Cobra Warrior 2023/2 exercise is centred at RAF Waddington, as was "CW1/2023."The exercise is organised and controlled by 92sqadron RAF based at Waddington alongside the Air and Space Warfare Centre.
This second part of the legendary bi-annual training exercise featured F-18s of the Royal Canadian Airforce to RAF Waddington, E-3 AWACS from the NATO joint command at Gilenkirchen Germany, and the very photogenic Italian Air Force G550-CAEW (Spy Plane) based at Pratica di Mare outside of Rome.
Further South at RAF Mildenhall, this base is usually involved as it is the home of the 100th Air Refuelling Wing United States Air Force Europe, with a significant focus on air-to-air refuelling. This time, a nice difference would see RAF Mildenhall turned into a fighter town with no less than seventeen USAF European-based F-16 Jets from Spangalehem airbase in Germany. The 100 Sqns KC-135 tanker aircraft were supported by the Arizona Air National Guard with their two nicely marked KC-135 Tanker aircraft. Mildenhall also featured a mix of KC-135s and KC-46s involved in dragging jets F-16s home from the Middle East.
The Canadian Air Force had its own CC-150 Tanker aircraft, call sign "Hoser," and very disappointingly, based at RAF Lossimouth for the exercise.
Further Tankers came from the RAF at RAF Brize Norton and the Italian Airforce flying up from Italy on daily needs.
RAF Leeming was hosting three HH-60s from Aviano Air Base in Northern Italy who would carry out CSAR missions.
Indeed, this time around, hundreds of enthusiasts enjoyed fabulous blue skies and sunshine during the opening week of the exercise.
This report is not an in-depth analysis of the exercise but a photo diary of the events and moments that make it unique to Military aviation enthusiasts.
One can clearly see the pilot showing an 'OK' with his left hand. Absolutely fantastic flying. This is one of those incredible moments enthusiasts will discuss for years.