Mont de Marsan (LFBM) - 2008

[sud-ouest spotters]

Hi all,

Went down to MdM for the Indians today :

E20/8-MS Ajet
E112/330-AO Ajet
745/CV DHC-6
071/62-IE CN235
123/62-IM CN235

SB 042 SU 30
SB 046 SU 30
SB 048 SU 30
SB 049 SU 30
SB 107 SU 30
SB 109 SU 30
SB 110 SU 30
SB 115 SU 30
K 2661 IL 76
RK 3453 IL 78
RK 3454 IL 78

SO

[Thijs]

M1589/08 - AD CLOSED - WORKS ON RWY. 04 AUG 06:00 2008 UNTIL 20 AUG 06:00 2008. CREATED:
23 JUL 07:38 2008

[Le Addeur noir]

Will this effect the return of the Indian contingent to Red Flag?.

[Thijs]

with Red Flag 08/04 running until 22 August the answer will be no. So Mont de Marsan is still one of the candidates for a fuel stop.

[Koen L]

Is anything known about the Indians' return journey at this moment?

[The DJ]

Koen,

According to a press release, that was send before they were heading for the USA, they take the same route back home.

Route on their way to USA was:
dep July 07 Pune India
arr July 07 dep July 09 Doha Quatar
arr July 09 dep July 11 Chorlu Turkey
arr July 11 dep July 13 Mont de Marsan France
arr July 13 dep July 15 Lajes Azores
arr July 15 dep July 17 Bangor Maine
arr July 17 Mountain Home Idaho

There was one air-to-air refuelling on every leg, and two over the Atlantic Ocean.

Departure back home should be to my calculations:
dep Aug 25 Nellis
arr Aug 25 dep Aug 27 Bangor Maine
arr Aug 27 dep Aug 29 Lajes Azores
arr Aug 29 dep Aug 31 Mont de Marsan France
arr Aug 31 dep Sep 02 Chorlu Turkey
arr Sep 02 dep Sep 04 Doha Quatar
arr Sep 04 Pune India

Don't know if i will meet any of the pilots this week at Nellis, if i do i will ask them and let you know.

Regards,
DJ

[Koen L]

Hi DJ,

Sorry for the late reply but only just spotted your message. Did you get to speak to any of the pilots at Nellis?

Koen

[Le Addeur noir]

I heard today from a source in France that these jets will transit Istres,not Mont de Marsen on their return to India.

Updates,anyone?.

[sud-ouest spotters]

I heard the same as Addeur Noir. The Flankers are not passing through Mont de Marsan but Istres on their way back to India. I have no idea when though.

[Joris van Boven]

They should arrive on Friday and depart on Monday.
No times avialable .......

[Le Addeur noir]

82-0057 C-130H 144 AS,AK ANG calling HKY866
is en route here from Ramstein.,having departed Ramstein at 07.46 local time.82-0058 was due to perform this flight but was replaced by 82-0057.