ETAD 29-04-2010

[jreijmer]

Today, a day before departure of the second batch, we tried our luck.

Spangdahlem 29-4-2010
-----------------------
(O)A-10A/A-10C 81-0945/SP,81-0962/SP,81-0980/SP,81-0988/SP,81-0991/SP,82-0649/SP 81st FS
F-16CJ 91-0340/SP,91-0351/SP,91-0358/SP 22nd FS
F-16CJ 91-0361/SP,91-0366/SP,91-0407/SP,91-0417/SP,91-0403/SP 23rd FS
F-16DJ 91-0481/SP 23rd FS
F-16CJ 91-0352/SP 22nd FS '52 FW' multi
C-5B 85-0008 22nd AS
C-5B 87-0035 436th AW (arr 13:05)
C-17A 01-0195 437th AW (dep 11:37 to east)
C-17A 02-1107 62nd AW (dep 13:01)
C-17A 02-1112 183rd AS/MS ANG (arr)
C-17A 04-4136 305th AW (arr 11:13)
C-17A 88-0265 62nd AW (dep 11:15 east)
F-16BM FB17 BLu
Tornado IDS 45+77 JBG33

This was from 8:15 till 14:00 CET. In the morning all the above F-16's returned between 8:15 and 9:15. In between and after the F-16's the departure of the 6 A-10's. Then it became quite with the occasional C-5/17 departure and arrival. At 13:30 the same F-16's departed for the afternoon mission so this was time for us to leave for Bitburg (just like in the old days!). The reason was, we expected something was going on there as we has seen a UH-1, Bo-105 and C-160 fly towards Bitburg (like in the old days the F-104's arriving over Spang towards Bitburg!).

BR
Jeroen and Thorvald

[Richard de Florennes]

I am not too sure if my log provides benefits for other regarding the earlier posture of another log of another member but for completeness and with some additional information; e.g. early start of flying activity, A-10s interesting external equipment ...

SPANGDAHLEM THURSDAY 2008-04-29 RW23
Weather: scattered high clouds, clear air, sunny, very warm, calm

Based aircraft (52nd Fighter Wing; 22nd, 23rd, 81st Fighter Squadrons):
F-16D 23rdFS 91-481/SP bl T07:55 L09:06 a1
F-16C 22ndFS 90-829/SP r T07:55 L08:56
F-16C 22ndFS 91-340/SP r T08:01 L09:04
F-16C 23rdFS 91-407/SP bl T08:01 L09:04
F-16C 23rdFS 91-417/SP bl T08:02 L09:05
F-16C 22ndFS 91-352/SP mlt '52 FW' T08:02 L09:05
F-16C 22ndFS 91-358/SP r T08:08 L09:07
F-16C 23rdFS 91-366/SP bl T08:08 L09:07
F-16C 23rdFS 91-403/SP bl T08:10 L09:03
F-16C 22ndFS 91-351/SP r T08:10 L09:03

A-10C 81stFS 81-988/SP y T09:10 L10:24
A-10C 81stFS 81-991/SP y T09:10 L10:24
A-10A 81stFS 82-649/SP y T09:12 L10:12
A-10C 81stFS 81-980/SP y T09:20 L10:22
A-10A 81stFS 81-962/SP y T09:20 L10:10
A-10C 81stFS 81-945/SP y T09:21 L10:33 a1

Visiting aircraft (Air Mobility Command):
C-17A 172ndAW 21112 bl L10:29
C-17A 62ndAW 80265 gn T11:12
C-17A 305thAMW 44136 bl L11:15
C-17A 437thAW 10195 y/bl T11:18

Additional movements (training approaches):
F-16B 2 Wing FB17/- no badge A10:42

(notes: As A-10s have become a reare sight in recent times and due to the fact that these tend to be deployed quite often for exercises and operational commitments, I wanted to took the chance and watch some "Thunderbolts" after quite a long time. Also, the beginning furter reduction of USAF F-16 numbers based in Germany and the expected disbandment of the 23rd Fighter Squadron where reason enough for my first journey to Spangdahlem after 18 months.
Arriving at the famous fighter base at 07:45 hours, the sound of taxying F-16s could be heard as soon as we had reached our spotting place and hided ourselves in bushes near the Runway 23 approach. Soon, flying activity began with a mass-launch of 10 based F-16s of both squadrons in connection with a local exercise, while some patience was required until the more interesting A-10s followed. Luckily, finally six of these great aircraft went airborne. All of these were equipped with one external fuel-tank and two travel-pods, probably indicating another deployment within the next couple of days.
Activity of no less than four C-17s within one hour plus appearance of a single Belgian F-16B from Florennes (?!) completed this small but very nice log until continuing the day-trip to Ramstein Air Base at 11:20 hours ...)

[Crouze]

Hi all,


The following were present at 20:00:

Code: Select all

C-17A      02-1112          USAF  183AS/Ms ANG
C-5B       85-0008          USAF  60AMW/349AMW
C-5B       87-0035          USAF  9AS

Cheers,
Marco