The forum for all movements and news about Spangdahlem Air Base.
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Mode S / SBS and radio logs, airfield specific, are allowed, but always state your source, mode S / SBS or air traffic conversations. These logs can be placed in the "day topic" so a separate Mode S / SBS radio log is not necessary
After a early wake-up call, I hurried to my car to start to drive to Spangdahlem where the weather would be excellent according the 21th OWS. When on the highway to the south I dialed in my destination Binsfeld in my updated satnav system only to discover I had been given the Benelux edition. Only major roads outside the Benelux were in the system. Fortunately Spangdahlem itself was known for its highway exit. When I arrived around 0800lt, two C-17s were already preparing for their flight as they had their beaconlights on. I started the day by reading those two off from AFG spot 6, which was quite easy. Thereafter I drove to spot 3 to picture them while in take-off. With these two heavies gone, the local F-16s took their place and eight departed in quick sequence. Now it was time to drive to spot 8. I parked my car at the end of the Saalholzstrasse, in the edge of the forest, took my stuff and walked further on this road, now forbidden for traffic, along the fence to spot 8.
At spot 8 I decided to stay in front of the white sign with all sorts of warnings and sat down in the shrubberies awaiting the arrival of the F-16s. Along come Edwin form KB, and Lejan and Jeroen from Volkel. The sun was shining, there was a modest westerly wind, all was fine. The F-16s returned around 0930lt in short sequence and could be pictured nicely.
After this wave, another F-16 took off, and the US Police came to visit us. According to the officer, he had been warned some terrorists were seen at our spot. We all looked around, found nobody and promised to stay low in the shrubberies during lulls.
At 1000lt, the next wave took off, which were the same eight Vipers. They all made some circuits when returning. Four of them practised a four flight entry with break, nice!
At 1330lt the Hogs departed, strangely enough but good for us, to the east. These returned between 1530 and 1630lt. Also another C-17A arrived.
Another group of dutch spotters, sitting next to us in the shrubberies, were visited by the Police at that time. They had to show their pictures, which were all fine, and their passports and were said to have a good time. Apparantly, they were picturing departures at spot 4 in the morning, were stopped by the police and were told to erase all pictures.
At 1600lt, when the last two Hogs were pictured, unfortunately with the sun at the nose, it was time to view the gate guards and thereafter drive back home after a satisfying day.
additions:
07-7185 C-17A 437AW dep 0815lt
02-1110 C-17A 62AW dep 0820lt
You guys were lucky, I think the Viper pilots thought you were the terrorists instead of a pilot..
Strange the US police did check you outside in the forest, normally they called the German Polizei and they will visit you.....
At Spang you have to be always careful to ''do'' your hobby -also my experience there- hit and run is the most safe way
Yeah right 
Top tip , if you have a beard shave it off 
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