European Trainers Meet Beauvechain Air Base 2004

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.

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 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!

Exercise Operational Intergration Kleine Brogel Air Base 2007.

 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.

AE9-010/23-04 SF-5B ACA23 Ejército del Aire, arriving from its home base at Talavera la Real in support of the 20th anniversary of the  OCU, which was established at Bevekom air base back in 1987 and transferred to Kleine Brogel in 1996.

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." 

5 Rafale M French Navy Marine Nationale.

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. 

Besides the Danish and Italian F16s, there were examples from Greece, Turkey and many from the Belgian hosts.

  

38+54 F-4F Phantom from the German Luftwaffe.

45+91 Tornado IDS Luftwaffe.

01525 F-4E Hellenic Air Force.

01512 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.

349/4-BM Mirage 2000N AdlA.

45+28 Tornado IDS Luftwaffe.

93-0688 F-16C Turkish Air Force, Türk Hava Kuvvetleri.

93-0695 F-16C Turkish Air Force, Türk Hava Kuvvetleri.

ZJ910/BV Typhoon F.2 RAF.

MM7245 (82-1021), MM7259 (82-0984) and MM7239 (81-0680) F-16A ADFs 

AMI Aeronautica Militare Italiana.

3 Rafale M French Navy Marine Nationale.

From 12F Landivisiau.

9 Rafale M French Navy Marine Nationale.

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 follows 15118.

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.

5 Rafale M French Navy stays low for the photographers.

3 Rafale M French Navy Marine Nationale, burners on.

9 Rafale M French Navy Marine Nationale only seconds behind 5 and 3.

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.

MM55090/61-162 MB339CD AMI.

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.

 

FA-136, FB-20 F-16AM, and BM take off to escort ERJ145LR in a fly-through for photographers.

MT-35 CM170R and FA-131F-16AM provided an aerial demonstration.

MT-35 CM170R  BAF Belgische Luchtmacht.

FA-131 F-16AM  BAF Belgische Luchtmacht.

CE-03 ERJ145LR BAF Belgische Luchtmacht. Makes an escorted pass with the two F-16s.

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.

H-22 Augusta A109  BAF Belgische Luchtmacht.

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.

156774 TA-7C  HAF Elliniki Polemiki Aeroporia.

01525 F-4E  HAF Elliniki Polemiki Aeroporia.

MM7245/82-1021 F-16A ADF 5° Gruppo 23

The look of what was to come in Military aviation.

As I close, this is a nice photo of a few days in Belgium.

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.

Happy Days, indeed!