Military Jets Photography: March 2017

In June 2015 the Air Traffic Control Center (ATCC) organized its bi-annual Open Door at Semmerzake. As the Belgian Air Force didn't organize a major Airshow in 2015 this was one of the few occasions that the Belgian public could see some Air Force hardware in action this year.
As the ATCC has no runway, the static is limited to a number of visiting helicopters, both civil and military. Unfortunately the announced participation from the French Armed forces was cancelled so the only foreign military visitors came from the Royal Air Force. Belgian helicopters on display included the Sud Aviation SA316B Alouette III and the brand-new NH Industries NH90NFH Cayman from 40 Squadron, based at Koksijde.
The Royal Air Force contingent consisted of two helicopters, a Eurocopter Squirrel HT.1 and a Bell Griffin HT.1, from the Defense Helicopter Flying School, based at Shawbury.
The flying program consisted of a number of fly-bys from both civil and military aircraft. Military aircraft that could be seen in the fly-by section included an Embraer Emb121AA Xingu from the Armée de l'Air. Off course also a number of Belgian military aircraft made several passes during the day, a Dassault Falcon 20-5 from 21 Squadron at Melsbroek and two Piper L21B Super Cubs from the Air Force Cadets.
In between the fly-bys a number of demonstrations by Belgian Air Force could be seen. Starting with a base attack and formation flights by F16s from both Kleine Brogel and Florennes Air Base.
We already saw the Search and Rescue variant of the NH90 at the static display, but also the Tactical Transport version, the NH Industries NH90TTH was present at Semmerzake. In collaboration with a Special Forces team from the Belgian Army a demonstration was staged. The scenario was that a 'bad guy' in a white van had to be captured and transferred to the authorities.
After the Belgian Air Force 'Red Devils' demonstration team made a number of formation fly-bys and passes in their Siai-Marchetti SF260Ms. A full display was not possible as the location of Semmerzake is too close to the town center of Gavere.
Final display on the program was the well-known display of the Westland Sea King Mk.48 from Koksijde. The aircraft is currently in the process of being replaced by the NH90NFH Cayman, so its days are unfortunately numbered. The display consisted of a number of fly-bys and a Search and Rescue demonstration, where even the Rescue diver demonstrated some of his 'acrobatic' capabilities.
Photography conditions at Semmerzake are very good, the static display were well organized and the fencing was placed at a sufficient distance to make good shots of the present aircraft. The fly-bys and demonstrations can easily be photographed with the sun in the back.
The ATCC Open Door is a relatively small event, but at the end of day the counter stopped at 4500 visitors, which can be considered a big success for the organization. The large numbers of visitors is also a nice illustration of the big interest of the Belgian population in its armed forces.

Griffin HT1 Royal Air Force ZJ240/U

SA316B Belgian Navy M-1

NH90TTH Belgian Army RN-08

NH90NFH Belgian Air Force RN-02

Sea King Mk48 Belgian Air Force RS02

A109BA Belgian Army H24

Nyutabaru AB is located north of the city of Miyazaki on the Island of Kyushu in the south of Japan. The annual Open House is usually held in December and the weather is typical of winters in the east coast of Japan - cold with clear blue skies which, along with the low winter sun, makes for ideal photo conditions. The base area open to the public is located on the north side, which would result in difficult shooting conditions. For the enthusiasts which chose to watch the show from outside the base on the south side, a new runway close to the fence meant this years show provided almost perfect opportunities to view and photo the wide range of aircraft types arriving, the fighter air displays and departing aircraft during the day.

As many enthusiasts know Nyutabaru is an extremely busy fighter base with very active F-4 Phantom and F-15 Eagle Squadrons and of course the "Hiko Kyodotai", otherwise known as the JASDF Aggressors which fly a collection of uniquely brightly camouflaged Eagles whose designs change fairly frequently.
Its Open House is famous for the impressive fighter displays from the based aircraft, usually a visiting F-2 and this year a Misawa based F-16 also featured in the display schedule.
Opening the flying display were flights from all the based squadrons. Launching singularly and in pairs. Following the opening flyby there was the rescue demo from a based U-125 and UH-60.
This was followed by a pair demo by each Nyutabaru stationed squadron. First up were a pair of Eagles from 23 Hikotai, followed by a pair of Phantoms of 301 Hikotai which take off was very spectacular. Closing this chapter were a pair of camouflaged Eagles flown by the Hiko Kyodogun.
Next up was another attractively painted aircraft - an Tsuiki based F-2 which flew in direct to perform yet another impressive fighter display, including a demonstration of its ground attack role.
Highly anticipated by the local spotters is any display by a non-Japanese Air Force aircraft. The crowd was lucky to be treated to the F-16 demo team flying a Misawa based Fighting Falcon which gave an impressive demo of it's capabilities and the awesome manoeuvrability of the aircraft.
Closing the morning show was a parachute display from an Iruma based C-1, which was yet another opportunity to watch an attractive camouflaged aircraft in perfect sunlight.
After the lunchbreak it was time for the Blue Impulse with their six T-4 trainer aircraft to close the show. After having them missed at Tsuiki I was anxious to see them perform. Their routine was flown very well with the common manoeuvres but also some newes ones.
Typical for a Japanese airshow is that at the end of the show some of the static displays head back at their home base. This gave us some nice opportunities to photograph the static elements in there natural habitat, flying.