27th Fighter Wing F-111F Ardvark's and and Bomber Wing B-52 Buff's flying from RAF Fairford in 1995 for Exercise "Salty Hammer" and Central Enterprise 95.

The F-111Fs arrived at RAF Fairford as Trend 11-14 and 21-24 directly from the USA  in June 1995 for the "Salty Hammer" exercise and stayed over for "Central Enterprise" that followed. They were from the 27th FW/523 FS at Canon Air Force Base, New Mexico. All eight aircraft were F-111Fs or, as we would say to each other back then, "Swingers."

 

Serials are 70-2382,70-2391,70-2392,70-2404,70-2406, 70-2414,70-2419, and 73-0715, all "CC" Blue (Crusaders).

Central Enterprise also saw the arrival of four B-52Hs from the 96BS/2BW at Barksdale.

Their serials are as follows: 60-0013, 61-0013, 61-0019, and 61-0024.

The following collection of transparencies was captured during the deployment. 

F-111F 70-2144 "CC" Blue (Crusaders) 523FS USAF.

 Status scrapped at Tucson by HVF West.  

F-111F 73-0715 "CC" Blue (Crusaders) 523FS USAF. 

Status scrapped.

F-111F 70-2382  "CC" Blue (Crusaders) 523FS USAF.

 Status scrapped.

F-111F 70-2391 "CC" Blue (Crusaders) 523FS USAF. 

Status scrapped.

F-111F 73-0715 "CC" Blue (Crusaders) 523FS USAF.

 Status scrapped.

F-111F 70-2391"CC" Blue (Crusaders) 523FS USAF. 

Status scrapped.

F-111F 70-2391"CC" Blue (Crusaders) 523FS USAF. 

Status scrapped.

F-111F 70-2392"CC" Blue (Crusaders) 523FS USAF.

 Status scrapped.

F-111F 73-0715 "CC" Blue (Crusaders) 523FS USAF. 

Status scrapped.

A three-ship launch lineup on runway 09.

F-111F 70-2391"CC" Blue (Crusaders) 523FS USAF.

 Status scrapped.

F-111F 73-0715 "CC" Blue (Crusaders) 523FS USAF.

 Status scrapped.

F-111F 70-2406 "CC" Blue (Crusaders) 523FS USAF. 

Status scrapped.

F-111F 70-2414 "CC" Blue (Crusaders) 523FS USAF.

 Status scrapped.

What a superb-looking aircraft.

F-111F 70-2406 "CC" Blue (Crusaders) 523FS USAF. 

Status scrapped.

A daily sight as another "Buff" gets airborne from 09.

B-52H 61-0024 "LA" 2nd BW USAF.

 Status current.

B-52H 61-0024 "LA" 2nd BW USAF. 

Status current.

It's always nice when they run the entire length of the runway.

B-52H 61-0019 "LA" 2nd BW USAF. 

Status current.

B-52H 61-0013 "LA" 2nd BW USAF. 

Status current.

B-52H 61-0013 "LA" 2nd BW USAF. 

Status current.

B-52H 61-0013 "LA" 2nd BW USAF. 

Status current.

In quieter moments, some crews found time for a few touch-and-go's. 

At other times, it was a constant stream of jets in and out, which was high action indeed.

 

A three-ship run and break.

F-111F 70-2392 making a low pass.

U-2 80-1080 "BB" 9RW 

Having been relocated from RAF Alconbury, the U-2s operated from RAF Fairford while their new home base was being upgraded at the French Armée de l'Air Base BA125 at Istre/Le Tubé in southern France.

 "Happy Days"

Upgraded Mirage 2000D Renove pour l'Armée de l'Air operating with the Military Air Expertise Centre at Mont-de-Marsan.

On January 17, 2021, the upgraded Mirage 2000D Renove arrived at Base 118 Mont-de-Marsan. It arrived from AIA at Clermont-Ferrand after being with Dassault Aviation.

It will operate for up to one year with the DGA and the Military Air Expertise Centre (CEAM). If all goes to plan, they should start upgrading 55 aircraft, with operational flying commencing in 2022.

The main features of the mid-life upgrade programme will be an air-to-ground gun and the possibility of carrying Mica infrared self-protection air-to-air missiles, along with a centralised attack and navigation system.

This will eliminate technical obsolescence and extend the service life to 2030. 

It will also allow the 2000D to fulfil missions that do not require Rafales' capabilities and lower operating costs.

These images were taken during the recent Trident Atlantic 21 exercise.

As can be seen, the aircraft involved is 639 3-JJ of EC 02.003/SPA67 "Cicogne de Navarre."

Happy Days!

TR1A/U-2R operations at RAF Alconbury in the late 80's early 90's.

In 1983, the USAF's 9th Reconnaissance Wing arrived at RAF Alconbury with its TR-1As (Tactical Reconnaissance), formerly known as U-2s. 

By October 1993, they had been redesignated as U-2Rs

In 1995, the USAF relocated the Dragon Lady South to RAF Fairford. With the onset of the Bosnian War, they moved it even further South in 1996 to the Istres airbase in southern France, allowing for more time over the target. 

Here are some of the images captured during that Alconbury era. 

 80-1065 TR-1B training aircraft arriving at RAF Alconbury was undoubtedly the highlight of my trip.

This airframe was the second of two airframes delivered to the Air Force in 1983. Their serial numbers are 80-1064 and 80-1065, as seen here in May '83.

How long was it deployed to RAF Alconbury?

By August 1995, 80-1065 had been redesignated to a U-2S.

 

80-1092 TR-1A preparing to depart RAF Alconbury.

68-10339, which was used in the US Navy's EPX trials in the early 1970s, was prepared for departure on a mission from RAF Alconbury. It then passed to the 100 SRW in early 1992 and subsequently to the 9SRW in 1976.

Sadly, 68-10339 crashed in December 1993 with the pilot's loss during a training flight at Beale Air Force Base. Sad times for all concerned.

Great memories of past times.

Happy days! 

 

The 2004 Cognac-Châteaubernard Airshow at Air Base BA709 featured sunshine A-4 Skyhawks and Mirages galore.

One of my first Cognac 'Meeting National' was the airshow of 2004, and how fortunate for me to be just an hour down the road, hidden away in this corner of Southwest France, amongst the rows of "Cognac" and "Pineau" vines, just like Base aérienne BA709, Cognac-Châteaubernard itself. So, it was time to venture out, enjoy fabulous aircraft, and catch up with good friends.  

The Armée de l'Air always put on a good display of aircraft types at their airshows, and no less at this 2004 Air display.

909 TA-4SU 150 Sqn RSiAF.

Sadly, these and all the RSiAF A-4 Skyhawks have been withdrawn today.

933 TA-4SU 150 Sqn RSiAF.

220/30-QK Mirage F1CT EC01. 030 'Normandie Niémen' special marks.

Status: It was retired to the Châteaudun storage facility before being transferred to active service in Excenevex.

22/5-ND Mirage 2000C EC01. 005 'Vendee' special marks.

Status: This aircraft was sold to the Brazilian Air Force as 4945.

89/AZ N.262D 00. 065 'GAEL' arrived from Villacoublay. It was withdrawn from use in 2004. And today, it can be seen in the Châteaudun Museum.

15/315UN TB-30 Epsilon from the home team at Château-Bernard EPAA00. 315.

Status: This aircraft is in storage.

45/315VR TB-30 Epsilon.

Status: Wfu.

The 32/315VE TB-30 Epsilon is wearing the grey paint scheme that was relatively new at the time.

Status: This aircraft is today stored at Alenco/Valframbert.

MT-13 CM170 11sm BAF.

Status: Stored at Antwerp for the Stampe and Vertongen Museum.

J-655 F-16BM 323 Sqn KLu ECATS marks.

Status: Passed to the Chilean Air Force as 735.

45+20 Tornado IDS AG-51 GAF.

Status: Still active!

603/3-IM Mirage 2000D EC01. 003 'Navarre'

313/4-CR Mirage 2000N EC03. 004 'Limousin.'

685/3-XZ Mirage 2000D EC03. 003 'Ardennes'

F-ZBEY/07 Turbo Firecat (Sécurité civile).

Status: Wfu.

F-ZBEG/39 Canadair CL-415 (Sécurité civile).

Status: "Active"

E101/8-NQ Alpha Jet A ET002. 008 'Nice'

E134?8-MA Alpa Jet-A ET001. 008 'Saintonge', both arriving from their home base at Cazaux.

515/2-FT Mirage 2000B/-5 02. 002 'Côte d'or'

Status: This aircraft was stored at Châteaudun on the "German runway".

61/CH Mirage 1VP 01. 091 'Gascogne' up from Mont-de-Marsan.

Status: I believe this aircraft is located at Saint-Dizier Air Base.

MM6286/46-51 C-130J Hercules Itaf. Support aircraft for the Frecce Tricolori.

The aircraft is active.

61/CH Mirage 1VP burners are lighting up.

61/CH Mirage 1VP powering down  Cognac's runway 05.

933 TA-4SU RSiAF lineup for taking off.

909 TA-4SU RSiAF moving alongside 933 for departure.

685/3-XZ Mirage 2000D departs for its Nancy-Ochey base.

220/30-QK Mirage F1CT of the distinguished "Normandie-Niemen" Special marks.

In 1942, De Gaulle ordered the"Normandie-Niemen", led by a group of its pilots and mechanics, to the USSR. Upon arrival at the Soviet airfield in Ivanovo, they were offered either La-5s or Yak-1 aircraft; they chose the Yak-1M and departed for the Western Front.

They flew 5300 combat missions in Russia, engaged in 869 dogfights and shot down 273 enemy aircraft. In early 1944, they were involved in the liberation of Lithuania, and later that same year, they upgraded to the Yak-3.

Four pilots received the title of "Hero of the Soviet Union", with a total of 76 pilots being decorated with both Soviet and French decorations. The "Normandie-Niemen" air regiment was awarded the Red Banner and the Alexander Nevsky order for performance in battle.

In 1945, the Soviet government presented the pilots with their Yak-3 aircraft, and on June 20, 1945, they witnessed the incredible sight of 40 Yak-3s landing at Le Bourget airfield in France.

The "Normandie-Niemen" were home.

Today, they operate the Rafale B/C from their base at Mont-de-Marsan.

  

A Yak-3 can be seen in the museum at Le Bourget.


What a story!

Happy days!