LOG 15 October 2008
As always I realy love my flying schedule with the long stop in Venice. The weather should be nice, not too hot and a cheap car was quickly rented for this date still four weeks ahead. Approaching this very date, expectations dipped evenly with the world stocks with 6 AV F-16s on exercise and based on Mont-de-Marsan, 6 AV F-16s on exercise and based in Aalborg and 2 AV F-16s based in Florennes for the TLP. And what about the AVs at Tanagra for their CCIP mods. Even more, the US Fiscal Year is approaching its end sometimes restricting flights as the totla amount of flying hours were approaching quickly.
What was there to expect on this wednesday?
As I approached the field, some holy jet noise sounds were heard. A good thing, they were flying at least. I was friendly met by the die-hard AV spotters, including ever enthousiastic Maurizio and his friend Marcos who I joined to the spotting spot surrounded by apple trees. Some transports could be expected so they told. Four F-16s were at the beginning of the runway preparing themselves for their flights, so I grabbed my pole to have a closer look.
Strangely enough some colourful badges could be seen on top of the tail. Very strange! There tailcode looked like SW, WHAT! I ran to my italian friends to discuss my findings, of course if anybody should know it should be them. My findings were met with disbelief. Haha, sure, F-16s from Shaw, you misread the code as there are some SP F-16s based here. If anybody should know, it should be them! A more thorough look through the pole revealed their true and shcoking identity: they were CONUS F-16s from Shaw AFB and they were taking off without fuel tanks so it must be a local flight for Sabre Flight.
Quickly the SMSes were flowing through the air. What a surprise.
The surprise doubled as the first Vipers of Cobra Flight returned including another two Shaw F-16s, making a total of four. CRAZY!!! according Maurizio.
As the F-16s returned, they were heading for the hot refuel pit, making for a quick turn around. We as well, as we sped to the other side for some take-off pics. The take-off of Sabre Flight was captured nicely, although only the SP F-16 made a nice banking take-off. As we were preparing for the second wave, a sudden call of Herky11 for landing clearances made us abort this effort and had us race to the landing spot again.
The morning was succesfully ended with the landing of four AMI F-16s. The first landing aircraft was the MM7251 in special c/s. Very Nice. Apparently they are exercising for their upcoming Red Flag participation. Once in a while they land during lunch at Aviano every day of that week.
The clock approached two o''clock and after the landing of the C-21 it was time to hurry back to Venice for my return flight.
Pictures can be seen at :
http://www.scramble.nl/forum/viewtopic.php?t=45909
LOG:
89-2008 AV F-16CG 510FS 31FW hammer01
88-0444 AV F-16CG 510FS 31FW hammer02
93-0544 SW F-16CJ 55FS 20FW sabre01
92-3906 SW F-16CJ 79FS 20FW sabre02
87-0351 AV F-16CG 555FS 31FW sabre03
88-0526 AV F-16CG 555FS 31FW sabre04
89-2023 AV F-16CG 555FS 31FW python01
90-0772 AV F-16CG 555FS 31FW python02
89-2001 AV F-16CG 555FS 31FW nickel01 31FW wing commander
89-2068 AV F-16CG 555FS 31FW nickel02
89-2030 AV F-16CG 510FS 31FW cobra01
94-0040 SW F-16CJ 77FS 20FW cobra02
91-0421 SP F-16CJ 23FS 51FW cobra03
01-7053 SW F-16CJ 79FS 20FW cobra04
84-00160 C-12U-3 F/6-52AVN duke98
62-1833 RS C-130E 37AS 86AW herky11
62-1835 RS C-130E 37AS 86AW herky12
MM7251 F-16A ADF 23Gr 5St veltro01 special c/s
MM7243 F-16A ADF 23Gr 5St veltro02
MM7252 F-16A ADF 23Gr 5St veltro03
MM7259 F-16A ADF 23Gr 5St veltro04
84-0083 C-21A 76AS 86AW jgo79
What a day!
Thanks Maurizio and Marcos for the pleasant time!
Greetings/Ciao
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