Thracian star 2010 - Graf Ignatievo AFB - Bulgaria

[hornise]

A photo report from Thracian Star exercise which took place at Graf Ingatievo Air Force Base from 01 to 22 October 2010. During the operation F-16 pilots from Spangdahlem Air Base's 480th Fighter Squadron trained against bulgarian MiG 29, MiG 21 and Su-25 aircraft.


12.10.2010 - Ugly weather. Two waves, only Vipers.


































14.10.2010 - Media day - raining all day long. Some V.I.P. guests (the Bulgarian prime minister was there). CSAR demonstration with Mi-17 and Cougars. Mi-17 fire fighting. On static display 2*MiG-29, 2*MiG-21, 1*PC-9, 2*AS532 AL, 1*F-16.







































21.10.2010 - Last day.

[perrie]

Very nice report and some great pictures!

Compliments and thanks for sharing.

Per

[Stratofreighter]

Hello Anton,

Perhaps you posted too much pictures making this a somewhat "heavy thread/subject" to download,
but I cannot even start choosing which ones I like best

[hornise]

I apologies for the large number of photos, but I had the same problem with selecting the best to show.

[Hurricane]

, that's the spirit

[Olli J.]

Great set Anton! It's very nice to see the Warhawks in your country but my absolute favorites are the Migs !!

[wild weasel]

Some very nice shots Anton, my compliments. Can i ask you what gear you have?

Greets Menno

[tomba2247]

1dmk3 and a 100-400

[lappie]

Great pictures. Where you standing on the runway?

But eh, 480th FS? Was it a dream they changed 480th to 22nd, and 22nd is still flying out of Bitburg?

Best regards

[hornise]

1dmk3 and a 100-400

7D + 100-400

[Iwan Bogels]

Hi Anton,

What a great report. I love the many different angles that you chose to shoot from. Well done! How many days have you been photographing to get all this in one report ? My favorite is the same as Hurricane's: The MiG-21 in take-off with full burners. Beautiful aircraft, fantastic pose, great atmosphere (burners, fall colors, camouflage).

There was one photo that gave me a smile on my face: The Mi-8 doing the water drop. I don't think it was necessary........

Thanks for sharing these photos, en please keep them coming when you have more.

Cheers,
Iwan

[Snipes]

Really nice pictures(despite the bad weather)!!!

[ZeroOtto]

08

[Whitecat]

Really stunning pictures in these weather conditions.
Especially like the variation of angles and positions.

[DJMikey]

Obviously I have to find some other ways to catch the SP F16's in action on camera than on base Spangdahlem. Maybe thethe way you did ... A few weeks ago we were denied a photopermission on Spangdahlem due of some very secret new aquipement on the F16's Yeah right ... Anyway, you caught them very good, but indeed I also like the Mig21 shots the best. Nice work!