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| Year Review 2022 |
| Latest update: December 2022 |
| Below you will find an overview of photographs made in 2022. |
| January |
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| The first aviation photo of the year NAEW&CF E-3A AWACS | Followed by a Copperhead assigned to Arizona ANG 197th ARS | Just in time to capture the arrival of a Global 5000 |
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| a few minutes later followed by the departure of a Global 6000 | Returning home, the second Global 6000 using runway 24. | The A350 returns from a training flight to Denmark and then France. |
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| The A319 landing on runway 32R. | followed by the MMU KC-30M | X-Tiger about to land on runway 24R. |
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| And taxiing to the ORP before departure |
Two BAF F-16's between 24L and 24R. |
A F-16AM armed with a LGTR on its way to the Vliehors range. |
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| Two RNLAF on last chance with its colleague on the other ORP. | Returning from the Vliehors range after practicing live bomb training. | Touch and go on runway 24L. |
Originally the plan was to visit Volkel Air Base
as apparently the 312 squadron anniversary F-16 would fly a mission and
then move to the GLV-V (Oirschotse heide) low flying area to capture the
helicopters assigned to the Defence Helicopter Command. However, most of
the country was covered by fog so most air bases were unable to fly
their missions. The plan was changed resulting in the first visit of the
year made to Geilenkirchen air base, Germany. Stationed here is the NATO
Airborne Early Warning & Control Force (NAEW&CF) assigned the E-3A
AWACS. During the year several Air National Guard wings detach two of
their KC-135R refueling aircraft at the base. During the (normally)
two-week TDY the tanker crews provide air-to-air refueling to the AWACS
crews. The first ANG to deploy to the German base was the 197th ARS,
161st ARW "Copperheads" based at Phoenix Sky Harbor IAP, Arizona. After
one AWACS and one Stratotanker had departed and as there was no sight of
other flights any time soon the weather (METAR/TAF) for several airfields
was checked. As the forecast of the Dutch bases remained fog and LIFR
the choice was made to go to the airport of Cologne-Bonn. In Germany the
fighter air bases fly only a morning mission on Fridays. At Cologne-Bonn the
Flugbereitschaft des Bundesministeriums der Verteidigung (BMVg - Special
Air Wing) is stationed. The wing has several aircraft assigned built by
Airbus and Bombardier (Global aircraft series):
The remaining A310MRTT will be withdrawn from use as the type is replaced by the KC-30M (A330MRTT) assigned to the NATO Multinational MRTT Unit (MMU). Cologne-Bonn AB serves as forward operating base + (FOB+) for the MMU. The A340s will be replaced by the A350s. Upon arrival a Global 5000 arrived and a Global 6000 departed. The other Global 6000 aircraft too as well as a A319 and A350 with the final movement we witnessed the return of the KC-30M. As can be seen on the photos the fog also made it to Cologne. Normally this spot is only useful for photography until the end of the morning as the sun then turns toward backlight. A visit to Volkel was made on Friday January 28. The RNLAF announced the F-16's and F-35's would be dropping live bombs on its Vliehors range from Monday - Friday Jan. 24-28. As the F-16 is gradually withdrawn from use (the last one to leave the service expected during 2024) there are not many opportunities left to catch the Vipers with live armament. The RNLAF annually has two training blocks where its fighter pilots are engaged in dropping live ammunition on the range. In the January/February and October/November timeframe. On the Friday the F-16's where armed with the Laser Guided Training Round (LGTR). After the six aircraft had departed it became quiet until a Tiger announced itself on the RAPCON South frequency. This turned out to be six Belgian Air Component F-16's who were unable to recover at their home base Kleine-Brogel due to fog. The Tiger callsign is used by the 31 Smaldeel (squadron) who are a member of the NATO Tiger Association. In September 2014 the squadron hosted the Extra Tiger Meet which saw one F-16 receiving a tiger color scheme and appropriately named X-Tiger. After the unintended lunch stop all departed, with Belgian Air Force callsigns, for the short flight to KeeBee. |
| February |
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| NH90-NFH with sling load attached on its way to Deelen AB. Ginkelse heide 11.02.22 | Colombian AF B-737-74V parked at Schiphol Oost
on 16.02.22 |
F-35A assigned to 322 squadron armed with the AIM-9X on its way to Poland in on February 26. |
| In February Marines were on a two-week exercise
at De Ginkelse heide. Two NH90-NFH's assigned to 806 squadron based at
De Kooy took up residence at Deelen AB to support the forces on the
ground. Both helicopters flew with sling loads during the exercise. Last year, see year review 2021, had a few nice surprises with aircraft not visiting The Netherlands earlier. With then travel impossible due to COVID-19 they were more than welcome. You wonder what 2022 had in store and if some unusual aircraft would turn up at a civilian airport or military air base. The first did on in February, a Colombian Air Force B-737-74V arrived at Schiphol. It was parked at the Schiphol Oost ramp which made it possible to shoot a night shot on February 16. An unexpected visit was made to Leeuwarden AB. A few days before the RNLAF was requested by NATO to provide fighter aircraft to fly Combat Air Patrol (CAP) missions as part of the Air Policing Mission (APM). Several NATO countries were already based in Lithuania and Estonia (BAP) and Romania as part of the "normal" APM rotations. After Russia invaded Ukraine Enhanced Air Policing missions were tasked. The RNLAF assigned both its F-16's assigned to 312 squadron based at Volkel as well as the new F-35A's assigned to 322 squadron based at Leeuwarden to the EAP over Poland. 322 squadron only reached its Initial Operational Capability (IOC) on December 27, 2021. The squadron had already been tasked to prepare for a EAP rotation at Graf Ignatievo which would see them fly QRA missions earlier then was planned to fly in The Netherlands. The QRA task saw the squadron also fly during the weekend where during the visit four could be photographed all with the external AIM-9X Sidewinder configuration. |
| March |
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| 312 squadron 70th anniversary F-16 departing from runway 06L. | Two Apache AH.1 carrying the Longbow radar on approach to runway 21. | And hovering to their parking spot at the mil. West ramp. |
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| The sole Chinook HC.5 about to touch down on runway 21. | RAAF C-17A assigned to No. 36 Squadron, No. 86 Wing at Ramstein. | C-17A assigned to 62nd AW on an early Saturday morning. |
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| 437th AW C-17A on finals runway 06. |
One of the six Canadian Hornets flown from CFB
Bagotville to Leeuwarden. |
One of several support flights was made by a C-17A assigned to 429 Transport Squadron. |
| It was planned to visit Spangdahlem AB and then
continue to Ramstein AB. At Spangdahlem the 34th FS "Rams", 388th FW had
deployed with F-35A's. Ramstein was again the main hub for transport
aircraft on regular Air Mobility Command missions to the USAFE&AFA area
of
responsibility
as well as the usual flights to/from Central Command. With the
war in Ukraine several US armed forces units (including but not limited
to brigades of 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions, 3rd Infantry Divisions
deployed to Germany, Poland and other Eastern European nations. Supply
flight were also made directly to air bases in these countries with the
C-17A's returning to Ramstein AB before continuing their assignment. In the evening prior to the departure to Spangdahlem it became known that four Army Air Corps Apache AH.1's and two Chinook HC.5's would use Eindhoven as stopover before flying back to their home bases. It might be the last chance to see the AH.1 variant as the AAC had purchased the AH-64E and many Apache AH.1's had already been shipped to Boeing Mesa, Arizona to be stripped for parts for the new Apache Guardians. Our plan was adjusted and we started at Volkel. Here the 312 squadron 70th anniversary F-16AM took to the sky. When all missions had left, we headed to Eindhoven and waited for the AAC helicopters which except one Chinook all made it to Eindhoven. The drive to Ramstein then commenced. Here we arrived in time to capture the arrival of a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) C-17A Globemaster III. A second one was parked on the ramp. The RAAF, as well as many other air forces, flew military material to the airport of Rzeszów, Poland. From here these were shipped by truck to the Ukraine to (re)supply the Ukrainian armed forces to defend their country. The Saturday compared to previous days proved to be day with less movements while change of runway didn't help either. Another C-17A was captured on March 15. A Globemaster III assigned to the 437th AW arrived at Schiphol airport. This time apron M was chosen to park the airlifter. Then it was time to visit the Frisian Flag exercise at Leeuwarden. Normally the participants arrive on Thursday (German Air Force) and Friday (all other participants). However, this time participants arrived over the course of three says. As the next week saw one weather wise good day it was decided to visit on Monday. At Leeuwarden runway 05 was in use (based on the weather forecasts runway 23 was expected which see banking take offs compared to runway 05) which was a bummer as well as the weather. With the first aircraft (RNLAF F-16's and French AF Mirage 2000D's) on last chance the tower held them there because the weather was out of limits for take-offs. After approximately 20 minutes they could go and the other participating crews received their taxi clearances. The back-up week was not used due to the nice weather conditions. So, after two years of absence, the exercise got cancelled due to COVID-19, only one visit was made to Frisian Flag, a bit disappointing. Hopefully the participating aircrews could fly all their training missions and reach their objectives. During recovery of the second wave a French AF TBM-700A checked in with approach and with use of ADS-B it became clear a USAF Hercules and Polish C-295M wear heading to Leeuwarden too. After their arrival it was time to store the gear for the roughly 80km to the civil airport of Eelde. Here a RCAF C-17A was expected to arrive. Eelde was chosen as support base for the Canadian Hornets participating at Frisian Flag. For more photos visit the Frisian Flag 2022 page. |
| April |
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| India 1 arriving at Schiphol. The Indian Air Force purchased two B-777-300ER serving as the VIP aircraft for the president and government. | C-5M assigned to 9th AS, 436th AW, Dover AFB,
DE on final approach Spangdahlem 22 April. |
466th FS, 419th FW is the reserve unit operating alongside the 388th FW. The Operations Group F-35A was brought to Germany. Spangdahlem22 April. |
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| Warhawk on approach. F-16C assigned to 480th FS, 52nd FW, Spangdahlem 27 April. | A F-35A assigned to the 34th FS "Rude Rams" returning to Spangdahlem on 27 April. | A C-17A Globemaster III assigned to 21st AS, 60th AMW arriving at Ramstein, 27 April. |
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| One of the resident 86th AW, C-130J.30's
arriving back at her home base. Ramstein 27 April. |
Nice and rare visitor. A Royal Norwegian Air
Force NH90-NFH assigned to 337 Skv. Ramstein 27 April. |
Two KC-135R's arrived back in the last light. The 92nd ARW deployed to Spangdahlem to support fighter aircraft eAP missions. Spangdahlem 27 April. |
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| Spangdahlem 28 April, a F-16C departing for its
mission. |
Team Falcon (JMRC) has eight UH-72A's
assigned, four green and four yellow. One of the aggressors visited
Ramstein on 28 April. |
Several helicopters assigned to 1 ACB are stationed at Illesheim, Germany. A UH-60L assigned to Alpha Company, 2nd Battalion, 227 Aviation Regiment visited Ramstein on 29 April. |
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| Runway 05 departure at Spangdahlem. One of Rude Rams starting an eAP mission. | A C-17A assigned to 758th AS, 911th AW departing
Spangdahlem on 28 April. |
Another departure in the evening of 28 April with a KC-135R leaving Spangdahlem. |
| With the situation back to normal state visits
between countries could be made again. This saw the president of India
visiting The Netherlands. The Indian Air Force purchased two Boeing
B-777-300ER aircraft from the civilian market. After conversion to VIP
aircraft, they are now used to support the Indian president and
government. As already stated above the weather conditions were nice in
The Netherlands and April 4 proved not to be different. In the pouring
rain, I would almost say monsoon, the Indian Air Force B-777 arrived on
runway 27. It marked the second rare visitor in The Netherlands after
the Colombian Air Force B-737 and third in total as Royal Australian Air
Force aircraft are not common in these parts too. The United States Air Force and Navy deployed aircraft to Spangdahlem in support of NATOs enhanced Air Policing (eAP): 34th FS, 388th FW, 92nd ARW (92, 93, 97 ARS) and VAQ-134. The first visit to Spangdahlem was made on April 22. Unfortunately, only the F-35's flew with two Air Mobility Command transport aircraft arriving. With the Netherlands celebrating King's day (27 April) another visit was made to the air base and after recovery of the resident 480th FS, 52nd FW F-16's we went to Ramstein air base. After a few hours we returned to Spangdahlem to capture the departure of the Lightnings. The next day the pattern was repeated. After the recovery of the F-16's we departed to Ramstein. A UH-72A Lakota assigned to Team Falcon, Joint Multinational Readiness Center (JMRC), based at Hohenfels arrived for a visit. They were followed by a UH-60L assigned to A2/227 GSAB, 1 ACB. The 1st Air Cavalry Brigade is deployed to Europe in support of Atlantic Resolve. During our two day visit to Spangdahlem we didn't see the Growlers fly. One was reported to have flown on the 28th. In June the Norwegian government announced they cancelled the NH90 contract with NHIndustries (NHI). |
| May |
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| A F-35 and F-16 formation performing the 4 May missing man formation over former Soesterberg Air Base. | Utrecht was visited by a 300 squadron Cougar flying around artist to liberation festivals. | The second tiger painted KC-135R assigned the NJ ANG 141 ARS / 108 WG departed in better light conditions. |
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| A pair of Growlers returned from their mission
with NL-531 on final approach. |
Followed by a KC-135R with the "basket" mounted to refuel the EA-18G's during their patrol. | The JSTAR flies regular missions from Ramstein using callsign Redeye6. It arrived back from its mission on May 6. |
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| Six A-10C Thunderbolts but better known as
Warthogs assigned to MD ANG, 104 FS / 175 WG used Ramstein for a
stopover before continuing their journey. |
Departure of the evening Lightning mission at Spangdahlem. The 158 FW Commander aircraft departed for its CAP. Earlier in the week the 134 FS arrived at the German base. | A BMVg A340 on final approach Schiphol runway 27.Both
A340's will be withdrawn from use at the end of 2022. |
| On May 4 and May 5 Remembrance and Liberation
days are celebrated in The Netherlands. After two years remembrance and
liberation festivals could be organized again. The Royal Netherlands Air
Force flew its missing man formation over former Soesterberg Air Base on
May 4. For the first time the F-35A flew in the formation. The two
Lightnings assigned to 322 squadron flew together with their 312
squadron colleagues operating the F-16AM. Volkel send its QRA F-16's
which resulted in a unique formation and photograph. One day later the Defence Helicopter Command 300 and 860 squadrons could support artist performing at the liberation festivals throughout the country. Two Cougars and one NH90-NFH were used the day. One of the AS532.U2s started the day in Utrecht. At a field in front of the Prins Clausbrug it was possible to make several shots including a hover by the crew before departing to the next city. The plan was to visit Geilenkirchen Air Base to photograph the departing tankers assigned to the 141 ARS / 108 WG, New Jersey Air National Guard. The wing had sent its two KC-135R's, both in the tiger color scheme, to support the NATO E-3A Component fleet with air-to-air refueling. The base was hidden in fog and when things cleared a little the first tanker departed. Fortunately, the second tanker needed some time and by the time she left the sun popped in between the clouds providing better light conditions. I was lucky I could change cars so instead of going back home the destination was Spangdahlem to photographs the Vermont ANG Lightnings who had arrived earlier in the week. 34 FS / 388 FW completed its NATO Enhanced Air Policing mission and was transferring its duties to the 134 FS / 158 FW. Also, the VAQ-134 EA-18G Growlers were still deployed and two had departed in the morning. We waited for their return as well as the tanker accompanying them and then left for Ramstein. At Spangdahlem the word was spread that six A-10C's Warthogs assigned to 104 FS / 175 WG, Maryland ANG were on their way to the base. At Ramstein prior to their arrival a resident C-37A and C-21A could be photographed. The E-8C JSTAR arrived back from its mission to Eastern Europe and touched down a few minutes before the first A-10 appeared. When all six had landed we headed back to Spangdahlem to photograph the Lightning departure. One Hill and three Vermont F-35A's took off. In between the take offs two other Growlers (six were deployed) arrived and could be photographed at the end of runway 05. It marked the end of an unplanned day which with all types and aircraft photographed was a great one. On 19 May the German Bundeskanzler Scholz visited The Netherlands. This brought one of the two A340s assigned to the Bundesministeriums der Verteidigung Flugbereitschaft (BMVg – Special Air Wing) to Schiphol. The VIP aircraft are in the twilight of their careers within the Luftwaffe (German Air Force). Their VIP transport mission will be taken over by three A350s. |
| June |
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| On June 1, the Ginkelse heide was used | by 298 squadron and 11 Air Mobile | Brigade to conduct a slingery exercise. |
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| Wildcat start-up at Schiphol Oost on | June 5. The four arrived a day before and | after a night stop departed back home. |
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| RCAF CC-130J on final approach runway 03. June 20. | A day later same runway Swedish Air Force Tp86 (Sabreliner). |
| A two-day slingery exercises was held by Royal
Netherlands Army 11 Air Mobile Brigade and the Royal Netherlands Air
Force Defence Helicopter Command. Unfortunately, 300 squadron with its
Cougar didn't make it to the Ginkelse heide leaving all work for the 298
squadrons Chinook helicopters. The two CH-47F's flew a morning and
afternoon sortie. Picking up sling loads at the Edese heide and dropping
these off at the Ginkelse heide. After five runs with different loads
were made the Chinooks departed back to Gilze-Rijen. On June 4, four Army Air Corps Wildcat AH.1's popped up on ADS-B heading into the Netherlands. They arrived at Schiphol where they remained overnight. Around 09.00 all four departed to RNAS Yeovilton. The Wildcats are assigned to 1 Regiment which commands 659 and 661 squadrons. The Royal Canadian Air Force has two of its CC-130J's temporarily stationed at Prestwick airport, Scotland. From there daily support flights are made throughout Europe. On June 20 one Hercules visited Eindhoven air base. The other two expected aircraft didn't show up. A day later one of the rarest aircraft still operational in Europe visited Eindhoven. A North American Sabreliner, designated Tp86 in Swedish Air Force service, arrived at Eindhoven. Two aircraft were delivered of which one is withdrawn from use and 86001/861 rarely flies outside Sweden. Two days later the aircraft would return. |
| July |
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| Soesterberg July 1. First time the RNLAF flew
with a F-35 four-ship. |
Volkel July 6, a F-16 returns from its mission. |
Baarlo July 6. Tornado marked as WTD-61 '98+08'. Former RAF Tornado XX947 (c/n P03). |
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| A 351 ARS / 100 ARW sits on the ramp of RAF Mildenhall at sunrise, July 14. | A HH-60M "Medevac" Blackhawk on final approach at RAF Mildenhall. | A RC-135W assigned to 38 RS / 55 WG taxiing out for its mission. |
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| Star of the show, one of the four USAF E-4B Nightwatch aircraft. |
| July started at Soesterberg where the annual
RNLAF celebration of its anniversary and the missing man formation took
place on July 1st. For the first time the formation was flown with four
F-35A's assigned to 322 squadron based at Leeuwarden. On July 6 a visit
was made to Volkel Air Base prior to visiting PS Aero in Baarlo. PA Aero
has a collection of aircraft and helicopters on display. A week later it was time to depart to the United Kingdom. After two years of absence due to COVID-19 the Royal International Air Tattoo could be held again. The trip kicked off at RAF Mildenhall and RAF Lakenheath. Only a few Strike Eagles flew as almost all F-35A Lightning IIs assigned to 495 FS and 10 F-15E's assigned to 492 / 494 FS were on an exercise in Greece. At Mildenhall four F-15QA (Qatar Advanced) on delivery to Qatar would depart in the early morning July 14. Unfortunately, a problem with their flight plan over France could not be solved and their engines as well as those of the accompanying KC-10A and KC-135R were shut down. As both air bases were very quiet, we drove to RAF Coningsby where we arrived in time to catch the arrival of the morning wave. Stationed here is 12 squadron the joint UK / Qatar Typhoon squadron. Identifying the squadron has applied batches to their tail. The RAF hardly has squadron marking applied to their Typhoon aircraft. Identifying the squadron to be done by their callsigns. When all Typhoons recovered the journey to RAF Barkston Heath was made. Five Prefects T.1's were on the flight line. We then moved to RAF Waddington to photograph the arrival of one of the resident Shadows. It would also be our last encounter with the Sentinel of which one wore his military serial, the other two had already their civilian US registration applied. Chile bought two of the RAF Sentries so it would also be our last time to see the AWACS. The next day was spent at RAF Mildenhall and Lakenheath. While waiting for the few Strike Eagles to return we received information two HH-60M Medevac Blackhawks were en-route to Mildenhall. So we decided to transfer bases and arrived in time to capture the C/1-214 GSAB, 12 CAB helicopters. After photographing two resident MC-13J's doing pattern work we left for RAF Fairford. Until Monday we visited RIAT 2022. Photographs and more information can be viewed by clicking the link. It turned out to be a couple of days with weather breaking heath records. It led to the closure of RAF Brize Norton. We intended to capture a few tanker / transport aircraft but saw the ones returning to Brize going to other air field like Prestwick. We drove off to the north and on the news, it became clear why we couldn't catch the arrivals. Tuesday was spent at: RAF Waddington, RAF Barkston Heath, RAF Cranwell, RAF Barkston Heath, RAF Waddington, RAF Coningsby, RAF Mildenhall. The highest temperature in the United Kingdom, 40.3°C, was recorded at Coningsby, Lincolnshire. The trip to the UK came to an end on Wednesday morning with a visit to RAF Mildenhall, RAF Lakenheath and back to Mildenhall. After a KC-135T and CV-22B had landed we packed our gear and drove home. The first direct F-35A to Volkel Air Base (313 squadron) took place on July 27th. F-028 made the flight from Final Assembly and Check Out (FACO) Cameri, Italy. Here the RNLAF F-35A's from F-009 onwards are built. After a low approach and landing two of its colleagues left as well as a few F-16's. But I left as at Eindhoven Air Base the Multinational MRTT Unit (MMU) would also receive a new aircraft. T-059 made her flight from Getafe, Madrid, Spain to the MMU Main Operating Base. To top off the day the Italian Air Force visited with one of her KC-767A's. |
| August |
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| Rotterdam - The Hague airport August 5. |
Rotterdam - The Hague airport August 13. |
Evening visit by a Royal Canadian Air Force CC-130J at Schiphol on August 20. |
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| RAAF C-17A about to touchdown. |
80 years 36 squadron, |
Three MMU KC-30's including the new delivered aircraft. |
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| F-029 arrives from Cameri, Italy. |
J-197 anniversary F-16AM. |
J-063 the only RBLAF credited with a MiG kill. |
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| A Cougar and Chinook helicopters | assigned to 300 and 298 squadrons | at Liessel filling their bambi buckets. |
| August 4 saw another F-35A delivery at Volkel.
This time F-027 made the flight from Italy. Only one Lightning departed
for the afternoon sortie, so the decision was made to visit
Mönchengladbach. Meanwhile an eye was kept out to Geilenkirchen, but the
Alaska 168 ARS only made one flight which took place in the morning. At
Mönchengladbach the Pakistani Navy ATR42-500MP was visible
in the hangar. On the ramp Nigerian ATR42-500MP NAF931 was parked. While it was originally planned to visit Geilenkirchen for the departure of the Alaska ANG tankers, which later turned out to be one, instead a visit was made to Rotterdam - The Hague airport. Earlier in the week a HC-130J "Combat King II" assigned to California ANG 130 RQS, 129 RQW arrived and it was scheduled to leave. Taking up residence at the roof of restaurant Spazio (asked if it was allowed) the departure of King 69 was photographed. Because of COVID-19 the last two years hardly any military aircraft visited Rotterdam, so I didn't either. While planning the places to visit during LA Vuelta (Tour de Spain cycling) which would start in Utrecht I noticed a United States Army C-12U-2 Huron descending above the province of Groningen. It first seemed on a track to Schiphol but changed its course which liked to be an approach to Rotterdam - The Hague airport. It indeed landed here so as being a Saturday it was quickly decided to drive to Rotterdam again. Assigned to D/204th MIB (AR), 116 MIB based at Fort Bliss, Biggs AAF, Texas an unspecified number of their Hurons are operating from Lithuania on temporary duty (TDY). From 18 to 21 La Vuelta visited Utrecht, Den Bosch and Breda. The stage from Den Bosch to Utrecht would see the peloton using former Soesterberg. Entering the field on the runway 27 side and departing the still active military part on the runway 09 side. For me the perfect location to photograph the stage. It also became known that a Royal Canadian Air Force CC-130J would visit Schiphol. It's arrival time set back a couple of times. It finally around on sunset time. We stayed until it was dark for a night shoot. It was, for a Sunday, an early departure to Eindhoven the next day. A Royal Australian Air Force C-17A was expected to drop by for a few hours. The same aircraft visited the base in 2014 but then under sad circumstances as the RAAF supported the RNLAF with MH17 flights from the Ukraine. Currently A41-207 was painted in an anniversary scheme "80 Years 1942-2022 36SQN". On the main ramp three KC-30M's were present including the newly delivered T-059 and T-060. The 29th Royal Netherlands Air Force F-35A was delivered to 313 squadron, Volkel Air Base on August 31. F-029 arrived shortly after 13.00 from her flight from Cameri, Italy. After a low approach the Lightning was set on deck at 13:13. Prior to the delivery one F-35A and six F-16's returned. Included were the special painted J-197 and J-063 which has been credited with a MiG kill (Serbian MiG-29). Before leaving for Volkel the news reported a forest/heath fire at De Peel. One Cougar was seen departing to the area on ADS-B and at Volkel a Chinook checked in to join his colleague with Fire Bucket Operations. We went to Liessel a 30km / 30-minute drive. Here a lake was used to fill the bambi buckets. A second Chinook arrived who relieved its colleague which returned to Gilze-Rijen Air Base. |
| September |
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| A Hercules assigned to the 37th AS conducting an air drop of a M1097 HMMWV (High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle - Humvee) vehicle with a M119 Howitzer. | The M1097 and M119 Howitzer on the ground at the
Hohenfels range with the protective material removed. |
One of the B/1-214 GSAB "Big Windy" CH-47F
Chinook on a dispersal at Hohenfels. |
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| An A400M assigned to LTG 62 during its departure
from Manching air base. |
An AH-64D fitted with the Longbow radar and assigned to B/1-3 ARB departing for its mission. | A Chinook hovering over one of the dispersals at
Hohenfels. |
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| A/1-214 GSAB is stationed at Wiesbaden Army Air Field. It has the UH-60M Blackhawk assigned for both air assault and VIP transport missions. |
| September started with a visit to exercise Saber
Junction 2022 held at Hohenfels, Bavaria, Germany. US Army 7th Army
Training Command (7 ATC) annually runs this exercise aimed at training
the 173rd Airborne Brigade and allied partners. Supporting the exercise
were C-130 Hercules and C-17A Globemaster III aircraft and the European
based 12th Combat Aviation Brigade. A quick visit was made to Manching Air Base were an A400M arrived and departed. We then headed back to Hohenfels to capture a 12th CAB mission. We then drove to Kleine-Brogel for their annual spottters day. Royal Netherlands Army 11 Air Mobile Brigade held their annual Falcon Leap exercise. As we visited Saber Junction we couldn't visit the first week. This was made up in the second week with several visits to the exercise made. |
| October |
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| The HAW C-17A arriving in front of the Raptors bringing personnel and equipment. | Arrival of the Alaska based F-22's marking the first time the Raptors landed in The Netherlands. | A Raptor on final approach with a colleague following behind to make its turn to the air base. |
| Leeuwarden Air Base hosted a fifth-generation aircraft exercise. It saw the first visit of the Lockheed Martin F-22A Raptor to the Netherlands. Four F-22's assigned to 90th Fighter Squadron "Pair-o-Dice", 3rd WG arrived on Sunday October 16. The squadron is normally based at JB Elmendorf-Richardson, AK but were deployed to Europe in support of NATO's enhanced Air Policing (eAP). Twelve Raptors arrived at Łask Air Base, Poland replacing the F-35A Lightning II's from the 134th FS "Green Mountain Boys", 158th FW (Burlington IAP, VT) who were flying their eAP mission from Spangdahlem, Germany. |
| November |
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| Polish Mi-8MT with Dutch NH90-NFH arriving at the FARP. | NH90-NFH after departing the FARP. |
Cougar lifting of after being refueled at the FARP. |
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| The RCAF CC-130J with protestors sitting at its nose wheel gear. | After everyone was removed and it was dark enough time for a night shoot. |
| The month started with exercise Falcon Autumn.
Organized by Royal Netherlands Army 11 Luchtmobiele Brigade (11LMB - 11
Air Mobile Brigade) participants from Poland, United States and of
course The Netherlands took part. Falcon Autumn is organized every two
years. For the first time both the Polish Army (Mi-8 Hip) and the United
States Army Europe and Africa (CH-47F Chinook, UH-60M Blackhawk and
AH-64D Apache) took part. More information about the exercise can be read here: Falcon Autumn 2022. On November 4 a Royal Canadian Air Force CC-130J Super Hercules arrived at Schiphol airport. 436 Transport Squadron, 8 Wing based at CFB Trenton, Ontario has two of its CC-130J's TDY based at Prestwick airport, Scotland. From there the crews fly support missions to several European nations. It was the second visit of the squadron to Schiphol in 2022. Unfortunately, its planned departure late afternoon the next day was cancelled. Hundreds of protestors from both Green Peace and Rebellion Extinction cut or climbed over the fence occupying the general aviation ramp. Either sitting in front or attached to several VIP aircraft also the Canadian Hercules became a victim. It took the military police several hours to remove all people from the airside part of the airport. We waited another half hour until it was dark enough for a night shoot. |
| December |
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| The four-ship during their runway 25 arrival at Charleroi with a break to the north. | The NDTA flagship marked 148 FS. All Dutch F-16's received the AZ tail code as well as an Arizona/Dutch flag tail fin. | One of the F-16BM's on final approach with a
colleague in the pattern. |
| The Netherlands Department of Defence announced
on 13 December 2022, that it would fly 11 of its F-16's from the United
States to Belgium. To train F-16's pilots 10 were based at Morris ANGB,
Tucson, Arizona. The eleventh F-16 was shipped to the United States.
On December 15 the first four F-16's, equally divided between the F-16AM and F-16BM, arrived at Charleroi (or Brussels South Charleroi airport). Here Belgian aerospace company SABCA (Sociétés Anonyme Belge de Constructions Aéronautiques) will perform maintenance on the fighters. Twelve were purchased by Draken to join their fleet of former military aircraft providing adversary aircraft to the United States Air Force. A report covering the relocation of the F-16's can be visited here: NDTA F-16's flown from the USA to Belgium. |
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