Souda Bay 2021 - MIL

[Trabanti]

Thanks both. It was in strong backlight and saw mostly just the underside, briefly, but it looked too glossy for a USMC Osprey. Nevermind, it's just a regular MV-22 from the Iwo Jima then. Maybe it will dock here, let's see.

[Trabanti]

Yesterday both RC-135s flew an 11-hour long mission together over the Black Sea as Homer31 and Zeus 31, and I timed my presence for their recoveries accordingly. While waiting, a completely unmarked C295W came in from the south-east for a (I presume) nightstop. According to ADS-B, it belongs to the UAEAF. Still present and so far immobile AFAIK are the EP-3E and C-146A.
62-4126/OF blue RC-135W
64-14849/OF black RC-135U

EDIT: 11 AM LT - the C-146 just left to the south as RCH1041.

[The DJ]

Thanks both. It was in strong backlight and saw mostly just the underside, briefly, but it looked too glossy for a USMC Osprey. Nevermind, it's just a regular MV-22 from the Iwo Jima then. Maybe it will dock here, let's see.

No stop for USS Iwo Jima, LHD-7 transited the Strait of Gibraltar westbound on Sept. 26.

[Trabanti]

JAG66 and JAG55 just departed, heading south-east. 2x MC-12W USAF. Did not see them arrive as I was away for 2 weeks so not sure if they are transiting or doing missions from here. Probably the former.

Both RC-135s are also up, 1 patrolling the Black Sea and the other the Middle East coast.

[Bennie]

JAG66 and JAG55 just departed, heading south-east. 2x MC-12W USAF. Did not see them arrive as I was away for 2 weeks so not sure if they are transiting or doing missions from here. Probably the former.

Both RC-135s are also up, 1 patrolling the Black Sea and the other the Middle East coast.

MMF08 is inbound from Cologne on 11.10. ADS-B: T-055.

[Trabanti]

Thnx. It was here yesterday as well.

[planefixer]

JAG66 and JAG55 just departed, heading south-east. 2x MC-12W USAF. Did not see them arrive as I was away for 2 weeks so not sure if they are transiting or doing missions from here. Probably the former.

Both RC-135s are also up, 1 patrolling the Black Sea and the other the Middle East coast.

JAG66 09-0654 MC-12W
JAG55 09-0635 MC-12W

They departed to sandier climbs....

[planefixer]

Thanks both. It was in strong backlight and saw mostly just the underside, briefly, but it looked too glossy for a USMC Osprey. Never mind, it's just a regular MV-22 from the Iwo Jima then. Maybe it will dock here, let's see.

This was probably one of the two USAF CV-22B that recently transited back from the Middle East ending their journey at Rota where they will be shipped back to the USA. They were reported as transiting Souda.
08-0048, 11-0061

[Trabanti]

Thanks. On September 24 I saw 2 Ospreys on the tarmac tail-on, no possibility to id them. I missed the 2nd one at first as it was all folded up and parked at a tricky spot, but my wife spotted it. They might have been USAF, not USMC..

[Trabanti]

During a quick lunch stop today I noticed the following:
SU-BAL C-130H at HAF visitors ramp
1294/SU-BKT C-130H-30 at HAF visitors ramp
16+01 A340 arr (NAMFI?)

A few days ago I saw a Bulgarian AF L410 depart, so looks like some kind of exercise is being prepared here.

[Trabanti]

and at last, heaving been on the tarmac for at least a month, heavily modified Beech 200 N44U left as well just now, presumably to Oman after a 2-day delay. The 2nd RC-135 as well as the C-146 left last week, RC-135 westbound. Just the EP-3E and 1 RC-135 remain..

[Trabanti]

Arrived and currently on deck are:
-306/DC F-16C 121 FS
-332/DC F-16C 121 FS
71474 KC-135R 6 ARW

I think they're heading home

[Trabanti]

Today, Oct 26, quick stop during my lunchbreak revealed the following locals, temporary residents and visitors (mil/semi-mil only):

N163PA G.1159A grey c/s
N183PA G.1159A white c/s
0065/F-RBAM A.400M AdlA dep.
157325 EP-3E VQ1
169792 C-40A USN arr.
503/509? F-16C 343 Mira (fading serial & Zeus tail) arr.
510 F-16C 343 Mira arr.
534 F-16C 340 Mira arr.
538 F-16C 340 Mira arr.
1X F-16D 340 Mira/SMET dep.
1X F-16D 343 Mira/SMET dep.

Additionally, the C-146A seems to be returning again from the Middle East, at least according to FR24 (as RCH1042).
There is currently no RC-135 present.

[FP24]

Hi all,

Anyone a clue about on the C130H, 1675, standing at the front of the civil apron. No markings on it or blocked with tape?

Many thanks in advance.

Ferry

[AndyMarden]

Ex Afghan, recovered from Tajikistan.