As far as I am aware, bit could have changed in meanwhile:
GAF E: Buchel Tornado
GAF I: Schleswig Tornado
GAF K: Norvenich EF2000
GAF L: Lechfeld Tornado
GAF M: Neuburg EF2000
GAF N: Laage? EF2000?? (believe this one was a temporary)
GAF R: was Wittmund F-4
GAF S: Laage EF2000
From memory, I have not heard C-160's with callsigns other than a 3 digit number behind GAF.
gustav wrote:Interesting because I see a lot of GAF callsigns in my SBS receiver that aren't linked to registrations, even airframes doesn't know the registrations that are linked to GAF mode s.
From my log:
ICAO, REG, ALTITUDE, TYPE,CALLSIGN
3F5EF7 old12+02 11375 GAF320
3F837A .NO-REG 19975 GAF468 (this is most probably a C130 or a C160)
3F4E27 14+02 31125 GL5T GAF613
3F70F1 .NO-REG 20975 GAF914 (this is most probably a C130 or a C160)
3F9D8B .NO-REG 21175 GAF674 (this is most probably a C130 or a C160)
How can you recognize a GAF C130/C160 via SBS with no known registration? Via callsign GAF*** and flying steady around 20000 ft, loaded service ceiling is 23000 ft. GHOST i thought is e.g. a known callsign for a GAF C160.
I now try to collect the callsigns for C130/C160 and link the callsigns to type i.e. C160 or TOR and if possible to a registration.
To answer your questions: I don't think there is a block speacially for Merkel or something like that.
C160's are flying with what appears to be tactical mode-s codes. they change often hence they can not be tied up, same story for Tornado's. EF200's however seem to fly with their assigned Mode-s code.
GHOST is not a C-160 callsign but a Tornado from Buchel, if you see German tactical callsigns via Mode-s like GHOST they are most likely fast movers.
Easy to tell as they allways have a single digit behind their tactical (GHOST 1 etc etc)
Paul van der Linden wrote:
Hi Gustav,
Never noticed MATRIX, VADER and PACK as Dutch callsigns. I think MATRIX is a Belgian OCU callsign and VADER and PACK are Norvenich Eurofighters I think.
Regards, Paul
I agree with Paul.
Robin wrote:Is there any logic to the German C-160D Callsigns....i.e. GAF***
i.e. is there a block of callsign's assigned for German Chancellor Angela Merkel support, i.e. cars etc....
Not sure if there is any support if she is on trip like the Russians or Americans do to be honoust.let alone callsign blocks.
Robin wrote:It would appear that the C-160D's have some fixed callsign, these being GAF (followed by 1 or 2 letter), then two numbers... i.e. GAFW01-99
However the question remains regarding the others callsigns i.e. GAF (followed by 3 numbers), is there any logic, and if so, are these route or task fixed numbers (be they C-160 or other types)...
Any comments on the GAF701 to 799 block most welcome......
As said earlier in this reply, GAF with 1 letter and 2 digits are fast movers and not C-160's
Regarding GAF with 3 digits, I do think it is likely they are linked with tasking or type of mission however I have not taken the time to figure out though.