Cobra Warrior 2023/2 action from RAF Waddington , RAF Mildenhall and Lakenheath.

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.

NATO 21 E-3A LX-N-90454.

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.

Happy Days once again!

Paris flypast 2023, Indian Air Force Rafale's join the line up at Evreux Airbase BA105.

The Paris Flypast on Bastille Day (Defile 14 Juillet) is always thrilling on the Military Aviation calendar. For 2023, the Invitation and acceptance of the Indian Airforce to fly across Paris as India is invited to participate in the Bastille Day celebrations made it a must-visit.

Now, that is a big headline act. Still, there would also be three European countries featured in the 2023 programme: Belgium with two F-16s, representing the Air Policing in defence of European territory, alongside a UK Typhoon FGR.4 from the RAF. The Italian Navy with an NH90 representing Combat Marine Aviation.

I have posted reports from the Répétiton (practice) staged at Orléans/Bricy BA123 for the past two years. For 2023, I thought I would visit Everux BA105 to witness all the fast jets participating in this iconic flypast and multiple launches on the morning of the 14th of July (Bastille Day).

The first rumour suggested India deploy ageing Jaguar jets to the Everux BA105 airbase. That would be good for me as the last four Indian Air Force Jaguars I had seen were four being delivered through Larnaca in Cypres era in the early eighties. But that seemed odd as the French Air Force could serve the operational Rafale fighters now operating with the Indian Air Force. 

RB 004 Rafale DH Indian Air Force.

It was thought that the Indian aircraft, now confirmed as Rafale DH and EH (single-seat) jets, would arrive on the 12th of July, but that was thwarted when they arrived non-stop from Hashimara in West Bengal and their home Air Force Station at Jalpaguiri (VEHX). The flight plan was similar to that of the Indian Rafales, who participated at Mont de Marsan in April 2023 for exercise "Orion." Once again, the two tanker IL-78 aircraft landed at Cairo in Eygpt, but this time, the Rafales continued directly to Everux, arriving on the weekend before Bastille Day.  

The Indian Air Force patches the aircrew wore for this extraordinary event.

 2741/SY EC225 C/S F-UGSY Armée de l'Air . 

Having arrived on the 11th at Everux, I now had time to kill as not only had the Indian Air Force arrived earlier than expected and carried out their practice the day before I and many others came. Everux is not  Known for being the busiest of French Air Force bases to visit on the chance of seeing many aircraft, but luck was on our side.

2/F-RAFP Falcon 900 from ET00.060 2ESC "Guam."Armée de l'Air . 

128/64-IK CN-235M-200 ET01.062 C/S F-RAIK.

Evreux is the leading home base of the CN-235 in Armée de l'Air service.

128/64-IK CN-235M-200 ET01.062 C/S F-RAIK.Armée de l'Air.

128/64-IK CN-235M-200 ET01.062 C/S F-RAIK.Armée de l'Air.

65/2-MG Mirage 2000-5F from EC01.002 Armée de l'Air. Carries out a morning mission from Evreux from where it had already arrived.

65/2-MG Mirage 2000-5F from EC01.002.Armée de l'Air.

045/F-UJCK A330MRTT from EVTS01.002 Armée de l'Air at Istres/Le Tubé.

045/F-UJCK A330MRTT from EVTS01.002.Armée de l'Air.

045/F-UJCK A330MRTT from EVTS01.002 seen landing at Evreux.

5847/61-PP C-130J-30 ET02.061, Armée de l'Air seen landing in the hot July afternoon heat, not ideal for photography.

1657/F-UJCT Airbus 330-243 from ERVTS02.031Armée de l'Air at Paris-Roissy (Charles de Gaulle airport), although technically, their home base is BA110 at Creil-Senlis outside of Paris.

1657/F-UJCT Airbus 330-243 from ERVTS02.031 landing at Evreux.

135/30-GN,132/30-GK, 351/30-FR, the only Rafale B. All others are C's 107/30-HJ, 136/4-GO, and 337/4-IL, all arriving at Evreux.

135/30-GN Rafale C EC03.030. from BA118 Mont-de-Marsan.

351/30-FR Rafale B  EC03.030. from BA118 Mont-de-Marsan.

360/30-SI Rafale, 54/30-FU Rafale B's from ECE01.030 with Mirage 2000D's 622/30-IL, 646/30-MQ, and 639/30-JJ all Mirage 2000 RMV from EC01.030, BA118 at Mont-de-Marsan.

  

360/30-SI Rafale B ECE01.030. Armée de l'Air.

354/30-FU Rafale B ECE01.030. Armée de l'Air.

622/30-IL Mirage 2000D RMV Armée de l'Air from BA118 at Mont-de-Marsan.

646/30-MQ Mirage 2000D RMV Armée de l'Air from BA118 at Mont-de-Marsan.

639/30-JJ Mirage 2000D RMV Armée de l'Air  from BA118 at Mont-de-Marsan.

639/30-JJ Mirage 2000D RMV.

MM81871/9-10  HH-101A 21° Gruppo Itaf landing at Evreux for a refuelling stop en route to the International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford.

666/3-IQ Mirage 2000D from ETD04.003 at BA133 at (LFSO) Nancy-Ochey.

356/4-FW Rafale B ETR03.003 from BA113 (LFSI) St Dizier/Robinson.

356/4-FW Rafale B Armée de l'Air.

46/2-EN Mirage 2000-5F arriving at Evreux from GC01.002 at BA116 Luxeil/St Sauveur.

47/2-EP Mirage 2000-5F arriving at Evreux from GC01.002 at BA116 Luxeil/St Sauveur.

59/2-EL Mirage 2000-5F arriving at Evreux from GC01.002 at BA116 Luxeil/St Sauveur.

48/2-EW Mirage 2000-5F arriving at Evreux from GC01.002 at BA116 Luxeil/St Sauveur.

Saturday, the 14th of July, Bastille Day at Evreux air base, is just brilliant for any military aviation enthusiasts as wave after wave of the participating fast jets get airborne. Once airborne, they enter into race tracks to the North West and East of Evreux airbase. 

 

A great surprise arriving overhead is 3 E-2C Hawkeye from the French Marine at Lahn-Bhoue.

Holding in a race track to the North are the participants of the "Protection de l'espace aérien." 

Still quite open in the formation as more jets join what will be wave four of the flypast.

Meanwhile, on the ground, the heat is on as all the air spares line up at the end of runway 22 at Evreux. 

Directly overhead of Evreux is the ever-increasing aircraft from the French Marine contingent, which will form formation wave nine.

 

With minutes to go, we can now see all the Rafale. M's around the E-2C Hawkeye and a solo Falcon 10 serial 32 from 57S at Landivisiau at the rear of the "Groupe Aérien embarqu" formation.

737/31-CI Boeing C-135 Stratotanker from ERV04 at Istres/Le Tubé heads 135/30-GN Rafale C from EC02.030, 611/3-JP, 645/3-XP, 671/3-XK, and 672/3-XV all Dassault Mirage 2000D's from Nancy-Ochey.

During the form-up of formations, one air spare Mirage 2000D rapidly departed to replace one with technical issues already airborne.

The "Groupe Aérien embarqu" formation heads into Paris.

31 Rafale M French Navy performing a full emergency landing with technical issues after passing over Paris.

31 Rafale M lands at Evreux without incident, thank goodness.

33 Rafale M from Landivisiau escorts 31 Rafale M whilst encountering an emergency.

31 Rafale M landing safely at Evreux.

ZK370/370 Typhoon FGR.4 RAF with a French air force exchange pilot lands back at Evreux mission complete.

ZK370/370 Typhoon FGR.4 from 12 Sqn RAF Lossimouth.

RB 006, RB 004, and BS 028 Rafale DH and the latter an EH run for the break to land. They come from 16 Wing 101 Squadron, the "Falcons", returning to Evreux Air Base following their flight across Paris.

RB 006 Rafale DH 101Sqaudron "Falcons" of the Indian Air Force.

RB 006 Rafale DH 101Sqaudron "Falcons" of the Indian Air Force.

RB 006 Rafale DH landing at Evreux in the background can be seen Evreux's past with the Transall and the present with the C-130 Hercules.

RB 006 Rafale DH 101Sqaudron named the "Falcons" of the Indian Air Force.

RB 004 Rafale DH 101Sqaudron "Falcons" of the Indian Air Force.

RB 004 Rafale DH 101Sqaudron "Falcons" of the Indian Air Force.

RB 004 Rafale DH 101Sqaudron "Falcons" of the Indian Air Force.

BS 028 Rafale EH 101Sqaudron "Falcons" of the Indian Air Force.

BS 028 Rafale EH 101Sqaudron "Falcons" of the Indian Air Force.

1018/F-RACG Beech350 ER/ALSR, EEA01.054.

1018/F-RACG Beech350 ER/ALSR, EEA01.054.

Well, that's it from this year's BastilleDay flypast from Evreux.

Happy Days!