Back on the road, we were heading across the channel to the Netherlands in the Transit (White) van. It was 1990, and the European exercise Central Enterprise would involve 24 F-15As/Bs from the 49th TFW/7th TFS and 8th TFS, all temporarily based at Gilze-Rijen in the Netherlands. Additionally, the Koksijde airshow took place nearby in Belgium.
The first wave of F-15A/Bs is arriving as Devon 11-16, 21-26, all tail-coloured blue from the 49th TFW/7th TFS 'HO.' Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico.
They consisted of F15A 77-0078,86(multi) 89,91,96,97,99,100,102,148,152, F15B 77-0159 'HO'.
77-0078 'HO' F-15A (multi) seen touching down at Gilze-Rijen.
I had to include this slide as the guy with the jeans and hair could have been me then. I'm as bold as a Coot today; guess, as they say, you win some and lose some?
Coronet Shooter aircraft arrived on June 14 and departed on July 11.
77-0088 'HO' F15A. The 8TFS planes all came calling Konag 51-16, 21-26.
They consisted of F15A's 76-0064, 77-0081, 88,89,114,118,119,120,142,144,149,151.
All aircraft were 49thTFW/8TFS "HO" (Yellow)
77-0148 F-15A 49 TFW/7 TFS 'HO' a Coronet Bullet aircraft.
The weather was not favourable during our week, but the jets continued to arrive as the missions progressed.
76-0088 F-15A 49TFW/8TFS 'HO' was deployed in the Coronet Shooter exercise.
77-0119 F15A 'HO' 8TFS Coronet Shooter.
Airbrake up 77-0078 F-15A 'HO' 7TFS Blue.
Once again, the weather was dumping as 77-0102 F15A 'HO' 7TFS lands.
Have you ever noticed how the weather lets you down right at that moment?
77-0086 F15A 'HO' 49TFW/7TFS (multi).
77-0148 F15A 'HO' 49TFW/7TFS.
77-0078 F15A 'HO' 49TFW/7TFS USAF.
77-0078 F15A 'HO' 49TFW/7TFS USAF.
Typical weather.
77-0151 F15A 49TFW/8TFS 'HO' Touchdown at Gilze-Rijen, Those were the days so low, so close, and so gone...
Any trip in the Benelux Countries would always involve visiting the scrap yard/storage facility at Koksijde airbase, close to the Belgian coast.
It was always a great place to visit, here Mystere 1VA 191/8-NK and Super Mystere B2 83 in its jungle camo.
Mystere 1VA 191/8-NK formally from the Cazaux French Air Force base.
FX-69 F-104G! Wing of the Belgian Air Force. Seen behind is the Mirage 5BA's of 3Wing BAF, all cocooned. The complete list consisted of BA01, 04, 39, 46, 48, 50, 56, 57, 59 and 62.
There was another area on the Eastside that we could not visit for photography, which held a further fourteen F-104Gs, all ex-BAF and one Meteor NF-11 ex-FAF.
The Friday arrivals for the Koksijde airshow produced some lovely RAF Phantoms.
XT900/CO Phantom FGR2 228OCU RAF aborts its landing and goes around.
XV462/G Phantom FGR2 19 Sqn RAFG.
508/2-FE Mirage 2000B EC2/2 FAF.
188746 CF-18A Indian Sqn/1 CAD, CAF.
K-4024 NF-5B 316 Sqn RNAF.
81-0967 A-10A 510TFS/10TFW was a pair, with the other aircraft being 80-0170.
L-06 PC-7 EMVO, RNAF, was an excellent aircraft in those years.
Finally and sadly, for us, CS-01 HS 748 21smd/15 wing BAF was seen taxiing for departure as we are.
Wow! I have many good memories.
Happy Days!
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