The European Trainers Meeting celebrated 25 years of Alpha Jets in service with the (Belgische Luchtmacht) Belgian Air Force and its 2004 newly qualified pilots. It was hosted by the Belgium 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 60th Anniversary of D-Day unique markings. That had been applied to celebrate that anniversary back in May 2004.
Before I waffle more, let us 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 Belgium Army, two examples were seen on the Monday before Tuesday's ETM, the other being B10-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.
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.
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.
Aviation Legere de la Force Terrestre/Licht Vliegwezen van het Landmacht.
Based at Bierset.
The Belgium Air Force had a team of six Alpha Jets display during the day. Overall, this was another great day out, and the weather was great.
Happy Days, indeed!
