Central Enterprise 1993 Exercise was again in full swing, and we were back on the road. It was June 1993, and our stereo was blasting out music from bands like New Order, Stone Temple Pilots, and Beyond, as well as Shaggy and the Cure, as we sped towards the Netherlands; how good could life be? A chance of blue skies?
This Central Enterprise was unique in that it involved F-117As from the 49th FW/415FS at Holloman AFB, which were deployed to Gilze-Rijen AFB. We also had the opportunity to attend a couple of top air shows, including one in Eindhoven, which incidentally marked the 80th anniversary of the Koninklijke Luchtmacht in the Netherlands, and another in Koksijde, Belgium.
Not forgetting, of course, that incredible range of beers that we had sampled just for the scientific Knowledge, and those "Moules and Frites", sorry, back to the planes...
"STOP RIGHT THERE"
This was unlike anything we had ever witnessed before. On arrival, it was total chaos; thousands of people descended on Gilze-Rijen. The road under the approach is called the Langenbergseweg; the police seemed to have lost the will to control the massive crowds and keep this road open for traffic, diversions having been hastily arranged.
The mass of humanity had witnessed the stealthy F-117s from the 49th FW arrive in the Netherlands. None of us was disappointed, as just after eight pm, we had four of the black jets landing, followed by another four; this only added to the crowd's excitement. even for us enthusiasts, it was
an exhilarating moment.
"Coronet Havoc" saw the arrival at Gilze-Rijen of eight F-117As from the 49FW/415FS.
Deployed between the 8th of June 1993 and the 7th of July 1993.
81-10797,83-0807,83-0808,84-0812,85-0830,85-0836,86-0823,86-0839.
Arriving as Clan 51-54, 61-64.
The evening missions continued with excitement amongst the visiting hordes, more likely to be seen at a soccer match than watching military aircraft; there were families with their evening picnics, and an air of expectation and excitement filled the warm evening.
Due to the proximity of the Langenbergseweg road to Gilze-Rijen's runway, there are traffic lights to stop the traffic as low-landing aircraft approach the runway for landing. With the arrival of recovering aircraft, people swarmed onto this road, and the police, with their motorbikes, formed barriers to hold back the groups of spectators. At times, the aircraft disappeared into the trench of humanity, all so excited by this alien-looking stealth.
83-0807 F-117A 49thFW/415FS USAF
86-0839 F-117A, 49thFW/415FS USAF, from Holloman Airbase, New Mexico.
"Clan 51" 83-0807 "The Chickenhawk" F-117A 49th/415FS USAF, Holloman AFB.
"Clan 61"84-0812 F-117A 49FW/415FS USAF.
"Clan 63" 86-0839 "Midnight Reaper" F-117A, 415FS, USAF.
"Clan 51" 83-0807 F-117A, 49FW/415FS USAF.
"Clan 51" 83-0807 F-117A, 49FW/415FS USAF mission complete.
C-8 Fokker F-27 300M Troopship 312 sqn is approaching from its home base at Eindhoven and looking good in the evening light.
Can you believe the F-117As are arriving at Gilze-Rijen?
"Clan 63" 86-0839 "Midnight Reaper" F-117A, 49th FW/415FS, USAF
Mission over.
"Clan 51" 83-0807 F-117A USAF 49FW/415FS USAF mission complete.
The next stop for us is Eindhoven and the 80th anniversary of the Koninklijke Luchtmacht.
Happy Days, Indeed.
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