The 10th Tactical Fighter Wing at Kleine Brogel airbase in Belgium hosted an Operational Integration exercise between the 16th and 18th of July 2007. The primary exercise day was on the 17th of July and would also feature the 20th anniversary of the Belgian OCU (Operational Conversion Unit), drawing even more aircraft to this great event.
The Belgium OCU (Operational Conversion Unit) at Kleine Brogel is infamous for its Spotters Days and attracts large crowds of enthusiasts from far and wide. Following the 2007 International Air Tattoo the prior weekend in the United Kingdom, many enthusiasts moved back into Europe and headed for Kleine Brogel, boosting the attendance numbers.
This was probably Europe's most anticipated military aviation event during 2007, and the weather was good. The visiting aircraft types were an exciting mix. The Hellenic Airforce sent six aircraft: Two Phantom F-4Es, a pair of A-7s, one TA-7C and one A-7E plus two F-16Cs. The Italians bought Four F-16s from 5°Stormo at Cervia and 2 MB339CDs. Spain bought a single Northrop SF-5B from Talavera to support the OCU 20th-anniversary.
The main Operational Integration Exercise was held on the 17th of July 2007 and provided different scenarios, including COMAO (Composite Air Operation). DACT (Dissimilar Air Combat Training) and CSAR ( Combat Search and Rescue). There were also multiple fly-throughs of different aircraft and groupings during the event. With all this going on, the OCU invited hundreds of aviation photographers and enthusiasts onto their base.
The following is a photo record of this brilliant day.
MM7245 F-16A ADF AMI, also wearing its USAF serial 82-1021, departs KB in a pairs take-off.
They depart on one of the two (COMAO) missions on the 17th of July.
The scenario is a mission into"Scandimonia", which translates to missions over Northern Germany and the Netherlands. Attacks took place on the German bases of Wittmund and Nordholz.
As with many European exercises, 100 Sqn KC-135s from RAF Mildenhall fulfilled the Blue Forces Air to Air refuelling needs.
FA-111 F-16AM BAF Belgische Luchtmacht makes an awe-inspiring approach for landing on the Exercise arrivals day.
113 F-16C Hellenic AF Elliniki Polemiki Aeroporia landing at "KB" Kleine Brogel.
155774 TA-7C Hellenic AF Elliniki Polemiki Aeroporia, descending into Kleine Brogel air base.
3 Rafale M French Navy Marine Nationale.
At this exercise, these were the new kids on the block. The first arrivals to feature the futuristic "Eurocanard."
ZJ803/BA Typhoon T.1 RAF is the second air arm to feature the "Eurocanard". This was the first time some saw this new generation of Fighter jets.
9819 JAS-39D Gripen from the Czech AF and the third type in this exercise to feature the "Eurocanard."
MM55090/61-162 MB-339CD AMI is arriving at KB.
With the aircraft landing on the 23R end at Kleine Brogel, the crowds were causing severe congestion on the dirt tracks.
With its special marks, the XV105 VC10 C.1K RAF Tanker makes a scarce appearance as it towers above an equally rare Hellenic Air Force aircraft lineup.
9 Rafale M from the French Navy sits with its cockpit angled higher due to its more robust front landing gear designed for carrier landings than the two Armée de l'Air Rafales 104/7-HH Rafale C and 318/7-HM Rafale B.
45+91 Tornado IDS Luftwaffe.
01525 F-4E Hellenic Air Force.
119 F-16C Hellenic Air Force.
160560 A-7E Hellenic Air Force.
156774 TA-7C Hellenic Air Force.
156774 TA-7C Hellenic Air Force.
93-0695 F-16C Turkish Air Force, Türk Hava Kuvvetleri.
AMI Aeronautica Militare Italiana.
From 12F Landivisiau.
One of 4 Rafale Ms from 12F.
318/7-HM Rafale B AdlA from St Dizier.
20 years OCU unique colours seen on the tail of F-16B FB18.
AE.9-010/23-04 SF-5B EdA Ejército del Aire.
Participating in the 20-year OCU celebrations.
15118 F-16B Força Aerea Portuguesa.
It is the start of another (COMAO) mission.
15118 F-16B Força Aerea Portuguesa, re-heating away from Kleine Brogel.
15139 F-16BM Força Aerea Portuguesa.
For me, it was one of the best departures of the day, but to be fair, the pilots all tried hard for the photographers.
It was a great day enjoyed by all.
A quick wave before a mass launch.
3 Rafale M French Navy Marine Nationale, burners on.
104/7-HH Rafale C AdlA.
46+02 Tornado IDS GAF.
45+57 Tornado IDS GAF.
ZJ803/BA Typoon T.1 RAF leads the Royal Air Force contingent on its ( COMAO) Mission.
ZJ803/BA Typhoon T.1 RAF, perhaps trying too hard to impress ( Just a thought) and moments later, the
Typhoon T. 1 was asking to return with issues.
FA-111 F-16AM part of the BAF Belgische Luchtmacht (COMAO) group.
FA-134 F-16AM 60 years Kleine Brogel Air Base Special colour scheme.
FA-101 F-16AM BAF Belgische Luchtmacht. With 1 SQn (90Years of the "Stingers").
6048 L-159A ALCA Launching with 6053 and 6054 on a CSAR mission focused on the base at
Kleine Brogel.
MT-35 CM170R and FA-131F-16AM provided an aerial demonstration.
MT-35 CM170R BAF Belgische Luchtmacht.
H-30 Augusta A109 Belgian Army participates in the CSAR exercise over Kleine Brogel.
H-22 and H-30 Augusta A109s taxiing.
Beyond are T.19B-07/35-25 CN235 EdA.
41/00-LUK S-4 Stampe BAF Belgische Luchtmacht Hitoric flight.
LB-06 L-21B Super Cub. BAF Belgische Luchtmacht Hitoric flight.
E23/314-UG Alpha Jet AdlA.
ZA937 Puma HC.1 RAF. It is also part of the CSAR exercise along with ZA939.
RS-02 Sea King BAF Belgische Luchtmacht.
The Royal Netherlands Air Force bought two AS532 U2 Cougars.
They were S-442 and S-453 Koninklijke Luchmacht "Wildcat Formation" and a fly-through.
Hellenic Air Force A-7s run and break.
160560 A-7E HAF Elliniki Polemiki Aeroporia.
01525 F-4E HAF Elliniki Polemiki Aeroporia.
MM7245/82-1021 F-16A ADF 5° Gruppo 23
603 AN-26 Hungarian Air Force. I included this as it transited KB Monday morning for a refuelling stop on its way home from the International Air Tattoo at Fairford. With the type now retired from service, including it as pure nostalgia seemed appropriate.
