Military Jets Photography: 2018

2017 08 23 Koksijde Runway Run

On Wednesday 23 August, the 6th edition of the Runway Run was held at the Koksijde Air Base. This is a unique fact because the complete running competition takes place on the basis where the runway is a central issue in this. The helicopters and other aircraft are also involved in the competition. The runners had the choice between 5.5km (1 lap) or 10.5km (2 laps).
The competition is also the closing of an open door day at the airbase.
After the game, the winners of the different categories are treated to an air baptism.

Sea King Mk48 Belgian Air Force RS04

2017 10 21 Zeebrugge

The 1st Air Cavalry Brigade transferred to Europe for a nine-month rotations schedule under Operation Atlantic Resolve. The unit will move for training missions across Europe.
Operation Atlantic Resolve are ongoing efforts in response to Russia's actions in Ukraine, mainly the War in Donbass. It is funded under the European Reassurance Initiative. All U.S. efforts in support of NATO fall under the umbrella of Operation Atlantic Resolve. The U.S. took several immediate steps to demonstrate solidarity with NATO, such as augmenting the air, ground and naval presence in the region, and enhancing previously scheduled exercises. The U.S. is taking measures to enhance NATO military plans and defense capabilities and remains committed to maintaining a persistent presence in Central Europe and Eastern Europe.

The Combat Aviation Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division is a divisional aviation brigade of the United States Army. It was activated on 16 September 1984.
The brigade is composed of:
Headquarters and Headquarters Company
7th Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment
1st Battalion, 227th Aviation Regiment
2nd Battalion, 227th Aviation Regiment
3rd Battalion, 227th Aviation Regiment
615th Aviation Support Battalion
The 1st Cavalry Division ("First Team") is a combined arms division and is one of the most decorated combat divisions of the United States Army, as well as the other four branches of the U.S. military. It is based at Fort Hood, Texas. It was formed in 1921 and served during World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Persian Gulf War, with the Stabilization Force in Bosnia-Herzegovina, in the Iraq War, in the War in Afghanistan and in Operation Freedom’s Sentinel. As of October 2017, the 1st Cavalry Division is subordinate to III Corps and is commanded by Major General Paul T. Calvert.
The unit is unique in that it has served as a Cavalry (horse) Division, an Infantry Division, an Air Assault Division and an Armored Division throughout its existence.

AH-64E US Army 16-03084

AH-64E US Army 17-03116

UH-60L US Army 93-26510

UH-60M US Army 15-20793

UH-60M US Army 15-20796

CH-47F US Army 15-08463

CH-47F US Army 15-08462

CH-47F US Army 15-08175

HH-60M US Army 16-20860

UH-60M US Army 16-20811

CH-47F US Army 15-08177

2017 07 25 Spotting at LIVD

While on holiday in Italy we passed a small airfield when visiting the Three Sisters. I saw that there were some helicopters based so spend a few hours at the airfield to catch the action.

AB412HP Guardia di Finanza MM81504/GF-16

AB212AM Italian Air Force MM81151

HH139A Italian Air Force MM81798/15-42

AB412HP Guardia di Finanza MM81504/GF-16

HH139A Italian Air Force MM81798/15-42

AB212 Polizia di Stato MM81653/PS-94

AB205B Italian Army MM80699/E.I.328

AB212 Polizia di Stato MM81653/PS-94

HH139A Italian Air Force MM81798/15-42

AB205B Italian Army MM80699/E.I.328

HH139A Italian Air Force MM81798/15-42

2015 07 17 RIAT Fairford

The Royal International Air Tattoo is the biggest military aviation air show in the world and 2015 saw the official commemorations by the Royal Air Force for the 75th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain at RAF Fairford. This was also linked into the main operational theme “Securing the Skies: Past, Present and Future.”
RIAT over the years has gained such a reputation in getting the exotica that no other military air show can match it, with the likes of Russian AF Bears, the South Koreans with their Black Eagles aerobatic team & this year was no exception. Rumors began circling around the enthusiast community a few weeks before the show of the potential of the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force attending the show in some form, then a couple of weeks before the show Douglas Bader House made the announcement that a pair of Kawasaki P-1 maritime patrol aircraft were to attend the show – one in the flying and one on static display. A real coup for the organizers to get these to attend.
Moving on to the static display, yes the size is considerably down on the glory days but there was still an outstanding international participation, the undoubted stars for the enthusiasts were a pair of Spanish Air Force Northrop SF-5M Freedom Fighters making their debut at UK air show, parked alongside were a pair of USAF Fairchild A-10C Thunderbolt IIs from the 355th Fighter Wing from Davis Monthan AFB in Arizona, deployed to Europe as part of the Theater Support Packages of Operation Atlantic Resolve.
Talking of American assets it was good to see the gradual return of military participation from them after the effects of sequestration in 2013, in the form of an AH-64 Apache and UH-60 Blackhawk from the United States Army, based in Germany, very rare visitors to the UK, parked alongside these were a couple of special forces aircraft from RAF Mildenhall making their Air Tattoo debutantes in the form of the Lockheed Martin MC-130J Commando II and a Bell/Boeing CV-22B Osprey.
Moving on to the flying display as stated earlier the main theme was the 75th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain, it was honoured by a very impressive formation flypast of Supermarine Spitfires, Hawker Hurricanes and, more notably, a Messerschmitt Bf109 alongside its Buchon Bf109 stablemate and the debut appearance of the recently restored Bristol Blenheim. Notably to get five Hawker Hurricanes for the flypast was a rare feat which the organisers should be applauded for. The other part of the Battle of Britain salute was the superb “Synchro 75” routine flown by Flt Lt Anthony Parkinson in the BBMF’s Spitfire IIa P7350 and Flt Lt Ben Westoby-Brooks in the specially marked Typhoon FGR4. They totally deserved picking up the Steedman Display Sword – presented by The Royal International Air Tattoo in memory of the late Air Chief Marshal Sir Alasdair Steedman, Chairman of the International Air Tattoo (1981-1988), for the Best Flying Demonstration by a UK participant, a very poignant display.
Making a very long overdue first appearance at RIAT were the French Air Force’s Dassault Mirage 2000N tactical demonstration team “Ramex Delta.” The team consist of a pair of the nuclear strike variant of the famous French fighter demonstrating some very tight formation flying as well as many of their tactical manoeuvres they deploy on missions.
Making another first appearance were “Team Zeus” an F-16C in a striking new colour scheme all though deservedly winning the trophy for the best paint scheme it’s actual display was somewhat underwhelming very reminiscent of United States style demonstrations, with reasonably lengthy repositions between each pass.
Making a welcome return to the flying display were the Finnish AF flying the Boeing FA-18C Hornet flown by Capt Ville Uggeldahl, a powerful and noisy display showing the true agility of the Hornet. It won the Best Solo Jet Demonstration-The Paul Bowen Trophy, presented in memory of the Royal International Air Tattoo co-founder Paul Bowen.
RIAT celebrated the 35th Anniversary of TTTE (Trinational Tornado Training Establishment) this involved three Panavia Tornado’s from the RAF, Luftwaffe and Italian Air Forces flying together in a very rare formation which made three passes along the crowd-line. Each pass demonstrated the Tornado in a different wing sweep configuration.
The United States Air Force made a very welcome return to the Air Tattoo flying displays with a another example of the CV-22B Osprey operating directly from RAF Mildenhall. An excellent display highlighting the contrast in the high speed performance and hovering capabilities of this unique tilt-rotor aircraft.