Watching the departures livestream with other spotters, we were happy to see that the Jordanian Vipers were among the first departures. Unfortunately, once above the Channel they started orbiting, and then diverted to Kleine-Brogel. Rumors about a denied French airspace clearance were circulating between the other spotters.
The Hellenic Falcons departed from Fairford late in the morning. After having a quick lunch in the nearby restaurant, we heard the F-16 calling on the radio. Obviously, a passing cloud covered the sun during their landing. Both planes were carrying special livery tanks. On the internet I saw photos of these aiframes wearing special tails in the RIAT static display, probably removed before takeoff, as they were not wearing it in the departure livestream.
Finally we see the Phantoms taking off, both of them wearing a special tail for the 50th anniversary of Phantom service in the Polemiki Aeroporia! We quickly calculated the time enroute and... they would have been arriving at the worst possible time, with the sun perfectly aligned with the runway!
A passing cloud made the light softer on the first aircraft:
While the second one had quite harsh shadows on it:
Some USAF traffic:
Landing few minutes after I arrived in Aviano, a KC-135R Stratotanker from Hickam-based Hawaii ANG 203rd Air Refueling Squadron della Hawaii Air National Guard.
Coming in from Ramstein, 2 C-130J-30 Hercules for paratrooper training in a nearby range.
One of them was wearing invasion stripes for the D-Day 80th Anniversary.
Some F-16 from the locally-based 31st Fighter Wing:
Wearing Have Glass V radar-absorbing livery
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