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Thursday, June 17, 2021

F-111Ardvark's and B-52 Buff's operating from RAF Fairford 1995 Its Exercise "Salty Hammer".

Trends 11-14 and 21-24 arrived at RAF Fairford from CONUS in June 1995 for the exercise.
 "Salty Hammer" and staying over for "Central Enterprise" that followed. They were from the 27th FW/523 FS at Canon Airbase, New Mexico. All eight aircraft were F-111Fs or, as we would say to each other back then, "Swingers".
 
Serials are 70-2382,70-2391,70-2392,70-2404,70-2406, 70-2414,70-2419, and 73-0715, all "CC" Blue (Crusaders).

Central Enterprise also saw the arrival of Four B-52Hs from the 96BS/2BW at Barksdale.

Their serials are as follows: 60-0013, 61-0013, 61-0019, and 61-0024,

The following collection of transparencies was captured during the deployment. 

F-111F 70-2144 "CC" Blue 523FS USAF

F-111F 70-2144 "CC" Blue (Crusaders) 523FS USAF. Status scrapped at Tucson by HVF West.  

F-111F 73-0715 "CC" Blue 523FS USAF.

F-111F 73-0715 "CC" Blue (Crusaders) 523FS USAF. Status scrapped.

F-111F 70-2382  "CC" Blue 523FS USAF

F-111F 70-2382  "CC" Blue (Crusaders) 523FS USAF. Status scrapped.

F-111F 70-2391 "CC" Blue 523FS USAF.

F-111F 70-2391 "CC" Blue (Crusaders) 523FS USAF. Status scrapped.

F-111F 73-0715 "CC" Blue 523FS USAF.

F-111F 73-0715 "CC" Blue (Crusaders) 523FS USAF. Status scrapped.

F-111F 70-2391"CC" Blue 523FS USAF.

F-111F 70-2391"CC" Blue (Crusaders) 523FS USAF. Status scrapped.

F-111F 70-2391"CC" Blue 523FS USAF.

F-111F 70-2391"CC" Blue (Crusaders) 523FS USAF. Status scrapped.

F-111F 70-2392"CC" Blue (Crusaders) 523FS USAF.

F-111F 70-2392"CC" Blue (Crusaders) 523FS USAF. Status scrapped.

F-111F 73-0715 "CC" Blue 523FS USAF.

F-111F 73-0715 "CC" Blue (Crusaders) 523FS USAF. Status scrapped.

F-111Fs line up for take off RAF Fairford

A three-ship launch lineup on runway 09.

F-111F 70-2391"CC" Blue 523FS USAF.

F-111F 70-2391"CC" Blue (Crusaders) 523FS USAF. Status scrapped.

F-111F 70-2391"CC" Blue  523FS USAF.

F-111F 73-0715 "CC" Blue (Crusaders) 523FS USAF. Status scrapped.

F-111F 70-2406 "CC" Blue 523FS USAF.

F-111F 70-2406 "CC" Blue (Crusaders) 523FS USAF. Status scrapped.

F-111F 70-2414 "CC" Blue (Crusaders) 523FS USAF.

F-111F 70-2414 "CC" Blue (Crusaders) 523FS USAF. Status scrapped.

Exercise Salty Hammer 1995 F-111s at Fairford

What a superb-looking aircraft.

F-111F 70-2406 "CC" Blue  523FS USAF.

F-111F 70-2406 "CC" Blue (Crusaders) 523FS USAF. Status scrapped.

B-52H 61-0024 "LA" 2nd BW USAF

A daily sight as another "Buff" gets airborne from 09.

B-52H 61-0024 "LA" 2nd BW USAF.

B-52H 61-0024 "LA" 2nd BW USAF. Status current.

B-52H 61-0024 "LA" 2nd BW USAF.

B-52H 61-0024 "LA" 2nd BW USAF. Status current.

B-52H 61-0024 "LA" 2nd BW USAF.

It's always nice when they run the entire length of the runway.

B-52H 61-0019 "LA" 2nd BW USAF.

B-52H 61-0019 "LA" 2nd BW USAF. Status current.

B-52H 61-0013 "LA" 2nd BW USAF.

B-52H 61-0013 "LA" 2nd BW USAF. Status current.

B-52H 61-0013 "LA" 2nd BW USAF.

B-52H 61-0013 "LA" 2nd BW USAF. Status current.

B-52H 61-0013 "LA" 2nd BW USAF.

B-52H 61-0013 "LA" 2nd BW USAF. Status current.

B-52H Central Enterprise 1995

In quieter moments, some crews found time for a few touch-and-go's. 

F-111F Salty Hammer RAF Fairford

At other times, it was jetted in and jets out, high action indeed.
 
F-111F Swingers landing at RAF Fairford

A three-ship run and break.

F-111F 70-2392 making a low pass.

F-111F 70-2392 making a low pass.

U-2 80-1080 "BB" 9RW

U-2 80-1080 "BB" 9RW 
Having been relocated from RAF Alconbury, the U-2s operated from RAF Fairford whilst their new home base was upgraded at the French Armée de l'Air Base BA125 at Istre/Le Tubé in Southern France.

 "Happy Days"