|
Post by rh226 on Jul 17, 2016 9:23:20 GMT
|
|
|
Post by rh226 on Aug 20, 2016 12:37:50 GMT
No definitive information as yet.
Strong rumours that the B-52s will actually be operating from Moron AB, Spain.
A slight slip from someone who is usually in the know (but usually withholds information) provides a strong hint that something (the B-1s??) should be arriving at Fairford this week (22nd August onwards).
Usually, support aircraft will come in preceding the arrival. NOTAMs for impending movements will be posted - as will the NOTAM for the establishment of the MATZ (Military Aerodrome Traffic Zone) for the duration of the deployment.
Will update when more is known for definite.
|
|
|
Post by rh226 on Aug 28, 2016 12:08:27 GMT
Sunday 28th August
"RCH347" C-17A 02-1101 arrived about 09.30BST this morning from Barksdale AFB, La. It subsequently departed about 11.20BST and headed through the Daventry radar corridor at FL100 to Mildenhall.
So, this is a very strong suggestion that there will probably be at least one B-52 at Fairford for the exercise.
Barksdale AFB is the home of the B-52Hs of 2BW (code "LA") and the AF Reserve 307BW (code "BD"). One of the AFRC examples is currently in the static at Sliač AB in Slovakia for the SIAF 2016 airshow (27th - 28th). It is thought that this one may be coming to Fairford (not the 29th I'm told - source protected).
Fingers crossed!!
|
|
|
Post by rh226 on Aug 30, 2016 9:11:15 GMT
Tuesday 30th August
NOTAM issued as follows
Add 1hr for BST
However, this may well be for a C-17 with B-1 support cargo (06-6164 is thought to be out of Ellsworth AFB).
A very authoritative source (identity protected because of position) has stated that "SCALP99" is due into Fairford today at 15.30 (I assume BST, but could be Zulu), so I would imagine that another NOTAM will be posted. "SCALP99" is the B-52 that was at Sliač AB, Slovakia for the SIAF show (60-0038/BD was in the static).
Current rumour is for B-1s tomorrow.
|
|
|
Post by rh226 on Aug 30, 2016 10:49:57 GMT
Plans have changed since earlier. New NOTAM issued.
B-52 is now due at Fairford at 12.45BST.
UPDATE:-
60-0038/BD landed at 12.45BST and is parked in the loop down the Western end.
It seems to have used airways - as it went LAM > CPT at FL240 (around 12.15BST-ish??).
Pictures on FC here.
Credit FC for info.
|
|
|
Post by zz on Aug 31, 2016 18:57:11 GMT
Need this one, so will probably call past on Saturday, on way to/from Sywell.
I read the rumour on FC that the B.1s may arrive that day ? Although I don't need the rumoured 85-0089.
|
|
|
Post by rh226 on Aug 31, 2016 21:10:55 GMT
I would make your visit to Fairford on the way back, zz.
Since you made your post here, I have posted on FC that Dyess is NOTAM'ed closed for 24hrs until 6am Saturday our time (taking the Labor Day holiday on Friday instead of Monday??).
I will post any definite information on here as soon as I get it - which is why I haven't posted what is on FC as yet.
|
|
|
Post by rh226 on Sept 2, 2016 17:03:04 GMT
At last. Credit FC for info.
Planned is for 2 x B-1Bs to leave Bangor IAP, Me tonight at 21.00EDT (02.00BST), so should arrive at Fairford around 09.00 - 10.00BST. Don't shoot the messenger, LOL.
One of them is known to be 85-0089/DY "489 BG".
Callsigns used to go into Bangor was "CROOK01/02"
If you are going in the afternoon, take your brolly.
Regards,
Bob
|
|
|
Post by bizfreeq on Sept 3, 2016 8:05:05 GMT
Notam went up earlier: U2933/16 - AD AND RWY 09/27 OPEN. AVAILABLE FOR SCHEDULED MOVEMENTS ONLY. 03 SEP 08:30 2016 UNTIL 03 SEP 11:30 2016. CREATED: 03 SEP 06:04 2016 The current eta is 11.30 and both are airborne
|
|
|
Post by rh226 on Sept 3, 2016 8:17:32 GMT
Saturday 3rd September Credit FC for information.
Morning chaps,
Airfield NOTAM shows it open 09.30 - 12.30BST. They left Bangor a bit on the late side (04.45BST)
"CROOK01/02" checked 50N20W at 08.59BST, estimating SOMAX (50N15W) at 09.31BST. They will transfer onto 135.600MHz at SOMAX.
|
|
|
Post by rh226 on Sept 3, 2016 9:32:52 GMT
(Censored) low cloud. Came over Melksham at 10.23BST heading towards Fairford making a lot of noise. Visible - no!
Ollie ("Brizewatcher") was down in Westbury and saw them .
On my way in a few minutes up to Marston Meysey (Fairford).
|
|
|
Post by bizfreeq on Sept 3, 2016 13:30:27 GMT
Serials are: 85-0089/DY 86-0127/DY Cheers Mark
|
|
|
Post by rh226 on Sept 3, 2016 14:26:17 GMT
Just back from Fairford (and lunch).
They are parked up at the Western end loop with the B-52. The 489th BG one (85-0089) is fully visible (and photographable) from the Marston Meysey crash gate. To photograph the other one, you will need to take the track from the village and walk along the fence. Unfortunately, I do not know where that is.
85-0089 is marked both "DY" and "489 BG/CC" - both are outlined in white. It also has nose art "The Last Patrol POW/MIA".
"CROOK01" 85-0089 landed at 10.37BST "CROOK02" 86-0127 landed at 10.40BST...........Thanks to Glenn's blogsite ffdmovements.blogspot.co.uk/ for the times.
|
|
|
Post by zz on Sept 3, 2016 16:49:02 GMT
Also just back from Fairford and various other places. Needed the B.52 - need to check 86-0127, not sure about that one.
|
|
|
Post by rh226 on Sept 3, 2016 18:34:14 GMT
Glad you saw them, zz.
86-0127 has not been in Fairford before, but I don't know whether it has been into Mildenhall.
According to FC's resident expert, this is the 50th different B-1 to visit Fairford.
Video of their arrival at .
|
|
|
Post by zz on Sept 3, 2016 19:24:55 GMT
I did need 86-0127- a good gap-filler. My 54th B.1 (out of 104 built)
Has it been in storage ? It's not in the 2015 military aircraft markings book...
|
|
|
Post by rh226 on Sept 3, 2016 21:22:50 GMT
Not as far as I know.
It may have been undergoing overhaul as it has changed from 28BW to 7BW.
Scramble note it as being seen in January this year as a DY machine. They do show it as being a 28th BS machine, but it was wearing the markings of 9th BS today (black tail stripe with white bat).
|
|
|
Post by rh226 on Sept 3, 2016 22:00:59 GMT
Credit FC for this alert.
Anyone wanting to see some action tomorrow (Sunday 4th), it would appear that 1 x B-1 and 1 x B-52 will be over Czech Republic tomorrow.
See www.lznamest.army.cz/letova-aktivita. Note that times are +1hr against BST. The timing columns are "Departure" and "Arrival".
No NOTAM up as yet (23.00BST) for Fairford being "open".
I would guess that departure could be anything up to the indicated 12.00BST, but play it safe!! Good luck.
|
|
|
Post by zz on Sept 4, 2016 8:08:13 GMT
Not as far as I know. It may have been undergoing overhaul as it has changed from 28BW to 7BW. Scramble note it as being seen in January this year as a DY machine. They do show it as being a 28th BS machine, but it was wearing the markings of 9th BS today (black tail stripe with white bat). Ok thanks. I was just wondering why it wasn't in "the book", but I guess there could be several reasons. cheers
|
|
|
Post by rh226 on Sept 4, 2016 8:17:01 GMT
Sunday 4th September
NOTAM now (09.08BST) up - only just!!
+1HR for BST
"SCALP99" - the B-52 - is due out at 10.10 according to FC. EDIT:- Departed about 09.50BST. Landed back at Fairford at 13.42BST.
B-1B 85-0089 is running engines (at 10.05BST), the other is quiet. EDIT:- Departed at about 10.45BST as "CROOK01". Landed back at Fairford at 14.22BST.
Both returned through the Daventry Radar Corridor.
Credit FC for info.
|
|
|
Post by bizfreeq on Sept 4, 2016 18:23:19 GMT
Saw the 52 over Sywell, very nice indeed Cheers Mark
|
|
|
Post by rh226 on Sept 4, 2016 19:20:31 GMT
Monday 5th September
More action, but only the B-1.
Same sort of times according to www.lznamest.army.cz/letova-aktivita. Remember to take off 1hr for BST.
Would suggest going on Sunday's timings as a very rough guide (it is the best we have to go on), but it is up to you.
NOTAM as follows:-
Add 1 hr for BST
|
|
|
Post by rh226 on Sept 5, 2016 11:00:06 GMT
"CROOK01" 85-0089 departed just after 10.40BST. Returned around 15.45BST.
|
|
|
Post by rh226 on Sept 5, 2016 20:16:42 GMT
|
|
|
Post by rh226 on Sept 6, 2016 20:04:07 GMT
Wednesday 7th September
B-1 up again. See www.lznamest.army.cz/letova-aktivita.
Would suggest going on departure as on the other two days, i.e. around 10.45 - 11.00BST. However, return looks to be about 45 min earlier, so possibly as early as 15.00BST.
These times are only my guess. Give yourself plenty of time if you want to see the action.
Further details on the day.
Regards,
Bob
|
|
|
Post by rh226 on Sept 7, 2016 9:16:35 GMT
NOTAM is up:-
Add 1hr for BST
FC report that"CROOK01" has filed for a 10.30BST departure.
EDIT:- "CROOK01" 85-0089 (again!!) departed 10.35BST. Landed around 16.10BST.
|
|
|
Post by rh226 on Sept 7, 2016 19:06:23 GMT
Thursday 8th September
It's the B-52's turn today. See www.lznamest.army.cz/letova-aktivita. Usual times.
Would guess that departure will be somewhere around 09-45 - 10.00BST (based on Sunday), return possibly as early as 14.00BST??? Again, only my guess - give yourself plenty of time.
|
|
|
Post by rh226 on Sept 8, 2016 9:01:16 GMT
NOTAM just gone up
Add 1 hr for BST
EDIT:- "SCALP99" 60-0038 departed around 10.30BST routing through the Daventry RC for MAM (Marham TACAN), then NAVPI.
Returned through the Daventry RC and landed at 15.46BST.
|
|
|
Post by rh226 on Sept 8, 2016 19:42:23 GMT
Friday 9th September
B-1 again. Usual times, so departure around 10.30-11.00BST. Return around 15.45-16.15BST give or take.
Again, above times are only my guess. Allow yourselves plenty of time.
|
|
|
Post by rh226 on Sept 9, 2016 9:52:51 GMT
NOTAM is up
Add 1hr for BST
Extended open time is to allow for the B-1 fly-by at the Sanicole Air Show (Belgium) tonight. Don't know if it is a separate trip for this, or if it will do "other things" after its bit of action over the Czech Republic.
EDIT:-
"CROOK1" B-1B 86-0127 departed at 10.30BST routing through the Daventry RC to Marham and then NAVPI. Landed 16.?? "CROOK2" B-1B 85-0089 departed around 15.10BST for Sanicole show. To Marham, then NPT (that NW corner "bend" point on the London/Brussels FIR Boundary) then to BBL (Kleine-Brogel TACAN). Landed back at 18.09BST.
Credit FC for info.
|
|