Polish Airforce Sukhoi SU-22M4 Fitters visit Reims Champagne flying local missions with the AdlA Mirage F1CRs Summer 2006

June 2006 marked the arrival of Polish Air Force Sukhoi Su-22M4 jets at Base Aérienne 112 Reims-Champagne, located approximately 130 kilometres Northeast of Paris, France. They were deployed for approximately three weeks and flew missions with the home-based Reconnaissance-based Dassault Mirage F1CRs from 1/33 Belfort Squadron and 2/33 Savoie. I cannot be certain of the Polish base from which they deployed, as four tactical air squadrons operated the type at the time. They were the 8 ELT (Squadron) from 12 BLOT (Air Base) at Miroslawiec, 40 ELT from 21 BLOT Swidnica Smardzko, and 6 ELT and 7 ELT operating from 33 BLOT at Powidz. 

The weather during their last week of deployment was glorious, although taking photographs in these beautiful conditions caused problems with heat haze. 

The last week of their deployment coincided with the 2nd of July air show at BA103, Cambrai Base Aérienne, located further north of Reims. A bonus during this final week at Reims was the deployment of Belgian Air Force F-16s and a couple of SIAI 260s transiting from or to BA709 Cognac-Chateauxbernard airbase in the Southwest of France.

All great memories from a super-base in its day, and even more poignant with this year's final withdrawal from service of this great aircraft from the Polish Air Force. They also looked different in their camouflage colours nineteen years ago; they finished their active service in a grey scheme in October 2025.

8309 SU-22M-4 Polish Air Force.

This aircraft flew to the end of the type's operational service with the Polish Air Force in October 2025. 

8309 SU-22M-4 Visited the 2023 International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, not in this 2006 camouflage scheme.

8309 awaits clearance to runway 25.

8920 SU-22M-4 Polish Air Force.

Status: It was withdrawn from service in 2014; its fate is unknown.

8920 SU-22M-4 Polish Air Force, cleared to line up for its mission.

Arriving back at BA112 Reims Champagne.

642 33-NC Mirage F1CR.

Status: To the civil register as N629AY.

3817 SU-22M-4 Polish Air Force, arriving back at Reims.

Status: Withdrawn from use in 2023; again, its fate is unknown.

642 33-NC Mirage F1CR lands after escorting 3817 back to Reims.

640 33-NV Mirage F1CR taking off at BA

8920 SU-22M-4 SU-22M-4 Polish Air Force taxies from runway 07 at Reims Champagne.

8920 SU-22M-4 close up.

651 33-NB Mirage F1CR with the iconic landscape backdrop at BA112 Riems-Champagne.

606,616, and 662 line up on the last chance.

3817 SU-22M-4 Polish Air Force.

3817 SU-22M-4.

610 33-CI   Mirage F1CR 1/33 Belfort 'Red Lion'

Status: 118-CI to an Instructional Airframe at Rochefort St Agnant.

Today, an MQ-9 Drone squadron.

653 33-CV Mirage F1CR 1/33 Belfort 'Petit Prince'

Status: Today, in the civil register, it shows N633AX.

The 'Petit Prince today operates Grob G120A-F aircraft at BA709 Cognac/Châteabernard.

647 33-NF  Mirage F1CR.

Status: Another one transferred to an instructional airframe at Base Aérienne 721 Rochefort as 118-CI.

640 33-NV  Mirage F1CR.

Status: Stored in the USA.

653 33-CZ  Mirage F1CR.

Status: registered with the US Civil register as N645AX.

FA133 and FB-12 Lockheed Martin/SABACA F-16s from Florennes 1 sqn 2 Wing Belgian Air Force.

FA-56 and FB-15 31 Sqn OCU 10 Wing BAF from Kliene Brogel.

ST-12 and ST19 SF-260MB 5 Sqn 1Wing BAF at Beauvechain.

518 30-SR Mirage F1B EC.01.030. BA132 Colmar/Meyenheim.

Status: Preserved at the Lyon Corbas Museum, coded 5-OM.

Great Memories.

European Trainers Meet Beauvechain Air Base 2004

The European Trainers Meeting celebrated 25 years of  Alpha Jets in service with the Belgische Luchtmacht, the Belgian Air Force, and its 2004 newly qualified pilots. It was hosted by the Belgian Air Force 1st Wing at Beauvechain on Tuesday, June 29, 2004.

The list of invited aircraft was undoubtedly designed to impress, but as usual, some aircraft would not show up. These included the SU-22, MiG-21, and the Hellenic Air Force TA-7C. That aside, just take a look at what that day produced.

The real highlight was the arrival of the two Northrop SF-5Bs from Ala23 at Talavera in Spain, which had just received their mid-life updates and a very photogenic Alpha Jet coming from 11 Smaldeel (Belgische Luchtmacht), with its anniversary low-visibility unique paint scheme. The Irish Air Corps' (Aer Chór an héireann) PC-9 from the FTS was a surprise, as it had only been delivered briefly. The French Air Force Mirage F1B (520/33-FD) looked fabulous as it taxied from the runway in full sunshine, adorned with its unique markings commemorating the 60th Anniversary of D-Day. That had been applied to celebrate that anniversary back in May 2004.

Before I ramble on, let's take a look at the event's photographs.

AE.9-029/23-18 and AE.9-018/23-26 SF-5Bs EdA from ALA 23 at Badajoz/Talavera la Real.

As they arrived overhead for the break, the photographers were excited to see these rarely-seen jets outside their Spanish home.

AE.9-029/23-18 SF-5B EdA lands on Beauvechains runway 22R.

 

AE.9-018/23-26 SF-5B EdA taxis and stops for the assembled photographers.

AE.9-029/23-18 SF-5B EdA following 23-26 with much waving from the crew and appreciation from the crowd.

AT-12 Alpha Jet BAF and a friendly wave from the rear seat.

B-01/LA BN-2A Islander from the Belgian Army, two examples were seen on the Monday before Tuesday's ETM, the other being B-10-LJ.

MT-40  Fouga CM170R Magister BAF.

 

AT-06 Alpha Jet BAF.

AT-18 Alpha Jet with its unique anniversary markings.

MT35 Fouga CM170R Magister BAF.

This Magister became the last flying example with the BAF  (Belgische Luchtmacht).

MT49 Fouga CM170R Magister BAF.

267 PC-9 FTS Irish Air Corps (Aer Chór an hÉireann).

ST-25/26/32/48 SIAI SF.260D's from 5 Squadron at Beauvechain.

ST-25/26/32/48 SIAI SF.260D's taxiing to the static park.

ST-26 SIAI SF.260D BAF.

MM54492/61-36 MB.339A 61°Stormo AMI from Lecce/Galatina.

The second aircraft was MM55084 MB.339A.

FB-09 F-16BM BAF.

E-105/8-NU Alpha Jet E  ETO.02008 'Nice' from Cazaux.

127/315-YR Epsilon TB30 AdlA from BA709 Cognac/Châteaubernard.

The second aircraft was 102/315-XS.

MT48 Fouga CM170R Magister from the Belgian Air Force display team 'Red Devils'.

MT48 was joined by MT41/13/28/13.

Showing off their mascot, and you can see the team's patch.

ST20 SIAI SF.260D and another excellent colour scheme.

L-06 PC-7 RNAF.

B-01/LA BN-2A Islander from the 'Force Terrestre-landmacht', The Belgian Army.

XX159 Hawk T.1 RAF again supporting anniversary marks celebrating 30 years of type in service from 1974 to 2004.

AE.9-029/23-18 SF-5B 23 Ala 23 EdA.

 

38+69 F-4F Phantom WGAF from Hopsten Air Base.

520/33-FD Mirage F1B AdlA from 03.033 'Lorraine' at Reims/Champagne.

38+69 F-4F Phantom GAF.

520/33-FD Mirage F1B AdlA, 60 Anniversary of D-Day marks.

102/315-XS Epsilon TB30 AdlA.

ZF447 Tucano T.1 RAF.

T-407 T-17 FLSK RDAF.

6037 L-159 (ARCA) 32zTL Czech Air Force.

2408 AN-26 61DLt Czech Air Force from Kbely.

LB-05 L-21B Super Cub BAF.

A64 Sud Aviation Alouette II.

Aviation Legere de la Force Terrestre/Licht Vliegwezen van het Landmacht.

H31 Agusta A.109BA.

Aviation Legere de la Force Terrestre/Licht Vliegwezen van het Landmacht.

Based at Bierset.

The Belgian Air Force had a team of six Alpha Jets on display during the day. Overall, this was another great day out, and the weather was great.

Happy Days, indeed!