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.
91-0472 SP F-16DM-50-CF Makes an incredibly high-speed, low pass over "Johns Feild." With the pilot signalling "OK" with his left hand. For the many who witnessed this in the opening week, it must surely make for the most iconic photographic memory of CW/2. See below for the cockpit close-up.
Monday morning and the first day of CW/2 started with fine blue skies and the six RCAF CF-188As parked on the former Echo dispersal. Following the first three ship launches, the remaining three were moved to the former Delta dispersal and were joined by the returning three aircraft.
188735 CC-188A 433Sqn 3 Wing RCAF. Wearing the 2022 Canadian Air Force display colour scheme.
188774 CC-188A 425 Sqn Porcupine has a technical problem. The pilot is just about to change his seat.
188735 CC-188A 433Sqn Alouettes 3 Wing RCAF.
188730 CC-188A 433Sqn Alouettes 3 Wing RCAF.
188782 CC-188A 433Sqn RCAF leads the pack home.
188782 CC-188A 433Sqn RCAF awaiting parking after being directed to Deta having departed from Echo dispersal.
188735 CC-188A 433Sqn 3 Wing RCAF. # the French side (Protection Du Canada).
188757 425Sqn Porcupine 3 Wing RCAF.
MM62303/14-12 G550-CAEW 14 Stormo Sergio Sartoff 71° Gruppo Itaf coming from Pratica De Mare.
NATO 21 E-3A LX-N-90454 departing RAF Waddington. Below it is NATO E-3A LX-N-90443.
Meanwhile, down the road at RAF Mildenhall, the seventeen USAF European-based F-16s from Spangdahlem are really creating a heat haze.
Here F-16CM-50-CF 90-0813/SP 480th FS. Prepares to launch.
91-0338/SP F-16CM-50-CF (Haveglass) 480th FS waiting to take off whilst 92-0918 launches.
91-0417/SP F-16CM-50-CF holding.
91-0833/SP F-16CM-50-CF re-heats down runway 10 at RAF Mildenhall.
91-0417/SP F-16CM-50-CF powers out of RAF Mildenhall.
91-0472/SP F-16DM-50-CF They tend to bring a (DM) two-seater to give flights for the hosts.
91-0343/SP F-16CM-50-CF with mission marks waits in the perfect light conditions on day two of Cobra Warrior 2023/2.
90-0829/SP F-16CM-50-CF with unique and mission marks; it just improves.
60-0335 KC-135R 100Sqn RAF Mildenhall recovering to the Hall.
63-7981 KC-135R IL ANG 126ARW. Part of the tanker build-up for the TX/FM F-16s heading West out of Spangdalem.
91-0472/SP F-16DM-50-CF makes a wonderfully low high-speed pass over John's field on the first Wednesday of Cobra Warrior 23/2.
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.
90-0813/SP F-16CM-50CF Interestingly, behind the F-16 are the two 161 ARW Arizona Air National Guard based at RAF Mildenhall for the exercise. Their serials are 62-3516 and 62-3550.
64-14844/OF RC-135V Rivet Jiont 38th RS USAF arriving late in the day as TITO44.
64-14844/OF RC-135V Rivet Jiont 38th RS USAF.
91-0472/SP F-16-DM-50-CF landing on runway 10.
90-0829/SP F-16CM-50-CF seen in the September late afternoon light in September.
91-0407/SP F16-CM-50-CF on runway 10 with three Ospreys beyond.
58-0074 KC-135T 171ARW Pennsylvania ANG arriving Mildenhall as Blue 12.
20-46072 KC-46A 305 AMW (Blue31) early arrival on Wednesday morning after holding for over an hour due to low visibility.
5665 F-35A 332SKV RNorAF
(Axe54) diverted to RAF Mildenhall due to an F-15 incident at RAF Lakenheath. What not to like as Lakenheath was the next stop to photograph the six 332SKV RNorAF
F-35A also participating in Cobra Warrior 2023/2.
5666 F-35A 332SKV RNorAF (Axe53) following his buddy.
62-3516 KC-135R Arizona ANG (Esso75) returning to Mildenhall mission over.
62-3516 KC-135R Arizona ANG (Esso75).
5385 F-35A 332SKV RNorAF landing on runway 06 at RAF Lakenheath, where they are based for C/W 23/2.
5664 F-35A 332SKV RNorAF landing on runway 06 at RAF Lakenheath.
22-5685/LN F-35A-4 493rd FS returning to Lakenheath mission over.
91-0327/LN F15E-52-MC 492nd Sqn, powers off runway 06 at Lakenheath.
98-0135/LN F15E-52-MC 492nd Sqn follows 91-0327/LN out of RAF Lakenheath.
98-0135/LN F15E-52-MC 492nd Sqn.
Lights out on photography and myself, but Lakenheath are flying late.
