and D's known as "BAS" or "Falcon" from the 106 Sqn based at Tel Nof airbase.
583 F-15C BAZ 106Sqn IDF 'Golan.'
980 F-15D IDF, all the D models are classified as multi-role fighters.
715 F-15D IDF named (Shoshout Ha'Ruchot) 'Rose of the winds'.
733 F-15D IDF BAZ 106Sqn (Raz Ha Melech) 'Kings Messenger.'
No less than ten Eurofighters from the TLG73 based at Laage.
30+56 EF2000 TLG73 from Laage
MM7321 37-12 F2000A 18º Gruppo Itaf.
MM7311 4-55 EF2000A 9º Gruppo coming from Grossetto Airbase Italy.
ZJ694 Sentinel R1 5(AC) Sqn RAF launches on its exercise mission.
30+65 EF2000A TLG73 GAF breaks for landing.
30+47 EF2000A GAF Landing at RAF Waddington. The jets were from Laage, but the pilots were probably from a mix of units.
ZJ694 Sentinel R1 5(AC) Sqn RAF recovering to RAF Waddington.
The RAF Waddington (ISTAR) assets are Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance.
733 F-15D BAZ IDF (Kings Messenger) note the (SATCOM) Satellite communication dome behind the rear cockpit.
715 F-15D IDF (Rose of the Winds) lands on runway 02 at RAF Waddington.
810 F-15C IDF (Desert Cobra), its mission is over.
980 F-15D IDF deploys its air brake for landing, which is the norm for most IDF landings on this deployment.
818 F-15C IDF recovering without the use of its air brake.
818 F-15C IDF
Aircrews welcome home their jet.
30+88 EF2000A GAF is nearly down.
30+50 EF2000A TLG 73 GAF.
ZZ418 Shadow R.1 RAF landing back at RAF Waddington.
715 F-15D IDF 'Rose of the Winds' taxiing for a complete stop.
810 F-15C IDF BAZ (Desert Cobra).
810 F-15C IDF
733 F-15D BAZ IDF (Kings Messenger) note the (SATCOM) Satellite communication dome behind the rear cockpit.
715 F-15D IDF (Rose of the Winds) lands on runway 02 at RAF Waddington.
810 F-15C IDF (Desert Cobra), its mission is over.
980 F-15D IDF deploys its air brake for landing, which is the norm for most IDF landings on this deployment.
818 F-15C IDF recovering without the use of its air brake.
Aircrews welcome home their jet.
30+88 EF2000A GAF is nearly down.
30+50 EF2000A TLG 73 GAF.
ZZ418 Shadow R.1 RAF landing back at RAF Waddington.
715 F-15D IDF 'Rose of the Winds' taxiing for a complete stop.
810 F-15C IDF BAZ (Desert Cobra).
Busy busy...Waddo!
The IDF F-15C and D's crews employ the Elbit's display and sight helmet (DASH). This allows pilots to aim their weapons by looking at the target.
810 F-15C IDF BAZ (Desert Cobra) Holds for a complete stop.
"Mig Killer" On the 8th of June 1982, this aircraft 818 flying with 832 shared a Syrian airforce Mig-23 Kill. When both pilots locked on and fired their AIM-7F missiles, they shared a half-kill each. As for the total kill, I will have to pass?
Early morning Waddington, ground crews preparing for the day's missions.
Sadly, 706 suffered engine problems during my visit, necessitating another C-130 Hercules visit.
435 C-130H Karnaf 4X-FBT 103/131Sqn looking splendid behind 733 "Kings Messenger and 980 in the foreground, Ex Oregon ANG 80-0055.
Home team ZH103/03 Sentry AEW-1 8/54 Sqn RAF lands in copious rain, while MM7353/36-56 F-2000A taxis for taking off.
MM7311/4-55 F-2000A and MM7352/36-55 Itaf, taxi for line up.
810 F-15C "Desert Cobra" launches into the haar.
Mig killer 818 F-15C (Tamoon) "Octopus."
Mistiness, precipitation and lots of heat...
Tale tails!
A great few days out at what must be regarded as a significant moment in modern UK Military aviation.
Notwithstanding that, further south at RAF Fairford, three United States Air Force B-2 Stealth Bombers made a gracious impression over the Gloucestershire countryside while deployed to the United Kingdom, and that is my next stop.
Happy Days!
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