www.TheAviationMagazine.com № 71 October-Dezember 2020 Volume 11, Issue 5
Policía National de Colombia Exercise Soberania RIAT 2000 Spanish Army Caimans 75 Years 298 Squadron And so much more ... www.TheAviationMagazine.com № 71 October-Dezember 2020 Volume 11, Issue 5
Content
6 Policía Nacional de Colombia 18 A330 MRTT arrives at Einhoven - Netherlands 24 Exercise Soberania - Argentina 38 Royal International Air Tattoo 2000 - UK 66 Exercise Falcon Leap - The Netherlands 76 Spanish Army Caimans - Spain 86 Paris National Military Parade - France 94 75 Years 298 Squadron - The Netherlands 102 Good-bye Ansca - Hungary 110 Romanian Air Force News
Cover: A-4R Fightinghawk of The Argentine Air Force © 2019 H. J. Clariá
This page: CH-47D Chinook assigned to 298 Squadron of the Royal Netherlands Air Force © van Boven/van Noije A330 MRTT ARRIVES ATREPORT EINDHOVEN AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY JORIS VAN BOVEN AND ALEX VAN NOIJE
n the Netherlands, the McDonnell Douglas KDC-10 five will be based at Eindhoven AB in the Netherlands Iair-air-refueling aircraft are close to the end of their as main operating base. The remaining three aircraft operational life. One of the two KDC-10s was already will be based at Cologne Bonn Airport, Germany. These retired at the end of 2019 and the second KDC-10 will aircraft will become part of the NATO Multinational be retired at the end of 2020 or early 2021. These MRTT Fleet (MMF). tanker aircraft will be replaced by the Airbus A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT). The MMU consists of the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg, Norway, and the Czech The international consortium Multinational MRTT Unit Republic; where every country will pay for and get a (MMU) will receive eight A330 MRTT aircraft, of which certain amount of flying hours. Two fire trucks of the Eindhoven AB's fire department welcome the first Airbus A330 MRTT aircraft of the NATO Multinational Multi-Role Tanker Transport Fleet (MMF) 18 19 The A330 MRTT aircraft will be multirole aircraft. On Monday, 29 June 2020, the first A330 MRTT aircraft Besides the main role as tanker, these aircraft can (with Dutch registration T-055) was officially handed- be used in the passenger and cargo transport role over by Airbus and accepted by the MMU. One day or in the MEDEVAC role. When all eight aircraft are later on Tuesday, 30 June 2020, this A330 MRTT (T- delivered, at least one A330 will be available 24/7 for 055) was flown from Getafe AB in Spain to Eindhoven MEDEVAC. AB in the Netherlands. And after landing it received a traditional water-shower by the Eindhoven Fire The A330 MRTT aircraft are able to refuel all NATO Department. aircraft with a boom for the F-15s, F-16s, F-35s, and two hose systems for refueling the Mirages, Rafales, A link to the video of the A330 MRTT arrival at Gripens, and Eurofighters. This will make the A330 Eindhoven AB can be found here: more flexible than the KDC-10 with a boom only. https://youtu.be/BrFedQ_IPcM
On Eindhoven AB, the European Air Transport Command (EATC) is coordinating the allocation of NATO resources regarding transport and air-refueling.
The A330-200 MRTT (main image) will replace the old KDC-10 (right) 20 21 The MRTT lands at 14:50 hrs local time at it's new home base Eindhoven AB The A330-200MRTT on the taxiway to the ramp A330-200 MRTT, KDC-10, and C-17A (left to right) Although the MRTT is operated by NATO, it wears Royal Netherlands AF markings
22 23 REPORT AND IMAGES BY JORIS VAN BOVEN AND ALEX VAN NOIJE UNLESS FALCON LEAP 2020 NOTED
Royal Netherlands Air Force C-130H droping paratroopers during Falcon Leap part two (PJE - para jump exercise) main image and performing CDS (Cargo Delivery System) drops inset. Photos Dutch Defense Media Centre
66 67 he annual 'MarketGarden' parachute airdrop was practice together with C-130 Hercules aircraft of the Theld at the Ginkelse Hei near Arnhem, in the Royal Netherlands Air Force. However, due to bad Netherlands, in September. Due to the Covid-19 weather, no missions were flown in the first days of the pandemic, media access to this exercise was very week, causing the U. S. C-130 to return prematurely. limited. This exercise, called 'Falcon Leap', is divided The French C-130 left for France on Friday 11 into two parts. September, after having flown several missions with aircraft from the Netherlands, Belgium, United States, headquarters in Eindhoven, coordinated a unique fly- the Dutch Hercules aircraft. and Germany flew two to three missions per day. by with a Dutch C-130, a Belgian C-130, a French Falcon Leap, part 1, from 07 to 11 September A400M and, a German C-160 Transall. Additional Part 1 of this exercise consisted of the dropping of Falcon Leap, part 2, from 14 to 18 September Overflight Eindhoven, 18 September aircraft were a Supermarine Spitfire and a B-25 cargo from various military transport aircraft above Part 2 of this exercise consisted of dropping On 18 September 1944, the city of Eindhoven was Mitchell from the Dutch Air force Historical Flight at the Deelen and Oldebroek training areas. It was paratroopers from various military transport aircraft liberated by the Allied troops. Every year on 18 Gilze-Rijen AB. planned to fly a mission over the training areas three above training areas where no spectators were allowed. September, there is a commemoration in Eindhoven, times a day. These practice areas include Renkum, Deelen, and the where at 8 p.m., one or more C-130s of the Royal At the beginning of the week, a U. S. C-130 and a Ginkelse Hei; all located around the city of Arnhem. Netherlands Air Force fly over the city. This year, the Paratroopers on their way to board the aircraft at French C-130 deployed to Eindhoven Airbase to For this 2nd part of the Falcon Leap exercise, transport European Air Transport Command (EATC), with its Eindhoven AB for the second part of the exercise
68 69 Four C-130 Hercules and one C-160 Transall lining-up on the taxiway, waiting for clearance into take-off position
70 71 1
3
1 Three C-130 Hercules are returning to Eindhoven AB after having completed their mission 2 RNLAF C-130H Hercules with special tail marking "25 Years C-130 Hercules" 3 GAF C-160D Transall 2 4 USANG West Virginia C-130H Hercules 4
72 73 A beautiful shot of the French Air Force KC-130J returning to Eindhoven AB right before sun set
74 75 PARIS NATIONAL MILITARY PARADE REPORT AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY JORIS VAN BOVEN AND ALEX VAN NOIJE UNLESS NOTED
very year on 14 July, the National Military Parade aircraft and helicopters make a flyby in the air parade The main theme of the parade was the liberation of (Armée de l’Air), Navy (Marine Nationale), and the E(défilé) is held in the French capital Paris to (défilé aérien) over Paris. France 75 years ago and the 80th anniversary of the Police (Gendarmerie Nationale). commemorate the beginning of the French Revolution. 'Free French Air Force' (Forces Aériennes Françaises On 14 July 1789, the Bastille prison was raided by the In 2020, the Corona/COVID 19 pandemic changed Libres FAFL) in May 1940. This Rafale C assigned to EC02.030 Normandie- people from Paris, an event that started the French everything. The ground parade was minimized to Niemen at BA113 Mont-de-Marsan shows a tail Revolution. A military parade is held on the ground the Place de la Concorde only and visitors were not The end of the parade consisted of a number of with a special painting in memory of the Forces with foot-soldiers, trucks and tanks; while overhead allowed; they had to watch the parade via their TVs. helicopters from Army (Armée de Terre), Air Force Aériennes Françaises Libres
86 87 Air bases The participants departed from various air bases, sometimes from their home bases: Air Force C-130, A400M, E-3F, C-135F, A330MRTT, Mirage 2000D, Mirage 2000C; Marine Rafales, Atlantic, E-2, Falcon 50M.
Others flew from air bases close to Paris if fuel was an important factor: BA Évreux west of Paris for Mirage 2000C and Rafales, local transport aircraft; BA Villacoublay, south of Paris for Marine and Air Force helicopters; BA Creil, north of Paris for Army helicopters.
Base Aérienne Évreux In the morning of the 14th, at Base Aérienne Évreux, there was a photo-moment to witness the flight- preparations and take-off of some fighters. The participating Rafales (one Rafale with the special decorated tail of EC 2/30 Normandie-Niemen) took off from runway 22 to fly over Paris, while the spare aircraft did their flight-preparations but only left BA Évreux after the parade was over. The participating Mirage 2000C of EC 2/5 Île-de-France taxied to the runway, but take-off was cancelled due to a too low cloud ceiling. From BA Évreux, a local C-160 Transall and two CN235 flew in the parade, and these aircraft returned The aircraft were flying in formations over the business district La Défence (top to BA Évreux afterwards. There are rumors that the left) and over the Arc de Triomphe (right). five C-160 Transalls will be retired very soon, so this might have been one of the last opportunities to take Some of the formations were (middle, top to bottom): KC-135FR with Mirage 2000C and Rafale of the French Air Force, E-2C with Rafale of the French Navy, photos of the French C-160 Transall. C-130 with A400M and CN235. All photos French Air Force (FAF)
88 89 Forces Aériennes Françaises Libres The original squadrons of the FAFL were: The Forces Aériennes Françaises Libres (FAFL) or Free Groupe de chasse n°1 Alsace (341 Sqn RAF) French Air Force was established on 8 July 1940 by General Groupe de chasse n°2 Île-de-France (340 Sqn RAF) Special tail Charles de Gaulle with members of the French Army, Navy Groupe de chasse n°2 Normandie, later Régiment de One Dassault Rafale C of the Escadron de Chasse (or Fighter and Air Force which left France for the United Kingdom. chasse Normandie-Niémen (Soviet Union) Squadron) EC02.030 Normandie-Niemen at BA113 Mont-de- Groupe de bombardement Lorraine (342 Sqn RAF) Marsan had a special 'Forces Aériennes Françaises Libres' tail Groupe de bombardement Bretagne to commemorate their stay in the Soviet-Union during WW2.
90 91 French Air Force CN235M-200 of ET01.062 French Air Force Mirage 2000B of EC02.005 French Air Force Rafale C of EC02.030 French Air Force C-160R of ET00.064 (photo FAF)
92 93 75 YEARS 298 SQUADRON REPORT AND IMAGES BY JORIS VAN BOVEN AND ALEX VAN NOIJE
n April 2020, the Dutch 298 ISquadron, flying with the Boeing CH-47D Chinook helicopter, celebrated two anniversaries. 75 years 298 Squadron 25 years of the CH-47 Chinook helicopter within the Royal Netherlands Air Force
For both anniversaries, the Chinook with serial D-666 was painted on both sides. On one side with Taking off from their home base Gilze-Rijen, the squadron symbol (in Dutch 'Libelle', in English the first stop wasmade at the GLV5 low-flying training 'Dragonfly'). On the other side the 'Grizzly' symbol, grounds. Two passes and two browned-out sand the (un)official nickname of the squadron. landings were performed to show both sides of the Chinook to the photographers. Later that day other Due to COVID-19 in Europe, a large event was Dutch training grounds and air bases were visited to canceled and it was replaced by a flyby overhead the show-off this specially painted helicopter. Netherlands. At several locations, photographers were invited to take photos of the Chinook at the various The motto of the 298 Squadron is ‘nihil nobis nimium’ landing sites. (nothing is too much for us). The 75 Years color scheme of the CH-47D with the serial D-666, also known as The Beast shows a "Grizzly", the squadron's radio callsign and (un)official nickname.
94 95 History of the 298 Squadron This aircraft was used for artillery reconnaissance and was closed due to budget cuts. The Allouette II was The 298 Squadron received 13 Chinook helicopters in 298 Squadron was founded on 1 March 1950, as the passenger transport. The Piper Cub remained in active replaced by the Allouette III in 1964. The squadron this new model. The first seven helicopters were used 6 ARVA (Artillerie Verkennings Afdeling - Artillery service until 1968. In addition to the Piper Cub, the moved for the last time in 1966 to Soesterberg Air helicopters which were purchased in Canada. These Reconnaissance Division) at Ypenburg Air Base. The squadron was also equipped with the Hiller R23 Raven Base. The unit switched completely to the Allouette helicopters are modified to the CH-47D standard. The 298 Squadron was the first unit that was established in 1955. This was the first helicopter in service at the III. last six helicopters are newly built by Boeing. 298 as a part of the Light Aircraft Group (GPLV). The RNLAF. Two years later the squadron moved again to Squadron received with the arrival of the Chinook the amount of personnel and the available accommodation Ypenburg Air Base. In1959 they received their first The Allouette III was after more than 30 years of heavy transport duty within the THG-KLu. The core was very limited after the founding. The unit operated Allouette II in 1959. This helicopter was in service operational service replaced by the Boeing CH-47D job of the no 298 Squadron is the transportation of with several Auster light reconnaissance aircraft. The to perform the SAR task. One of the new flights Chinook in 1995. The Royal Netherlands Air Force the 11LMB (11 Airmobile Brigade), the Marine Corps squadron moved soon to Soesterberg Air Base. Also, which were added to the 298 Squadron was the SAR decided to follow a new course in 1995. The helicopters (MARNS), and the Special Operations Forces (KCT). Soesterberg was not for a long period the home base (Search And Rescue) flight. The SAR flight moved to will play a bigger role within the RNLAF. The current of the unit; they moved to Deelen Air Base in 1951. Leeuwarden Air Base and was later renumbered as Helicopter Group (GPH) converted to the new model. In addition to the CH-47D, the no. 298 Squadron also The Auster remained in service until 1953 with the 298 the 303 SAR Squadron. The 298 Squadron moved The name of this organization became Tactische has several CH-47F helicopters which can be identified Squadron. It was replaced by the Piper Cub in 1952. back to Deelen Air Base, because Ypenburg Air Base Helikopter Groep Koninklijke Luchtmacht (THG-KLu). by the gray color scheme.
The other side of The Beast shows a "Dragonfly", the unit's symbol. 96 97 The so-called "brown-out" landing in a dusty envirent always is a challenge for the pilots and requires continuous training. 98 99 100 101