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Showing posts with label VC-10. Show all posts
Showing posts with label VC-10. Show all posts

Saturday, November 18, 2023

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

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

FA-111 F-16AM BAF Belgische Luchtmacht makes an awe-inspiring approach for landing on the Exercise arrivals day.

113 F-16C HAF

113 F-16C Hellenic AF Elliniki Polemiki Aeroporia landing at "KB" Kleine Brogel.

155774 TA-7C HAF

155774 TA-7C Hellenic AF Elliniki Polemiki Aeroporia, descending into Kleine Brogel air base.

AE9-010/23-04 SF-5B EdA

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

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

5 Rafale M French Navy Marine Nationale.

ZJ803/BA Typhoon T.1 RAF

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 CzechAF

9819 JAS-39D Gripen from the Czech AF and the third type in this exercise to feature the "Eurocanard."

MM55090/61-162 MB339CD AMI

MM55090/61-162 MB-339CD  AMI is arriving at KB.

Kleine Brogel Air Base Belgium

With the aircraft landing on the 23R end at Kleine Brogel, the crowds were causing severe congestion on the dirt tracks.

XX105 VC-10 C.1K RAF

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.

Rafale fighter jets

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. 

F-16 Falcons

Besides the Danish and Italian F16s, there were examples from Greece, Turkey and many from the Belgian hosts.
  
38+54 F-4F Phantom GAF

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

45+91 Tornado IDS GAF

45+91 Tornado IDS Luftwaffe.

01525 F-4E Phantom HAF

01525 F-4E Hellenic Air Force.

01512 F-4E Phantom HAF

01512 F-4E Hellenic Air Force.

119 F-16C HAF

119 F-16C Hellenic Air Force.

160560 A-7E HAF

160560 A-7E Hellenic Air Force.

156774 TA-7C HAF

156774 TA-7C Hellenic Air Force.

156774 TA-7C HAF

156774 TA-7C Hellenic Air Force.

349/4-BM Mirage 2000N AdlA

349/4-BM Mirage 2000N AdlA.

45+28 Tornado IDS GAF

45+28 Tornado IDS Luftwaffe.

93-0688 F-16C TurkAF

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

93-0695 F-16C TurkAF

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

ZJ910/BV Typhoon F.2 RAF

ZJ910/BV Typhoon F.2 RAF.

Itaf F-16s at Kleine Brogel 2007

MM7245 (82-1021), MM7259 (82-0984) and MM7239 (81-0680) F-16A ADFs 
AMI Aeronautica Militare Italiana.

3 Rafale M FN from 12F

3 Rafale M French Navy Marine Nationale.
From 12F Landivisiau.

9 Rafale M FN from 12F Landivisiau

9 Rafale M French Navy Marine Nationale.
One of 4 Rafale Ms from 12F.

318/7-HM Rafale B AdlA

318/7-HM Rafale B AdlA from St Dizier.

20 Years of Belgian Air Force OCU

20 years OCU unique colours seen on the tail of F-16B FB18.

AE.9-010/23-04 SF-5B EdA

AE.9-010/23-04 SF-5B EdA Ejército del Aire.
Participating in the 20-year OCU celebrations.

15118 F-16B PortAF

15118 F-16B Força Aerea Portuguesa.
It is the start of another (COMAO) mission.

15118 F-16B PortAF

15118 F-16B Força Aerea Portuguesa, re-heating away from Kleine Brogel.

15139 F-16BM PortAF

15139 F-16BM Força Aerea Portuguesa follows 15118.

15139 F-16BM PortAF

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.

Kleine Brogel Air Base 2007

A quick wave before a mass launch.

5 RafaleM  FN

5 Rafale M French Navy stays low for the photographers.

3 Rafale M FN

3 Rafale M French Navy Marine Nationale, burners on.

9 Rafale M FN

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

104/7-HH Rafale C AdlA

104/7-HH Rafale C AdlA.

46+02 Tornado IDS GAF

46+02 Tornado IDS GAF.

45+57 Tornado IDS GAF

45+57 Tornado IDS GAF.

ZJ803 BA Typhoon T 1 RAF

ZJ803/BA Typoon T.1 RAF leads the Royal Air Force contingent on its ( COMAO) Mission.

ZJ803 BA Tyoon T 1 RAF

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 BAF

FA-111 F-16AM part of the BAF Belgische Luchtmacht (COMAO) group.

FA-134 F-16AM 60 years BAF

FA-134 F-16AM 60 years Kleine Brogel Air Base Special colour scheme.

MM55090 61-162 MB339CD Itaf

MM55090/61-162 MB339CD AMI.

FA-101 F-16AM BAF

FA-101 F-16AM BAF Belgische Luchtmacht. With 1 SQn (90Years of the "Stingers").

6048 L-159A CzechAF

6048 L-159A ALCA  Launching with 6053 and 6054 on a CSAR mission focused on the base at 
Kleine Brogel.
 
FA-136 F-16AM BAF

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

F-16 and Magister display 2007

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

MT-35 CM170R Magister BAF

MT-35 CM170R  BAF Belgische Luchtmacht.

FA-131 F-16AM BAF

FA-131 F-16AM  BAF Belgische Luchtmacht.

CE-03 ERJ145LR BAF

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

H-30 Augusta A109 BelArmy

H-30 Augusta A109 Belgian Army participates in the CSAR exercise over Kleine Brogel.

Belgian Army A-109s

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 A-109 BelArmy

H-22 Augusta A109  BAF Belgische Luchtmacht.

ZA937 Puma HC 1 RAF

ZA937 Puma HC.1 RAF. It is also part of the CSAR exercise along with ZA939.

RS-02 Sea King BAF

RS-02 Sea King  BAF Belgische Luchtmacht.

AS532 U2 Cougars RNAF

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

Hellenic Air Force A-7s run and break.

160560 A-7E HAF

160560 A-7E HAF Elliniki Polemiki Aeroporia.

156774 TA-7C HAF

156774 TA-7C  HAF Elliniki Polemiki Aeroporia.

01525 F-4E HAF

01525 F-4E  HAF Elliniki Polemiki Aeroporia.

5° Gruppo Italian Air Force

MM7245/82-1021 F-16A ADF 5° Gruppo 23

Badge of the 23rd Group
Itaf F-16A ADF 5° Gruppo

French Navy Rafale M

The look of what was to come in Military aviation.

Kleine Brogel 2007

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

603 AN-26 HungAF

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!