The SAAF Forum

Photo set 10

The art of Public Relations!

Showing the line of photographers at the fenceline their beautiful F-16's, specially parked and therefor my introduction of 'The art of Public Relations'- thank you!


RAF Waddington fenceline 14 March 2023 at 15:45

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Beautiful photos.

What's the distance between the fence line and the aircraft?

Photo set 11

Thank you AT6C - and to all those of you who take the time to have a look - thank you!

Distance from fence to aircraft varies, obviously depending on where you choose to view from, the closest you can get is 30m, as per the previous picture. The one shown here is about 200m. Belgian 'The Blue Tail' F-16AM with darkening skies, just before the rain arrived, hence the floodlights coming on.


Tuesday 14 March 2023 at 16:00 RAF Waddington

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That's real close for such good photos.

Only Swartkop has a taxiway (Alpha) that is close to the runway 02/20 and that is only on the northern portion of the taxiway and the only chance of taking photos is when something is "happening" like an airshow that is being held.

Photo set 12

A wonderful morning at the fenceline!

The Belgians and their F-16's have completed their two week stint, and flew home this morning. However, activity is undiminished and the Indians, Finns, and Saudis are still here until the end of next week.

The Mirage 2000MKI's of the Indian Air Force gave us a rare treat with a tandem take-off. So, as a start to the weekend, I thought to post the Mirage activity of the morning without delay.


Tandem take-off


Short finals onto runway #20


Touchdown with a hint of smoke from the wheels

More to follow ...

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Photo set 13

In addition to the three Mirage pictures above, here is a bigger view, just before those Snecmas started to whine ...


India Air Force Mirage 2000MKI at RAF Waddington

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Your photos are amazing. Must be quita an experience to watch from such a relatively small distance. Thanks for sharing and keep them coming.

Photo set 14

Thanks Ferdie, yes being close to the action is a blessing, but viewing areas such as this faces ongoing scrutiny ... I don't think it will last forever.

Some pictures of cockpits:-


Finnish F-18 acknowledging the photographers


Belgian F-16 : 31st 'Tiger Squadron' giving us the tiger's claw


Indian Mirage 2000 looking at us looking at them


And sometimes things get in the way ...

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Always a pity when the public access is restricted. Mostly unnecessary. My biggest culture shock was during my sojourn in Switzerland where it is rare that an airfield, including the military airfields, have a boundary fence. Many of my former colleagues at Pilatus walk or cycle across the main runway at Buochs on there way to the office. It used to be a military airfield but it was never fenced off to my knowledge.

Contrast that to the overprotective attitude in Italy where I remember the road past the end of the runway in Venegono Superiore had signs warning that it was illegal to take photographs there.

Photo set 15

How did the blocks end up strewn around like this - that was the question?!

Informed news has it that the culprit was the turbofan from a Belgian F-16, however, there seems to be no photographic proof. The blocks apparently are plastic which is filled or somehow weighted by ballast to keep them in place. The taxiway, showing Finnish F-18's, is a busy one - we may never know 'who dunnit'.

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Photo set 16

A welcome visitor of a different kind, Finnish Air Force PC-12NG.

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Photo set 17

Two Indian Air Force C-17's arrived at RAF Waddington on Saturday 25 March, to uplift and take home gear and equipment as was needed by the five Mirages for the duration of the exercise. The Indian Ilyushin IL-78 tanker for refuelling the Mirages, on the return flight, went to RAF Mildenhall. The much respected Indian contingent fly home this Monday 27th.


Saturday morning 07:22 RAF Waddington


Second C-17 on short finals, note the large flock of gulls in the area.
They were kept well away by 'bangers' and related noise equipment from a vehicle and permanent on-site bird controller.

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Completion of Exercise Cobra Warrior 2023-1 (2023-2 in September) state of play:-

- Belgian 6 x F-16 finished and left on Friday 17 March
- Finnish 6 x F-18 on Friday 24 March
- Indian 5 x Mirage 2000 on Monday 27 March
- Saudi 6 x Eurofighter Typhoon on Monday 27 March

- Indian Ilyushin IL-78 tanker at RAF Mildenhall, 2 x Indian C-17's at RAF Waddington
- Saudi Airbus A330 MRTT tanker / transports, three in total, at RAF Waddington and East Midlands Airport
- Saudi C-130's, at least four, have come and gone the past two days at RAF Coningsby

A multi-national exercise with multiple and varied assets have deployed to various RAF and civilian facilities over a three week period! From an aviation enthusiasts point of view, is has been a feast of action, noise, smoke, smells and more!

Thank you to all of you for the views and comments!

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Thanks for posting the photos and comments, very interesting and informative.

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How come every time my ship comes in, I'm at the airport?

Update:-

Saudi Air Force contingent, 6 x Eurofighters, 2 x C-130's and 2 x A330's have delayed departure and rescheduled for tomorrow, Tuesday 28th at 0810Z. One of the A330 tankers had serviceability issues resulting in delays.

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