Idaho’s A-10Cs Reapers at RAF

4 wars in 20 years Leeming F-15C Eagles

on drills

Officially the world’s number one authority on military aviation

Lightning over the

Baltic
Italian F-35As on
Russia watch
French
airborne
spies In far-off
lands

BUYING BIG!

Middle East air forces modernisation

Mercenary PLUS
Aviators On patrol
in Africa THE B
I
BEST MGGEST &
AVIATIO ILITARY
North Macedonia Burning N
ANYW NEWS
HERE

Issue 404 November 2021 £5.49

11
Helicopters to the rescue
9 770955 709310
Comment

Chinese aggression,
but why now?
nce again, Taiwan is in the news and

O once again it’s because China has been

intruding into its air space – or rather, its
Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ). During
October 1-4, a record-breaking 149 People’s
Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft consisting of
bombers, reconnaissance aircraft and fighters
flew into the ADIZ, which incidentally cuts into
China’s mainland. Now PLA aircraft going
through Taiwan’s ADIZ is nothing new, but these
large numbers would have alarmed Taipei.
The bulk of the intruders (64) were Chinese
Shenyang J-16s, license-built Sukhoi
Su-30MKKs equipped with an active ROCAF AIDC F-CK-1 Ching-Kuo air defence fighters would have been scrambled to intercept the
Chinese intruders in early October Peter Ho/Formosa Military Image Press
electronically scanned array (AESA) radar.
Known locally as the J-16, these two-seater seen the US and UK sharpening relations with US promoting their own values in Asia. The
tactical jets can pack a big punch when the likes of Japan and South Korea, at the same intrusions coincided with China’s National Day
called upon. There might also have been an time allowing all sides the chance to integrate holidays between October 1-7, when most
electronic warfare configured J-16D Howling and practice their operational capabilities Chinese citizens would have watched with pride
Wolf among them – an example was on against possible Chinese aggression. at the PLA upsetting the Taiwanese nationalists.
display at Zhuhai Air Show in early October. During late August, HMS Queen Elizabeth The PLA would have known the attention their
All the Republic of China Air Force (ROCAF) (R08) and its Carrier Strike Group (CSG21) flights would generate throughout the free world,
could do was chaperone the intruders through were almost halfway through their first and a national holiday is the ideal time to do it.
the southwest corner of the ADIZ. Its recently operational deployment and working with the Incidentally, if you want to read more about
upgraded F-16Vs, along with the AIDC F-CK-1 Republic of Korea Navy, before joining up with the ROCAF and their recent road exercise,
Ching-Kuos, wouldn’t dare to do much else. the USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) and its new please turn to p92-93.
Imagine the fallout if a ROCAF fighter had carrier air wing. Their time in the region saw Alan Warnes
shot down a Chinese aircraft, undoubtedly the US Navy, USAF and Royal Navy keen to Group Editor at Large
signalling the beginning of a far-reaching war promote a free and open Indo Pacific region.
that wouldn’t just include Taiwan and China. After that, CSG21 headed to Japan. Visit our website at
So why did China decide to send such a large This is China’s back yard and would have www.key.aero/airforcesmonthly
number of aircraft into Taiwan’s ADIZ? Probably angered Beijing, which has a big interest in the
because it has been angered by the very region. So the heightened Taiwan incursions Contact the team at
high-profile allied interest in the region, that has may have been a response to the UK and [email protected]

Group Executive Editor: Richard Thomas ADVERTISERS addressed envelope should be enclosed if it is required to be
Group Editor at Large: Alan Warnes We are unable to guarantee the bonafides of any of our returned. All items submitted for publication are subject to our
Deputy Editor: Khalem Chapman advertisers. Readers are strongly recommended to take terms and conditions, which are regularly updated without
News Editor: Dave Allport their own precautions before parting with any information prior notice and are freely available from Key Publishing Ltd or
Assistant Military Editor: Josef Campion or item of value, including, but not limited to, money, downloadable from www.keypublishing.com. All digital imagery
Head of Publishing: Finbarr O’Reilly manuscripts, photographs or personal information in should be at least 300dpi and 10 x 8 inches (25.4cm x 20.3cm)
Group Production Editor: David Taylor response to any advertisements within this publication. in size.
Production Editors: Sally Hooton, Angharad Moran, Postal address: Key Publishing Ltd, PO Box 100, Stamford,
Suzanne Roberts, Sue Rylance USPS ID STATEMENT Lincs, PE9 1XQ, UK. Tel: +44 (0)1780 755131 Fax: +44 (0)1780
Design: Lee Howson AirForces Monthly, ISSN 0955-7091 (USPS 6119), is 757261 Website: www.Key.Aero
published monthly by Key Publishing Ltd, PO Box 300,
Advertising: Andrew Mason, Debi McGowan Stamford, Lincs, PE9 1NA, UK. DISTRIBUTION
Head of Production: Janet Watkins The US annual subscription price is $72.99. Airfreight and Seymour Distribution Ltd, 2 Poultry Avenue, London, EC1A 9PP.
Head of Design: Steve Donovan mailing in the USA by agent named WN Shipping USA, 156- Tel: +44 (0)20 7429 4000 Fax: +44 (0)20 7429 4001
Head of Operations and eCommerce: Karen Bean 15, 146th Avenue, 2nd Floor, Jamaica, NY 11434, USA. The entire contents of AirForces Monthly is © copyright, and
Head of Finance: Carol Pereira Periodicals postage paid at Brooklyn NY 11256. no part of it may be reproduced in any form or stored on
Chief Digital Officer: Vicky Macey US Postmaster: Send address changes to any form of retrieval system without the prior permission of
Chief Content & Commercial Officer: Mark Elliott AirForces Monthly, WN Shipping USA, 156-15, 146th the publisher: Mark Elliott
Group CEO: Adrian Cox Avenue, 2nd Floor, Jamaica, NY 11434, USA.
Subscription records are maintained at Key Publishing
SUBSCRIPTIONS Ltd, PO Box 300, Stamford, Lincolnshire, PE9 1NA, UK.
Copies of AFM can be obtained each month by Air Business Ltd is acting as our mailing agent.
To find a stockist near you,
placing a standing order with your newsagent. visit www.key.aero
In case of difficulty, contact our Circulation SUBMISSIONS
Manager ([email protected]). The Editor is happy to receive contributions to AFM. Please

Readers in the USA can place subscriptions by visiting

www.imsnews.com or calling toll-free 757-428-8180
note that all material sent to the Editor is forwarded at the
contributor’s own risk. While every care is taken with material,
the publishers cannot be held responsible for any loss or
Next Issue
On sale from November 18
Alternatively, you can subscribe in writing to: damage incurred. All material rates available on request.
AFM, International Media Service, Submitted material (especially illustrations) should have the
PO BOX 866, Virginia Beach 23451, USA. contributor’s name and address clearly marked and a stamped Sign up for our free email newsletter at www.Key.Aero

www.Key.Aero November 2021 // 3

Contents November 2021 #404
Features
Main
16 Hip hurrah!
image: Alan Warnes caught up with an interesting
This year, array of Russian-built Mil Mi-8/17 (NATO
the 190th FS reporting name: Hip) helicopters in Czech
‘Skull Bangers’
Republic and Slovakia
marked 25 years of
operations with the
venerable ‘Warthog’ 30 Afghanistan’s exodus:
Jake Melampy a tactical analysis
Below, left: A Bulgarian 2K12
Tim Ripley investigates the evacuation
Kub (SA-6 Gainful) in action
with the SURN target search operation from Kabul and explores its
and guidance radar vehicle in implications for British and American airpower
the foreground and a missile
firing in the background
Alexander Mladenov
36 North Macedonia burning
Below, right: A Mil Mi-24V With its own firefighting aircraft left
Hind-E is prepared for a sortie unserviceable this summer, North Macedonia
by mercenaries at the Freetown faced catastrophic wildfires. Igor Bozinovski
Air Wing base, Sierra Leone
explains how aircraft from neighbouring
via Al J Venter
Bottom: The Republic of China countries helped to save the small Balkan
Air Force still operates 55 of its nation from the flames
original 60 Mirage 2000 fleet
Peter Ho/Formosa Military
Image Press

Regulars
03 Comment
AirForces Monthly’s monthly opinion
about the most recent and
noteworthy military aviation topics

06 News
Stay up to date with the latest news
66 78 from air forces around the world
• Royal Air Force retires E-3D Sentry
AEW1 fleet
• Greece buying six more Rafales
• Lockheed Martin unveils new LMXT
strategic tanker
• Turkmenistan M-346 deliveries under way

94 Attrition report
Dave Allport reveals the month's significant
military aviation mishaps

98 Next Issue
A quick look at what's on the modern
military aviation agenda in next month’s
92 issue of AirForces Monthly

4 // November 2021 www.Key.Aero

40 Boise’s beloved ‘Hogs’ 50 Lightning strikes the Baltic 78 Almost forgotten:
Although the future of the A-10C Thunderbolt The aviators of fortune
Four Italian Air Force Lockheed Martin F-35A
II has been called into doubt on multiple Lightning IIs conducted the first deployment Paid to support governments and keep them in
occasions over the last decade, the type still of fifth-generation fighter aircraft in support of power, mercenaries have been part of the African
continues its USAF service – albeit in smaller NATO’s Baltic air-policing operations this summer. political landscape for decades. Al J Venter has
numbers. Jake Melampy speaks with the Idaho Giovanni Colla and Remo Guidi were there spent much of his career working with these
ANG’s 190th FS ‘Skull Bangers’ about their groups – here, he looks at their past and present
experience in operating the venerable ‘Hog’ 58 France’s covert ISR assets role, which now includes keeping jihadists at bay
Jean-Marc Tanguy takes a closer look at the
48 Eagles over Yorkshire platforms that have served the French Air and 86 Ears in the sky
Josef Campion checks in with ‘The Grim Space Force’s secretive Airborne Electronic The USAF’s Boeing RC-135W Rivet Joint
Reapers’ at RAF Leeming, North Yorkshire, as Squadron 1/54 ‘Dunkirk’ signals intelligence aircraft played a vital, yet
units from the 48th Fighter Wing develop their unsung, supporting role in the evacuation
agile combat employment tactics 64 ‘Excalibur’ unsheathed of coalition forces and civilians of various
Khalem Chapman examines ‘Excalibur’ – a nationalities from Afghanistan in August, as
Boeing 757-200 being modified as a flying Thomas Withington reports
laboratory to serve as the ‘sword in the stone’
for developing technologies in the UK-led 92 Preparing for China
Future Combat Air System programme With its latest annual drill, the utility of all five
of the Republic of China Air Force’s highway
66 Fighting obsolescence airstrips have been validated, as Roy Choo
Alexander Mladenov looks at the slow and and Peter Ho discovered
often painful transformation of the Bulgarian
Air Force’s air defence assets, while revealing
humble plans to field Western-made hardware
in the foreseeable future

72 Buying BIG! Visit us online

With the Dubai International Airshow coming
up in November, Alan Warnes reveals some
at key.aero
of the modernisation plans being for all the
undertaken by the six Gulf
Cooperation Council nations
latest news

www.Key.Aero 5
NEWS Headlines

Tension over
Taiwan

The PLAAF J-16s formed the bulk of the PLA aircraft that
encroached into Taiwan’s ADIZ in October MND PRC/Yang Pan

Flight paths of East

CHINA DEPLOYED record
numbers of its People’s
flight activity was at the
southwestern corner of PLA aircraft Mainland
China
Sea

Liberation Army (PLA)

aircraft into Taiwan’s Air
the island's ADIZ – an area
frequently encroached
on October 4 China

Defence Identification Zone by PLA aircraft. A Type/No’ Heading

(ADIZ) between October 1-4, number of these flights J-16 x 34
amid heightened tensions – comprising two H-6 Su-30 x 2 China’s Air
across the Taiwan Strait. The bombers and 10 J-16 Y-8 ASW x 2
Defense
Identification
ADIZ is officially international fighters as their escorts – Taiwan Zone
KJ500 Strait
airspace, though it acts as continued through to the AEW&C x 2
a buffer against threats to southeastern corner on Taiwan
H-6 x 12
Taiwan’s security. October 1, presumably to
South China
While the number of demonstrate that the once- Sea
intrusions on October 1 safe sanctuary of the east
broke the previous record coast is now threatened. Taiwan’s Air Defense
of 28 registered in PLA Air Force (PLAAF) Identification Zone
mid-June, this was J-16s, an upgraded copy
Pratas Island
unseated on the next day of the Sukhoi Su-30MKK,
with 39 aircraft and then formed the bulk of into the ADIZ, as well by foreign officials and mounted combat air patrols
56 on October 4. Taiwan’s these aircraft. These are as the median line – a other geopolitical events (CAPs). Since 2020, its
Ministry of National thought to have flown demarcation drawn down concerning Taiwan. AIDC F-CK-1 detachment at
Defence (MND) began from bases in the Eastern the centre of the Taiwan The latest episode of Magong Air Base, situated
making public such PLA and Southern Theatre Strait, has traditionally ADIZ incursions occurred on the outlying islands of
aircraft movements around Command, including been Beijing’s way of as a major multi-national Penghu, has been extended
Taiwan in September last Nanchang Xiangtang and voicing its displeasure. naval exercise was being from the usual April to
year, due to the escalating Huiyang, respectively. Over the past year, such conducted in the region. September period to a
number of them. The ramping up of activity has coincided Separately, a delegation full-year commitment, to
The majority of the PLA flight movements with high-level visits from the French Senate enable quicker interception
was due to visit Taiwan, a of PLA aircraft.
Number of intrusions move considered by China As China steps up military
as a serious violation of the pressure against Taiwan,
Day Types of aircraft Total intrusions
‘One-China’ policy. and the island ramps up air
J-16 Su-30 H-6 KQ-200 KJ-500
In response to these patrols in return, the risk
1 Oct 28 4 4 1 1 38 intrusions, as has been the of inadvertent escalation
2 Oct 26 10 - 2 1 39 case over the last year and is exacerbated with the
3 Oct 8 4 - 2 2 16 earlier, Taiwan’s Republic already tense situation in
4 Oct 38 2 12 2 2 56 of China Air Force (ROCAF) the Taiwan Strait.
Source: MND ROC scrambled its fighters and Roy Choo

6 // November 2021 www.Key.Aero

 Subscribe to www.Key.Aero for breaking news stories.
Email the news team at [email protected]

USMC F-35Bs make historic

landings on Japanese carrier
A PAIR of US Marine Corps JS Izumo (DDH-183) on Japan’s acquisition of 42 on the Kaga last October, capability to deter Beijing’s
F-35B Lightning IIs have October 3 in the Philippine F-35Bs, due sometime in during Exercise Keen regional ambitions.
made the historic first Sea, south of Shikoku. the next five years, as part Sword off Japan. China received its first
landing of fighter aircraft on An announcement from of a wider acquisition that Japan’s decision to return aircraft carrier – Type 001
a Japanese carrier since the Japan Maritime Self- also includes the F-35A, to carrier-based aviation Liaoning – in 2012. This
World War Two. The two Defense Force (JMSDF) which is already in Japan appears driven by a desire was followed by Type 002
F-35Bs were from Marine the same day said: “the Air Self-Defence Force to counter the rise of China Shandong, commissioned
Fighter Attack Squadron JMSDF will continue to service. US Air Force in the waters of the Asia- in 2019, with a third, larger,
242 (VMFA-242) ‘Bats’ at steadily carry out the CV-22B Ospreys made the Pacific, with Tokyo keen to Type 003 carrier currently
Marine Corps Air Station necessary modifications to tiltrotor’s first ever landing acquire a power projection under construction.
Iwakuni, Yamaguchi the Izumo class to acquire One of the USMC/VMFA-242
Prefecture, Japan, which the capability to operate F-35Bs makes its historic
began transitioning to the F-35B.” vertical landing on
the type last October Commissioned in 2015, the Japanese Navy
helicopter carrier JS
(see AirForces Monthly the Izumo had a heat- Izumo on October 3
December 2020 issue, resistant coating added JMSDF
page 21) and only declared to its flight deck this year,
initial operational capability enabling it to support
on September 9 this year. vertical landings by the
The aircraft, 169623 ‘DT- F-35B. Modifications to the
01’ and 169624 ‘DT-02,’ lighting and deck markings
undertook the verification have also been made.
trials, making landings and Sister ship JS Kaga (DDH-
take-offs from the Japanese 184) is due for a similar
Navy helicopter carrier upgrade in readiness for

Nighthawks train openly with California ANG

TWO US Air Force Squadron (FS) 'Griffins'. reduced radar cross- carried Tonopah’s ‘TR’ – the identity of the unit
Lockheed F-117A Although they have been section (RCS) and black tail code, one in white operating them is also
Nighthawks arrived seen flying in increasing radar attenuating paint and one in red, neither unknown. "Unfortunately,
at Fresno Yosemite numbers in recent years, makes it a more-than- carried any external serial most of these details are
International Airport in this was the first time suitable platform to number. After five days not releasable,” Capt
California on September since the type was retired perform DACT operations training, the two F-117As Jason A Sanchez, the
13 to perform dissimilar in 2008 that F-117As with the 'Griffins', as the returned to their base at 144th FW Chief of Public
air combat training have operated openly unit's primary mission the Tonopah Test Range Affairs, explained to
(DACT) operations with in the public eye, with is to perform air-to- (TTR) airfield in Nevada, AirForces Monthly.
US Air Force/California their operations officially air combat operations departing from Fresno However, one clue
Air National Guard publicised by the military. against possible at 0830hrs local time on as to the unit did turn
F-15C/D Eagles. The The two stealth aircraft adversary aircraft in September 17. up in 2019, when one
latter are assigned to the conducted a week of defence of US airspace. The exact number of the F-117As was
resident 144th Fighter DACT with the local Although both the of F-117As currently photographed during
Wing (FW)/194th Fighter F-15C/Ds. The F-117A's aircraft visiting Fresno operational is unknown a low-level flight in
Panamint Valley,
An F-117A Nighthawk, marked only with a red ‘TR’ tail California. The aircraft
code, arrives at Fresno Yosemite International Airport on
September 13 to conduct training missions with the local Air wore a prominent tail
National Guard unit Air National Guard/Capt Jason Sanchez band clearly marked with
the words ‘Dark Knights’
on it, which could well be
a reference to the name
of the unit.
As of January 2021,
a total of 48 F-117As
remain in long-term
storage at Tonopah.
Although the type is
still being used by
the United States Air
Force, the service is
actively disposing of
approximately four
Nighthawks per year.

www.Key.Aero November 2021 // 7

NEWS United Kingdom

Formal RAF
E-3D Sentry
retirement
RAF Sentry AEW1 ZH101 flies over RAF Waddington,
Lincolnshire, on September 28, to mark retirement of the
type, while ZH103 and ZH106 act as a backdrop for the
formal parade MOD Crown Copyright/Sgt Nik Howe

THE ROYAL Air Force September 2021 issue, 21 deployment during returned from its final aircraft, ZH101, has
officially retired its E-3D page 6. Operation Fortis. operational mission on been noted flying several
Sentry fleet at RAF The E-3D has served the The retirement of the August 4, occasional times for this purpose –
Waddington, Lincolnshire, RAF and NATO nations in E-3D will not be the end sorties have been on each occasion using
on September 28, operations and theatres for No 8 Squadron, which flown to maintain crew callsign ‘Solex 01.’ It flew
marking the end of 30 across the globe. It was will relocate to RAF currency. This enables sorties from Waddington
years of service. As most recently involved in Lossiemouth, Moray, to them to undertake on September 2, 3,
previously reported, by Operation Shader against operate the Boeing E-7 delivery flights to new 16, 22, 28 and 30. The
that time, the aircraft had Daesh and worked in Wedgetail when it enters military operators, should September 28 flight
already ceased operations close support of the service (see page 9). a customer be found included a flypast over
– see AirForces Monthly UK Carrier Strike Group Since the last aircraft for these aircraft. One the retirement parade.

Qatari Hawks have Sixth RAF

Poseidon
landed at Leeming delivered
THE ROYAL Air Force
took delivery of its
sixth Poseidon MRA1
on September 21. The
aircraft, ZP806 (c/n
66106/8680, ex N665DS)
‘Guernsey’s Reply’,
callsign ‘Poseidon 1’,
touched down at RAF
Lossiemouth at around
0840hrs, following a
transatlantic ferry flight.
Only three more remain
to be delivered to
complete the order for
nine aircraft. The seventh,
ZP807/N665DS (c/n
66107/8719), first flew on
June 24, followed by the
Above: Qatar Emiri Air Force Hawk Mk 167 ZB131 departs from Warton, Lancashire for RAF Leeming, North Yorkshire, to join eighth, ZP808/N667DS
the new joint QEAF/RAF Hawk training squadron Derek Bower (c/n 66108/8757) on July
Two Qatar Emiri Air Force callsigns ‘Scarab 1’ and Due to the squadron’s simulator. All nine Hawks 22. The final example,
Hawk Mk 167s departed ‘Scarab 2.’ They will join arrival, RAF Leeming has ordered by the Qatar Emiri ZP809 (c/n 66109/8872),
BAE Systems facility the new UK-Qatar joint recently received long-term Air Force will be delivered took to the air for the first
at Warton Aerodrome, Hawk training squadron international investment to Leeming, where the time on September 15.
Lancashire, on September being formed at the base in refurbishment of the second pair is due to arrive All three of the remaining
1 for RAF Leeming, North under an agreement current facilities, as well as in November, followed by aircraft are expected
Yorkshire. The aircraft, announced on April 1 – brand-new infrastructure two more in March 2022 to be delivered to
ZB131 (QA01) and ZB133 see AirForces Monthly and training facilities, and the final three in late Lossiemouth before the
(QA03), arrived using June 2021 issue, page 9. including a Hawk training summer 2022. end of the year.

8 // November 2021 www.Key.Aero

 Subscribe to www.Key.Aero for breaking news stories.
Email the news team at [email protected]

Extremely rare visit to UK Second 737

arrives for
Wedgetail
by Saudi Boeing RE-3A conversion
by STS
A SECOND Boeing 737
has been delivered to the
UK for conversion to E-7A
Wedgetail AEW1 airborne
early warning and control
configuration for the Royal
Air Force. The second-
hand airframe, 2011-built
737-73W Boeing Business
Jet N947BC (c/n 40117,
ex 2-BASG, VP-BOP
and N449BJ), was ferried
from San Bernadino
Royal Saudi Air Force Boeing RE-3A TASS 1901 taxies out for departure from RAF Waddington, Lincolnshire, on October 1 International Airport,
Michael Hiley California, to Bangor
Recently, RAF Waddington The unique signals Texas. The aircraft was is the only one of its type International Airport,
in Lincolnshire welcomed intelligence (SIGINT) supported by RSAF in RSAF service. It was Maine, using callsign
a very rare visitor in the aircraft arrived direct from A330MRTT 2405, callsign converted from one of ‘BOE130’, on September
form of Royal Saudi Air Al Kharj Prince Sultan Air ‘RSF1078,’ painted in a the eight KE-3A tankers 14.
Force (RSAF) Boeing Base. After some delays special 89th anniversary operated by 23 Squadron It then continued
RE-3A Tactical Airborne due to issues with its flight scheme, which arrived with at Prince Sultan. A on September 16 to
Surveillance System (TASS) plan, the aircraft left for the it over the UK but landed similar RE-3B, which was Birmingham Airport in
– serial number 1901, US on October 1. at East Midlands Airport. converted from the US Air the UK, where Wedgetail
callsign ‘RSF1077’ – which It was en route to the US The RE-3A, based at Force’s YE-8B J-STARS conversion will be
landed at the base on for rework/upgrade by L3 Prince Sultan and operated prototype, is also in service undertaken by STS
September 30. at its facility in Greenville, by 6 Wing/19 Squadron, with 19 Squadron. Aviation Services. The
US civil registration was
Additional
Chinook US Army King Air heading cancelled on September
30 on transfer to UK
ownership.
contract
awarded
out for deployment As previously reported,
the first airframe for
conversion, 737-73W
BOEING WAS awarded N946BC (c/n 38633),
a $68,155,223 task order arrived at Birmingham on
by US Special Operations January 6. Its registration
Command, on September was cancelled on March
28, for design and 24 on transfer to the UK
manufacturer development Ministry of Defence.
and support efforts (Phase Boeing UK announced
2) for the UK Foreign on April 6 that the UK
Military Sale (FMS) H-47 Military Aviation Authority
Chinook Extended Range had given approval for
(ER) rotary wing aircraft. work on modification of
These helicopters are this first aircraft to begin
required to satisfy the – see AirForces Monthly
UK’s requirement for Above: King Air 200T N44U at Belfast International Airport on September 4, passing through for June 2021 issue, page 9.
heavy assault, rotary wing an overnight stop en route from Keflavik, Iceland, to Marseille, France. The aircraft is registered The Wedgetail is set
aircraft in accordance with to Dynamic Avlease – which has provided King Airs for US military operations for many years – to replace the recently
a Letter of Acceptance and its callsign of ‘Crook 23’ confirms it was being operated for the US Army Colin Gordon retired E-3D Sentry (see
approved on March 25. ‘Formal RAF E-3D Sentry
Most of the work will
be performed in Ridley
RAF re-forms 30 Sqn on A400M retirement’), but will not
enter service until 2023,
Park, Pennsylvania, and THE ROYAL Air Force 30 Squadron had been On December 8, 2016, leaving a capability gap
is due to be completed officially marked the synonymous with the the squadron was moved for the next two years.
in December 2026. This reformation of No 30 C-130 Hercules – having to an administrative Despite original plans to
follows an FMS contract Squadron as an Airbus operated the C-130K role, but has now been acquire five Wedgetails,
awarded to the US A400M Atlas C1 unit Hercules C1/C3 from resurrected as a flying it was announced in the
manufacturer on June 22 during a ceremony at RAF 1968 until the early 2000s, unit. It will share the Defence Command Paper
for 14 H-47(ER) Block II Brize Norton, Oxfordshire, at which point the unit pooled fleet of 20 RAF on March 22 that just
helicopters to modernise on September 28. For transitioned to the C-130J A400Ms. A further two three of the type will now
the RAF Chinook fleet. almost half a century, Hercules C4/C5. are yet to be delivered. be acquired.

www.Key.Aero November 2021 // 9

NEWS United Kingdom
USAF’s first
F-35A unit
in Europe
Commando IIs 13 Squadron
announced as
second RAF
activated at
Lakenheath
DURING A ceremony at
heading home Protector unit
DURING THE Defence
and Security Equipment
International (DSEI)
RAF Lakenheath, Suffolk, conference, Chief of the
on October 1, the US Air Staff ACM Sir Mike
Air Force activated its Wigston announced
first F-35A Lightning II on September 15 that
squadron in Europe, as the second Royal Air
part of the resident 48th Force Protector unit
Fighter Wing (FW). The will be 13 Squadron,
495th Fighter Squadron which is currently
(FS) ‘Valkyries’ was based at Waddington,
formally activated 30 operating the RAF’s
years to the day since its MQ-9A Reapers. The
original designation as a RAF is acquiring 16
fighter squadron. Protector RG1s, which
The first F-35A for will be based at RAF
the Valkyries is due to Waddington and will
arrive at Lakenheath in Above: US Air Force MC-130J Commando II 08-6206 (callsign ‘Reach 1032’) on approach to enter service from 2023.
RAF Mildenhall, Suffolk, on September 16. The aircraft arrived from somewhere ‘out East’ The Protectors will
December. The 495th
along with two others, 16-5862 ‘Reach 1030’ and 18-5910 ‘Reach 1034,’ all from the 9th
FS is set to be fully replace the RAF’s fleet of
Special Operations Squadron at Hurlburt Field, Florida. They left the following day to
mission capable in continue their journey home John Spencer seven Reapers.
2022, with a total of 27

Tartan Spirit triumph

aircraft. The squadron
had latterly operated the
F-111F ‘Aardvark’ – also
based at Lakenheath –
from 1977 until being
inactivated in 1991.
It was announced on
September 15, 2020, that
the 495th FS had been
selected as the first of
two squadrons to operate
the F-35A at Lakenheath.
As its previous nickname
of ‘Thundervarks’ referred
to the F-111, it was
decided to rename the
unit. After an invitation
for suggestions from the RAF C-130J-30 Hercules C4 ZH867, flown by a 24 Squadron crew, flies along the Scottish coast during Exercise Tartan Spirit
public, it was announced Josef Campion
on February 16 that the
ROYAL AIR Force Air RAF Regiment and 1 at 250ft, although some There was also further
name ‘Valkyries’ had
Mobility Command’s Air Mobility Wing set to flights were operated training for pilots who are
been selected out of
operational conversion work on September 25 to as low as 150ft. OCU qualified flight instructors
700 suggestions.
unit (OCU), No 24 secure and operate from students had to carry (QFIs) at the OCU, to
The 495th FS joins
Squadron, carried out both locations. out a wide range of other enable them to train
three other units within
training exercise Tartan Tactical Air Traffic Control missions both during students how to air-to-air
the 48th FW – the 492nd
Spirit from Glasgow- and Tactical Fire units set daylight and at night, refuel from 10 Squadron
FS ‘Madhatters’ and
Prestwick International up a Temporary Landing using night vision goggles. RAF Voyager tankers.
494th FS ‘Panthers’
Airport, Scotland, between Zone at West Freugh. This These included operations The A400M aircrew faced
(both with F-15E Strike
September 25 and October enabled Landing Zone such as dropping harness similar missions.
Eagles) and the 493rd FS
1. This saw two C-130Js and Drop Zone re-supply packs from the C-130J One of the major mission
‘Grim Reapers’ (F-15C/D
and one A400M deploy from C-130s, A400Ms at remote highland objectives – and most
Eagles). Although yet
there from their home and C-17s throughout drop zones in simulated certainly the reason for
to be confirmed, it is
station – RAF Brize Norton the exercise, which was contested territory, landing the A400M’s participation
believed the 493rd FS
in Oxfordshire. being treated as an agile at an austere or semi- in Exercise Tartan Spirit –
will be divested of its
Establishing Prestwick as basing scenario. prepared tactical landing was to prepare the A400M
F-15C/Ds to become the
a Forward Operating Base A primary objective of zone (TLZ), conducting force for its takeover as
second 48th FW F-35A
(FOB) and West Freugh Tartan Spirit was to train safe engine running the main tactical airlift
unit, giving Lakenheath
as an austere Deployed OCU students on the offload/onloads (ERO) of aircraft when the C-130J
two F-15E and two
Operating Base (DOB), C-130J for operational pax and freight and visual retires from RAF service
F-35A squadrons.
teams from II Squadron low-level mountain flying tactical formation flying. in 2023.

10 // November 2021 www.Key.Aero

 One body, two souls.

Scan code to learn more

The Aermacchi M-346 is the cost-effective, next-generation advanced and lead-in
fighter trainer, operationally-proven by major Air Forces, worldwide.
The M-346FA, the Fighter Attack variant, is the high performance Light Combat
Aircraft, equally suited to air-to-ground scenarios with precision-guided munitions
and air-to-air and tactical reconnaissance.
Inspired by the vision, curiosity and creativity of the great master inventor –
Leonardo is designing the technology of tomorrow.

leonardocompany.com

Helicopters | Aeronautics | Electronics, Defence & Security Systems | Space

NEWS Europe

Boeing Poseidons for

Germany given go-ahead
BOEING HAS been fixed-price-incentive-fee on the earlier deal. First the German Navy’s fleet in 2025. Germany is the
awarded a contract modification to a previous deliveries are scheduled of eight Lockheed P-3C eighth nation to have
for the production and contract was awarded to begin in 2024, while Orion aircraft, operated acquired the P-8A,
delivery of five Lot 12 to the US manufacturer work on the contract is by Nos 1 and 2 Staffels of joining the United States,
P-8A Poseidons for the by US Naval Air Systems expected to be completed Marinefliegergeschwader Australia, India, the United
German government. Command on September in February 2025. 3 at Nordholz. The Orions Kingdom, Norway, Korea
The US$756,634,580 27, an exercising of options The aircraft will replace are planned for retirement and New Zealand.

Power on for Portugal’s first KC-390

EMBRAER IS making painted in FAP colours training on the KC-390 Tropa (1st Troop Transport Portuguese aerospace
good progress with and markings, but still has since September 14 Group) ‘Esquadrão Zeus.’ company, OGMA,
manufacture of the first more work to be done with the Força Aérea On June 9, 2017, has been producing
Força Aérea Portuguesa before it is completed. Brasiliera’s (FAB, Brazilian Portugal announced components for the
(FAP, Portuguese Air The MAF team at Gavião Air Force’s) Ala 2 (Wing it would purchase five KC-390 since 2013 and
Force) KC-390 Millennium. Peixoto will monitor the 2) at Base Aerea de KC-390s with an option will ultimately become
The FAP announced on production and testing Anápolis, Brazil. Ala 2 is on a sixth to replace its the European
September 26 that the activities of all of the the first FAB unit to be C-130H Hercules fleet. maintenance centre
aircraft had achieved five aircraft ordered by equipped with the KC-390 The order for five was for the type. Embraer
‘power on’ for the first Portugal. During the and the training of FAP confirmed on July 11, has been a majority
time on the production coming months, it will personnel is being carried 2019, with formal contract shareholder in OGMA
line at Embraer's factory in scrutinise the production out by the Wing’s 1° signature following on since the company was
Gavião Peixoto, Brazil, on and preparation of the Grupo de Transporte de August 22, 2019. privatised in 2004.
September 21. aircraft for delivery with
The achievement a view to meeting all the
was closely monitored requirements established
by the FAP KC-390 for this weapons system.
programme’s Missão The initial production
de Acompanhamento stage is now completed
e Fiscalização (MAF, with powering up of the
Monitoring and first aircraft, accompanied
Inspection Mission), a by inspections of
multidisciplinary team several systems already
of Portuguese military installed, which precedes
personnel, composed of performance of the first
FAP crew, engineers and test flights.
maintenance technicians. In preparation for receipt
The first aircraft, serial of the first aircraft, a
Above: Brazilian and Portuguese personnel pose in front of Embraer KC-390 Millennium
number 26901, is FAP crew comprising 26901, which is on the production line in Gavião Peixoto, Brazil. On September 21 the
structurally complete two pilots and two aircraft achieved ‘power on’ for the first time. It is the first of five examples that are on
and has already been loadmasters has been order for the Força Aérea Portuguesa (Portuguese Air Force) FAP

RNLAF’s
20th F-35 is
700th delivery
overall
Left: Royal Netherlands
Air Force (RNLAF) F-35A
Lightning II F-020 (AN-20,
FMS/19-5523) arriving
at Leeuwarden Air Base
on September 29 after a
ferry flight from the Italian
production line at Cameri,
where it had made its maiden
flight on August 24. It was
the 20th RNLAF F-35A to
be delivered and the 12th
to arrive at Leeuwarden.
Significantly, it was also
the 700th F-35 production
delivery overall
Vliegbasis Leeuwarden

12 // November 2021 www.Key.Aero

 Subscribe to www.Key.Aero for breaking news stories.
Email the news team at [email protected]

Fourth Belgian US completes

first Turkish
KC-135R
A400M delivered upgrade
A TÜRK Hava Kuvvetleri
(THK, Turkish Air Force)
Boeing KC-135R
Stratotanker has recently
been returned to Turkey
after a Block 45 upgrade.
Completion of the work
was announced by the
US Air Force (USAF)
Life Cycle Management
Center on September 14.
The aircraft, serial
number 60-0325, the
first of the seven in THK
service to be modernised,
The fourth Airbus A400M Atlas for the binational Belgium-Luxembourg Air Transport unit, serial number CT-04, landing at was upgraded at the
Brussels/Melsbroek on September 23 after its delivery flight from the factory in Seville, Spain Belgian Air Force Field Aerospace facility
at Will Rogers World

Swidwin could be next Polish F-35 base

MANUFACTURING OF said it “will be Block 4 information from the Fitters’ retirement,
Airport in Oklahoma City,
Oklahoma. The Block
45 upgrade completely
the first F-35 for the with Technical Refresh Poland’s Ministry of personnel from Swidwin remodelled the inside
Polish Air Force will start 3 (TR-3) upgrade”. National Defence, the will be transferred to other of the aircraft’s flight
next year, according to J This comprises a new first squadron of Polish bases or will be trained to deck, with new liquid
R McDonald, Lockheed core processor, a radar F-35As will be based at operate F-35As. crystal displays, radio
Martin’s Vice President, upgrade and a new the 32nd Tactical Air Base The first batch of six altimeter, computer
Business Development cockpit display, as well in Łask, in the central Polish F-35As will be module updates, autopilot
Combat Air. Speaking as numerous software part of the country, where delivered in two years and a digital flight
at the 29th International improvements, including an F-16C/D Block 52 and these will probably director. These replaced
Defence Industry enhanced electronic unit is based. Officially, a be based initially at Luke approximately 63 older
Exhibition (MSPO) held warfare capabilities. location for the second AFB, Arizona, for training components, including
at Kielce in Poland on He said: “the majority, if F-35A unit has not been of 24 pilots and 90 analogue instruments
September 7-10, he also not all, 32 Polish F-35As chosen yet. maintainers, some of them that are considered high-
unintentionally revealed will be updated to Block Currently, Swidwin is up to instructor level, maintenance or obsolete.
that the most probable 4 and Poland will not home to one Polish Air from 2024/2025. Another The USAF has finished
location for the second pay any additional cost Force squadron equipped batch of aircraft would the Block 45 upgrade
Polish Air Force F-35A for that. There is no with 12 Su-22M4 and be delivered to Poland in on its KC-135s, resulting
squadron is the 21st reason to worry, because six Su-22UM3K Fitters. 2025-2026 for equipping in greater availability of
Tactical Air Base ‘Maj Polish F-35s will be According to Warsaw’s a squadron at Łask, which the aircraft. John Wilson,
Stefan Stec’ in Swidwin, manufactured in Lot 16 plans, Fitters should should declare Initial Block 45 programme
north-western Poland. and TR-3 is on track to remain in the Polish Air Operational Capability manager, said that it “has
Giving further details be deployed into Lot 15 Force inventory until in 2026. Full Operational saved us thousands of
of planned F-35 aircraft in 2023.” 2025. At present it is Capability is scheduled for [maintenance] hours a
improvements, McDonald According to official not clear whether, after 2030. Bartosz Głowacki year. Prior to Block 45,
our analogue autopilot

Second Czech C295MW averaged 500 flight hours

between failures.
“Now, we’re averaging

in service 49,000 flight hours

between failures.”
Before completing the
work, the USAF provided
Block 45 training for
four THK pilots, so they
would be fully qualified
to fly the newly modified
aircraft back to Turkey. A
second Turkish KC-135R,
57-2609, is currently
undergoing the new
modification, with the
Czech Air Force C295MW 0482 landing at Albacete Air Base, Spain, on September 16 during one of its first overseas transport
missions, having only been handed over on July 28. It was supporting deployment of Czech Gripens and L-159s for the remaining fleet expected
Tactical Leadership Programme flying course 2021-3. The C295MW was the second and final aircraft of two ordered to receive the update no
in December 2019, the first having been delivered to Kbely on May 18 Roberto Yáñez later than 2023.

www.Key.Aero November 2021 // 13

NEWS Europe

First Spanish Air Force

PC-21s delivered
SPAIN HAS taken delivery
of its first two Pilatus
Experimentation) and one
from the AGA.
PC-21s. The aircraft, The PC-21s will be
E.27-01/10239/HB-HWA operated by the Academy’s
(c/n 314) ‘792-01’ and newly formed 792
E.27-02/10240/HB-HWB Escuadrón, eventually
(c/n 315) ‘792-02’ (with replacing the Spanish-
delivery registrations taped built CASA-C101EB
over the codes), arrived Aviojets that have been
at Murcia-San Javier in used by Spain to train its
Spain on September 14 pilots since the 1980s.
to join the Ejercito del Once acceptance tests
Aire’s (EdA; Spanish Air had been completed by
Force) Academia General CLAEX and Pilatus at San The first Pilatus PC-21 for the Spanish AF, E.27-01, is shown here overflying the active
del Aire (AGA; General Air Javier, the two aircraft were runway on arrival at Murcia-San Javier on September 14 Roberto Yáñez
Academy) at the base. handed over to the EdA on callsign ‘Arpón-01’ were signed with Pilatus on after which 792 Escuadrón
The aircraft flew in from September 17. Captains David González January 30, 2020, with will be deactivated. The
the factory at Stans- At 1200hrs on September and Marcos Delgado all 24 due to be delivered PC-21s will then use the
Buochs, Switzerland, 28, the first local training from 792 Escuadrón, who by June 2022. Although long-used and familiar
via a brief fuel stop at sortie was flown with were airborne for a little initially operated by the 793 Escuadrón ‘Mirlo’
Perpignan, France. Pilatus one of the new PC-21s, over an hour. After initial temporarily activated 792 (Blackbird) callsign.
pilots flew in the back E.27-02. Although a instructor training, along Escuadrón – which is using
seats of the aircraft with considerable amount of with development of the the new ‘Arpón’ (Harpoon) Greece plans
Spanish pilots in the
front, one from the Centro
training had already been
carried out in Switzerland,
final operations manuals
and instruction and training
callsign – when the E.25
(CASA C-101EB is finally
to buy six
Logístico de Armamento this was the first flight with plans, student courses will retired in summer 2022, more Rafales
y Experimentación a purely Spanish crew and begin in 2022. the PC-21s will transfer DURING A speech on
(CLAEX; Logistics Centre no Pilatus instructor. At the A contract for 24 PC-21s to 793 Escuadrón, which September 11 at the 85th
for Armament and controls of the aircraft with for Spain had been currently flies the C-101EB, Thessaloniki International
Fair, Greek Prime Minister

Swedish Learjets return to

Kyriakos Mitsotakis
confirmed that a further six
Dassault Rafales are to be
purchased for the Hellenic

FMV with military serials Air Force (HAF) to add to

the 18 already on order. It
has yet to be confirmed
whether these will be
single- or two-seat types
or a mix of both variants.
The following day, French
Defence Minister Florence
Parly confirmed that
the Greek government
had agreed to buy the
additional aircraft.
Greece signed a
contract for the initial 18
Rafales on January 24,
buying 12 ex-French Air
Force aircraft and six
new-build examples (see
Above: One of the Swedish FMV Learjet 35As in its new military serial 35-075 (ex-SE-DHP) reels out a target drogue Björn Rüdén Athens buys French Air
BOTH OF the Learjet support role. As a result, serials are based on their Flygvapnet (Swedish Force Rafales, March,
35As owned by Sweden’s both aircraft, previously construction numbers. Air Force) roundels on p6). The first HAF aircraft,
Försvarets Materielverk operated with Swedish Although they are now the engine nacelles and an ex-French Air Force
(FMV; Defence Materiel civilian registrations as operating as military wings. Their operations two-seat Rafale B, was
Administration) have SE-DHO and SE-DHP, aircraft, they are not being will primarily be focused handed over on July 21
returned to operation by the have now been put on given a Swedish Air Force on electronic warfare (see Greeks welcome first
FMV after many years in the military register with type designation. Both and target towing for all of 18 Rafales, September,
use by Saab Special Flight serials 35-195 and 35-075, now carry their serials branches of the Swedish p7) but has remained in
Operations in the threat respectively. The military on the tail fin as well as military. Björn Rüdén France for crew training.

14 // November 2021 www.Key.Aero

 SAVING LIVES
PROTECTING HEROES

nhindustries.nh90 @NHIndustriesSAS NHIndustries

Hips in Europe

One of the Czech Air Force’s seven Mil Mi-171ShM SOATU (Special Operation Air Task Unit) helicopters,
which serve under both 221 and 222 Squadron at Námešt nad Oslavou. This example, serial 9767, was
one of the first to be modernised with a new ramp, as can be seen here, during a tactical demonstration
at the two-day Slovak International Air Fest (SIAF) at Malacky Air Base, Slovakia, on September 4

Hip hurrah! Alan Warnes recently caught up with an interesting array of

Russian-built Mil Mi-8/17 (NATO reporting name: Hip) helicopters
in Czech Republic and Slovakia

This Mil Mi-17 Hip-H, serial 0835, comes

into land in a confined area near Pardubice
Air Base, during a training sortie on August
11. The Czech Republic’s Centrum Leteckého
Výcviku (CLV, Centre for Flying Training)
operates five Mi-17s, most of which sport
Day-Glo paint on their nose and tail rotor
All images: Alan Warnes

16 // November 2021 www.Key.Aero

A VIP transport-configured Mil Mi-8S Hip-C (serial
0836) of the Czech Air Force’s 243 Squadron
lifts off from Kbely Air Base on September 9.
There are three examples in total, but it remains
unclear as to how many are airworthy and they
don’t fly regularly. A fourth aircraft, serial 0001, is
rotorless, but is often seen being towed around
the squadron area, probably for training purposes

Above:A Czech Mi-17 (serial 0834) from 243 Squadron comes into land on a crowded ramp at Kbely on
September 9. In late 2020, this helicopter was modified with a new Breeze-Eastern hoist
Below:This Slovak Air Force-operated Mi-17LPZS Hip-H (serial 0841) participated in the flypast for the
opening ceremony of the SIAF on September 5. It subsequently flew over the Malacky event, so that the
paratroopers aboard could jump out. Only a couple of these helicopters are thought to be airworthy with
the Slovak armed forces. Note the electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) turret under the aircraft’s nose

Members of the police force rappel to the ground

from this Slovak Government Flying Service Mi-17
(registration OM-BYH), during another tactical
demonstration at the SIAF on September 5. Note
the aircraft is equipped with a Nite Sun searchlight,
positioned under the nose

www.Key.Aero November 2021 // 17

NEWS North America

Rolls-Royce clinches
US$2.6bn B-52H contract
ROLLS-ROYCE has award contract under the the 1960s and is projected to develop the most cost- to be delivered by the end
emerged as the winner of B-52 Commercial Engine to be unsupportable efficient solution while of 2028, with the entire
the contest to re-engine Replacement Program beyond 2030. The B-52 reducing the time from fleet modified by 2035.
the US Air Force (USAF) (CERP) provides for original equipment concept to production. Work on the contract is
fleet of 76 Boeing B-52H 608 military-derivative manufacturer, Boeing, The new engines on expected to be completed
Stratofortress, beating commercial engines, plus will be responsible for the B-52Hs are expected by September 23, 2038.
off competition from spare engines, associated integrating the engines to remain on the aircraft Competing offers had
GE Aviation and Pratt & support equipment and onto the aircraft. The through to at least 2050. come from GE Aviation
Whitney. On September commercial engineering USAF plans to finalise They will increase fuel with two alternative
24, the USAF Life Cycle data, including integration activities and efficiency and range, proposals (either the
Management Center sustainment activities, deliver the first lot of reduce emissions in CF34-10 or the Passport),
awarded Rolls-Royce to be used on the B-52H B-52H modified aircraft by unburned hydrocarbons and from P&W with the
Corporation of bomber fleet. An initial the end of 2028. and significantly reduce PW800. The winning
Indianapolis, Indiana, an US$5,464,452 in fiscal The upgrade also maintenance costs. Rolls-Royce F130
estimated US$500,870,458 year 2021 research and updates the flight deck The first two fully powerplant is a military
indefinite-delivery/ development funds was area, struts and nacelles. modified B-52s are derivative of the BR725
indefinite-quantity contract released at the time of the Using virtual digital projected to be delivered business jet engine. It
with a six-year base period contract award. prototyping, efforts are by the end of 2025, already powers some
for B-52 Replacement The Rolls-Royce F130 testing integration of the following which they will USAF aircraft, including
Engines. The potential total engine will replace the engines and other changes undergo ground and flight the Bombardier E-11A
value is US$2,604,329,361 Pratt & Whitney TF33- to the B-52 before doing testing. The first lot of Battlefield Airborne
if all options are exercised. PW-103, which has any physical modifications. operational B-52s with the Communications Node
The competitive single- powered the B-52 since This has allowed the USAF new engines is projected and Gulfstream C-37.

First US Army UH-72B delivery AFSOC developing

AIRBUS HELICOPTERS
has delivered the first
(model not specified at the
time) and 16 UH-72As,
463rd and final UH-72A
was delivered to the US
amphibious MC-130J
UH-72B Lakota utility
helicopter to the US Army
respectively. A modification
on March 3, 2020,
Army in September 2020.
Based on Airbus
capability
National Guard from provided further funding for Helicopters’ proven,
its production facility in the 15 UH-72s. commercial off-the-shelf
Columbus, Mississippi. The A further modification on (COTS) H145 family, the
company announced the July 23, 2020, confirmed UH-72B is the second
milestone on September 7, the order for 15 is for variant of the Lakota to
when the helicopter production UH-72 D-2 be delivered to the US
– serial number 72464 variants (UH-72Bs), with Army. It differs from the Above: An impression of a new twin float amphibious
(fiscal year unconfirmed) options on three more. first version, the UH-72A, modification to an MC-130J Commando II. Air Force Special
Operations Command and private sector partners are
– was delivered. Two of those options have by featuring various new
developing a Removable Amphibious Float Modification
The US Army had since been exercised. technologies that include (RAFM) for the MC-130J, allowing the aircraft to take-off and
awarded Airbus Helicopters The US Army plans to a five-bladed main rotor, land in water and conduct runway independent operations
a US$273,289,949 contract procure 479 Lakotas, a Fenestron shrouded tail AFSOC
on March 8, 2018, for 35 plus two National Guard- rotor and two Safran Arriel US AIR Force Special A task force of industry
UH-72As. Modifications funded examples, making 2E turboshaft engines. It Operations Command partners is closely
to the contract on March a total of 481. These is also equipped with the (AFSOC) is progressing collaborating with AFSOC
8, 2018, and March 22, comprise 463 UH-72As Airbus-designed Helionix long-standing plans to and AFRL-SDPE to
2018, covered 15 UH-72s and 18 UH-72Bs. The avionics suite. develop an amphibious bring the vision to life.
capability for the C-130J AFSOC states that a five-
Hercules. On September phase rapid prototyping
14, AFSOC said it was schedule will lead to an
working on an MC-130J operational capability
Commando II Amphibious demonstration in only 17
Capability (MAC) to months, while de-risking
improve the platform's the concept for a future
support of seaborne special potential MAC program
operations in partnership of record that could field
with the Air Force Research MAC for MC-130Js but
Laboratory's Strategic also potentially a similar
Development Planning amphibious capability for
The first US Army UH-72B, serial number 72464 (fiscal year unconfirmed), which Airbus and Experimentation other C-130 variants with
Helicopters announced delivery of on September 7 Airbus Helicopters (AFRL-SDPE) directorate only minor variations.

18 // November 2021 www.Key.Aero

 Subscribe to www.Key.Aero for breaking news stories.
Email the news team at [email protected]

Lockheed Martin unveils

new LMXT Strategic Tanker

An impression of the Lockheed Martin LMXT proposal for the USAF Bridge Tanker
programme refuelling an F-22A Raptor Lockheed Martin
LOCKHEED MARTIN has Programme was launched in the US with many domain operations node allocated it the KC-45A
revealed its new strategic by the US Air Force US suppliers. that connects the LMXT to designation. Although
tanker, the LMXT, which it (USAF) to source 140-160 Lockheed Martin says the larger battlespace. selected as the winner
plans to offer for the US new commercial that the LXMT is designed No stranger to US tanker on February 29, 2008,
Air Force Bridge Tanker derivative tanker aircraft to meet all USAF mission competitions, the A330 protests from Boeing
(KC-Y) requirement. from manufacturers to requirements, with an was first proposed to the eventually killed the
Unveiled by the company supplement its Boeing improved range and fuel USAF by Airbus in the competition in September,
on September 17, the KC-46A Pegasus fleet offload capacity, plus early 2000s, when Boeing 2008. In a third
LMXT is based on the from 2029 – see USAF a proven fly-by-wire won with the KC-767A, competition, on February
Airbus A330, which has releases Bridge Tanker boom refuelling system, but the programme 24, 2011, Boeing’s KC-46A
already been proved RFI, September, p10. already certified and ended in scandal and was was finally announced as
operationally in both boom Lockheed Martin is used by allies to refuel abandoned. When the the winner against a solo
and hose-and-drogue downplaying the fact USAF receiver aircraft in competition was restarted bid from EADS without a
refuelling operations as the that it is a European operations globally. The in the mid-2000s as the US partner, again offering
A330 Multi-Role Tanker design and promoting LMXT will also have an KC-X program, what was the KC-45A. Since then,
Transport (MRTT), having the aircraft as “built in open system architecture then EADS teamed with the KC-46A has been
been selected by 13 America by Americans for joint air domain command Northrop Grumman to plagued with problems,
operators worldwide. Americans,” emphasising and control (JADC2) offer the A330 MRTT as although most have been
The Bridge Tanker that it will be assembled system and a multi- the KC-30A, but the USAF progressively ironed out.

South Dakota ANG F-16 in smart heritage scheme

A US Air Force/South Sioux Falls Regional War Two-era Grumman and former US Marine post-war and establishing
Dakota Air National Airport, South Dakota. F4F Wildcat flown by Corps ace pilot Joe Foss, its 175th FS. It received
Guard (SDANG) F-16CM The heritage scheme South Dakota native, who was instrumental federal recognition on
Fighting Falcon from the represents the World Medal of Honor recipient in founding the SDANG September 20, 1946.
114th Fighter Wing’s Newly repainted South Dakota Air National Guard (SDANG) F-16CM 88-0485 after being rolled
175th Fighter Squadron out on September 9 from the ANG Paint Facility in Sioux City, Iowa, sporting its scheme to
(FS) ‘Lobos’ has been celebrate the SDANG’s 75th anniversary US ANG/Senior Master Sgt Vincent De Groot
painted in a stylish blue
and white colour scheme
to commemorate the
SDANG’s 75th anniversary.
The aircraft, serial
number 88-0485, was
painted at the ANG Paint
Facility in Sioux City,
Iowa, and rolled out on
September 9 before being
returned the same day to
the unit at Joe Foss Field
Air National Guard Station,

www.Key.Aero November 2021 // 19

NEWS North America

US Navy accepts first Sixteen

more F-35s
ordered for
production Block III USAF
USMC
and

Super Hornet
US NAVAL Air Systems
Command has awarded
Lockheed Martin a
contract for production
of 16 additional F-35
Lightning IIs. The
US$1,099,631,252
modification to a
previously awarded fixed-
price incentive (firm target)
advance acquisition
contract for Lot 15
aircraft was awarded on
September 24, covering
ten F-35As for the USAF
and six F-35Bs for the US
Marine Corps.
Contract completion is
anticipated in May 2026.
Fiscal year 2021 aircraft
procurement (Navy) funds
Above: The first new production Block III Super Hornet, F/A-18F 169973, departs St Louis-Lambert International Airport, of US$439,938,432 and
Missouri, on September 27 to join VX-23 at Naval Air Station (NAS) Patuxent River, Maryland Boeing/Eric Shindelbower aircraft procurement
THE US Navy has received service with an operational its paces. Bob David, communications, open (Air Force) funds of
the first of 78 contracted squadron. The next few the F/A-18 and EA-18G mission systems, US$659,692,820 are
new production Block Block III jets to leave the Program Office’s (PMA- advanced sensors that financing the acquisition.
III Boeing F/A-18E/F production line will head 265) Assistant Program can detect and target Later, on September
Super Hornets. The initial to VX-9 ‘Vampires’ at Manager for Test and adversaries from a wider 27, Lockheed Martin
example, two-seat F/A- Naval Air Weapons Station Evaluation, commented: radius and a 10,000-hour announced delivery of the
18F 169973, was formally (NAWS) China Lake, “The new aircraft has airframe, which is a 40% 700th production F-35 to
accepted on August 31 California, to start training successfully completed increase in service life Leeuwarden Air Base in
and departed Lambert for operational testing, Carrier Suitability Testing from previous Blocks. the Netherlands.
International Airport in St during which the aircraft and a comprehensive Boeing is contracted
Louis, Missouri, for Naval will undergo evaluation evaluation of the new to deliver two Block New USN
Air Station (NAS) Patuxent in scenarios that mimic Block III mission system III aircraft per month
River, Maryland, on operational missions. components is underway.” through the end of 2024.
helicopter
September 27. Since accepting delivery The Block III has a In addition to a new-build maritime strike
The jet will be operated of Block III test jets last reduced radar signature, production line, there squadron
from Pax River by Air Test summer, VX-23 and VX-31 advanced cockpit will also be two service Helicopter Maritime Strike
and Evaluation Squadron at NAWS China Lake have systems with a 10in life modification lines Squadron 50 (HSM-50)
23 (VX-23) 'Salty Dogs' for put the latest configuration x 19in touchscreen upgrading the existing ‘Valkyries’ was officially
testing purposes before of the multi-mission display, enhanced Block II Super Hornets to established at Naval Air
the latest variant enters strike fighter through networking for increased the Block III standard. Station Mayport, Virginia,
on October 1.

Osprey squadron HSM-50 will be fully

equipped with Sikorsky
MH-60R Seahawks to

deactivated
Right: CAG-BIRD MV-22B
provide expeditionary
aviation detachments in
support of littoral combat
Osprey 168679 ‘YX-13’ of ships and expeditionary
US Marine Corps/Marine independent deployers
Medium Tilt Rotor to meet global force
Squadron 166 (VMM-166)
‘Sea Elks’ taxies in at Marine management missions.
Corps Air Station Miramar, The Valkyries are
California, on October 1 expected to conduct
for the unit’s deactivation a formal inaugural
ceremony. VMM-166 is one
of three Osprey squadrons ceremony in the summer
being retired as part of of 2022. The squadron
the USMC’s Force Design will fall under the control
2030 plan to streamline the of Helicopter Maritime
service USMC/Cpl
Carlos Kealy Strike Wing Atlantic.

20 // November 2021 www.Key.Aero

NEWS Latin America Subscribe to www.Key.Aero for breaking news stories.
Email the news team at [email protected]

US donates MD530Fs to Argentina

seeks
Salvadorean Air Force funds for
new fighter
purchase
ARGENTINA HAS
designated US$664m
for the purchase of
new multi-role fighter
aircraft. The funding
was included a Public
Credit Operations
Authorization note in
the draft budget for
Fiscal Year 2022 that
was presented to the
National Congress on
September 15.
The finance request
Above: One of the newly delivered Salvadorean Air Force MD530Fs, still wearing its US State Department registration, N155DY includes US$20m for
US Chargé d’Affaires in El Salvador support infrastructure,
A BATCH of MD delivered to date, although implies that at least some Integrated Stabilisation including repair and
Helicopters MD530F there is some doubt about will not be new examples Mission in Mali) upgrading of runways.
Cayuse Warriors the overall planned total and with now new orders operations. They will Although the financing
helicopters has been of 12 that is officially announced, they could replace three of the FAS was stated to be for 12
donated to the Fuerza quoted. The donation all be second-hand MD500E Guardiancillo CAC JF-17 Thunders,
Aérea Salvadoreña (FAS includes logistical support airframes. helicopters that have the Ministry of Defence
– Salvadorean Air Force) equipment, spare parts It is planned to deploy been based at Gao, Mali, emphasised that no
by the US government. and pilot training. four of the MD530Fs to support MINUSMA final decision on a
Arrival of the first of An image released to Mali to operate in since 2015. One of the specific type has
these helicopters was of one of them shows support of Mission deployed MD500Es was been made and it is
announced by the US it to be N155DY (c/n multidimensionnelle damaged beyond repair in still in the technical-
Chargé d’Affaires in El 0156FF), which has been intégrée des Nations Unies a crash during MINUSMA economic and financial
Salvador, Jean Manes, on registered to the US pour la Stabilisation au operations on November evaluation stage of
August 27. State Department since Mali (MINUSMA – United 29, 2019 – see Attrition, five alternatives.
At least four have been November 23, 2009. This Nations Multidimensional January 2020, p89. Despite this qualifying
statement, the specific
mention of the JF-17
Colombia takes delivery of two ex-USAF C-130Hs in official documents
TWO EX-US Air Force initially handed over to de Transporte Aéreo 81’s the US Excess Defense strongly suggests this
(USAF) C-130H Hercules the FAC’s Comando Escuadrón de Transporte Articles programme. The is the preferred type to
were handed-over to the Aéreo de Mantenimiento 811 at El Dorado. This will first, FAC1016 (c/n 5014, meet the requirement.
Fuerza Aérea Colombiana (CAMAN – Air enable the FAC to retire ex USAF/83-0488), was Local reports say
(FAC – Colombian Air Maintenance Command), its sole C-130B, FAC1001. delivered in September the 12 JF-17s would
Force) during a formal which carried out heavy The new aircraft will be last year. The previous comprise ten single
donation ceremony in maintenance before the used for humanitarian USAF identities of the two seater Block IIIs and a
El Dorado, Bogotà, on aircraft entered service. aid operations, troop newly delivered examples pair of dual-seat JF-17B
September 21. This work was undertaken transport, national security are not yet known. Block IIIs, but there is
Admiral Craig Faller of by the Corporácion de la missions and support for still the possibility that
US Southern Command Industria Aeronáutica de fire control. an alternative could
participated in the Colombia SA (CIAC) at El This is the third be selected if a better
ceremony to transfer Dorado, Bogotà. recent FAC C-130H offer is put forward.
them directly from the They now join Grupo acquisition through Whatever happens, the
USAF to the FAC’s request for funding in
Comando Aéreo de the 2022 budget shows
Transporte Militar (CATAM) that Argentina is finally
as part of a scheme getting serious with
dubbed the ‘ramp-to- its plans to purchase
ramp’ programme. a new fighter, sooner
The aircraft, serial rather than later.
numbers FAC1017 and
FAC1018, had arrived in Left: New Colombian Air
the country on August 3 Force C-130H Hercules
(see Two ex-USAF C-130H FAC1017 and FAC1018 during
their hand-over ceremony
Hercules go to Colombia,
from the USAF on September
October, p21) but were 21 in Bogotà FAC

www.Key.Aero November 2021 // 21

NEWS Africa

India leases Dornier 228 Final Nigerian

A-29Bs
delivered
to Mauritius Coast Guard
AN OFFICIAL ceremony MSN4059, representing the National Police Force handover of the leased
ALL 12 Embraer A-29B
Super Tucano aircraft
ordered by the Nigerian
was conducted at the its construction number, undertakes all military Dornier. In addition, during Air Force (NAF) have
Maritime Air Squadron was previously operated by and security functions, a meeting between Indian now been delivered.
of the Mauritius National the Indian Navy with serial including operations by External Affairs minister S The second batch of
Coast Guard at Plaisance/ number IN231. the Coast Guard. Jaishankar and Mauritian six arrived at Kano Air
Sir Seewoosagur It has been presented on Next year, a brand-new Prime Minister Pravin Base on September
International Airport on a free-of-charge lease to PVD Dornier 228 will be Jugnauth in February this 29. These wore USAF
September 13 to hand the Mauritius Police Force delivered to Mauritius by year, a deal was signed serials 19-2035, 19-2037,
over a Passenger Variant by the Indian Navy to Hindustan Aeronautics on military equipment 19-2041, 19-2042,
Dornier (PVD) on lease support an increased air Ltd. This aircraft has been procurement. As part of 19-2043 and 19-2044
from the Indian Navy. The operations requirement. purchased through a Line the agreement, the Indian for the delivery flight,
Dornier 228-201, wearing With no real threat in the of Credit between India government will loan a but are allocated NAF
Mauritius Coast Guard region, Mauritius has no and Mauritius under an single Dhruv helicopter to serials NAF847, NAF849,
titles and marked as specific military force and agreement signed during the Coast Guard. NAF853, NAF854,
NAF855 and NAF856. All
six had departed from
Moody AFB, Georgia,
on September 15, using
callsigns ‘Raven 81’
and ‘Raven 91’, but the
journey was not without
problems. After leaving
Goose Bay, Canada,
on September 17, they
reached Keflavik, Iceland,
but were held up for a
week by bad weather.
On September 25,
The new Mauritius Coast Guard HAL Dornier 228-201, MSN4059, previously operated by the Indian Navy Indian MOD
four of them (19-2041,
19-2042, 19-2043 and

Ghana Air Force Mi-17Sh 19-2044) managed to

complete the next leg
to Glasgow-Prestwick

overhauled at LOM Praha Airport, Scotland, leaving

the following day for
Zaragoza, Spain.
They were supported
by Dornier 328-110
D-CAAN, operated by
328 Support Services,
a subsidiary of Sierra
Nevada Corp, which
supplied the A-29Bs after
assembly on Embraer
Defence and Security’s
US production line in
Jacksonville, Florida.
Meanwhile, the remaining
two were further delayed
at Keflavik by technical
problems. However, the
Dornier 328 left Prestwick
on September 26 to
return to Iceland and
escort the two stragglers,
which eventually left
Above: Ghana Air Force Mi-17Sh test flying on September 14 from the LOM Praha Helicopters facility at Kbely Alan Warnes Keflavik for Prestwick
KBELY-BASED LOM Praha December 2012, went handful of Mil maintenance Mi-17s. Two Mi-17s from on October 4. During a
Helicopters began test through a general overhaul, repair and overhaul North Macedonia should ceremony attended by
flying Ghana Air Force while another is being facilities in Europe. While arrive in late 2021 for US State Department
(GAF) Mi-17Sh GHF697 worked on by Helisota in the bulk of its work general overhaul. Last year officials in Abuja,
in early September. The Lithuania with the other two concentrates on Czech Air the facility worked on two Nigeria, on August 31,
helicopter, one of four likely to follow suit. Force Mi-24s and Mi-17s, Mi-17s from the Burkina the first six were
delivered to the GAF in LOM Praha is one of a it also maintains foreign Faso Air Force. inducted into service.

22 // November 2021 www.Key.Aero

NEWS Middle East Subscribe to www.Key.Aero for breaking news stories.
Email the news team at [email protected]

First Qatar Emiri Air Three more

Israeli F-35Is
delivered
Force PC-24 completed A FURTHER three
Israeli Air Force (IAF)
F-35I Adirs have been
delivered. They arrived
at Nevatim Air Base on
September 26. The new
aircraft are scheduled
to join 116 ‘Lions of the
South’ Squadron, which
is based at Nevatim.
The aircraft, which
had earlier stopped
off en route at Rota,
Spain, on September
24, comprised 945,
947 and 949. Arriving
with them at Rota
on that date was US
Air Force KC-10A
Extender 86-0035,
which had provided
tanker support for the
Above: The first Qatar Emiri Air Force Pilatus PC-24, QA397 (c/n 247), sitting outside the transatlantic ferry flight.
UAE Compass factory at Stans Airfield, Switzerland, on September 29 Stephan Widmer
PILATUS AIRCRAFT has September 29, complete fin flash was also applied
Including these latest
arrivals, the IAF has
Call squadron completed manufacture of and fully painted in to the tail. now taken delivery of
inactivated the first of two Qatar Emiri
Air Force (QEAF) PC-24
QEAF colours. It carried
‘QATAR EMIRI AIR
Pilatus had first revealed
the QEAF order on April
30 F-35Is. The first two
had arrived at Nevatim
AFTER ALMOST 20 Super Versatile jets. The FORCE’ titles in Arabic 22 in its Annual Report on December 12, 2016.
years in theatre, the first aircraft, QA397 (c/n and English under the 2020, although the A further 20 aircraft
US Air Force’s 41st 247), appeared outside cockpit windows, with the contract had been signed remain outstanding
Expeditionary Electronic the factory at Stans QEAF serial on the engine in November 2020 (see In from the current order
Combat Squadron (EECS) Airfield, Switzerland, on nacelles. A small QEAF Brief, August, p23). for 50 of the type.
was officially inactivated

Saudi Typhoon
on September 28 during
a ceremony at Al Dhafra IAI resumes
Air Base, United Arab
Emirates. During that
F-16 wing
production
special scheme
time, it had provided
continual electronic ISRAEL AIRCRAFT
combat support as Industries (IAI)
part of the 380th Air announced on
Expeditionary Wing in the September 2 that it
US Central Command has has resumed the
(CENTCOM) area of production of F-16 wings
responsibility. for Lockheed Martin,
The squadron, normally using the assembly line
based at Davis-Monthan established in the 1980s.
Air Force Base, Arizona, IAI recently reopened the
initially deployed with its production line following
EC-130H Compass Call increased worldwide
aircraft to Afghanistan demand for the F-16
following the 9/11 attacks Block 70/72. It will
in 2001 and since then produce F-16 wings
has executed 14,753 that will be shipped to
sorties totalling over the F-16 final assembly
90,000 hours of flight line in Greenville in
time in the CENTCOM South Carolina.
theatre alone. USAF The IAI production
Lt Col Joseph Clancy, centre also manufactures
commander of the 41st F-35 outer wing boxes
EECS, said: “To put that for Lockheed Martin,
into perspective, that’s Above: A Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF) Eurofighter Typhoon in an impressive special scheme along with T-38 wings
over ten years’ worth of flies at low level over Saudi Arabia on September 23. To celebrate the country’s 91st National for the US defence
flight time airborne.” Day, several RSAF Typhoons, Tornados and F-15C and F-15S Eagles have all been painted in
these black and green colours for display flights across the kingdom Saudi MOD establishment.

www.Key.Aero November 2021 // 23

NEWS Russia & CiS

Kazakhstan orders two A400Ms

AIRBUS DEFENCE and Kazakhstan is scheduled the Europrop International 100,000 flight hours in Apart from the
Space announced on to receive its first A400M (EPI) TP400-D6 operation, the A400M aircraft acquisition
September 1 that the in 2024. The deal marks turboprop engines. has proven its contract, at the same
Republic of Kazakhstan the first A400M order from Michael Schoellhorn, capabilities, reaching a time a memorandum
has placed an order a new export customer in CEO of Airbus Defence state of maturity.” of understanding was
for two A400M tactical 16 years, with Malaysia and Space, said: “The In Kazakh service, the signed for Kazakhstan to
transport aircraft. having been the last A400M will become A400M will be used to collaborate on providing
Kazakhstan will become nation to order the type in the cornerstone of support the country’s maintenance and overhaul
the ninth operator of the December 2005. Kazakhstan’s tactical military, humanitarian and services for Airbus.
type, joining Belgium, The order is welcome and strategic airlifting civilian airlift operations. The first element of
France, Germany, news for Airbus, as the operations. Airbus added that this deal will involve
Luxembourg, Malaysia, A400M has suffered “This new export “the A400M will enable creation of a local C295
Spain, Turkey and the UK. from various issues in contract brings the total Kazakhstan to quickly maintenance centre
The country also becomes recent years, including number of A400M orders respond to any mission by in the country. The
only the second export the discovery of cracks to 176 aircraft, a figure rapidly deploying game- Kazakhstan Air Defence
customer outside Europe. in the power gearbox and that we expect to increase changing capabilities Force operates an eight-
The contract includes aluminium alloy parts in the near future. over long distances and strong fleet of C295Ms,
maintenance and training of the aircraft’s centre “With more than 100 enabling effective access which entered operational
support services. fuselage, plus issues with aircraft delivered and to remote areas”. service in January 2013.

Turkmenistan M-346 deliveries under way

FOUR Leonardo M-346s by the State news have been training the light attack variants and in 2019, the contract was
have been delivered to the agency on August 1, Turkmen pilots in-country. two M-346FT advanced not disclosed until the
Turkmenistan Air Force showing the country’s The six jets on order, trainers, all with Grifo Italian Senate issued a
and Air Defence Force President Gurbanguly comprise four M-346FA M-346 radars. Ordered May 2020 export report.
to date. The latest pair Berdimuhamedov flying
passed through Bulgaria in the aircraft. The first
in late-August during their two comprised ‘01
delivery flight. In late July, Blue’ (Italian test serial
the first pair had arrived CSX55263) and ‘02 Blue’
in Turkmenistan, their (ex-CSX55264). The first
delivery being confirmed of these had made its
by video footage released maiden flight on May 28
– see ‘First M-346 for
Turkmenistan Turkmenistan?’ July, p7.
M-346s The Italian manufacturer
remains tight-lipped
Turkmen Italian test
serial serial about the deal, reportedly
‘01 Blue’ CSX55263
for six aircraft. Instructor
Pilots from civilian
‘02 Blue’ CSX55264
company Aeronautical
‘03 Blue’ MT55265
Consulting and Solutions The fourth of the M-346s for the Turkmenistan Air Force and Air Defence Force, carrying
‘04 Blue’ MT55266
(ACS) working for the temporary test serial MT55266, approaches to land at Turin-Caselle, Italy, during a test flight
‘05 Blue’ CSX55267 on August 13. It later gained Turkmenistan military serial ‘04 Blue’ and is thought to be one
International Flight
‘06 Blue’ CSX55268 Training School (IFTS), of the two delivered at the end of August

New Tu-160M2
in production
Left: A new production
Tupolev Tu-160M2 Blackjack
strategic bomber under
assembly in the Kazan
aircraft production plant on
August 27, during a visit by
Russian Defense Minister
Sergey Shoigu. A number of
incomplete airframes had
been stored at the factory
for many years and these
are now being completed
as part of a contract for ten
new Tu-160M2s awarded in
January 2018 by the Russian
government Press service of
the President of Tatarstan

24 // November 2021 www.Key.Aero

NEWS Asia Pacific Subscribe to www.Key.Aero for breaking news stories.
Email the news team at [email protected]

India
Japan’s two prototype approves
six A319s
XSH-60Ls handed over for AEW
conversion
DURING A meeting
of India’s Cabinet
Committee on Security
on September 8, approval
was given for six Airbus
A319 commercial airliners
to be converted into
airborne early warning
(AEW) platforms. The
aircraft will be second-
hand examples previously
operated by Air India.
The airframes will
be supplied to India’s
Defence Research
and Development
Above: The two Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force XSH-60L prototypes, 8501 and 8502, which were handed Organisation (DRDO),
over on September 28 before being sent to Atsugi for testing MHI which will convert them
MITSUBISHI HEAVY Aerospace Systems upgraded version of the July, p32. After initial to AEW configuration
Industries (MHI) has Manufacturing Co Ltd’s Japan Maritime Self- ATLA testing, they will for Indian Air Force (IAF)
handed over the two Komaki Minami production Defense Force’s (JMSDF’s) join the JMSDF’s 51 service. This presumably
prototype XSH-60Ls, facility in Nagoya. SH-60K Seahawk Kokutai at Atsugi for more means that previous
8501 and 8502, to the The following day, on maritime multi-mission advanced operational plans to mount an
Japanese Ministry of September 29, they were helicopter. The first XSH- testing. As the SH-60L, AEW radar on the
Defense’s Acquisition, flown to Atsugi, where they 60L had made its maiden the type will ultimately much larger Airbus A330
Technology and Logistics will be tested by ATLA. flight on May 12 – see replace all the SH-60Ks in for the IAF have now
Agency (ATLA) at Nagoya The XSH-60L is an Prototype XSH-60L flown, JMSDF service. been abandoned.

New Delhi finalises deal to

acquire 56 Airbus C295s
INDIA HAS formalised the delivery and maintenance two companies. Delivery be set up in India. It is By March 2019, the
acquisition of 56 Airbus of the complete lifecycle of the latter aircraft will expected that this facility proposed acquisition
C295s to replace its of the aircraft. A large be completed within will act as a regional MRO had been increased
ageing fleet of HAL/BAe number of detail parts, ten years of contract hub for various variants of to 62 aircraft with the
748M Subroto aircraft, sub-assemblies and signature, covering a C295 aircraft. addition of six C295s in
referred to locally as the major component six-year period, which The IAF becomes the maritime patrol aircraft
Avro after the company assemblies of aero will begin after the first 35th C295 operator (MPA) configuration
that originally designed structure are scheduled 16 have been delivered worldwide, with the for the Indian Coast
the type. to be manufactured in from Seville. programme reaching 278 Guard. However, official
The deal between Airbus the country. All the Indian Air aircraft, 200 of which are approval for the additional
Defence and Space Under the terms of Force (IAF) C295s will already in operation and six MPA-configured
and the Indian Ministry the contract, Airbus be handed over in have flown more than half C295s has not yet been
of Defence for the Avro will deliver the first 16 transport configuration a million flight hours. received, which is why
Replacement programme aircraft in ‘fly-away’ and equipped with an Options for the they are not yet included
was signed in New Delhi condition from its final indigenous electronic replacement of the in the deal.
on September 24. assembly line at Seville/ warfare suite. The Avros had been under On January 13, 2021,
It becomes the first San Pablo Airport, Spain, programme will involve consideration for many initial government
‘Make in India’ aerospace within four years of the development of years. Finally, on May approval was granted for
programme in the contract implementation. specialised infrastructure 13, 2015, approval was procurement of the 56
private sector, involving The remaining 40 will in the form of hangars, granted at a meeting C295s for the IAF.
the full development be manufactured and buildings, aprons of India’s Defence Later, at a meeting
of a complete military assembled by Tata and taxiways. Before Acquisition Council for the on September 8, 2021,
industrial ecosystem, Advanced Systems completion of deliveries, purchase of 56 C295s. the CCS gave the final
from manufacture to Ltd (TASL) in India as ‘D’ Level servicing facility In-country flight trials with go-ahead, which cleared
assembly, test and part of an industrial (MRO) for C295MW the C295 were completed the way for the deal to
qualification, through to partnership between the aircraft are scheduled to in August 2016. be concluded.

www.Key.Aero November 2021 // 25

NEWS Asia Pacific

Pakistan Navy inducts first

Lineage 1000 MPA
AN INDUCTION ceremony
was held at Pakistan
Naval Station Mehran,
Karachi, on September
2 for the Pakistan Navy’s
first modern long-range
maritime patrol twin-jet
aircraft, an Embraer ERJ-
190ECJ Lineage 1000. The
aircraft is the first of three
on order and in Pakistan
Navy service it will be
known as the Sea Sultan.
This first aircraft, a 2012-
built example acquired
second-hand from a
Chinese commercial
operator, does not yet
appear to have been
modified with its maritime Above: Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Muhammad Amjad Khan Niazi with the Commander Pakistan Fleet, Naval Aviation
patrol equipment and still officers and other officials pose in front of the new Lineage 1000 at its induction ceremony on September 2 Pakistan Navy
retains its previous civilian Navy markings (roundel The Pakistan Navy company will undertake which are operated by 28
colour scheme. It was behind the forward cabin said the aircraft “will the modifications. Squadron at PNS Mehran.
formerly registered B-3203 door and Pakistan fin be equipped with latest Ultimately, through follow- The official aircraft
(c/n 19000453) with China flash, but no serial) on weapons and sensors to on deals, the Pakistan documents were handed
Southern Airlines General May 27 this year at Lahore undertake maritime air Navy hopes to acquire up over to the commanding
Aviation and had arrived Allama Iqbal International operations”, but gave no to ten Sea Sultans. officer of 28 Squadron by
in Pakistan on December Airport – see Pakistan precise details. The type will replace Chief of the Naval Staff
10, 2020. It was first noted Navy’s first Lineage 1000, It has also yet to be the Pakistan Navy’s six Amjad Khan Niazi during
flying with basic Pakistan July, p7. officially confirmed which Lockheed P-3C Orions, the induction ceremony.

Indonesia’s initial Korean Black

C-130J-30 in production Hawks on HMS
Queen Elizabeth still in the early stages
of construction.
The TNI-AU has selected
the stretched C-130J-30
variant to meet its
requirements and placed
an order for five through
a Direct Commercial Sale.
The contract was signed
in late 2019 but has never
been made public. No
Above: TNI-AU Chief of Staff Air Chief Marshal Fadjar
Prasetyo standing beside the cockpit frame of the first delivery schedule has
C-130J-30 for Indonesia on the production line during his been announced.
visit to Marietta on September 7 TNI-AU The TNI-AU has been a
AFTER MUCH speculation to coincide with TNI-AU long-standing customer
over the last couple of Chief of Staff Air Marshal for the Hercules, having
years, it has finally been Fadjar Prasetyo’s visit first put the C-130B
confirmed that the Tentara to the production line variant into service in
Nasional Indonesia- in Marietta, Georgia, January 1960.
Angkatan Udara (TNI-AU, showed him signing the Three C-130Bs and
Indonesian Air Force) has cockpit section of the one KC-130B tanker
made an order for the first TNI-AU aircraft, remain in TNI-AU service
Lockheed Martin C-130J c/n 382-5951. today, along with 11 Above: Unusual visitors to the Royal Navy aircraft carrier
Super Hercules. At that point, the C-130Hs, seven C-130H- HMS Queen Elizabeth (R08) during a three-day Defence
Images released by the cockpit was only a basic 30s and four commercial Engagement in the Sea of Japan at the beginning of
September were these two Republic of Korea Navy UH-60P
TNI-AU on September 7 frame as the aircraft is L-100-30 variants. Black Hawks from Busan Naval Base MOD Crown Copyright

26 // November 2021 www.Key.Aero

NEWS Australasia Subscribe to www.Key.Aero for breaking news stories.
Email the news team at [email protected]

Australia
RNZAF’s first P-3K2 seeks
replacement

Orion retirement EA-18G

US STATE Department
approval has been
granted for the possible
Foreign Military Sale of
a single US Navy (USN)
EA-18G Growler to
Australia. The proposed
deal has an estimated
value of US$125m.
The EA-18G, taken from
USN Lot 38 production
or later, will be modified
into the Royal Australian
Air Force (RAAF) EA-18G
aircraft configuration
before delivery. It will
act as an attrition
replacement for A46-311,
damaged beyond repair
Above: Royal New Zealand Air Force P-3K2 Orion NZ4203 departs from RNZAF Base Auckland (Whenuapai), on the country’s in an engine fire in 2018.
North Island, for the final time in its 55-year service with the force, on September 24 RNZAF The sale would include
AFTER 55 years of RNZAF Base Woodbourne, more than 27,000 flying aircraft are operated by 5 a range of services
service, Royal New where it will be dismantled. hours in worldwide Squadron at Whenuapai. from engineering and
Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) This was the first of the operations supporting The Orions will be modification, flight
P-3K2 Orion NZ4203 fleet of six RNZAF Orions RNZAF deployments and replaced by four Boeing tests, maintenance
made its final flight on to be retired. exercises. P-8A Poseidons, for which and storage, technical
September 24. It flew The aircraft had been Another of the Boeing was awarded a assistance and support.
out of RNZAF Base delivered to the RNZAF in type, NZ4201, has production contract on The purchase will bring
Auckland (Whenuapai) at January 1967 and by the been earmarked for March 30, 2020. The first the RAAF Growler
approximately 1040hrs time of its withdrawal from preservation in the RNZAF RNZAF Poseidon is due fleet back up to its full
local time and headed for service had completed Museum at Wigram. The for delivery in 2022. strength of 12 aircraft.

RAAF Poseidon fleet modifications completed Boeing to

AUSTRALIA’S
DEPARTMENT of Defence
extensive modifications
over a period of 12 months
which includes supporting
elements from Boeing
technical upgrades that
lie ahead. This tranche
build Loyal
announced on September to support future upgrades. Defence Australia, Airbus of modifications included Wingman in
15 that a significant
capability milestone has
The event was marked with
the finalisation of works on
Australia Pacific, No 92
Wing and the Surveillance
wiring upgrades to
expand and enhance the Queensland
been achieved for Royal P-8A A47-006 on July 28 and Response Systems mission systems fitted to BOEING, IN partnership
Australian Air Force's at RAAF Base Edinburgh, Program Office. the aircraft and improve with the Queensland
(RAAF) P-8A Poseidon South Australia. Officer Commanding No interoperability, as well government, announced it
platform with completion The works were 92 Wing Group Captain as networking for air-to- has selected Toowoomba
of a major modification carried out by Boeing in John Grime said: “The air, air-to-ship and air-to- as the preferred site
programme. The RAAF partnership with personnel P-8A fleet is now future- ground communications in for the company’s first
P-8A fleet underwent from the P-8A Enterprise, proofed and ready for the support of the joint force.” aircraft assembly facility
of its kind outside of

Thai Super Lynx on HMAS Canberra North America.

Boeing Australia will
establish the purpose-
built final assembly
facility in the Wellcamp
Aerospace and
Defence Precinct at
Wellcamp Airport to
produce and assemble
the Boeing Airpower
Teaming System (Loyal
Wingman), the first
military combat aircraft
designed, developed and
manufactured in Australia
Above: Royal Thai Navy Super Lynx Mk 110 2314 from 203 Squadron at U-Tapao undertakes deck landing qualifications in half a century. Its first
on the Royal Australian Navy Canberra-class landing helicopter dock ship HMAS Canberra (L 02) as part of Exercise
Indo-Pacific Endeavour 21 on September 7 Commonwealth of Australia/POIS Christopher Szumlanski flight was in February.

www.Key.Aero November 2021 // 27

 R Y ns!
IL VEcripti
o
DE bs
E nt su
E
FRall pri
on

FREE GIFT*
Military Aircraft Markings 2021 Book
when you subscribe for 2 years
or by easy Direct Debit RRP
£11.95

USA CUSTOMER?
Visit imsnews.com/afm
Print, digital and bundle subscriptions: Quoted rates
key.aero/
OR CALL: +44(0)
re for UK subscriptions paying by Direct Debit.
Quoted savings based on those rates versus
purchasing individual products. Standard one-year
print subscription prices: UK - £50.99, EU - £59.99,
USA - £62.99, ROW - £65.99
*Free gifts available to UK customers only Your customer code: AFM1121
SAVE 45% UP
TO
Choose your 12-month subscription offer:
PRINT DIGITAL PRINT + DIGITAL
From £44.99 £34.99 From £54.99
by Direct Debit (saving 40%) (saving 45%)
(saving 30%)

FREE G FREE G
AVAILABIFT AVAILABIFT
LE* LE*

WHY SUBSCRIBE?
•FREE delivery to your door
•SAVE on the cover price H ave you v
w w isited
•NEVER miss an issue w.key.ae
Your onlin
ro?
•Exclusive DISCOUNT e home
for aviatio
n
offers for subscribers

airforces-monthly
Lines open

1780 480404 Monday-Friday;

9am-5.30pm
GMT

Offer closes 31 December 2021 416/21

Leaving Afghanistan

F
or two weeks this summer, the world
was transfixed by the humanitarian crisis
in and around Kabul’s Hamid Karzai
International Airport, as more than 120,000
refugees were flown out of Afghanistan’s
capital city.
There were harrowing scenes of desperate
Afghans overrunning the airport’s sole runway
and hanging onto the wheel wells of US Air
Force (USAF) Boeing C-17A Globemaster III
heavy-lift strategic transports as they took off.
In the aftermath of the US-led Operation
Allies Refuge – which concluded in the final
minutes of August 30 – much information has
come to light on how global air forces joined
USAF Boeing B-52H Stratofortress long-
together to conduct the largest non-combatant range strategic heavy bombers loaded with
evacuation operation (NEO) since the Lebanon dozens of highly accurate JDAMs circled
conflict in 2006. near Kabul, ready to provide close air support
for US and allied troops at the Hamid Karzai
International Airport, if needed US CENTCOM
Securing Kabul
Early in July, the US and its allies closed down Hamid Karzai International Airport, as well as departure of the final Americans. US President
NATO’s Operation Resolute Support mission, the US Embassy’s compound in the centre Joe Biden subsequently issued orders for
which had been providing training and advice of Kabul. This included an aviation task force US troops, contractors and the bulk of the
to Afghan military and police forces since 2015. from the 82nd Airborne Division with a dozen embassy staff to leave Afghanistan by August
The most high-profile symbol of this was the helicopters, comprising Boeing AH-64E 31 – in time to meet his symbolic target to end
night-time evacuation of Bagram Air Base (AB) Apache Guardians, Boeing CH-47F Chinooks the nation’s involvement in the central Asian
– the main US base of operations in the country and Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawks. country by September 11.
since the invasion of Afghanistan in late 2001. This grouping of troops was known as US But tens of thousands of foreign nationals,
British and other NATO troops held a series Forces Afghanistan Forward (USFAF) and aid workers and former employees of US and
of parades around Afghanistan to highlight placed under the command of US Navy Rear NATO forces still remained in Afghanistan, and
the end of their involvement in the conflict Admiral Peter Vasely, who had previously few had even started packing to leave or had
and, by July 4, only a battalion of 600 soldiers commanded US Special Operations Forces secured the necessary visas to travel out of
from the US Army’s 10th Mountain Division (USSOF) in the country. the country.
and some other specialist units remained in Some 500 Turkish troops also remain at the The neat withdrawal plan looked good in
the country to secure the military side of the airport to manage its security following the Washington DC and in other NATO capitals,

Afghanista Tim Ripley

pley investigates the evacuation operation
from Kabul and explores its implications
for British and American airpower

30 // November 2021 www.Key.Aero

 but it was assumed that Taliban insurgents without requiring massive air-to-air refuelling was associated with aircraft that flew the CIA
could be held at bay by the Afghan military. support. To bolster the B-52s, US Air Force on covert missions around southeast Asia.
This proved to be a fatal miscalculation. Special Operations Command (AFSOC) One of the CH-46s was even reported to have
Afghan soldiers saw the US troops leaving also relocated Lockheed Martin AC-130J participated in the evacuation of Saigon in
and started to vote with their feet. Desertion Ghostrider and AC-130W Stinger II fixed-wing 1975, before being sold to the private military
numbers sky-rocketed and Afghan gunships to Al Dhafra AB in the United Arab contractor by the US Marine Corps (USMC) for
commanders started negotiating local truces Emirates from Kuwait, boosting their ability to the Kabul contract.
with the Taliban. By the end of July, more than operate effectively over Afghanistan. The Mi-171s were registered to a company
half of the county had fallen to the Taliban. A launch and recovery element (LRE) for called Red Air Transport LL – based in
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Boulder, Colorado – under a contract that is
The Taliban advance (GA-ASI) MQ-9A Reaper remotely piloted believed to be with the CIA’s Kabul Station.
Throughout July, the Taliban continued its aircraft systems (RPAS) had already been US air support for the Afghan military did not
relentless advance across Afghanistan. President set up at Al Dhafra and they were soon fitted end up turning the tide against the Taliban’s
Biden relented and ordered the US military with extended range fuel tanks to enhance rapid advance. There was only a handful of
to execute a series of airstrikes to bolster the their endurance, enabling them to support air USSOF and CIA teams available and they
beleaguered Afghan forces. RADM Vasely’s operations over Afghanistan. could not stay with Afghan units for prolonged
remaining USSOF teams and Central Intelligence USAF Lt Gen Gregory Guillot, the Air periods to give them the continuous air
Agency (CIA) operatives co-ordinated these Component Commander for US Air Force support they needed.
strikes via their contacts in the Afghan military Central Command (AFCENT), directed this The Taliban offensive was now surging across
because US and NATO forward air controllers air support mission from the Combined Air the country and the US effort just could not
could no longer visit the front lines to guide Operations Center (CAOC) at Al Udeid AB in fill the holes in the collapsing Afghan military.
coalition strike aircraft to their targets. Qatar. To try to link up with the remaining It was clear there would be no repeat of the
These sporadic missions were carried out Afghan commanders and gain some ground 2001 victories.
by the USAF’s high-flying Boeing B-52H truth of what was happening on the battlefield,
Stratofortress long-range strategic heavy USSOF and CIA teams made forays from the New plan needed
bombers, operating in a close air support Hamid Karzai International Airport. In doing Fast-forward to August 11, when RADM Vasely
role using satellite-guided Joint Direct Attack so, they made use of the agency’s ‘private and his command team in Kabul reported
Munitions (JDAMs). This was a reprise of the air force’ of leased Mil Mi-171 Hip tactical that there was a growing threat to the Afghan
2001 strikes, when B-52s used JDAMs to hit transport helicopters and the US State capital to Gen Ken McKenzie, the head of
targets in the place of fast-jets. Department’s Boeing Vertol CH-46E Sea US Central Command (CENTCOM). It was
The huge distances from US air bases in the Knight rotorcraft. indicated that there were increasing threats
Gulf or aircraft carriers in the Northern Arabian The latter were operated by the US-based to the city and that enhanced security was
Sea meant that the Stratofortress was one of DynCorp company and were known around needed to keep the airport open, so that the
the few USAF assets that had the endurance Kabul as ‘Embassy Air’ – a throwback to the evacuation of the remaining embassy staff
to effectively intervene over Afghanistan, Vietnam War-era name ‘Air America’, which members, US passport holders and other

an’s exodus
A tactical analysis
Refugees patiently wait to board a USAF-operated Boeing C-17A
Globemaster III at the Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul,
Afghanistan, on August 23, 2021 USMC/Sgt Isaiah Campbell

www.Key.Aero November 2021 // 31

Leaving Afghanistan

Above: US CENTCOM chief, Gen Ken McKenzie, is greeted by USSOF commander, RADM Pete Vasely
(wearing his helmet and armed with an M4 Carbine) during the former’s visit to the Hamid Karzai International
Airport at the height of the evacuation effort US CENTCOM Right: Paratroopers assigned to the 82nd Airborne
Division flew directly from their home base at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, to Kabul in C-17As that were
refuelled in the air. This put boots on the ground in the Afghan capital within a matter of hours USAF

permitted civilians could be completed by the location in the State Department’s aviation Taliban. Just hours after the Afghan leaders
August 31 deadline. The following morning, complex at the airport. Within minutes, the had made their escape, thousands of people
President Biden signed off the plan, which embassies of the UK and other NATO nations began swarming into the civilian side of
involved the deployment of three more battalions followed suit. the airport in a bid to get on any aircraft
to the Hamid Karzai International Airport, where This set in motion the helicopter airlift effort they could.
they would establish a security ring. from the Green Zone compound in downtown Once inside the installation, they soon made
In London, the UK government came to a Kabul to the Hamid Karzai International Airport, their way onto the main runway, preventing
similar conclusion and dispatched 600 troops which was filmed live by the international news any aircraft from taking off or landing.
from 16 Air Assault Brigade to set up an media. The 82nd Airborne Division’s Chinooks USMC air traffic controllers took over the
evacuation processing centre at the airport. and Black Hawks – backed up by the State airport tower and shut down all civil air
At this stage of the crisis, both the UK and US Department’s CH-46Es and CIA’s Mi-171s operations. The 10th Mountain Division
governments were still banking on both Kabul – began shuttling several hundred embassy – alongside Turkish and British troops – were
and the airport remaining in the hands of the personnel to the airport. sent over to try to clear the runway, but not
Afghan military. They were planning for a steady Hundreds of Americans – including CIA before hundreds of refugees had made their
stream of civilian charter and scheduled aircraft operatives, aid workers and contractors way on board at least one USAF C-17A.
to bring the vulnerable civilians to safer pastures. – were also airlifted from other locations When dawn broke, the Afghan civilians were
The first USMC battalion arrived on C-17As around Kabul, as traffic jams caused by still inside the airport and, more ominously,
from its forward operating base (FOB) in Kuwait panicked Afghans prevented many evacuees armed Taliban fighters had set up checkpoints
on August 13. An advance guard of British from reaching the airport by road. around its perimeter.
troops followed the same day. It was planned During the morning of August 15, the first A new plan was now required.
that the first civilians – including NATO-affiliated Taliban fighters were spotted inside Kabul,
Afghan interpreters and their families – would prompting the now former Afghan President Airlift exit
start flying out early the following week. Ashraf Ghani and other senior government Amid the mayhem at the Hamid Karzai
This all changed in the evening of August leaders to flee to the airport. More than 40 International Airport, Gen McKenzie at
14, when the US Ambassador to Afghanistan, Afghan Air Force aircraft took off during the day, CENTCOM and Gen Guillot at the CAOC were
Ross Wilson, and RADM Vasely learned that seeking safety in neighbouring Uzbekistan. One mobilising their staff to come up with a new
Taliban fighters were amassing on the outskirts Mi-17 and two UH-60 Black Hawks flew several plan to get tens of thousands out of Kabul.
of Kabul. They ordered the evacuation of the Afghan leaders to the Panjshir valley – north RADM Vasely was ordered to reach out to
US Embassy, relocating its staff to a temporary of Kabul – to set up a hub of resistance to the the Taliban to find out if they would let the
Below: CIA security operatives move to board an evacuation aircraft at the Hamid Karzai International
Airport. The shadowy CIA Special Activities Division had a strong presence in Kabul USAF

32 // November 2021 www.Key.Aero

US and its allies continue to evacuate their the airlift, the US was not taking any chances. Regiment (SOAR), which stood alert to
people through the airport. Much to everyone’s For the duration of the operation, at least one scramble inside the security perimeter.
surprise, the Taliban said they would give B-52H and two AC-130J/Ws were always In case any coalition airlift assets got into
the Americans until the end of the month to orbiting near Kabul – ready to respond to calls trouble, a contingent of US aircraft were
complete the operation. for help, if needed. Reapers also circled over dispatched to Nur Khan AB in Pakistan to set
It was now down to Gen Guillot to mobilise the airport, broadcasting video imagery of the up a combat search and rescue (CSAR) task
dozens of C-17As and Lockheed Martin situation around the tense perimeter to US force. From the Pakistani base, these CSAR
C-130J Super Hercules tactical transports to combatant commanders on the ground at the platforms were ready to launch into Afghanistan
begin airlifting several thousand people out AFCENT and CENTCOM headquarters. to recover any allied aircrew lost in the country.
of Kabul per day. A formation of Globemaster In the final hours of the evacuation, the Open-source aircraft transponder tracking
IIIs flew direct from the US, with air-to-air MQ-9As engaged a car suspected of carrying detected one USAF Lockheed Martin HC-130J
refuelling support, to deliver three battalions of suicide bombers and another vehicle – fitted Combat King II rescue command post/tanker-
paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne Division with a rocket launcher – that was located near transport aircraft – serial 10-5717, callsign
to Kabul, without landing at a staging area. the airport. An added layer of protection was ‘FEVER 11’ – departing from Nur Khan on
These aircraft then flew to US bases in Kuwait, provided by daily Boeing RC-135V/W Rivet August 31. This aircraft is assigned to the 79th
Qatar and the UAE to start shuttling into Kabul Joint signals/electronic intelligence (SIGINT/ Rescue Squadron at Davis-Monthan Air Force
to pick up evacuees. ELINT) surveillance aircraft to monitor the Base (AFB) in Arizona.
Other allies – including Australia, Canada, communications of the Taliban and other The USAF flew its final C-17A sortie out
Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, insurgent groups (see Ears in the Sky, p86-91). of Kabul on August 30. The same day, two
Italy, Poland and the UK – also sent aircraft US Navy Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornets Globemaster IIIs – callsigns ‘MOOSE 43’ and
to join the airlift effort. The RAF surged its from the USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) also ‘MOOSE 44’ – visited Nur Khan, presumably
aircraft in range of Afghanistan. By the time the flew a number of ‘force demonstration’ sorties to airlift out personnel and equipment used by
operation had reached its peak, the service had over Kabul to show that US combat airpower the CSAR task force. Another HC-130J was
committed four C-17As, four Airbus A400M was still an option, if needed. The last line of tracked landing at Nur Khan on August 29, after
Atlas C1 heavy-lift tactical transports and three defence for the Hamid Karzai International completing a mission to Kabul. It remains unclear
C-130J Hercules C4/C5 aircraft to the effort. Airport was provided by the 82nd Airborne if Bell Boeing CV-22B/MV-22B Osprey tiltrotors
Gen Guillot and his air mobility planners in Division AH-64Es and four MD Helicopters or Sikorsky HH-60H Rescue Hawk helicopters
the CAOC issued an air tasking order to the A/MH-6M Little Bird light attack helicopters completed the CSAR package in Pakistan. Other
participating air forces every day, allocating them from the 160th Special Operations Aviation AFSOC aircraft that were tracked participating
landing slots at the airport. To keep these aircraft
flowing into Kabul, AFCENT launched an around-
the-clock support operation over Afghanistan.
Much of this activity could be followed on open-
source transponder tracking websites.
Each day, a USAF-operated Boeing E-3
Sentry airborne warning and control (AWAC)
system was airborne over Kabul to choreograph
the airlift mission. It was supported by a
Bombardier E-11A Battlefield Airborne
Communications Node (BACN) to create a wide
area communications network that linked the air
and ground components of the operation.
To reduce the time spent on the ground by
USAF C-17As, Boeing KC-135 Stratotankers
and McDonnell Douglas KC-10A Extenders
were on hand, flying orbits near Kabul to refuel Extended range tanks allowed USAF-operated MQ-9A Reapers to orbit over Kabul throughout the
the airlifters after they had departed the airport. evacuation. These tanks extended the platform’s endurance to 37 hours and allowed them to launch
While the Taliban promised not to interfere with from Al Dhafra AB in the UAE USAF/Senior Airman Helena Owens

www.Key.Aero November 2021 // 33

Leaving Afghanistan

in Operation Allies Refuge included MC-130H

Combat Talon II and MC-130J Commando II
tanker-transports, which flew regular missions
into Kabul as part of the evacuation. Pilatus
U-28A Draco utility aircraft were also seen at the
Hamid Karzai International Airport on a number
of occasions during the evacuation.
As the airlift operation reached its peak, the
US command and control (C2) structure inside
the airport was frustrated by crowds of civilians
blocking access. On at least three occasions, the
82nd Airborne Division’s Chinooks flew daring
missions around the city to pick up refugees.
The CIA’s Mi-171 were also filmed taking off
several times by the news media and heading
away from the airport – most likely to pick up
more refugees. More rescues were conducted
by German special forces after two Airbus
Helicopters H145M utility helicopters operated
by the Helicopter Wing 64 were transported
to Kabul by Luftwaffe (German Air Force)
A400Ms.

Mission accomplished?
Operation Allies Refuge has been dubbed
the largest humanitarian airlift effort since the
Berlin Airlift in 1948. The crews of US and
coalition transport aircraft have gained well-
earned credit for pushing themselves and their
airlifters to the limit to extract 124,334 people
out of Kabul in 778 sorties.
In the aftermath of the crisis, it has emerged
that the US and its allies launched a complex
air operation to ensure the success and safety
of the mission.
Crucial C2 assets were put in place to
co-ordinate the airlift following the collapse of
the civil air traffic control organisation at the
Hamid Karzai International Airport. Air-to-air
refuelling gave the US an ability to project its Above: Four CH-46E Sea Knights (one seen lifting off) contracted by the US State Department played a
airpower over Kabul to protect its troops on central role in the evacuation of the US Embassy compound in downtown Kabul. Known as ‘Embassy Air’,
the ground for the duration of the operation. they served as the modern equivalent to the Vietnam War-era ‘Air America’ USAF (@yarotrof via Twitter)
The overall effort was protected with a full Below: British Globemaster IIIs bore the brunt of the UK’s evacuation effort, flying more than 100 sorties
into Afghanistan during Operation Pitting. In one sortie, an RAF C-17A carried 439 passengers out of
spectrum of offensive air support, surveillance Kabul on a single flight MOD Crown Copyright
and intelligence-gathering assets. However,

‘An RAF-operated C-17A missed a bus carrying civilians – which

had inadvertently driven on to the airport’s runway – by 10ft,
averting a potentially disastrous crash’

34 // November 2021 www.Key.Aero

 Left: A US Navy-operated Boeing F/A-18E Super
Hornet assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron 27
(VFA-27) ‘Royal Maces’ launches from the flight
deck of the USS ‘Ronald Reagan’ (CVN-76) for
a sortie over the Arabian Sea on August 26,
2021. Super Hornets from this aircraft carrier
were used to provide top cover and conduct
demonstrations of force during the evacuation
effort US Navy/Mass Communication Specialist 3rd
Class Gray Gibson
Below: Two German H145M utility helicopters
were airlifted to Kabul by a Luftwaffe Airbus
A400M Atlas and were used to extract refugees
from outside the airport
Bundeswehr (@BMVg_Bundeswehr via Twitter)

on August 26 a suicide bomb attack on the

airport’s perimeter killed 170 people, including
13 US service personnel, and injured a further
150. Despite this dreadful event, not one
aircraft or passenger was lost to accidents or
hostile fire. That being said, an RAF-operated
C-17A missed a bus carrying civilians – which
had inadvertently driven onto the airport’s
runway – by 10ft, averting a potentially
disastrous crash.
In a matter of days and under intense pressure,
US and allied air commanders pulled together
a complex airlift operation in a demanding and
dynamic environment.
While those involved in the effort can be proud
of their actions, the August mission marked the
end of NATO’s presence in Afghanistan after two
decades.
However, when commenting on the
evacuation of the British Expeditionary Force
from Dunkirk in northern France in June 1940,
then-UK Prime Minister Winston Churchill
said: “Wars are not won by evacuations.”
While the dates, available technologies and
circumstances have changed dramatically
since 1940, it does lead one to ask whether
Air-to-air refuelling was a key enabler for Operations Allies Refuge. Without KC-135 Stratotankers and this was the envisaged end of the Afghanistan
KC-10A Extenders operating from Al Udeid AB and Al Dhafra AB, respectively, the airborne evacuation campaign when it initially started back in late
effort would have been far more difficult and risky USAF 2001. AFM

www.Key.Aero November 2021 // 35

Fighting Fires in North Macedonia

“We flew seven-to-nine

hours a day, but the
water collecting points
were often far away
and so the quantity of
dropped water is far
lower than it should be”
Nenad Nedic, commander
of the MUP Helicopter Unit

T
he summer of 2021 was one of the of the country’s worst wildfire crisis since it
worst in decades for open space fires suffered from catastrophic forest fires in 2007.
that devastated lives, land, forests, That year, it finally became obvious that
houses and tourism across the Balkans – in – due to the variable serviceability of the
Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Makedonsko Voeno Vozduhoplovstvo’s
Croatia, Cyprus, Greece, North Macedonia, (MVV, North Macedonian Air Force’s) Mil
Montenegro, Serbia and Turkey. Mi-8MT/17 helicopters and their certain
While Greece and Croatia are well prepared limitations – the nation would hardly be
for battling wildfires, other Balkan nations successful in controlling regular forest fires.
still pay little attention to their civil protection It was determined that the combined use of
systems and rely on tiny aerial firefighting rotorcraft, dedicated fixed-wing firefighting
capacities. These assets are key for promptly aircraft would be required, along with
and efficiently extinguishing wildfires before international assistance, when needed.
they escalate into disaster. Strategic investments by Croatia, Cyprus and
North Macedonia was a particularly Montenegro from 2007 to 2008 saw each nation
interesting example this year, as the nation’s acquire US-made Air Tractor AT-802 firefighting
highly capable Air Tractor AT-802A Fire aircraft. North Macedonia also opted to buy the
Boss fixed-wing firefighting aircraft fleet proven platform, which is capable of carrying
was grounded, apparently as a result of the 3,104 litres of water. In turn, three brand-new
administration’s bad budget planning and examples in an amphibious configuration
poor implementation of public procurement – known as Fire Boss – were ordered in March
processes. This allowed summer wildfires to 2009 and put into operation in June 2010.
throw the country into disaster. This year’s crisis broke out when weeks of
Sadly, the nation turned from a decades-long high temperatures, combined with strong winds
regional example of self-sustainability in and a lightning storm, produced a big wildfire
battling wildfires into a nation that suddenly on the mountain above Kocani, a city located
was on its knees, begging for international aid. 70km southeast of the nation’s capital, Skopje.
By midnight, Kocani was encircled by flames
From celebration to crisis on three sides, prompting local authorities
Ilinden – otherwise known as the Day of and citizens to panic and appeal for the Air
the Republic – is a major national holiday Tractors to be sent to save the city. Faced
in North Macedonia, held every August 2 with enormous pressure, government officials
to commemorate the establishment of the shocked the nation and caused an avalanche
country’s statehood in 1944. This year’s of public anger when they revealed that the
celebration was shadowed by the beginning country’s three AT-802As (serials Z3-BGT,

36 // November 2021 www.Key.Aero

 North Macedonia

burning With its own firefighting aeroplanes left unserviceable

this summer, North Macedonia faced catastrophic
wildfires. Igor Bozinovski explains how aircraft from
neighbouring countries helped to save the small
Balkan nation from the flames

A North Macedonian Air Force-operated Mil Mi-17 – serial 302 – conducts aerial firefighting operations at
Trabotivište on August 6, 2021 All images Dragan Cvetic via Igor Bozinovski, unless otherwise stated

Z3-BGU and Z3-BGV) would remain grounded to Belgrade. It left behind two AB.212s Skopje. During these missions, a total of 21
for the entire summer because their scheduled (registrations YU-HCE and YU-HCO), an flights were made and 22,000 litres of water
maintenance was not completed on time. H145M (YU-SAR) and a SOKO SA.342 Gazelle dropped. Over the following three days,
Thus, on the morning of August 3, North (YU-HFF) – all of which belong to the MUP’s the helicopters were redirected to North
Macedonia woke up facing the sad and painful Helikopterska Jedinica (Helicopter Unit) at the Macedonia’s far east region, where fires
reality that it was indeed entering a potentially Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport. were burning the forests between Berovo
larger crisis than the one in 2007, with just MUP helicopters began operations on August and Pehcevo, near the country’s border with
three serviceable MVV helicopters capable 4, flying in formations led by MVV-operated Bulgaria – some 105km southeast of Skopje.
of extinguishing wildfires – a pair of Mi-17s Mi-8MT/17s equipped with underslung On the first two days of the operation, the
(serials 302 and 303) and a Mi-8MT (307). 2,500-litre Bambi Bucket systems. Serbian Serbian helicopters were forced to return
The police fleet was not much help either, aircraft used the same firefighting tool, with the to Skopje International Airport to refuel. As
with just three helicopters being airworthy AB.212s carrying 1,200-litre Bambi Buckets fires raged at different distances from the
and only fit to conduct liaison and transport and the H145M working with an 800-litre refuelling hub, the MUP pilots were taking off
flights. These rotorcraft were an Agusta-Bell system. The rarely seen camouflaged Gazelle with varying quantities of fuel to balance the
AB.206B-2 (serial MAP-7750), an AB.212 served in aerial assessment, guidance, liaison need for staying in the wildfire zones for as
(MAP-7751) and an Mi-171E (MAP-7710). and transport roles. long as possible, while keeping the aircraft
The first day of operations saw MUP lighter to allow for the safe carrying of
Serbian support helicopters extinguishing wildfires near water-loaded Bambi Buckets in extremely
The first to promptly respond to North Drenok, located some 40km northeast of difficult, windy and hot-and-high conditions.
Macedonia’s aid appeals was neighbouring The MVV's Air Tractor AT-802A Fire Boss fleet rests on the pan at Skopje International Airport on June
Serbia, where an order was issued to the 11, 2010. The country was unable to use its three-strong fleet of AT-802As during this year’s crisis as it
Serbian Ministarstvo Unutrašnjih Poslova remained grounded due to delays in the completion of its scheduled maintenance Igor Bozinovski
(MUP, Ministry of Interior) to immediately
deploy four helicopters to the brotherhood
nation in need.
A contingent of five helicopters – led by the
MUP’s newest Airbus Helicopters H145M
(registration YU-MUP), carrying Serbian
Minister of Internal Affairs, Aleksander Vulin
– landed at Skopje International Airport
on the morning of August 3. The move
clearly demonstrated the rapid deployment
capabilities of Serbian police aviation assets.
H145M YU-MUP did not stay long and
within hours it had returned its VIP passenger

www.Key.Aero November 2021 // 37

Fighting Fires in North Macedonia

on an open field near the wildfires, allowing (now Leonardo) C-27J Spartan (serial 2705)
MUP helicopters to ‘hot-pit refuel’ with their from the 902nd Operational Air Transport and
engines running on idle and rotors turning. Aerophotogrametric Squadron and a Lockheed
In the early hours of August 6 – on the advice C-130B Hercules (6166) of the 901st Tactical Air
given by the 136-strong Austrian firefighting Transport Squadron for logistics. The C-27J is
contingent that deployed to North Macedonia capable of carrying 6,000 litres of water.
– engineering mechanisation was used to build The two Romanian transports departed the
improvised dams and dig deep pits in and near Baza 90 Transport Aerian (90th Airlift Base)
the shallow Bregalnica River, creating water at Henri Coanda International Airport in
collecting points from where the helicopters Otopeni, Bucharest, on August 7. After a short
could fill their Bambi Buckets. rest at Skopje that afternoon, the Spartan
All of this drastically reduced the rotorcraft’s conducted its first firefighting mission around
time taken between two water drops and the city of Delcevo. In the following days, the
increased the time that MUP helicopters C-27J tackled wildfires in Divlje, near Skopje
would be present in wildfire zones, due to the International Airport; in critical areas across the
elimination of the need to frequently return to country's southeast region and in the village of
Skopje for fuel. This operational problem was Raovikj, west of Skopje.
not an issue for the Mi-8MT/17s, which used Romanian Spartans are the first global
their 2,700-litre fuel reservoirs to give them a operators of Alenia’s Caylym Guardian
maximum endurance of three hours and 15 firefighting system, which allows the platform
minutes when refuelled at Skopje. to drop up to six 1,000-litre biodegradable
Nenad Nedic, commander of the MUP cardboard water containers from altitudes
Helicopter Unit, told AirForces Monthly that the of 1,500ft (460m). Using this system, FAR
recent operation was critical and hard for his carried out 18 missions in North Macedonia
unit: “We flew seven-to-nine hours a day, but from August 7-12, dropping around 100 water
the water collecting points were often far away containers over 15 flight hours.
and so the quantity of dropped water is far Depending on expert assessments, between
lower than it should be,” he said. four and six containers were dropped by
Nedic added that a total of 92 flight hours the Spartan on various wildfires. Meanwhile,
were flown, and some 190,000 litres of water the logistical needs of the mission at Skopje
Above: The Montenegrin Armed Forces sent a were dropped in North Macedonia before the required the deployment of a second
single Bell 412EPI – serial XHB033 – to support
Serbian mission ended on August 7 and the FAR-operated C-130B (serial 5930).
firefighting efforts in North Macedonia this
summer. During operations, the utility helicopter MUP helicopters returned to Belgrade. North Macedonia marked the second
was often seen carrying a 1,600-litre Bambi Bucket international firefighting mission for the
towards the wildfire hotspots Spartan support Romanian C-27J fleet, with the first being to
Thus, the Drenok flights were launched with By the time the Serbians left North Macedonia, Greece in July 2018. FAR Spartans have also
half-loaded fuel reservoirs, while full fuel tanks the European Union Civil Protection been used to extinguish two domestic wildfires
were used on August 5, when operations were Mechanism (EUCPM) had been mobilised and since 2017 – in Svinita and Buces. The North
focused on saving the village of Nov Istvenik, a team of 46 firefighters and 16 firefighting Macedonian mission concluded on August
where two Serbian helicopters worked in 40°C vehicles had arrived from Slovenia. At the 13 with a modest ceremony at Henri Coanda
conditions and dropped 24,000 litres of water. same time, 25 Bulgarian firefighters had International Airport, where honorary medals
On August 6, the village of Budinarci was started battling blazes around the villages of were awarded to the 15 mission members, the
saved by MUP helicopters, which released Umlena, Robovo and Mitrašinci, near Pehcevo. 90th Airlift Base and the FAR itself.
38,000 litres of water on the approaching fires. With devastating wildfires still raging in North
The overall efficiency of the North Macedonian Macedonia, the Bucharest authorities used the Montenegrins for the end
and Serbian rotorcraft was significantly EUCPM to send two Fortele Aeriene Române Even before the Romanians left, a Bell 412EPI
improved that day after an army fuel truck (FAR, Romanian Air Force) aircraft to support utility helicopter (serial XHB033) from the
established a forward operating refuelling post the ongoing efforts. These comprised an Alenia Vojska Crne Gore (VCG, Montenegrin Armed

A North Macedonian Mi-17 (left) and a Montenegrin

Bell 412EPI (right) race towards a wildfire near
Skopje on August 15, 2021

38 // November 2021 www.Key.Aero

After nearly a week of supporting firefighting efforts in North Macedonia, Romanian Air Force Alenia (now
Leonardo) C-27J Spartan – serial 2705 – returned to the 90th Airlift Base at Henri Coanda International
Airport in Otopeni, Bucharest, on August 13, 2021 Romanian Ministry of National Defence/Valentin Ciobîrca

Forces) landed at Skopje on August 11 for an

engagement arranged by the Euro-Atlantic
Disaster Response Co-ordination Centre
– NATO’s principal civil emergency response
mechanism in the Euro-Atlantic region.
By that time, the MVV Hips had already
completed more than 80 flights and over 300
drops, delivering in excess of 650,000 litres of
water over areas including Kocani, Staro
Nagoricane and Gevgelija, where North
Macedonians worked without assistance.
The VCG’s first-ever international aerial
firefighting mission lasted until August 18.
During that week of flying alongside their North
Macedonian colleagues, the Montenegrin pilots
used 1,600-litre Bambi Buckets and executed
two missions per day.
In total, they accumulated 20 flight hours and
dropped 80,000 litres of water while tackling
wildfires around North Macedonia. They
supported firefighting efforts around Raovikj,
Bukovikj, Cajlane and Grcec, near Skopje;
as well as those near Vešje and Barovo in
Kavadarci and Demir Kapija, where water was
collected from Mokliško Lake; and in Gorno
Melnicani where Lake Debar was used to Above: Two Agusta-Bell AB.212s from the Serbian Ministry of Interior’s Helicopter Unit were deployed to
collect water. North Macedonia to help combat the wildfires that swept through the nation this summer. This example
– serial YU-HCE – is pictured carrying a 1,200-litre Bambi Bucket at Trabotivište on August 6, 2021
North Macedonian special police forces Below: Airbus Helicopters H145M – serial YU-SAR – was another asset from the Serbian Ministry of the
assisted on the ground and were supported by Interior’s Helicopter Unit that supported aerial firefighting efforts in North Macedonia. The aircraft is seen
seven French experts, using drones capable of here at Trabotivište on August 6, 2021
detecting thermal hotspots hidden by the thick
smoke rising from burning forests.
The crisis ended in mid-August, when rains
extinguished most of the 106 wildfires that
had engulfed more than 10,000 hectares of
precious beech, pine and oak forests – which,
according to experts, will take 30-50 years to
return to their pre-fire condition.
The direct economic damage of the country's
burned forests has been initially estimated at
more than €10m, which is enormous when
compared with the €400,000 that officials
quoted as being the cost of the scheduled
servicing and ADS-B technology integration on
the nation's three AT-802As.
With a combined 9,300 litres of water/foam/
retardant capacity, it is indisputable that
North Macedonia’s three Fire Boss aircraft
would have almost certainly eliminated this
year’s appeals for international aid. The close
co-ordination between the AT-802As and
Mi-8MT/17s would have certainly prevented
crisis escalation, saving hectares of precious
forests in a way that has been in practice
between 2010 and 2020. AFM

www.Key.Aero November 2021 // 39

190th FS ‘Skull Bangers’

I
n a world of fifth-generation fighters and It’s important to note that the 190th was flew their Wild Weasels to Turkey and Saudi
low-cost, turboprop-driven light attack aircraft, previously designated the 405th FS from Arabia to patrol the no-fly zones over Iraq. The
the Fairchild-Republic A-10C Thunderbolt II 1943 to 1945, when it flew Republic P-47 ‘Warthogs’ have deployed numerous times
– lovingly known as the ‘Warthog’ or just ‘Hog’ Thunderbolts during the war. since for combat operations over Kosovo and
to those around it – continues to endure. The unit entered the jet age when the North the Balkan Islands, Iraq, Afghanistan and Syria.
Despite repeated attempts by the US Air American F-86A Sabre arrived in 1953 and it Maj Tom Silkowski, an A-10C pilot assigned
Force (USAF) to retire the type to fund other changed aircraft types six times before the to the 190th FS explained how it felt to be an
programmes, the venerable A-10 remains in A-10 arrived in Idaho. During this period, it Idaho guardsmen: “The Idaho Guard has been
operational use with the active duty arm of operated the Lockheed F-94 Starfire, Northrop flying fighters here at Gowen Field since 1946.
the service, as well as with Air National Guard F-89 Scorpion, F-86L Sabre, Convair F-102 There’s a special type of pride that’s shared
(ANG) and Air Force Reserve units. Delta Dagger, RF-4C Phantom II and F-4G. by guys who were picked by the squadron to
The 190th Fighter Squadron (FS) ‘Skull go off to pilot training and come back to fly
Bangers’, based at Gowen Field at the Boise Guardsmen of Idaho fighters part-time in the community they live
Air Terminal in Idaho, is part of the Idaho ANG. Over the years, the Idaho guardsmen have seen and work in and, often times, grew up in.
Assigned to the 124th Fighter Wing (FW), plenty of real-world contingency operations,
the 190th traded in their matured McDonnell beginning shortly after their inception. In 1950,
Douglas F-4G Wild Weasel Vs in 1996 and the unit was called to active duty
have been flying the ‘Hog’ ever since. to provide support during
The ‘Skull Bangers’ have always been in the Korean War.
the fighter business, having stood up at In the early
Gowen Field with the North American F-51D 1990s, the
Mustang shortly after World War Two ended. guardsmen

Right: A pair of Fairchild-Republic

A-10C Thunderbolt IIs from the
Idaho ANG’s 190th FS ‘Skull
Bangers’ prepares to break in a
photo-flight on June 15, 2021
All images, author

40 // November 2021 www.Key.Aero

 “As for loyalty, I won’t speak for others,
but I’ll tell you that I would sooner resign
my commission than bring discredit upon
the squadron that gave me a shot at flying
‘Hogs’ and doing what I’ve wanted to do since
watching these same ‘Hogs’ fly over my house
30 years ago. I owe the 190th FS a debt of
gratitude I’ll never be able to repay.”
Echoing Maj Silkowski is Lt Col Rich Meziere,
commander of the ‘Skull Bangers’. He flew
Boeing F-15E Strike Eagles prior to leaving the
active duty USAF for the ANG.
“When I initially joined the unit, the true extent
of my knowledge on its history extended back
to the F-4 days, and that we had flown F-51s
when [we] first stood up,” Meziere started. Groundcrews assigned
“It was very interesting to trace the history to the 190th FS load
Mk 80-series general-
back to the [World War Two-era] 405th FS purpose bombs to the
days, and the subsequent reactivation as the underwing hardpoints
190th FS, and the legacy of fighter and attack of an A-10C before
aircraft since then. a training sortie on
July 12, 2014
“Having served on active duty for 11 years

Boise’s
beloved ‘Hogs’
Although the future of the A-10C Thunderbolt II has been called into doubt on multiple
occasions over the last decade, the type still continues its US Air Force service – albeit in
smaller numbers. Jake Melampy speaks with the Idaho Air National Guard’s 190th Fighter
Squadron ‘Skull Bangers’ about their experience in operating the venerable ‘Hog’

www.Key.Aero November 2021 // 41

190th FS ‘Skull Bangers’
A 190th FS A-10C shows its belly which has a false
canopy painted on the underside of its forward
fuselage. This aims to confuse enemy dogfighters
and ground forces as it can make it more difficult
to plot the aircraft’s attitude and potential
manoeuvres during visual engagements

prior to the Idaho ANG, I think the Guard has

more of a family atmosphere, and certainly a
little more personal pride in ownership. When
I step to the aircraft, I sometimes have a
crew chief who has been on that airplane for
15 years – they know it, love it, and maintain
it with a sense of pride I never experienced
on the active duty side,” he added.

Preparing for combat

The 190th FS has certainly been in the thick
of it since converting to the ‘Warthog’ in 1996.
The unit flew the A-10 over the Balkans during
Operation Allied Force in 1999, followed
by numerous deployments in support of
operations over Iraq, Afghanistan and Syria
– the most recent of which was in 2020.
Preparations for the next combat employments
are never-ending.
Typically, squadrons have a ‘spin-up’
for planned deployments. From a higher
In 2021, the 190th Fighter Squadron marked 25 years of operations with the venerable ‘Warthog’. headquarters perspective, that has usually
The type joined the unit’s ranks in 1996, when it replaced the squadron's matured fleet of required a Red Flag or Green Flag exercise
McDonnell Douglas F-4G Wild Weasel Vs
deployment – often to Nellis Air Force Base

Right: Pilots and groundcrews from the ‘Skull

Bangers’ conduct preparations for the launch of
a two-ship A-10C training sortie on July 12, 2014

A-10C Thunderbolt II – serial 80-0276 – rests on the ground before being armed up with Mk 80-series
general-purpose bombs ahead of a training sortie on July 12, 2014

42 // November 2021 www.Key.Aero

“The ‘Hog’s’ combat record speaks to the Heritage ‘Hog’
As the A-10 marks 25 years of operations with the
merits of the right plane being flown by the ‘Skull Bangers’, the 190th FS itself is celebrating its
75th anniversary. It was decided that the unit’s special
right guys and I think that’s true of all the history should be honoured. The idea to give one of the
unit’s A-10Cs a unique heritage livery originated with
air force’s fighters and their communities” pilot Maj Silkowski, as he wanted to pay homage to the
warriors who had gone before him and paved the way.
Maj Tom Silkowski, A-10C pilot with the 190th FS Commenting on the effort, Silkowski humbly
explained: “A few years ago, we started looking into
(AFB), Nevada, and the massive range space up with almost zero warning, too. For example, our pre-1946 history and found out that the 190th FS is
and training facilities available there. While this squadron deployed to fight in Kosovo the renumbered 405th FS, which flew the [legendary]
there are some benefits to these exercises, on a week’s notice back in 1999. So, taking P-47 Thunderbolt in World War Two. Our desire to
they are also so large that specific objectives advantage of every minute in that cockpit honour the men of the 405th FS – 17 of whom never
are sometimes lost on the tactical execution. that the American taxpayer gives us and returned from Europe – was the primary driving factor.
As a result, these large exercises have, in being an expert in all aspects of our craft is “In renumbering and assigning wartime fighter
some cases, given way to a smaller process, the key to success. squadrons to the ANG, the War Department entrusted
which relies heavily on the advice and “Now combine that approach with an airplane Guard units with preserving and carrying forward the
experience of the squadrons that are currently whose every bit of DNA is geared toward the heritage, accomplishments and sacrifices of those
deployed to the region. mission she was built for… Well, the ‘Hog’s’ squadrons. So, what better way to honour the people
Meziere continued: “The main focus of combat record speaks to the merits of the and highlight their accomplishments than to take one
[the] ‘spin-up’ efforts comes from detailed right plane being flown by the right guys and of our Thunderbolt IIs and paint it like the Thunderbolts
integration with units already in place in I think that’s true of all the air force’s fighters they flew and maintained?
theatre. We’d garner their recommendations and their communities,” he said. “The timing worked out very well too, as our special
and lessons learned, then incorporate them ‘Hog’ was painted and back on our ramp just a
into training with various ground and Special Local training few weeks before we marked our squadron’s 75th
Operations Forces – both at [our] home station While deploying to other bases around anniversary on May 24,” he added.
and while [on] temporary duty travel (TDY). the continental US is beneficial, in While Silkowski makes it seem simple, in
“Every time we fly is considered a ‘spin-up’ most cases all of the training can reality the jet took well over a year to
event but having detailed knowledge of what be conducted from the 190th’s design, complete, submit for approval,
is occurring in theatre allows us to tailor our home station. Idaho has some redesign and resubmit for approval.
training to achieve a high-level of proficiency in of the best airspace in the This process was finalised in early
those events and weapons,” he added. country, with the Mountain 2021 and the jet was painted
Maj Silkowski explained how the unit Home Range Complex in May. Maj Silkowski flew
prepares for its next combat operation. “Our (MHRC) and Saddle Military to the ANG’s paint facility
squadron focuses on three primary missions: Operations Area (MOA). in Sioux City, Iowa, and
close air support (CAS); forward air control The MHRC contains two piloted the heritage
(FAC); and combat search and rescue (CSAR), restricted areas for practice ‘Hog’ home himself.
as well as a number of secondary mission with subscale munitions
sets. The vast majority of our training is and 30mm ammunition,
focused on being prepared to execute those along with more than
primary missions anywhere, anytime. 9,000 square
“While we’ll gear our short-term miles of MOA
pre-deployment training to the specific area of and special
responsibility (AoR) we’re going to, we have to use
maintain readiness to fight in the full spectrum
of conflicts. CAS on the Korean peninsula, as
an example, would be very different
[to] flying CAS in Afghanistan
the way we did for almost
20 years. But you have
to be ready for both and
everything in between!
“Deployments can pop

www.Key.Aero November 2021 // 43

190th FS ‘Skull Bangers’

A pair of 190th FS-operated A-10Cs

(including the newly painted ‘Heritage Hog’)
fly in formation with two Boeing F-15E
Strike Eagles from the 366th FW

airspace. The 266th Range Squadron – also part

of the Idaho ANG but based at nearby Mountain
Home AFB – is responsible for providing quality
electronic simulations, threat emitters, moving
targets and GPS jamming of ground-based air
defence threats on the MHRC.
Cowboy Control, which is a division of the
266th, exercises Positive Control of all range
airspace and also provides Ground Control
Intercept (GCI) training support. The airspace is
generally shared with F-15Es from the 366th FW
at Mountain Home AFB.
Scheduling a time to reserve portions of the
airspace is fairly straightforward, with the 190th
having a great working relationship with the 366th
Up close with the ‘Heritage Hog’ . This angle offers FW. A quick phone call offers either deconfliction
a good look at the A-10C’s in-flight refuelling
with the Strike Eagles or integration with them for
receiver located on the nose of the aircraft
training.
The quality of training available on the MHRC
and in the 266th Range Squadron is evident
by the number of squadrons visiting the region
to use the airspace. This has included Boeing
EA-18G Growlers from Naval Air Station (NAS)
Whidbey Island, Washington and Lockheed
Martin F-35A Lightning IIs and F-16C/D Fighting
Falcons from various USAF units.
“Many units want to come here to train because
they recognise the great opportunities and also
enjoy staying in Boise,” Meziere added.
Outlining the pilot’s perspective, Silkowski told
AFM: “The MHRC is a great chunk of airspace
to train in, and Wing Scheduling down at
Mountain Home does a great job of moving
the puzzle pieces around on a daily basis to
make sure everyone gets what they need.
“On a typical day, you might have some
‘Hogs’ working CAS with [Joint Terminal
Attack Controllers (JTACs)] at one bombing
range, ‘Hogs’ and visiting Harriers flying a
To mark 25 years of operations with the ‘Warthog’ and commemorate the unit’s heritage,
[strike co-ordination and reconnaissance
the 190th FS rolled out a special schemed A-10C in May 2021. This aircraft (serial 78-0618) (SCAR)] mission at the other, and a large
has been painted to resemble the liveries worn by Republic P-47 Thunderbolts air-to-air fight of F-15Es and F-35s going on
employed by the squadron’s predecessor – the 405th FS – in World War Two above all of it.

44 // November 2021 www.Key.Aero

“Since then, I’ve flown more than 150 An Avenger
combat missions and not once have initiative
I had a dumb bomb hanging from my Asked what it is like to fire the A-10’s massive GAU-8/A
Avenger – the 30mm hydraulically driven seven-barrel

wings… But I’m still holding out hope!” autocannon that the aircraft is built around – A-10C
pilot, Maj Tom Silkowski, told AFM: “I’ve heard a lot of
guys say it’s so violent, that it feels like the airplane
Maj Tom Silkowski, A-10C pilot with the 190th FS is going to vibrate apart. I’ve always thought it’s very
controlled and, while loud, it’s not scary or distracting.
“The Mountain Home folks who run the Modern ‘Hogs’ The airplane is so stable while the gun is firing.
ranges, along with the Guard’s 266th Range As with all of the other combat aircraft in the
“The trigger has two detents on it. When you have the
Squadron, provide us target sets both on- and US military inventory, the A-10 has been in a
target under the ‘pipper’ and are ready to fire, you pull
off-range, high fidelity threat simulators, radar state of constant improvement since its debut
to the first detent, which engages precision attitude
and infrared surface-to-air threat replication, in the late 1970s.
control (PAC). PAC does a great job of stabilising the
moving targets… the list goes on. It all comes Originally built as a daytime fighter in
flight controls so that the nose of the jet stays pointed
together to be, without a doubt, one of the fair-weather visual conditions, the ‘Warthog’
at the target.
best places in the world to train,” he said. has become a fully modernised, all-weather
“The result is, when you pull to the second detent and
Further aiding the pilot’s flying environment platform, capable of employing a host of
the gun fires, you get a nice, tight grouping of bullets
around Idaho is the weather. Typically, the modern precision weaponry. While few of the
rather than the classic Hollywood string of bullets
winters are fairly dry, while the summers are current ‘Hog’ pilots have experience on the
cutting through it. The more bullets on target, the better!
hot and clear. As a result, not many flying days original design, many can attest to what the
“Yes, you can smell the gun gas in the cockpit!
are cancelled due to poor weather conditions. modern A-10C can now bring to the fight.
Sometimes, usually on winter days, when the sun is
Silkowski continued: “Honestly, it gets “I started flying the ‘Hog’ in the A-10A+
low behind you and there’s lots of humidity in the sky,
kinda boring! It’s important that we get off [configuration] for my transition course [to the
you can actually see the bullets flying toward the target.
station and fly where the weather isn’t so platform from the F-15E],” said Meziere. “I only
The sunlight reflects off the back of the bullets and the
predictable and tactically permissive. We took had about 40 hours in that before transitioning
disturbed air creates a vortex you can see from the
some ‘Hogs’ out to Fort Drum, New York, to the A-10C, but since that time, we’ve seen
cockpit. It’s really cool, especially when it’s followed up
in May [2021] and I can tell you that the low the addition of [the] JDAM, GBU-54, Scorpion
less than a second later by brilliant flashes of orange
ceilings and reduced visibility we flew in were Helmet Mounted Cueing System (HMCS),
and white sparks as the bullets slam into the target!
challenging and, quite frankly, humbling. ARG-20 laser-guided rockets, and more.”
“When they designed the C-model upgrade, the
“Add to that six Mk 82 high-drag bombs, He went on to discuss the benefits of the
engineers kept the basic gun system independent of
a pod of white phosphorous rockets, a C-model upgrade, which was introduced
the digital stuff. So even if all that fancy stuff fails – the
couple hundred rounds of gun [and] JTACs to the fleet over a decade ago. “The A-10C
weapons computer dies, the head-up display (HUD)
on the ground, close to the targets they modifications greatly increased the lethality of
stops working, the GPS/INS thinks it’s 1983 and over
want you to hit – it doesn’t feel like a training the aircraft and added survivability by allowing
Antarctica – you can still dial your standby depressible
mission anymore. us to employ precision-guided munitions from
‘pipper’ to 41 mils, arm the gun, use a little Kentucky
“That’s the value of getting off-station: it higher altitudes with more bomb range.
windage and kill targets. We usually incorporate that
takes you out of your comfort zone and, “Subsequent improvements – such as
manual strafe into our squadron gunnery competitions.
in a beneficial way, increases the stress of computer updates, more advanced weapons
“It levels the playing field by taking the ‘Hog’s’
flying and executing. It is very easy to get and the Scorpion HMCS – have greatly
computer out of the equation and making it all about
complacent on your home range, so you improved situational awareness and increased
pilot skill, which is a lot of fun. But it also keeps that
have to get out of lethality against both static and moving
skillset sharp and in our bag of tricks so one day,
town regularly.” targets, even in areas with high concern for
when an 18-year-old infantryman is in a bad spot and
collateral damage.
your jet’s computers decide to take a nap at the worst
“The beauty of the A-10C is that it is
possible time, you’re confident in your ability to put
quite capable of dropping advanced
those bullets right where they need to go,” he said.
precision-guided munitions from

The A-10 Thunderbolt II completed its maiden

flight on May 10, 1972, and was introduced into
USAF service in October 1977. The fleet was
upgraded to A-10C standard from 2005

www.Key.Aero November 2021 // 45

190th FS ‘Skull Bangers’

medium-altitude but is still most at home

[when] visually acquiring a target and rolling
in for a constantly computed impact point
(CCIP) bomb or gun run. The ‘Hog’ – as with
most fourth-generation aircraft in the inventory
– really needs an updated electronic warfare
suite to increase survivability in extended
conflicts outside the counterinsurgency (COIN)
mission set,” he explained.
On the other hand, Maj Silkowski had never
flown the A-10 prior to the C-model upgrade,
yet he shares an identical viewpoint. He
continued: “I’ve only flown the C-model, so I
just missed the big change of going from the The ‘Warthog’ is unique in that it is built around its GAU-8/A Avenger 30mm hydraulically driven
A-10A to the A-10C. For me, it’s been more of seven-barrel autocannon, which is one of the most powerful cannons to have ever flown aboard
a combat aircraft. The system fires large depleted uranium armour-piercing rounds
an evolution as opposed to a change as these
software upgrades are fielded every few years. in a number of scenarios, such as to out-range little more thrust out of the venerable TF-34
“The jet has definitely become more a surface-to-air threat,” Silkowski explained. engines, but it just requires us to use a little
precision-guided munition-centric. When I more finesse in manoeuvring the aircraft at
flew my check-ride to be a two-ship flight lead Appreciating the A-10 times,” he added.
almost a decade ago, I was allowed by my Although the USAF is constantly changing On a very similar note, Silkowski added: “The
evaluator to simulate one precision-guided into a slimmer force, the A-10C continues to ‘Hog’ is easy to fly, no weird characteristics
munition [strike, while] the rest was dumb soldier on, performing the same mission it was and very forgiving. It’s a very stable weapons
bombs, Mavericks and gun, [which were] still designed to do some 40 years earlier – albeit delivery platform, by which I mean you’re not
the bread-and-butter weapons for the ‘Hog’ in much smaller numbers than in the last few fighting the aircraft as you’re diving at the
community at the time. years of the previous century. Pilots love to ground to put a weapon on target – she’s built
“Since then, I’ve flown more than 150 combat fly it. Lt Col Meziere and Maj Silkowski both to fly her best when you’re doing exactly that.
missions and not once have I had a dumb remarked on how fun the ‘Hog’ is to fly at low “In a 45° dive, opening fire at 350kts and
bomb hanging from my wings… But I’m still altitude and praised its handling qualities. seeing 100 rounds of 30mm envelope a
holding out hope! Meziere said: “In my opinion, the A-10 is vehicle, rather than string through it – or
“We’re just now fielding a new software suite. just about the perfect mix of old-school stick/ seeing a BDU-33 bounce off the side of it
Without getting into boring, hard-to-explain rudder/throttles and modern avionics and – is appreciation for how well-designed and
details, let’s just say this one provides a lot weapons capability. It flies great at low and constructed the ‘Hog’ is. You barely have to
of fixes to less-than-ideal cockpit interface medium altitudes, with crisp and responsive think about flying the airplane and can instead
and simplifies weapons management and roll and pitch control. It can turn on a dime focus on executing myriad other tasks, like
employment. The result being a decrease in and is an absolute blast to fly at low-altitude, getting your eyes on the target!”
the pilot’s workload. flying through canyons and turning like no fast- While pilots seemingly love the A-10, the
“I’ll give you one example. Prior to this latest mover could ever hope for. USAF has repeatedly tried to retire the type
update, we had to use a lot of rules of thumb “Of course, we’d certainly appreciate a from operational service over the last decade.
to employ the AGR-20 laser-guided rocket It’s wider CAS role would have been absorbed
and were unable to fully exploit its standoff by the service’s growing F-35A Lightning
capabilities. In military aviation, rules of II fleet or by a fleet of new-build, low-cost,
thumb tend to be conservative, so we were turboprop-driven light attack aircraft. While
not maximising the capabilities the AGR-20 the ‘Warthog’ is one of the cheaper combat
provides – not even close! But now the jet aircraft to operate in the USAF’s inventory, the
provides the pilot [with] information air arm has been seeking to thin out the legacy
– such as [the] maximum range of the platforms from its fleet.
rocket in real-time – which is critical However, these plans have been consistently
halted by the US Congress, which has
objected the move each time it has been
proposed. For units and pilots who work
with the ‘Hog’, this opposition must come as
welcome news, given that they believe the
platform is still highly capable for its
various mission sets and that it is
an enjoyable and reliable
aircraft to fly. AFM

A 190th FS-operated ‘Warthog’ rests on the pan

after a long day of flying as the sun begins to slip
below the Idaho horizon on September 19, 2013

46 // November 2021 www.Key.Aero

 HEATHROW AIRCRAFT
ENTHUSIASTS’ FAIR
This popular event, now in its 29th year, will feature stalls, buying, selling and exchanging
any aircraft related item. Models, books, magazines, printed matter including postcards,
THE
slides and photographs, DVD’s and memorabilia should all be available in abundance.

SUNDAY 14th NOVEMBER 2021

10.30 - 15.00
AI R FORCE
KEMPTON PARK RACECOURSE
STAINES ROAD EAST, SUNBURY-ON-THAMES, MIDDX, TW16 5AQ
SH OP
For local buses see www.tfl.gov.uk or www.traveline.info
Nearest Station: Kempton Park (on site) • Massive Free Car Park Officially Licensed Royal Air Force Gifts
Bring along your surplus items to sell or exchange!
This event is a MUST for all aircraft enthusiasts

Enquiries and Stall Bookings:

Carl McQuaide - 07903 848726
Email: [email protected] • www.aircraftenthusiastfair.co.uk

w w w.t he a irforc e shop.c o.uk

t: 0 1 2 7 9 8 3 3 2 1 5

RE-PRINTS
Custom re-prints of features
available for use as:
· Press Pack Inserts · Sales Promotions
· Company Reports and more...
Tailored to your specific needs, re-prints
can showcase your company, products or
services in association with the leading
military aviation magazine.
For further information call Andrew Mason:
Tel. +44 (0) 1780 6630111 ext 150
E-mail: [email protected]
493rd FS at RAF Leeming

Eagles over
Eagle
Yorkshire
Josef Campion checks in with ‘The
Grim Reapers’ at RAF Leeming,
North Yorkshire, as units from the
48th Fighter Wing develop their agile
day-to-day duties. These exercises
contribute to the evolution of a force
containing multi-capable aircrews, improving
mission readiness and adaptability, while
increasing the range of capabilities in
performed alongside NATO allies, such as the
Finnish Air Force in legacy Boeing F/A-18C
Hornets and the German Air Force Eurofighter
EF-2000s that were temporarily stationed at
Ämari on a NATO Baltic Air Policing rotation.
combat employment (ACE) tactics less-than-optimal environments. Supporting the operational needs of eight
In January 2021, the 48th FW commenced aircraft throughout the exercise and flying daily
he USAF’s 493rd Fighter Squadron (FS) ACE operations at its home base. Four missions would have usually required more than

T ‘The Grim Reapers’, a component of the

48th Fighter Wing (FW), briefly deployed
to RAF Leeming, North Yorkshire, in August as
F-15Es and 14 crewmembers participated in a
simulated deployment to a forward operating
site (FOS) on the north side of RAF Lakenheath.
100 maintenance personnel, along with several
aircrews and additional support personnel.
However, Baltic Trident was executed with less
part of Exercise Agile Liberty 21-2. Crews underwent cross-discipline training, than 40 crewmembers in total.
Stationed at RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk, the where they learned new skillsets from subject
493rd FS arrived at the North Yorkshire base matter experts. Agile Liberty
with ten Boeing F-15C/D Eagles, 11 pilots and Capt David Spieker, an F-15E pilot with the Exercise Agile Liberty 21-1 took place at Łask
less than 100 associated support personnel 492nd FS, said: “We had a subject matter Air Base (AB) in Poland during April. Lockheed
on August 23 and departed on August 27. The expert from each career field, and we were all Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcons of the 52nd
reason for arriving with minimal equipment and learning and executing each other’s duties. It FW at Spangdahlem AB and C-130Js from
crews was to demonstrate that the squadron helps everyone gain an appreciation of each the 86th Airlift Wing’s 37th Airlift Squadron
is ready to deploy with a reduced personnel other’s jobs and makes co-operation more ‘Blue Tail Flies’ at Ramstein AB deployed
footprint at any time to deliver combat successful in the future.” from their respective bases as part of Aviation
airpower when called upon at short notice or In March, the 48th FW conducted an ACE Detachment Rotation 21.2. They were joined
no notice at all. During the same week, Boeing deployment to Ämari Air Base in Harjumaa, by F-15s from the 492nd, 493rd and 494th
F-15E Strike Eagles assigned to the 48th FW’s Estonia, under Exercise Baltic Trident. Fighter Squadrons, which had deployed
492nd FS ‘Bolars’ and 494th FS ‘Panthers’ Eight F-15Cs and F-15Es from the 492nd to Łask for the first time as part of an ACE
flew to RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire as part and 493rd, as well as a Boeing KC-135 training exercise. The USAF operated
of the same exercise. Stratotanker from the 100th Air Refueling alongside Polish Air Force F-16C/D Block
Agile Liberty 21-2 is part of the USAF’s Wing at RAF Mildenhall, Suffolk, took part 52+ Fighting Falcons from Łask and
developmental Agile Combat Employment in the exercise. Daily training missions were Poznan-Krzesiny, and MiG-29s from the 23rd
(ACE) concept, which all of the squadrons
assigned to the 48th FW have been carrying
out since the start of 2021. These events
have occurred at several different locations,
ranging from simulated environments at
RAF Lakenheath to deployments across the
European and Middle Eastern theatres.

All about ACE

The ACE concept was introduced in 2017, after
the US Department of Defense took notice
of the threats posed by China and Russia
to overseas US air bases. China’s arsenal
includes both ballistic and cruise missiles that
are capable of striking the Western Pacific,
while Russia has the capacity of engaging all of
Europe with its range of munitions.
It was therefore decided that the USAF had to
change tactics from relying on well-established
military bases with multiple facilities and large
numbers of personnel to a ‘pick-up’ concept,
where they would operate from airfields with
minimal facilities and multi-capable air crews.
The ACE concept is designed to further
develop USAF airmen and their range of
disciplines, which differ to their normal

48 // November 2021
 Squadron and its British Aerospace Hawk
T1A aggressor aircraft from Leeming, as well
as Eurofighter Typhoon FGR4s from RAF
Coningsby, Lincolnshire, and USAF F-15Es.
The mission sets varied between offensive
counter air (OCA) and joint personnel recovery
(JPR) operations. Additionally, the 493rd FS
also executed some air combat manoeuvres
(ACM) with the Hawks in 2v1 training
scenarios, along with some one-on-one basic
fighter manoeuvres (BFM).
During Agile Liberty, two Northrop Grumman
B-2A Spirit stealth bombers from the 509th
Bomb Wing at Whiteman Air Force Base,
Missouri, conducted ACE operations at
Keflavik AB, Iceland, as part of a Bomber Task
A 493rd FS F-15C Eagle departs RAF Leeming during Agile Liberty 21-2. The exercise allowed the unit
Force-Europe (BTF-Europe) deployment. The
to demonstrate its ability to conduct agile combat employment operations 493rd FS flew out of Leeming to join up with
the bombers to demonstrate the unit’s ability
Tactical Air Base at Minsk Mazowiecki. not so far away that we can’t quickly get parts/ to work alongside a BTF.
Exercise Agile Liberty 21-2 at RAF Leeming support to the base if necessary.” While conducting the exercise, Col Sean
was the capstone of this year’s ACE missions The 493rd FS flew about 80 hours from Lowe, commander of the 48th Operations
for the crews of the 493rd FS and wider 48th Leeming over the course of the four-day Group and the FOS Leeming ACE detachment,
FW. It provided them with an opportunity to event. These missions were part of the UK-led said: “This exercise is our ACE capstone, and
demonstrate the multiple disciplines they have Exercise Typhoon Warrior, a large force event tests the skills and lessons learned over the
developed from participating in ACE operations supporting the RAF’s Qualified Weapons last year. Utilising these concepts improves
throughout the year while working alongside the Instructor course. mobility and interoperability with partners and
RAF. Leeming was selected by the 48th FW for ‘The Grim Reapers’ flew missions with allies and ensures that we are ready to deliver
the exercise as it meets the requirements of the RAF’s soon-to-be-disbanded No 100 combat airpower when called upon.” AFM
the F-15C in terms of runways, taxiways and
ground support.
As well as being beneficial to ‘The Grim
Reapers’, exercises such as Agile Liberty
provide positive outcomes to the hosting
base and force. Gp Capt Blythe Crawford,
RAF Leeming’s station commander, said:
“We are delighted to be able to host the 48th
[FW] on their [ACE] exercise, Agile Liberty. It
provides an excellent opportunity for us to
focus on interoperability with a key ally and to
collectively develop new concepts and train
our people.”
Capt John Bynum of the 493rd FS added:
“The point of ACE is to figure out what we
can do with less equipment and support than
normal. Leeming is well situated in that it is far
enough away from our home station to force us
to be less reliant on home station assets, but
Above: An F-15C pilot from the 493rd Fighter Squadron prepares for a mission during Exercise Agile
Liberty 21-2 as his crew chief watches closely
Below: A Boeing F-15C Eagle from the 493rd Fighter Squadron comes to a halt in its parking position at
RAF Leeming during Exercise Agile Liberty 21-2 All images: Josef Campion

www.Key.Aero November 2021 // 49

Italian F-35As in the Baltic

Lig

hen the Baltic states joined NATO Russia, the north and west face the Baltic Sea
Four Italian Air Force
Lockheed Martin F-35A
Lightning IIs conducted the
W in the spring of 2004, the airspace
over Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania
became allied airspace. However, the three
and the Gulf of Finland, about 30 miles from
the Scandinavian coast.
The Aeronautica Militare (AM, Italian Air Force)
first deployment of fifth- Baltic nations do not have the necessary air deployment – dubbed ‘Task Force Air Estonia-
generation fighter aircraft capabilities to conduct peacetime air policing Operation Baltic Eagle II’ (TFA) – arrived at
in support of NATO’s Baltic operations on their own, so NATO chiefs wanted Ämari AB in early May 2021. They brought with
to ensure a uniform standard of airspace them four Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II
air-policing operations this security within the Supreme Allied Commander fifth-generation multi-role stealth fighters from
summer. Giovanni Colla Europe’s (SACEUR) area of responsibility. the 32° Stormo (32nd Wing) ‘Armando Boetto’
and Remo Guidi were there Known as Baltic Air Policing (BAP), NATO allies at Amendola, and a detachment of about 130
have, since 2004, continuously provided fighter personnel from more than 20 departments
jets to safeguard that airspace, operating from of the air force, including pilots, ground and
Šiauliai Air Base (AB), in northwest Lithuania. maintenance crews, controllers and logistics
In 2014, in response to the illegal annexation and administrative personnel.
of Crimea by Russia, NATO decided to To ensure the necessary security framework,
Above: A pair of Italian F-35A Lightning IIs, introduce assurance measures to demonstrate force-protection personnel from the 32nd Wing
assigned to the 32nd Wing’s 13th Squadron, collective resolve. Under these assurance were assisted by a team from the 16th Force
fly over the Gulf of Finland, the eastern part of
the Baltic Sea, on August 11, 2021 All images measures, a second base for enhanced air Protection Wing ‘Fucilieri dell’Aria’ (Fusiliers
Giovanni Colla/Remo Guidi, unless stated policing was opened at Ämari, Estonia. Its of the Air) at Martina Franca. Specialised
Inset, left: A Task Force Air Estonia (TFA Estonia) strategic location makes it suitable for the personnel from various departments of the 3rd
patch. The Italian deployment was also alliance's borders. While the east of the Division of Logistics Command were tasked
known as Operation Baltic Eagle II
Inset, right: A Task Group ‘Falco’ patch country shares about 186 miles of border with to prepare and ensure the full functionality of

50 // November 2021 www.Key.Aero

ightning strikes the Baltic

telecommunications the Combined Air

and flight-assistance Operations Centre (CAOC)
equipment. at Uedem, Germany, are integrating
“One of our main enhanced situational awareness and advanced
challenges was to avionics capabilities into NATO's air-policing
create a team capable arrangements, with the object of preserving
of operating effectively with NATO's technological edge.
a shared language and shared
objectives, with excellent professionalism Crucial tests in Iceland
each in its own sector, yet integrated into a To understand how the milestone of a first fifth-
single system,” explained Col Vincenzo Sirico, generation deployment in the Baltic came to
the TFA Estonia commander. be achieved, it is important to look back. Air-
“This is what mattered most to me. We have policing missions in Iceland – first in 2019 and
created a team and have achieved the goal then in 2020 – were a crucial test for the F-35A
together. This horizontal network capability – in the NATO Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) role.
conceived and worked on since the early days It was important because the platform’s use
of the TFA – has made it possible to be the in QRA has been essentially national since
first allied nation to deploy a fifth-generation March 2018, with procedures borrowed from
aircraft in the Baltic,” he added. NATO. However, it is one thing to perform
Bringing the F-35s to a high-tempo national QRA, but quite another to carry out
mission is another significant step towards NATO QRA operations.
integrating modern platforms across NATO’s Although the Iceland experience enabled
air capability. Both Allied Air Command and the 32nd Wing and other departments of the

www.Key.Aero November 2021 // 51

Italian F-35As in the Baltic

“We have demonstrated the aircraft

is robust and reliable, we have never
missed a required activation”
Maj G, Task Group ‘Falco’ commander

Above: Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II, serial

MM7357 ‘32-07’, from the AM’s 32nd Wing takes off
from Ämari for a training mission
Below: Maj G – the Task Group ‘Falco’ commander
– poses for a picture in front of an Italian F-35A

air force to integrate weapon systems and “Two, the professionalism of our men. As [an]
procedures in the same way as NATO, the F-35 operator, the Italian Air Force has been
environment is very different to that of the the first to make the Atlantic crossing; first to
Baltic. Iceland does not have the intensity of mount an overseas QRA operation (Iceland);
H24 QRA duties, readiness states are different first in Baltic use; first to declare FOC outside
and real activity is lower. Indeed, only one the United States [and] first to participate
‘alpha scramble’ was made in 2020. in exercises outside national borders. This
“Here in the Baltic, it is profoundly highlights the professionalism of our men. I can
different,” revealed Maj G, Task Group ‘Falco’ also refer to the recent Exercise Falcon Strike,
commander. “The activity is very intense and [which made Italy the] first country to organise a
so are the states of readiness. But the Iceland fifth-generation exercise designed, created and
experience allowed us to prepare and expand structured for the F-35 community.”
on a building-blocks method: QRA, 24/7,
365 days a year, an extended period beyond Mission pattern
national borders with perfectly integrated The redeployment in Estonia followed the key
procedures. We have basically demonstrated pattern of a typical air-policing mission. Before
two things: one, the aircraft is robust and the mission began, site surveys and a planning
reliable, we have never missed a required and design phase were carried out. These
activation (‘alpha scramble’). are essential for the correct planning of the
deployment. They take into consideration the
The F-35A has an excellent ‘high ‘core’ of the TFA – those factors common to
alpha’ (angle of attack). This all weapon systems – and then the modularity
image provides a clear view of the linked to particular weapon systems, where
platform’s Electro-Optical Targeting
System, located under the nose the characteristics of the F-35A are different to
those of the Eurofighter F-2000.
The first executive phase essentially took
place at the end of April, with the introduction
of materiel by land and by air, alongside the
deployment of the first personnel. Then followed
the theatre-opening team, which starts all of
the activities, guaranteeing the initial logistics
in support of the main task force, which is
currently still in the redeployment phase.
The aircraft and remaining personnel
arrived later, alongside the continuing influx
of materiel. In this phase, so-called ‘contact
teams’ – made up of specialist personnel for
specific requirements – operated in a limited
timeframe, ensuring the fulfilment of certain
tasks that were not necessary for the entire
duration of the TFA redeployment. At that

52 // November 2021 www.Key.Aero

point, peak performance was obtained, as the
TFA reached full self-sustaining capacity at
First scrambles
With the jets ready to start work, an initial series
Exercise
the same time as operational activities began.
These activities passed from a familiarisation
of briefings and familiarisation flights began. On
May 3, the handover of the NATO enhanced
Ramstein Alloy
An important exercise carried out with NATO partners
phase, which, once completed, enabled the air policing (eAP) operation from the Luftwaffe
during the deployment was Ramstein Alloy 21-2 (held
TFA to be ready for operational flight activity. (German Air Force) contingent to the AM took
from June 29-30, 2021). It focused on preparing the
place at Ämari. Three days later, TFA Estonia
quick reaction forces for their time while deployed
Local support reached full operational capability (FOC), with
at QRA air bases in the Baltic. This was the second
As Ämari AB has hosted NATO deployments for four fifth-generation multi-role stealth fighters
iteration of the Ramstein Alloy exercise series, and
several years, the existing local infrastructure ensuring the protection of the Estonian, Latvian
more than 20 aircraft from Italy, Poland, Spain, Turkey,
provided a very good logistical support. Col and Lithuanian airspace under the aegis of the
and Finland (a NATO partner nation) participated,
Sirico expanded: “What had to be analysed with NATO BAP initiative.
as well as the NATO-operated Boeing E-3A Sentry
the host nation was the peculiarity of the F-35 The F-35As of TFA Estonia executed their
airborne warning and control system (AWACS) from
to Ämari. A fundamentally unknown aircraft, it first alert scramble to respond to an aircraft
Geilenkirchen AB, Germany.
was the first time that it had come to perform from the Russian Aerospace Forces flying over
For the first time, a Turkish Air Force Boeing E-7T
this type of service here. A good example of the Baltic Sea on the morning of May 14. Two
Peace Eagle airborne early warning and control
best practice to take away is the involvement F-35As on a round-the-clock QRA received the
(AEW&C) aircraft deployed to the Baltic Sea region to
of the emergency rescue team. We conducted order from NATO’s CAOC in Uedem, Germany,
interoperate with Allies in the north of the Euro-Atlantic
cross training, in order to learn together on the to intercept and identify an aircraft passing
Area. “This exercise [was] basically a refinement of
F-35: how to get close, what are the hot parts through the NATO area of competence.
the peacetime QRA procedures peculiar to the Baltic
to stay away from. This is one of the examples The aircraft was reached quickly while flying
theatre,” said Maj G. “We intervened from Ämari, the
of co-operation with the host nation that has over the international waters of the Baltic Sea
Spanish with Eurofighters from Šiauliai, while the
gone over and above, allowing for smooth and the two F-35A – after the planned ‘visual
Finnish and Swedish, who intervened as NATO partner
and calm processes. identification’ (VID) procedure, following the
nations, were also present.
“Another fundamental aspect has been regulations provided by NATO – returned to
“With them, we trained on all the QRA procedures
Estonian air traffic control. The support has Ämari. This event was the very first scramble
and those for a slow-mover interception – following the
been exceptional within the framework of carried out by fifth-generation jets in the Baltic
aircraft to be intercepted in the assigned airspace and
NATO, which guarantees a standardisation region. For the entire interception, the CAOC
managing it in co-operation, and in accordance with
regardless of the country in which operations monitored the whole operation and reported
CRC orders, as it moved through the airspace of the
are conducted. We have an Italian team that to Allied Air Command, where all information
individual nation, then forcing it to land. We practised
operates at the Estonian Control and about intercepts is registered in the Air Policing
all QRA peacetime procedures, which is the core
Reporting Centre (CRC) and we carry and Reporting section.
mission of why we are here, doing what we do in Italy:
out activities together with the Estonian By mid August, TFA Estonia had carried out
air defence of national skies.”
controllers,” Col Sirico added. more than 20 'alpha scrambles’.

F-35A Lightning II, serial MM7337 ‘32-13’,

performs a powerful high-speed pass
during a ‘tango scramble’ mission

www.Key.Aero November 2021 // 53

Italian F-35As in the Baltic

An F-35A poses for a

picture over the Estonian
coastline. The AM made
history when it became the
first air arm to deploy the fifth-
generation multi-role stealth fighter
to the Baltic region in support of the
NATO Baltic air-policing mission

“What had to be analysed

with the host nation was the
peculiarity of the F-35 to Ämari.
A fundamentally unknown
aircraft, it was the first time it
had come to perform this type
of service here”
Col Vincenzo Sirico, TFA Estonia commander

54 // November 2021 www.Key.Aero

 One of four AM-operated F-35As to
Valuable training deploy to the Baltic flew gracefully
Alongside the ‘core’ QRA role, training was very over the Estonian coast on August 11
much part of the plan for the AM pilots. Training
with the host nation and allies is precious during
this kind of deployment.
One of the main objectives for TFA
Estonia was to increase the integration and
interoperability of the aircraft. “Being the first
nation to bring the F-35 to a Baltic theatre
aroused so much curiosity and allowed us
to do a lot of training,” Maj G explained.
“Exercises like Spring Storm, Storm Shield,
Baltops and Ramstein Alloy all gave us the
chance to make a contribution.
“For example, during Exercise Spring Storm
– an Air Power Contribution to Land Operation
(APCLO) exercise flown in Estonian airspace
– we offered the Exercise Director (DIREX) the
chance to modify and explore new scenarios, to
improve integration and enhance interoperability
of the new fifth-gen asset. Suggestions were
accepted in changing the scenarios, so that missions, we operated with our sensors in the – and with the artillery they fire real shots. So,
other valuable assets – like Polish Air Force discovery and assignment of targets to other when flying a close air support (CAS) [mission]
Su-22s; Estonian Air Force L-39s; Spanish Air assets for their strike activity. We offered to you are intercepted either by a laser pointer
Force Typhoons, Chinooks, Black Hawks, Super others not only our capability of fire but also or by real but inert artillery shots, providing
Pumas, AH-64 Apaches, Joint Terminal Attack our situational awareness, which allowed us training as close as possible to what a real
Controllers (JTACs) and armoured vehicles – to suggest to the forces in the field what to battlefield could be,” Maj G said.
had the chance to understand how the F-35 is a do and what objectives to hit. In the end, we
game-changer on the battlefield. were praised for modifying the exercise and Efficient maintenance
“During the exercise, we had the chance to operating in a totally new way. Throughout the deployment, TFA Estonia
work with Special Operations Forces (SOF) “It should be emphasised that, here, all the provided 100% aircraft availability, thanks to a
teams and JTAC teams; by carrying out Strike shooting ranges are ‘hot range’, which is highly trained maintenance team. It was able to
Co-ordination and Reconnaissance (SCaR) difficult to do in Italy – in fact, only in Sardinia organise such a long redeployment in the best
possible way before the mission began, given
that there is currently no history of such a long
(land) mission for a fifth-generation aircraft.
Speaking specifically of maintenance,
it should be emphasised that – unlike a
Eurofighter deployment that can count on all
the squadrons using the same aircraft – TFA
Estonia relied on the 13th Group/32nd Wing of
Amendola to manage any of the needs relating
to its components and the aircraft.
“In the Italian F-35 world, there is no
[aircraft efficiency group], there is no [aircraft
maintenance department],” said Maj G.
“Almost everything is performed at the
An Italian F-35A pilot returns from squadron level in Amendola – the specialists
a mission over the Baltic states who assist me in the QRA [role] are the same
Above: Italian F-35A Lightning II, specialists who then go to the hangar, take the
serial MM7357 ‘32-07’, taxis by at
airplane apart for maintenance, than make it
Ämari AB on August 10
ready again and allow the pilots to fly.”
He added: “It is an epochal change, where
the higher level of maintenance is performed
by the 13º Gruppo (13th Squadron) personnel,
[who are] able to operate on the major
software upgrade, which is usually carried out
for other platforms by the aircraft maintenance
squadron. This is the level of maintenance
that the F-35 community carry out in Italy, and
there are few operations that need to send the
aircraft to the manufacturer.
“We try to plan maintenance down to the
smallest detail, considering the flight hours as
a whole – those made in Italy and those made
during missions abroad. The aircraft brought
here are those that do not foresee significant
maintenance events in the medium term. In
extreme cases, the replacement of the aircraft
with another one coming from Amendola would
be carried out.”
Climatic and environmental factors were
considered during the planning phase, and
maintenance parameters were calibrated to

www.Key.Aero November 2021 // 55

Italian F-35As in the Baltic

“Being the first nation to

bring the F-35 to a Baltic
theatre aroused so much
curiosity and allowed us
to do a lot of training”
Maj G, Task Group ‘Falco’ commander
incorporate the Baltic context. Above: A pair of F-35As flies
Maintenance chief Capt Giacomo pointed over the Estonian countryside
out: “Some processes may require a controlled during a ‘tango scramble’
temperature environment. We have tools here mission on August 11
Right: An Italian pilot
to ensure what is needed, so the environmental approaches his F-35A before
factor is very limited, with no impact on cooking up a Lightning storm
maintenance. As for the lessons learned, this, in a training mission on
like the other deployments, is a moment of August 10
growth for all staff. We are consolidating the
processes we have set up in past years, refining
our procedures, expanding our statistical base
and validating the planning systems [that] are
already part of our culture.”

Logistics chain
The F-35 logistics chain is different to that of
the other aeronautical assets. The F-35 Hybrid
Product Support Integrator (HPSI) organisation
is in charge of integrating support across
the supply chain. It suggests the pack-up kit
(PUK) to the customer, which is namely the
list of spare parts and consumables deemed
necessary for the detachment. The country is
free to decide its own needs, based on that list,
by making any changes it deems necessary.
“Now with the experience we are acquiring, we
suggest to the programme potential changes
to be made and the programme learns from
us by refining the PUK model. It is a process

56 // November 2021 www.Key.Aero

 that never stops, a continuous exchange of
information and experiences made available
to the entire F-35 community. A nation that
tomorrow will have to face a deployment in the
Baltic will be able to treasure Italy's previous
experience,” said Capt Giacomo.
The logistic chain therefore starts well in
advance of the deployment date, in order to
be ready to face those scheduled maintenance
interventions that are part of the operational life
of each individual aircraft.

Handing over to Eurofighters

In September, the F-35s were replaced for the
next ‘Block 57' rotation by Italian Eurofighters.
From the NATO perspective, the two blocks are
distinct and separate, as if undergoing a change
to another nation, but with the same nation
operating both blocks. It will be very similar to a
national change of command ceremony – some
staff will remain in Estonia, while those tasked
with supporting the aircraft will be replaced.
The AM is now pioneering the use of modern
aircraft for the NATO air-policing mission,
making the current ‘Block 56’ rotation a
milestone for the alliance. Fully integrated in
the community of NATO allies – employing or
acquiring modern fighter aircraft – the AM has
proven its ability to exploit the platform’s multi-
role versatility and performance.
This first Baltic deployment has been a positive
test for the F-35As and the set objectives
have been achieved, thanks to a solid and
well-prepared weapon system. The increased
capacity to collect and share information in real
time brought added value, too.
The F-35 system has matured to the extent
that it can mount alarms in the Baltic countries,
always guaranteeing a complete and effective
response to NATO activations. This is an
indicator that testifies to the robustness of the
aircraft, the professionalism of the staff and the
maintenance support capacity. As Col Sirico
said, “No operation can be successful without
strong logistics behind it.” AFM

By mid August, the four

F-35As assigned to the
TFA Estonia detachment
had carried out more than
20 ‘alpha scrambles’

www.Key.Aero November 2021 // 57

French ISR

Espions Jean-Marc Tanguy looks at the platforms that have served

the French Air and Space Force’s secretive Airborne Electronic
Squadron 1/54 ‘Dunkirk’

The two Evreux-based Transall

C-160G Gabriels of EEA 1/54 ‘Dunkirk’
in flight. As per current plans, this matured
SIGINT fleet will have been completely withdrawn
from French service by the end of 2028 AAE

L
ocated in Evreux, just west of Paris, Air However, the DC-8 was no spring chicken, – French Air and Space
Base 105 has a long history relating to and the cost of the DC-8-72’s implementation Force). However, the force
intelligence aircraft, such as the Douglas and use was deemed prohibitive. Having only was able to call upon the two
DC-8 SARIGuE, which was delivered to the entered service in 2001, the SARIGuE-NG was Transall C-160G Gabriels of
base’s Electronic Squadron 51 ‘Aubrac’ in quickly retired in 2004, despite the fact that it Airborne Electronic Squadron 1/54 ‘Dunkirk’.
1976. This Cold War signals intelligence was slated to remain operational until 2017 – These C-160Gs entered French service in
(SIGINT) aircraft was involved in almost every at least. Instead, France turned its attention 1989 at Air Base 128, near Metz in northeast
major French engagement, but also ventured from the air to the waves and opted to induct France, where they replaced the Nord N-2501
along the borders of Eastern Bloc nations a modern SIGINT vessel – FS Dupuy de Lôme Gabriels. The fleet’s introduction coincided
during this period of geopolitical tensions. (A759) – into French Navy service in 2006. with the fall of the Berlin Wall, and came just
Having operated the DC-8-53 SARIGuE for in time to be operational for the first Gulf War.
electronic tapping and signal classification Gabriels step in Since then, the C-160G Gabriels have
since June 1977, France decided to obtain the The early scrapping of the SARIGuE-NG been involved in all manner of conflicts –
longer DC-8-72 airframe to succeed the type seemingly doomed the SIGINT capabilities of Bosnia, Kosovo, Afghanistan, Libya, Iraq.
as the SARIGuE-NG in 1993. the French Air Force (now known as the AAE The aircraft’s core tasks involve drawing up

58 // November 2021 www.Key.Aero

de l’air France’s
covert
ISR assets

the electronic order of battles (ORBATs) of

opposing forces, and to gradually take over
The Gabriel has also been used as a ‘sensor
guardian’ – a conductor for several sensors,
“The Gabriel has proved
the SIGINT mission that was left vacant, which were mostly developed by France to be an essential asset
following the SARIGuE-NG’s departure.
However, the Transall has two flaws – it is
due to the domestic nature of the air force’s
intelligence mission. This includes sensors on
when entering a new area
not very fast, and it flies lower than a jet – but land (technical/human resources); maritime; of operations – especially
it has good mission endurance, thanks to its and air – ALSR (Light Surveillance and
in-flight refuelling capability. Sometimes, it is Reconnaissance Aircraft), drones, Dassault
against Al-Qaeda and
very useful to linger over an area, especially Mirage 2000Ds equipped with ASTAC ISIS in the Sahel region of
with an onboard processing capacity, which (tactical signal analyser), and Rafales
enables reactive actions in the suppression with Reco-NG long-range, high resolution
North Africa. The aircraft
of enemy air defences (SEAD) or – as has reconnaissance pods). has also supported French
become the rule since the war in Afghanistan The Gabriel’s contribution to French
– to support special forces in detecting the operations has been major – especially
missions against ISIS in
heads of terrorist networks. against Al-Qaeda and ISIS in the Sahel Iraq and Syria”

www.Key.Aero November 2021 // 59

French ISR
Left: An N-2501 pictured at Metz, France, in May
1981. Having entered operational French service
in 1989, the C-160G replaced the air force’s Nord
N-2501 Gabriel fleet in the ELINT role Bob Archer
Below: An artist’s digital rendering of the Gabriel’s
successor, the Dassault Falcon 8X Archange.
Three will be acquired by the AAE, with the first
due to enter service in 2025 Dassault Aviation

Above: Douglas DC-8-72 SARIGuE-NG – serial 45819 ‘FC’ – on the ground in Dakar, Senegal, in April 2001. technical failures. An operational deployment
While this platform entered service in 2001 as an upgraded version of the legacy SARIGuE platform, it was is typically carried out with 55 personnel,
quickly retired three years later due to the age of the DC-8 airframe Jean-Michael Biscarat via Bob Archer including ground crews.
region of North Africa. It has also supported few flights in metropolitan France, because This year, a final upgrade of the type was
missions against ISIS in Iraq and Syria. The our capabilities are in high demand.” Crew launched, to improve the man-machine
aircraft has proved to be an essential asset members fly between 100-600 hours per year. interface and the aircraft’s sensors. Work on
when entering a new area of operations (AO). The Gabriel currently serves in France’s two the two C-160Gs will conclude before the
For example, the C-160Gs and Dassault AOs – the Sahel and Iraq/Syria – but they also end of 2022. This upgrade should enable
Mirage F1CRs equipped with the ASTAC operate along the Russian borders. the Gabriels to continue serving the AAE
electronic intelligence (ELINT) pod were About 20 different specialists co-exist at for another six years before their ultimate
operating around Libya for a month before the EEA 1/54, to enable the operation of the withdrawal and replacement. C-160G serial
NATO-led coalition intervened in the nation’s C-160G and the execution of the type’s F221 ‘GS’ (G02) is due to be withdrawn from
civil war from March 19, 2011. During which, mission. When tasked, the aircraft requires an service in mid-2026, while F216 ‘GT’ (G01) is
the aircraft helped to draw up the air- and intelligence officer, who serves as a tactical due for withdrawal by the end of 2028.
ground-based ORBATs of Colonel Gaddafi’s co-ordinator (TACCO), along with several
forces. Therefore, the AAE knew precisely ELINT and communications intelligence Enter the Archange
what to expect before the official coalition (COMINT) specialists, who each have a unit France has already ordered the Gabriel’s
flights began, which made life easier for the leader. These specialists are rare, and it is successor, which will come in the form
Mirage 2000 and Rafale crews when they left their limited number that reduces the overall of three Dassault Falcon 8X Archanges
to attack Benghazi on March 19. use of the aircraft, more than the technical (Archangels). The first is scheduled for
The commander of EEA 1/54, a former availability of the Gabriel itself. delivery before the end of 2025, followed by
Rafale pilot, said: “90-100% of the activity However, the squadron managed to stick the second by the end of 2026 and the third in
is operational missions, we do relatively to its mission programme in 2020, excluding early 2028. While the platform’s configuration
has yet to be detailed, EEA 1/54 is already
involved in the programme.
With the introduction of the Archange,
France will return to a more capable SIGINT
platform, which is able to fly higher and faster
than its current Gabriel fleet, and will therefore
enable punchy deployments. Speed is an
asset for limiting the duration of projection
times, but also for avoiding potential air
threats. In the overwhelming majority of
cases, SIGINT platforms operate from stand-
off ranges in the AO, and they typically fly at
higher altitudes, where the performance of
their onboard electronic systems is optimal.
France has only ever employed two C-160Gs – serials F216 ‘GT’ (G01) and F221 ‘GS’ (G02). At this point, it is not known whether the
The latter is pictured here, resting between missions in March 2000 Bob Archer
Archange will feature an air-to-air refuelling

Composition of EEA EEA 1/54’s estimated fleet evolution over the next decade
1/54 ‘Dunkirk’ Type 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030
Flight Task C-160R 3 3 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Pilots, navigators, flying mechanics for C-160G 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 (Q2) 1 1 (Q3) 0 0
BR228
C-160G/R Archange 0 0 0 0 0 1 (Q4) 2 (Q4) 2 3 (Q1) 3 3
SAL01 Intelligence specialists VADOR 2 2 2 3 (to be transferred to 33rd ESRA before the end of 2023)
BR259 Crew relating to the VADOR platform Leased ALSR 2 2 2 (to be transferred to 33rd ESRA before the end of 2022)
GMT59 Training Total Fleet 7 7 6 5 2 3 3 3 4 3 3

60 // November 2021 www.Key.Aero

 Evreux Air Base
Located about an hour from Paris – on the Normandy
Beach route – Evreux Air Base was originally
established as a transport base for NATO and US
C-130s, before the French took over in 1966.
In recent years, the installation has increased
in size. This summer, it welcomed the binational
Franco-German KC/C-130J squadron, with aircraft
that will not arrive until next year. Four French
C-130Js – including two KC-130Js – and six German
C-130Js are expected to make up the unit’s fleet.
ET 2/61 (Transport Squadron 2/61) ‘Franche-
Comté’, which operates the C-130H Hercules,
will also relocate to Evreux from Air Base 123 in
Orléans, France, along with ET 3/61 ‘Poitou’ – a
special forces unit that operates the Transall,
C-130H as well as the de Havilland Canada
DHC-6-300 Twin Otter.
These units must fill the inevitable void left by
the outgoing C-160Rs, which are scheduled for
withdrawal in 2023. The AAE has just one remaining
Transall unit in operation – ET 2/64 ‘Anjou’ at
Evruex – while the second (ET 1/64 ‘Béarn’) was
deactivated in August 2017 and was reactivated as
capability, and the type’s longer missions later than scheduled – and the second was an A400M squadron in September.
may require the doubling of onboard crew received on December 2 that year. The air Activities relating to ISR, and secret service
members. We only know that artificial force subsequently designated these aircraft operations are renowned at Evreux, especially
intelligence software is being developed VADOR (Airborne Vector for Observation and with the Mixed Air Group 56 ‘Vaucluse’, which is
– both for in-flight and ground operations Reconnaissance Designation). equipped with the Transall, Hercules, Twin Otter and
– making it possible to accelerate mission The first VADOR flights mainly involved two Airbus Helicopters H225LP Super Puma Mk.II
times and reduce the overall manpower the training of crews, which was essential rotorcraft. They are regularly mobilised and conduct
required, which will already be less than those to prepare the fleet for its first operational training flights with the three training and action
employed on the Gabriels. missions over the Sahel before the end of units of the General Directorate for External Security
summer this year – shortly after the type’s in Orléans, Aspretto, Perpignan, and (of course)
Rise of VADOR commissioning. Aside from its ISR objectives, across the globe.
When France opted to acquire Beechcraft the squadron’s mission is to be able to
King Air 350ERs under the ASLR programme,
the AAE decided to base them initially at
Evreux, under the stewardship of EEA 1/54,
before they eventually go on to join the 33rd
ESRA (Surveillance, Reconnaissance
and Attack Wing).
This decision was based on the
fact that the ALSR had a ROEM The C-160G has been
(information collection of electromagnetic used against terrorist
origin) capability, but it is mainly EEA 1/54 organisations across
Africa and the Middle
that has competence in this field. This ability East in recent times
will remain almost exclusive to the ASLR Jean-Marc Tanguy
until the ROEM pod is integrated onto the
French MQ-9A Reaper fleet, which is also
operated by the 33rd ESRA. This integration
is scheduled to take place in 2022.
The 3rd Fighter Wing also has a qualification
for equipping the ASTAC ELINT pod to its
Mirage 2000Ds, which were detected at the
borders of Russia several times this year.
An initial ASLR contract was awarded to
Thales and Sabena Technics for the first
two aircraft on June 22, 2016. In total, the
AAE plans to have inducted eight such
platforms by 2030. The first example
was delivered to the AAE on August
8, 2020 – which was two years

www.Key.Aero November 2021 // 61

French ISR

sustain four ALSRs over time, two of which

will be VADORs and the remaining pair will be
aircraft leased from CAE Aviation.
Since 2013, France has rented ISR platforms
from this Luxembourg-based company,
whether they have been for the Military
Intelligence Directorate or the General
Directorate for External Security (DGSE) –
the French foreign intelligence agency. Up
to half a dozen aircraft have been leased
simultaneously, whether it has been the
Cessna 208 Grand Caravan, the Beechcraft
B200/B300/350 King Air series or the Fairchild
Merlin IV (one of which was destroyed in a
crash in Malta on October 24, 2016).
EEA 1/54 already benefits from two
Beechcraft 350s, which have been leased
from CAE Aviation for operations over the France currently employs two specially modified Beechcraft King Air 350ER VADOR aircraft, which were
Sahel region. One of these aircraft is flown by acquired through the ASLR programme. In total, eight examples will be operational with the AAE by 2030
AAE/Jean-Luc Brunet
the company’s pilots, with ‘Dunkirk’ providing
the trio of analysts in the rear cabin. The crew terminal attack controller or communications The landing gear of the VADOR has been
of the other is made up entirely of personnel specialist, depending on the mission. reinforced – to facilitate operation from
from the AAE squadron. The reason behind the selection of the Star unpaved surfaces and rough terrains – and
The VADOR mobilises with two pilots, and SAFIRE III EO system is mysterious, given the aircraft also has conformal fuel tanks,
the captain can also help when it comes to that France mainly uses WESCAM sensors. which enable a mission endurance of more
viewing collected images. In the rear cabin, The French Navy’s Breguet Br.1150 Atlantique than seven hours.
the platform hosts a COMINT specialist; 2 maritime patrol aircraft are equipped with France intends to operate a fleet of eight
the TACCO and the photo interpreter, who the MX-20, while the leased ISR platforms VADORs, with two having already been
operates a Star SAFIRE III compact forward- mainly employ the MX-15 – the nation’s delivered in a basic configuration. From the
looking infrared (FLIR) electro-optical (EO) special forces fixed-wing assets feature both third aircraft, a Thales synthetic aperture
gyro-stabilised gimballed camera turret. systems. The Star SAFIRE III had previously radar-moving target indicator radar will be
A sixth occupant can also be carried – only been retained by French Customs, for its placed in front of the canoe that houses the
this could be a linguist, mechanic, joint fleet of seven 350ER King Airs. current sensors. The type will also have a Link
16 datalink capability, but no self-protection
systems. The two operational VADORs
will also be retrofitted with this additional
equipment at a later date.
These recent developments have doubled
the size of EEA 1/54, which had less than 100
airmen in 2018 and now boasts more than
200. This number could still increase before
being ultimately reduced in 2023 with the
scheduled reassignment of the VADOR fleet
to the 33rd ESRA in Cognac.
The Transall’s withdrawal from service could
also be accelerated, without having to wait
for the 2023 deadline. Three aircraft were
recovered in 2019, following the disbandment
of ET 2/64 (Transport Squadron 2/64) ‘Anjou’
at Evreux. They provided both tactical tanker-
Above: AAE Chief of Staff, Gen Philippe Lavigne, flew aboard a VADOR ALSR aircraft on March 17, 2021 transport missions and supplies for the
AAE/Sébastien Lafargue
Below: The VADOR platform is equipped with a Star SAFIRE III compact forward-looking infrared (FLIR) Gabriel, on demand. However, they are no
electro-optical (EO) gyro-stabilised gimballed turret, along with an undisclosed SIGINT payload in the longer employed on Operation Barkhane in
cupola on the belly of the aircraft’s fuselage Jean-Marc Tanguy the Sahel region.
Their withdrawal will force the C-160G to use
other tanker-transport aircraft – such as the
Airbus A400M Atlas or the Lockheed Martin
KC-130J Hercules – to meet in-flight refuelling
requirements when employed on operations.
The Gabriel has already been refuelled in the
Sahel region by now-retired KC-130Hs from
the Spanish Air Force.
By the end of this decade, EEA 1/54
‘Dunkirk’ will have undergone a significant
transformation, as it prepares to bid farewell
to the Gabriel workhorses that have enabled
the unit to complete its operational remit for
more than 30 years. The introduction of the
new business jet-based Falcon 8X Archange
from 2025 will provide the squadron with
a step change in capability, complete with
modern systems and aircraft that are able to
carry France’s SIGINT/ELINT mission forward,
well into the 2030s. AFM

62 // November 2021 www.Key.Aero

 VIP Club
It’s a big month for scholars and enthusiasts of US military aviation
GET TWO
E-BOOKS
FREE

in the latest releases from the Key VIP Book Club

AMARG: America’s Strategic US Naval Air
Military Aircraft Reserve Power: West
By Jim Dunn and Nicholas A. Veronico Coast 2010–20
Get your personal keys to the ‘Boneyard’ with this unique By Patrick Roegies
volume. The US military stores more than 3,000 aircraft in the The US Naval
Arizona desert at AMARG, the 309th Aerospace Maintenance Aviation service
and Regeneration Group facility. Home to massive fleets celebrated its 100th
of F-15, F-16, and F/A-18 fighters, aerial refuelling tankers, anniversary in 2011
bombers, C-130 and C-5 transports, various helicopters, and and remains at the
many special use aircraft, it’s much more than a place where forefront of military
aerospace vehicles come to die. Here some aircraft are stored aviation innovation.
and maintained, while others hold valuable spare parts ready In that time, the service has dealt with
to be harvested. As well as bringing the reader up to date with highlights and various challenges, such as a
recent activities at AMARG, this book presents new, never- sequestration in 2013, the resulting reduction
before-seen images that provide a very special tour of the in combat readiness, and manufacturing
Boneyard. 96 pages; portrait format; over 170 photographs; delays. Focusing on the US Navy and Marine
£15.99 Corps squadrons, and illustrated with over
200 images, this book delves into the various
Q and A with Author Nick Veronico: carrier air wings, the aircraft, such as the
Pick out one exciting aircraft into a C-130, and eventually onto an F-15. F/A-18 and E2 variants, and the training that
you saw at the facility and tell us During our visits to AMARG, we were able together make US Naval Aviation the force it
about it. to see the YAL-1 in storage shortly after is today. Air Forces Series, Vol 2; 128pp;
One of the most interesting arrival, see valuable parts removed from the over 200 photographs £16.99
aircraft was the Boeing YAL-1 airframe to supply the Air Force’s E-4 airborne
Airborne Laser Test Bed, which command posts and NASA’s Stratospheric
is profiled in the book. The plane brought Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA --
US Navy and
science fiction to life with a giant laser turret a 747SP with a 2.7-meter diameter telescope), Marine Corps
on the nose, and it did, in fact, have a couple and to see the aircraft’s eventual scrapping. Yearbook 2021
of missile kills. The US military is now working We documented the YAL-1’s life cycle within Lockheed Martin’s
to reduce the size of its airborne laser to fit the boneyard. F-35 Lightning II is at
the centre of this year’s
Exclusive
Offer 25% OFF cover price for VIP Book Club Members big stories. The F-35C
will embark on its first
Aircraft of Red Flag: The Ultimate Lynx: The Final Year in French deployment as part of
Air-to-Air Combat Exercises Service Modern Military Aircraft Series: Volume 1 a carrier air wing and
the F-35B continues to form part of Marine
By Scott Cuong Tran and Nick Tran By Henri-Pierre Grolleau Expeditionary Units embarked on US Navy
With over 140 full-colour photographs, this Introduced in 1978, the Westland Lynx was amphibious assault ships. Similarly, the US
stunning collection looks at the aircraft a highly versatile multirole Navy’s test community is now putting the
involved, fighters such as the Eagle and aircraft. Containing over Boeing Block III Super Hornet through its
Super Hornet, support aircraft such as the 200 full-colour images, this paces, the CMV-22B Osprey is proving itself
Stratotanker and Sentry, books charts the much-loved ahead of first deployment, and the first TH-
and many others from machine's final year in French 73 training helicopter entered service in June.
both sides of the Atlantic. service before its withdrawal This latest edition features all of these new
128 pages, landscape in August 2020. 96 pages, types and is packed with reviews and analysis
format; £17.99 £13.50 portrait format; £14.99 £11.24 of the two services’ air power in 2021. By
Mark Ayton; 116 pages £8.99
To claim your exclusive discount on these two titles, simply call +44 (0)1780 480404 and quote
To order, visit shop.keypublishing.com/
‘VIP Book Club member’ to the advisor.
usnavy21

JOIN TODAY at keypublishing.com/vip-book-club

Be the first to find out about our forthcoming book releases and receive exclusive offers. Register today
at keypublishing.com/vip-book-club and, as a thank you, we’ll give you TWO free e-books straight away!

Our VIP Book Club is a 100% spam-free zone, and we will never share your email with anyone else. You can read our full privacy policy at: privacy.keypublishing.com
Tempest Flight Test Aircraft

‘EXCALIBUR’
unsheath Khalem Chapman examines ‘Excalibur’ – a Boeing 757-200
being modified as a flying laboratory to serve as the ‘sword in the stone’ for
developing technologies in the UK-led Future Combat Air System programme

P
reparations are under way by 2Excel Security Equipment International (DSEI) enter operational service in 2035. Dubbed
Aviation to transform a former conference in London on September 15. ‘Excalibur’ – after the legendary sword
civil-operated Boeing 757-200 into The Tempest FTA will allow scientists and carried by King Arthur – the Tempest FTA is
an airborne laboratory for combat air engineers to conduct in-flight testing of being modified to supplement the digital-first
technology. The Northamptonshire-based futuristic sensors and communications for approach adopted by Team Tempest partners
aviation services company was contracted the Future Combat Air System (FCAS) that is for testing and evaluating the Tempest’s
by Leonardo to proceed with the next stage currently being developed by the UK together next-generation electronic systems.
of the Tempest Flight Test Aircraft (FTA) with its international partners – Italy, Japan The testbed will provide a real-world
programme during the Defence and and Sweden. The system is scheduled to environment for testing and evaluation,
which will be vital for the latter stages of
Leonardo’s development of the complex,
integrated sensors, non-kinetic effects and
communications systems that are necessary
for the FCAS programme.
Commenting on Excalibur, Air Cdre Jez
Holmes – head of the Royal Air Force’s (RAF)
Rapid Capabilities Office – told AFM: “It’s so
important to get this technology up in the air,
in a real, representative environment. It’s a
great endeavour and I’m really pleased to see
it moving ahead and maturing technologies
which could ultimately form part of a Future
A model of Excalibur was displayed at 2Excel Combat Air System designed to keep us safe
Aviation’s stand during DSEI 2021. Plans to
use a modified Boeing 757 as the testbed for for centuries to come.”
Team Tempest activities were announced at Leonardo said Excalibur will be available
the Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) in to international partners in a bid to further
July 2019 Khalem Chapman de-risk the technology being developed under

64 // November 2021 www.Key.Aero

 A digital rendering depicting the Boeing
757-based Tempest FTA in flight. The
aircraft – dubbed ‘Excalibur’ to reflect that
legendary sword’s power and association
with Britain’s sovereignty – will be
integrated with a number of systems and
sensors vital to the development
of the UK-led FCAS programme
Leonardo

Speaking with AFM at the DSEI go,” Norton said. “We’ll fly the aircraft and
conference, Chris Norton – the baseline the aircraft first. Then we’ll cut holes,
co-founder of 2Excel Aviation put bumps on and go through the whole
and the company’s project certification process – noise, speed, stalls,
director for the Tempest FTA vibration, icing and all of those sort of things
programme – said: “For 2Excel, that have to be done before we even start to
[Excalibur] is another growth attach the black boxes to the plane.”
in the long relationship we Norton confirmed that the design work and
have with Leonardo. The whole some of the manufacturing will be conducted
organisation can see long-term, at the company’s base in Doncaster, South
cutting-edge business.” Yorkshire, while the installation of systems
and the aircraft’s modification will take place
Unleashing Excalibur at its facility in Lasham, Hampshire: “We’ll
He continued: “For our engineering business build it at Lasham and we’ll fly it out of
– which services airplanes from EasyJet, Jet2 Lasham. As soon as we turn it into anything
and TUI, etc – they’re suddenly going to be secret then we’ll put it behind a wire, but
building something that will be the testbed for the aircraft itself will be unclassified; so that
the RAF’s future fighter, which is really cool! we can take it anywhere we want to go and

hed
“We can see value in it, we can see prestige provide it as a service to anyone who wants
in it. We can see the national prosperity to use it. The equipment that gets temporarily
agenda, the defence industrial strategy [that installed for testing is where the classified bits
will] level up ‘Global Britain’. All of that will be go. That’s when we’ll take it behind the wire,
rolled into one and embodied in this beautiful so we don’t have to provide security for it.”
airplane,” he explained. Excalibur will be able to be used wherever it
Norton elaborated on why the two is needed, Norton said: “The operational base
companies opted for a Boeing 757 as the can be anywhere because we’ll be putting it
platform in which the Tempest FTA would be onto the G-registration; we’ll be operating it
based. “We actually bought 737s thinking that under our various approvals – which includes
was going to be enough and, when we did the our air operators certificate (AOC) – and we’ll
feasibility study, we said ‘OK, we should put be able to take it anywhere around the world.”
a 737 in the mix, but that may not be enough’. While Tempest forms a large part of the
So, we looked at everything from the sort of FCAS programme, the endeavour also
aircraft that other companies have got to incorporates development of advanced UAS
737s and 757s. platforms that will be networked across the
the FCAS programme. It added that “the “The 757 was a hands-down winner because RAF’s future fighter fleet via a sophisticated
aircraft could also be used to complement it’s 90in off the ground; it’s got two RB211s ‘Combat Cloud’. These concepts comprise
the development of uncrewed technology, that can reach up to 60,000lbs of thrust; the Lightweight Affordable Novel Combat
including acting as a control hub for uncrewed we’ve got 90 kVA [or kilo-volt-amperes] in Aircraft (LANCA) – a Loyal Wingman-type
platforms undergoing test”. every engine, including the APU [auxiliary platform being developed under the RAF’s
While Excalibur will be fundamental to power unit], so there’s lots of spare electrical Project Mosquito, set to fly by the end of 2023
the continued development, testing and power to power the fledgling systems of – and a swarming drone capability that is
evaluation of FCAS systems and technologies tomorrow,” he said. being developed under the Alvina programme.
in its primary role, Leonardo said the platform In the next year, more detailed design Will Excalibur contribute to the evaluation
will also be used to support other UK and activities are set to take place regarding of these projects? Norton said: “Absolutely.
international flight test programmes. the installation of Tempest equipment and Everything that is envisaged for Team
This latest contract furthers two years’ work the flight test schedule. During this period, Tempest, we should be allowing to be tested
conducted by both Leonardo and 2Excel on Leonardo and 2Excel will survey, inspect and long before they build that platform. That
the Tempest FTA concept and design phase, confirm the proposed installation solutions for way the technologies that are required to
which included a feasibility study that was the testbed. control a swarm or to interact with other
completed in 2020. Leonardo reported that Excalibur “will have communications systems or to gather the
During the study, the two companies a significant fit of equipment under test, data necessary to reach back and provide
evaluated the suitability of using a commercial including a ‘representative cockpit’ in the the knowledge that decisions can be made
airliner as a testbed and saw the creation passenger cabin. Flight test instrumentation with – all of that has to work on the FTA.
of digital models for some of the proposed will be fitted in advance of baseline flight tests We’re there to validate it and if it couldn’t
modifications, which include significant required for future certification of the work with Mosquito, we’re not validating it.
changes to the aircraft’s nose section. modified aircraft”. So absolutely, we will work together. We’ve
Proposed external modifications have In terms of its operational timeline – which already shown that you can do airborne
also been modelled to analyse their is driven by the RAF – the delivery of the integration and airborne command and
aerodynamic and structural impact on the Tempest TFA is still a few years away. control, etc. Excalibur will be able to do just
757, while meeting Leonardo’s equipment However, 2Excel is already preparing to that; it might be a big node, but it’s a node,”
installation requirements. start work on Excalibur. “We will be ready to he concluded. AFM

www.Key.Aero November 2021 // 65

Bulgarian air defence

I
t has been almost 30 years since the Cold the Black Sea. However, no upgrades have country’s air defence assets and those of
War officially ended, but the Bulgarski been implemented and the ageing MiG-29 fleet Romania and Turkey – the other two NATO
Voennovazdushni Sili (BVVS, Bulgarian still retains its 1980s-vintage mission and flight/ nations in the region.
Air Force) still relies on Soviet-era fighters, navigation avionics systems. When Russian aircraft are detected flying
surface-to-air missiles (SAMs) and early Since 2015, the Bulgarian pilots on QRA duty over the Black Sea’s closed basin, across the
warning radars on active alert duty to maintain have routinely carried GoPro action cameras controlled airspace of the three NATO member
its sovereign air defence network. on their ZSh-5 or ZSh-7 protective helmets to states, they need to ensure the scrambled
record their missions and take photographs fighters continue to shadow them and that
Legacy Fulcrums of intercepted aircraft when tasked to perform targets from one national air defence system
The BVVS currently retains a tiny fighter visual identification (VID). to another are handed over reliably.
fleet of 11 non-upgraded, single-seat From the mid-2010s, the Bulgarian air ‘Alpha scrambles’ have been on the rise to
Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-29 Fulcrum-As and defence system has been increasingly busy intercept and shadow Russian bombers and
three two-seat MiG-29UB Fulcrum-Bs. Taken due to periods of intense Russian air activity intelligence-gathering aircraft – sometimes
on strength in 1989-1990, these Soviet-era in international airspace over the Black Sea, escorted by long-range fighters. The Bulgarian
twin-engine, twin-tail fighters serve with one in the NATO Air Defence Identification Zone QRA fighters are scrambled on calls issued by
squadron, stationed to the north of Plovdiv (ADIZ). The BVVS QRA intercept procedures the Combined Air Operations Centre Torrejón
– Bulgaria’s second-largest city, in the central involve a lot of (CAOC-T) in Spain or by the Control and
part of the country. co-operation Reporting Centre (CRC) in Sofia, with prior
Currently, the 3rd Aviobaza (Air Base) at Graf between the permission given by the CAOC-T.
Ignatievo, commanded by Brigade General After receiving the order, QRA pilots at Graf
Nikolay Rusev, is the only active BVVS fighter Ignatievo have to be airborne within 15
station. Since April 29, 2004, the unit has minutes. Before or soon after take-off,
been providing Bulgaria’s most
important contribution to the
NATO Integrated Air and Missile
Defence System (NATINAMDS). Two
MiG-29s – plus a back-up example – are
kept on 24/7 Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) duties
for the air policing mission of the country’s
airspace and the adjacent area of responsibility
(AoR) over the Black Sea.
QRA-tasked MiGs tend to be armed with two
R-73E (AA-11 Archer) short-range, heat-seeking
air-to-air missiles and carry one 1,500-lit
under-fuselage external tank, enabling them to
remain airborne for up-to one-and-a-half hours
when engaged in long-range operations over

Fighting
obsoles
66 // November 2021 www.Key.Aero
they receive basic information on the expected
type of the target and the co-ordinates they are
heading to.
When QRA platforms from one of the three
countries perform VID of the previously
unidentified Russian military aircraft – as
ordered by the CAOC-T – the fighters
scrambled by the other two air arms usually
continue with their shadowing mission from
beyond-visual-range (BVR), leaving the
Russians to proceed on their route.

Maintenance woes
No doubt, QRA operations with an increasing
number of ‘alpha scrambles’ have put a
serious burden on Bulgaria’s tiny and
ageing fighter fleet. Maintenance of the
Fulcrum-equipped unit – 2/3 Iztrebitelna Avio
Eskadrila (IAE, Fighter Squadron) – has badly
suffered from underfunding since the early
2010s. By March 2016, only seven of the 15 Above: The increasing number of ‘alpha scrambles’ since the mid-2010s has placed
MiG-29s had been maintained in an airworthy a serious burden on Bulgaria’s thin, ageing and non-upgraded fighter community
condition, according to official information from Below: A BVVS MiG-29 takes off with a full missile loadout that includes two R-27R1s
for BVR engagements and four highly agile R-73Es, which are useful for close-in
the Bulgarian Ministry of Defence (MoD).
combat and visual intercepts All images Alexander Mladenov unless stated
Its latest effort to improve the MiG-29’s
declining airworthiness rates was in late 2017, the aircraft’s components 29 maintenance between 2006 and 2020
when it entered into a framework support and systems. amounted to BGN275m (€140.6m).
agreement with RSK MiG – the Fulcrum’s The agreement’s package The main argument behind the Bulgarian
original equipment manufacturer (OEM). of official contracts was government’s decision to continue investing
It covers deep airframe inspections, inked in March 2018 and in maintaining its aged Fulcrum fleet – an
deliveries of spare parts, provision of was valued at BGN81.3m increasingly costly undertaking in the mid-term
engineering services and training, in (€41.6m) in total. In – is that the Soviet-era fighter is seen as the
addition to repairs and overhauls of June 2020, Bulgarian nation’s primary involvement in the NATINAMDS
Defence Minister Krassimir and it is set to continue in this important role for
Karakachanov admitted in an the foreseeable future. In the Bulgarian MoD’s
official report that the total latest plans, unveiled in 2018, the MiG-29 fleet is
funds invested into MiG- slated to remain in operational service until the

scence
Alexander Mladenov looks at the slow and often painful transformation of the Bulgarian Air Force’s air
defence assets, while revealing humble plans to field Western-made hardware in the foreseeable future

www.Key.Aero November 2021 // 67

Bulgarian air defence

A single-seat MiG-29 from the BVVS maintains a close

formation with Polish Air Force Fulcrums during an air
policing exercise in Bulgarian airspace, October 2015

second half of the 2020s, albeit in lower numbers. That said, the operation and upkeep of for acquiring the Lockheed Martin F-16 Block
However, the airworthiness of the fleet did not Bulgaria’s MiG-29 fleet well into the 2020s 70 Fighting Falcon in December 2018 to fulfil
improve in 2019 and 2020. In late 2020, Bulgarian will continue to be rather problematic and its multirole fighter requirement, which called
MoD sources revealed that the MiG-29 fleet has increasingly more expensive. It is widely for at least the partial replacement of the
again been suffering from increasingly challenging acknowledged that the Russian-made platform country’s Fulcrum and Sukhoi Su-25K/UBK
maintenance issues and the number of airworthy has become a high-profile hostage to political Frogfoot-A/B fleets in the early/mid-2020s. The
airframes is still low, despite the ongoing fleet interest and any further deterioration of the then-ruling party, GERB, said the choice was
support contracts with RSK MiG. Delivery of the ticklish relations between Russia and NATO as purely political, despite a formal competition
contract was significantly delayed by COVID-19 a whole could result in the abrupt termination organised by Sofia in 2018, where the F-16
and other unfavourable factors affecting RSK MiG of the country’s support for the Bulgarian Block 70 was pitted against the Saab
operations, and the effort isn’t expected to bear Fulcrum fleet – making the entire BVVS and its Gripen C/D and second-hand Tranche 1
real fruit until late 2021. To maintain the Fulcrum air policing mission hostages as well. Eurofighters offered by the Italians.
fleet in its required shape until later this An acquisition contract was inked
decade, Bulgaria would need to enter into new Enter the Viper by Karakachanov on July 11, 2018,
long-term support agreements with RSK MiG, Bulgaria’s protracted on-off process of covering the delivery of an initial batch
acknowledged as the only industry source selecting a new fighter, initiated in the early of eight new-build F-16 Block 70s.
capable of providing all-out logistical support 2010s, eventually concluded in mid-2019. The Valued at US$1.265bn, the Foreign
solutions for the type. Bulgarian government declared its preference Military Sale covers the delivery of

Unleashed! A 2K12 Kub (SA-6 Gainful) in action The S-300MPU (SA-10C

with the SURN target search and guidance radar Grumble) is Bulgaria’s most
vehicle in the foreground and a just-launched modern GBAD system, seen
missile firing in the background launching a missile during a
live-fire exercise at the Shabla
shooting range, August 2015

68 // November 2021 www.Key.Aero

six single-seat F-16Cs and a pair of two-seat Following the collapse of the Warsaw Pact
F-16Ds to Bulgaria, a small package of air-to-air in 1991, the once highly secretive Ground Legacy EW radars
munitions – comprising AIM-120C-7 and AIM-9X Based Air Defence (GBAD) component of Bulgaria’s air surveillance network relies on several
missiles – and Sniper advanced targeting the BVVS retained its strength with little types of legacy long-range EW radar sets that are
pods; Mk 82 unguided freefall bombs; pilot and change for about a decade. This comprised deployed at a variety of sites across the country and
maintenance personnel training; ground support more than two dozen active missile sites, feed data to the national air defence system. It then
equipment and logistical support. deployed around the major urban and processes the gathered information from various
Bulgarian President Rumen Radev, himself a industrial centres and controlled by three radars, forms the recognised air pictures (RAP) and
former BVVS commander-in-chief and fighter SAM brigades. However, in the early 2000s, sends it to the Combined Air Operations Centre Torrejón
pilot criticised the purchase of the F-16. On a series of savage cuts to force structure, (CAOC-T) in Spain.
many occasions in 2019 and 2020, he claimed personnel and equipment slashed nearly Activated in January 2013, CAOC-T staff execute
that the weapons package had been cut to 70% of the branch’s overall strength. NATO’s Air Policing missions on a 24/7 basis for
an unacceptably low level, training had been While the early warning (EW) radars Europe’s Southern Air Policing Region, situated south
reduced, resulting in a shortage of the pilots stationed at half a dozen locations alongside of the Alps.
and maintainers required for normal operation, the country’s borders are supporting The BVVS EW radar force – together with the air
and that a compromise had been made on the NATINAMDS operations by supplying defence C2 structures – falls under the control
scope of the logistical support package. recognised air pictures (RAPs) to NATO’s of the Command, Control and Surveillance Base,
In fact, the end price has seriously exceeded CAOC-T on a 24/7 basis, the GBAD systems headquartered in Sofia. Its inventory comprises an
the originally allocated MoD budget for new are being fielded for national use only. eclectic mix of old-generation systems, with some of
fighters, which was set in 2018 and totalled The ZRV (SAM Troops) branch has been these operated in an upgraded form. There is a plan to
BGN1.5bn (€767m or US$900m). It has also suffering from a severe technology lag and procure new radars in the next two to three years.
acknowledged that the size of the fighter deal very limited NATO interoperability due to Currently, Bulgaria exclusively fields Soviet-era
package has been deliberately reduced to trim the lack of any serious modernisation over EW radars that were commissioned in the 1970s
down the end price as much as possible. the last 30 years. At the same time, these and 1980s. The radar sites included in NATO’s plan
The BVVS will take its first F-16s on strength systems are considered valuable assets, provide reliable coverage of the country’s airspace,
in the second half of 2023 and the delivery of used on a regular basis in all international air together with large parts of neighbouring Serbia
all eight aircraft is scheduled for completion in exercises held in Bulgaria with other NATO and North Macedonia, and the Bulgarian Black Sea
the first quarter of 2024. However, informed nations – mainly the US Air Force (USAF) air policing AoR. However, the radars are stretched
sources in Sofia expect delays of between six – who get the chance to train their aircrews to the limit due to obsolescence issues and spare
months and a year, mainly due to the lagging against a real-world and skilled GBAD force. part shortages.
construction of the F-16-related infrastructure Currently, the ZRV branch operates an In its report on the state of Bulgaria’s defence in
at Graf Ignatievo. It is expected that the F-16 eclectic mix of no fewer than five Soviet-era 2019, the MoD warned that there is a real short-term
will adopt Bulgaria’s QRA mission in 2025 GBAD systems, including the still-modern risk of the BVVS encountering serious issues with
at the earliest, where it will complement and S-300PMU (SA-10C Grumble), which is the provision of radar information to its C2 system.
eventually replace the non-upgraded MiG-29s. complemented by the S-200VE Vega (SA-5 The MoD claimed that this situation would lead to the
Bulgaria’s fighter fleet recapitalisation plan Gammon), SK12 Kub (SA-6 Gainful) and impossibility of performing the all-important airspace
calls for the eventual procurement of 16 S-125M Neva (SA-3 Goa). Bulgaria also still control and protection mission in national and allied
Fighting Falcons, but the financial schedule maintains the hopelessly obsolete S-75M formats and would threaten BVVS flight safety.
on how to proceed with purchasing the Volkhov (SA-2 Guideline) system for training The P-37MV1 Khristo (Bar Lock) is an upgraded radar
remaining eight aircraft has yet to be and target facilities. set, which features an added-on 3D capability and
approved. This deal is expected to take The ZRV is grouped within the air utilises a digitised output that feeds to the CRC, where
place in 2022 at the earliest. force’s 1st ZRV Baza (SAM Troops Base), the RAP is formed. Its high-altitude detection range
headquartered at Bozhurishte near Sofia. against large-size air targets extends to 162nm and
Soviet-era GBADs Speaking in front of local press in September the upgraded Soviet-era radar can detect and track
The ground-based components of Bulgaria’s 2020, its commanding officer – Col Valery movements of up-to 200 air targets.
air defence system more or less play a Tsenov – said that all of the GBAD systems The indigenous upgrade – performed at a radar
supporting role, as the SAM force fielded included in the active inventory are being systems maintenance facility in Bozhurishte, near Sofia
today is viewed as a pale shadow of its former kept fully functional, combat-ready and between 2001-2003 – extended the radar’s life-cycle
self during the Cold War-era. placed on active alert on a scheduled basis. by 25 years and integrated the MSSR-2000I IFF
interrogators for electronic ID.
‘According to the Bulgarian MoD’s latest The P-37MV1 inventory is forming the so-called
main radar component of Bulgaria’s 24/7 airspace
plans, unveiled in 2018, the MiG-29 surveillance system. It is augmented by two types of
2D radars with digitised output, which are included in
fleet is slated to remain in operational the so-called additional radar component.
The first of these is the P-14 Oborona/Kometa (Tall
service until the second half of the 2020s, King), a very-high-frequency (VHF) radar set with a
maximum range of 216nm. The second radar type,
albeit in reduced numbers’ used by the BVVS for EW purposes, is the P-18 Venera
(Spoon Rest-D) – a VHF radar set with a maximum
range of 97nm against high-flying targets.
Bulgaria is now planning to procure new long-range
surveillance radars with 3D capabilities and a
high-level of automation. The new radars will enable
a higher level of integration between the country’s
airspace surveillance system and the NATINAMDS.
This radar purchase has been included in the list of
the top BVVS priorities, with an allocated budget of
up-to BGN400m (€216m). It has been estimated
that Bulgaria requires five long-range and two
medium-range radars and associated infrastructure
to be fielded in a 2024-2025 timeframe, which would
coincide with the F-16’s service introduction.

www.Key.Aero November 2021 // 69

Bulgarian air defence
BVVS Fulcrums are
heavily engaged in the
air policing role and,
in recent years, these
Soviet-era fighters
have been frequently
scrambled to intercept
and visually identify
Russian military aircraft
in international airspace
over the Black Sea that
entered Bulgaria’s ADIZ

‘It is expected that the F-16 will adopt Bulgaria’s

QRA mission in 2025 at the earliest, where it
will complement and eventually replace the
non-upgraded Soviet-era MiG-29s’
Bulgaria’s SAM fire units also come equipped
with an external truck-mounted identification
friend-or-foe (IFF) system. They use
Hensoldt’s MSSR 2000I medium-range digital
interrogators, which are integrated into the
antenna system of the Russian-made,
truck-mounted 1L22 Parol mobile IFF
system and are capable of using a Mode
5 interrogation (the current standard for all
military transponders and interrogators used
by NATO countries).
The smart, indigenous solution for adding
IFF capabilities to the fire unit’s search
radars (such as the P-18 and ST-68U). It was
originally developed in a cost-effective manner
back in the early 2000s by a local defence
industry team, led by Plovdiv-based Telesis, in
an effort to provide a degree of interoperability
The P-18 (Spoon Rest-D) is a 2D VHF radar that is still in widespread use across BVVS sites when employing the Bulgarian GBAD
and is operated by the so-called additional radar component. These systems are utilised to form
the recognised air pictures (RAP) of Bulgarian airspace and adjacent territories component within the NATO environment.
Bulgaria’s single S-300PMU – the most
capable and valuable GBAD system fielded by
the BVVS – was delivered in 1989 and equips
a single fire unit (or 'division’), stationed near
Sofia. An export derivative of the Soviet-era
S-300PS truck-mounted system, the
S-300PMU is able to engage up-to six targets
simultaneously with its V55R radio-command
missile, sporting a maximum range of 40nm
against high-flying aircraft.
Since the late 2000s, the highly priced
S-300PMU has seen frequent participation
in international air defence exercises with
visiting USAF and Italian Air Force units, and
even took part in a couple of large-scale joint
Bulgarian-Israeli events.
The able GBAD platform is a regular
participant in the missile-firing practice
exercises held at the Shabla shooting range
The S-200VE Gammon, including its guidance radars and missiles, are nearing the end of their service on the Black Sea coast, near the Romanian
life, but the BVVS still kept its mighty and long-legged GBAD system in a fully functional state to border. Over the years, the Bulgarian Grumble
provide air protection for the nation’s capital, Sofia Ognian Stefanov via Alexander Mladenov system has also been used for firing practice

70 // November 2021 www.Key.Aero

 late 2021 at the earliest. The 2K12 Kub is also among the most
The scope of work foresees a full restoration useful systems fielded by the air force’s SAM
of the system’s operational performance, and Troops branch. Inherited from the Land Forces
the Bulgarian requirements also call for the inventory in 2001, this legacy GBAD platform
replacement of obsolete electronic units that is based on tracked vehicles and fires missiles
are no longer in production with newer ones, using the semi-active radar guidance method,
using modern components with equivalent with a maximum range of 13nm (24km) against
characteristics. The project’s budget is set at high-flying targets.
approximately BGN20.83m (€10.65m). The Bulgarian Gainful inventory has been
Col Tsenov said he hopes the S-300PMU slightly improved in recent years, with the
system is rendered good for use for five more addition of the indigenous SUAS-PVO
years after the restoration is completed. command and control (C2) system, supplied
by Sofia-based ProMax 99. It facilitates better
Bulgaria’s monster GBAD and faster data exchange and target distribution
The BVVS retains a single S-200VE Vega fire from a command post to the fire units,
unit in active service. This long-range GBAD comprising a guidance radar and several launch
system uses extra-large SAMS, which boast a vehicles, each equipped with three missiles.
range of up-to 130nm (240km) when launched The SUAS-PVO system – fielded by the SAM
against high-flying targets. Troops branch from the mid-2010s – provides
The Gammon, widely known as the air force’s RAP and targeting information directly to the
‘white elephant’, was inducted into service in crews controlling the operations of the fire unit.
1983 and is still maintained in an operational In addition to the handful of GBAD sites, SAM
condition by the BVVS without any industrial Troops control the Shabla shooting range,
support – testament to the skills of the SAM which is also a dedicated GBAD training centre
branch’s technical personnel. It is by far the and has its own S-125M and C-75M systems
most technically complex GBAD system in for training purposes.
Bulgarian service. Operated from a hardened There are no plans to procure new GBAD
site, the system employs 5V28M missiles, systems in the near- to medium-term. Instead,
which are 36ft in length; weigh approximately a long-term project was initiated by the MoD
23,803lb and follow the semi-active radar in May 2019, which foresees the acquisition of
guidance method. new-generation short- and medium-range
According to Bulgarian sources, when taking GBAD systems to replace the nation’s
by Slovak and Ukrainian SAM crews, who part in the annual Guard-series of international entire inventory of Soviet-era platforms.
brought only their missiles to Shabla and exercises – designed to train air force/air However, this project has yet to be included
used Bulgaria’s guidance radar/command defence operators to work in a degraded in the MoD’s procurement priorities and its
posts and launchers. environment caused by active radar and implementation will most likely take place in
Due to the S-300PMU’s intense use and the communication jamming – the legacy Gammon the late 2020s.
lack of an indigenous maintenance and repair system had fared pretty well as its otherwise There is no doubt that such a timeline would
capability for it, the Bulgarian MoD launched antiquated electronic systems proved immune mean the SAM Troops branch has to continue
a tender for its repair and the delivery of to airborne jamming. However, its crews have working hard on its chequered inventory of
spare parts in late 2020, with aims to restore had no opportunities to conduct live missile medium- and long-range GBAD systems,
the system’s operability in the long run. firings at the Shabla range as it is considered maintaining them in an operational condition
Almaz-Antey Corp – the S-300PMU's OEM to be too small to safely operate the system. during a time where there are acute spare
– has been the only bidder and, if selected, Instead, operators tend to use the platform’s parts shortages for the increasingly obsolete
an agreement is expected to be signed by built-in simulation capabilities. hardware, which dates back to the 1980s. AFM
The S-200VE’s monster missile, known as the
5V28M, on the transporter-loader vehicle, which
is itself based on a KrAZ heavy-duty truck

www.Key.Aero November 2021 // 71

Modernisation in the Gulf

BUYING
BIG!
72 // November 2021 www.Key.Aero
 With the Dubai International member states – just as NATO does. There
is a general agreement that there should
Airshow coming up in November, not only be enough platforms to cover
Alan Warnes takes a closer look the needs of the sovereign states but
at some of the modernisation also enable them to cover any perceived
plans being undertaken by the six GCC weaknesses.
Gulf Cooperation Council nations All of these countries, except Oman,
have purchased the US-made Patriot
surface-to-air missile (SAM) system, with

T
he shadows of both Iran and Islamic Bahrain being the most recent nation to join
militants cut deep across the Middle the list of operators. The kingdom signed
East, so it is not surprising that the six an agreement in August 2019, with Ralph
Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries Acaba, president of Raytheon Integrated
– Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Defense Systems, saying: “Raytheon’s
Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Patriot Integrated Air and Missile Defense
– have been modernising their militaries at System will ensure the Kingdom of Bahrain
quite a phenomenal rate in recent years, is well-equipped to defend against ballistic
with fighters leading the charge. missiles, cruise missiles, and manned and
The GCC militaries would all like to work as unmanned aircraft.”
an integrated force, just as NATO does, but Many of the acquisitions come from the
it is unclear how far this has progressed in US, but the French and the British get
recent times. However, there is a GCC their share too – so as not to rely on one
Unified Military Command, headquartered in government supplier. So, how is the GCC’s
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, that aims to consolidate air force modernisation process fairing?
defence co-operation and integration between Here, we examine what's been happening
the six nations. in each of the six nations in turn.
The defence agreement is sometimes
referred to as the Peninsula Shield Force, Below: The RAFO took delivery of 12 Hawk Mk 166s
in 2017 and 12 Eurofighters in 2017-2018. The first
which is designed to deter and respond to Typhoon (pictured) was delivered in June 2017
military aggression against any of the GCC BAE Systems

www.Key.Aero November 2021 // 73

Modernisation in the Gulf

Bahrain
Of all the countries in the GCC, Bahrain is
thought to have the smallest defence budget
and its needs are quite often funded by Saudi
Arabia, just as the desert kingdom supports
other nations.
have new training tools, to meet increasing
demands for a greater training bandwidth and
shorter training timelines.”
The jewel in the new Block 70’s crown is
the Northrop Grumman AN/APG-83 Scalable
Kuwait
Like most of the GCC countries, Kuwait is also
on the verge of modernising its fighter fleet
with 56 new aircraft: 28 Boeing F/A-18E/F
Super Hornets (Block III) and 28 Eurofighter
Typhoons. The last F/A-18E/F was delivered to
the US Navy on September 2, 2021.
Being a government-to-government
FMS, the US Navy is the customer and
subsequently transfers the aircraft to the
One of the top priorities for the Royal Bahraini Agile Beam Radar (SABR) – an active Kuwait Air Force (KAF). In June 2018, Kuwait
Air Force (RBAF) is a basic flying training electronically scanned array (AESA) system. agreed the FMS deal – worth approximately
platform. The Slingsby T-67M Fireflies acquired The SABR replaces the older F-16’s existing US$10bn – with the US government for 22
in 2003, as part of the British Aerospace (BAe) AN/APG-68 radar and is a development of the single-seat F/A-18Es and six two-seat
Hawk Mk 129 deal, have been grounded for AN/APG-81 found on the Lockheed Martin F/A-18Fs to replace its 30-year-old legacy
several years now. It is speculated that the F-35 Lightning II. F/A-18C/D Hornets.
RBAF is considering the Beechcraft A/T-6 as a The Block 70s will complement the RBAF’s The Block III Super Hornets will house
replacement, but fiscal priorities lie elsewhere existing fleet of 16 F-16C and four F-16D upgrades to the AN/APG-79 AESA radar,
at the moment. Block 40s. Lockheed Martin maintains providing a huge leap in technology over
Instead, the RBAF uses three overseas aspirations to upgrade these to the Block 70 Kuwait’s current legacy Hornets. They will
venues to train pilots: the UAE Air Force and configuration, but according to one source, also be the first Block IIIs to be delivered
Air Defence’s (UAEAF&AD’s) Sheikh Khalifa those discussions are still ongoing. housing the AN/ASQ-228 Advanced Targeting
bin Zayed Air College flying training school in In November 2019, the RBAF became the Forward-Looking Infrared system and
Al Ain; the Royal Saudi Air Force’s (RSAF’s) first export customer for the Bell AH-1Z Viper AN/AAQ-33 Sniper advanced targeting pod.
King Faisal Air Academy at Riyadh-King attack helicopter – ordering 12 examples in a They will be operated by 9 and 25 Squadron
Khalid Air Base (AB) and the Egyptian Air deal worth more than US$1.1bn. Production from Ahmed al Jaber AB, while Boeing
Force’s Air Force Academy at Bilbeis AB. of these aircraft began on April 12, 2021, with instructors embedded with the KAF’s 61
The newly winged pilots then head back the company saying deliveries should start Squadron will continue to carry out the initial
to the RBAF’s Isa AB to fly the six Hawk before the end of the year. They should all be training, as they did with the classic Hornets.
Mk 129s serving under 5 Squadron and the delivered by August 2022, along with the COVID-19 is apparently the reason the Super
fundamentals of lead-in fighter training before BAE Systems Advanced Precision Kill Hornets are at least a year behind schedule.
moving to the Lockheed Martin F-16C/D Weapons System (APKWS) II and AGM-114 It is unknown why there has been a delay in
Block 40 Fighting Falcon. Today, the Training Hellfire munitions. delivering the first Eurofighters, but they are
Wing at Isa is busy preparing pilots for the 16 RBAF AH-1Z pilots are believed to be training expected to be handed over by Leonardo in
F-16C/D Block 70s that will arrive in 2022. on the type in the United States right now, early 2022. An €8bn (US$9bn) deal for the 28
In June 2018, the Bahraini and US most likely at Marine Corps Base Camp Typhoons – comprising 22 single-seat and six
governments signed a US$2.18bn Foreign Pendleton in California, where the US Marine two-seat examples – was signed in April 2016.
Military Sales (FMS) deal for 14 new-build Corps’ Viper training unit – Marine Light Attack As well as the aircraft, the contract covers
F-16Cs and two dual-seat F-16Ds, along with Helicopter Training Squadron 303 (HMLAT-303) three years of support from delivery of
logistical and training support. Most of the jets ‘Atlas’ – is based. the first aircraft; operational training with
are now on Lockheed Martin’s new production Turkish Aerospace is believed to have the Italian Air Force and the build-up of
line in Greenville, South Carolina. Manufacture upgraded 18 of the RBAF’s existing AH-1F infrastructure at Ali Al Salem AB.
of the first two aircraft – an F-16C and F-16D Cobra fleet, as part of a US$25m deal agreed The KAF Typhoons are the latest multi-role
– commenced in November 2019. They will in June 2015, but none have been seen, to Tranche 3 (P3Eb) standard, equipped with the
leave the facility in 2022 and move to Edwards date. The work draws upon avionics systems new Captor-E AESA radar. The ECRS Mk 0
Air Force Base, California, for flight testing. already operational on Turkey’s T129 ATAK – as it is officially known – is being developed
A Lockheed Martin spokesperson told helicopter. This includes the integration of an by the Leonardo-led EuroRADAR consortium
AirForces Monthly: “We are merging more AselFLIR 400 turret in the Cobra’s nose, an (comprising Leonardo, Hensoldt and Indra,
than three decades of in-person F-16 training enhanced weapons delivery setup and with BAE Systems integrating the system onto
for many of our regional customers. We night-vision-goggle (NVG) compatibility. the platform). Weapons will include MBDA’s
Brimstone 2 air-to-ground missile, Meteor
beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile and
Storm Shadow air-launched cruise missile.
Kuwait does not currently have its own
training fleet – its 16 Short Tucano Mk 52s
and eight Hawk Mk 64s have been grounded
at Ali Al Salem for years. KAF pilots are
known to have been flying in Italian Air Force
Aermacchi FT-339A/Cs (MB339s) at Lecce-
Galatina – the home of 61 Wing – since 2014.
They fly around 150 hours in phases one and
two (basic and advanced flying training).
Seven KAF pilots graduated in November
2018, then went on to fly the Leonardo
T-346A (M-346) Master in phase four (lead-in
fighter training). By late 2019, 17 KAF cadets
had completed phase four, which is now
part of the Leonardo/CAE/Italian Air Force
Bahrain’s current AH-1F Cobra fleet is getting on a bit, although Turkish Aerospace is thought to have International Flight Training School (IFTS)
upgraded 18 of them in recent years. It is unclear if the new AH-1Zs will replace them or augment them joint venture at Lecce-Galatina – this should
Alan Warnes be available in Decimomannu from 2022.

74 // November 2021 www.Key.Aero

Oman
in two stages in 2005 and 2014, respectively, For training, there are seven Pakistan
and could be upgraded if funding was Aeronautical Complex (PAC) Kamra MFI-17
available. Lockheed Martin has spoken to Super Mushshaks and 12 Pilatus PC-9s
The Royal Air Force of Oman (RAFO) seems the Oman Ministry of Defence (MoD) about that have been operational since 2002 and
to be content with its current status – a small the upgraded F-16V with new avionics and 1999, respectively.
air force that appears to have formulated the AN/APG-83 SABR radar, but there has Both types are now two decades old and
a strategic plan well before its GCC been no breakthrough yet. still use analogue cockpits. PAC Kamra
contemporaries. It does not rely on the US, The RAFO also operates nine single-seat is undoubtedly offering to upgrade the
unlike so many of its neighbours, either. and three two-seat Typhoons – delivered Super Mushshaks with digital cockpits but,
Its fleet of 23 F-16C/D Block 50s – one was between August 2017 and June 2018 – all perhaps more surprisingly, the RAFO has not
lost on September 22, 2013 – were delivered configured with Tranche 3 (P3Eb) software. replaced its PC-9s.

Qatar
A QEAF-operated Dassault Rafale EQ (serial
QA216) pulls away from a USAF KC-135R
Stratotanker after receiving fuel over Qatar on
December 31, 2020 USAF/Staff Sgt Sean Carnes

Of all the Middle East nations, it is the tiny

desert country of Qatar that faces the biggest
operational challenge. Until recently, its fighter
inventory was kept at modest levels, comprising
a fleet of 12 Mirage 2000-5DDA/EDAs and six
Dassault-Breguet/Dornier Alpha Jet Es.
The Alpha Jets have now been withdrawn
from use and are supposedly being transferred
to Morocco, while the Mirages are up for
disposal. Now the Qatar Emiri Air Force (QEAF)
is revolutionising its fighter fleets with 96 new
fighters: 36 Dassault Rafale DQ/EQs, 36 (or the Quran – was rolled out at Boeing’s facility trained with the unit before the air arm’s own
even 48) Boeing F-15QA (Qatar Advanced) in St Louis, Missouri, on August 25, 2021. The Typhoons are delivered in 2022. The first
Ababils and 24 Typhoons. first batch of F-15QAs is set to be ferried to Qatari pilots started flying Typhoons with 12
Qatar, just like Saudi Arabia and the UAE, Qatar later this year, following the completion Squadron at the base in June 2020.
could be set to contract huge swathes of of pre-delivery pilot training. The latter has Qatar is working with both the industries
foreign pilots from the likes of the French Air been underway for some time, with F-15QAs and air forces of France, the UK and US to
and Space Force, Pakistan Air Force, Royal Air operating out of MidAmerica St Louis Airport, make sure new pilots are ready for operations
Force and US Air Force. Illinois. The first QEAF F-15QA completed its when they arrive. Most of the initial training is
An initial order for 24 Rafales – worth €6.3bn maiden flight from St Louis on April 13, 2020. being done at the QEAF Academy, which was
(US$7.8bn) – was signed on May 4, 2015, The third batch of fighters soon to be flying founded in 2011 at Al Udeid AB.
and the numbers were boosted when options in-country are the 24 Eurofighters. Qatar signed The facility – officially known as the Al
were exercised for 12 more aircraft on March a £5bn acquisition deal with BAE Systems Zaeem Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Attiyah Air
27, 2017. The first five examples were handed on September 17, 2017, making it the fourth Academy – was created by France’s Défense
over at Dunhon AB on June 4, 2019. The last operator of the multi-role fighter in the Middle Conseil International (DCI), which oversees the
of the 27 single-seat Rafale EQs and nine East after Saudi Arabia, Oman and Kuwait. training there. The facility operates eight
two-seat DQs are set to be delivered soon. The Qatari Typhoons will be very similar to MFI-17 Super Mushshaks to screen pilots and
On June 5, 2017, Qatar ordered 36 F-15QAs those being purchased by Kuwait, equipped to take some of the basic training work off the
– although the US Department of Defense with the Captor-E radar and Sniper advanced 24-strong Pilatus PC-21 fleet.
claims 48 have been procured. A variant of the targeting pod. Neither of these systems are However, the QEAF is thought to have
Strike Eagle family, the F-15QA is an enhanced operated by the four Eurofighter partner ordered six T-346s in early 2021 and at-least
version of Saudi Arabia’s F-15SA (Saudi nations (Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK). six Qatari pilots had reached the final stage of
Advanced). The US$12bn deal was updated Training QEAF personnel on the Typhoon their advanced/lead-in fighter training under
with a US$6.2bn undefined contract to include saw the RAF re-establish No 12 Squadron the International Flight Training School initiative
US-based lead-in fighter training for the QAs. as a joint British-Qatari Typhoon training unit at Lecce-Galatina by late September.
The first Ababil – the F-15QA’s local at RAF Coningsby, Lincolnshire, on July 24, The QEAF has acquired nine Hawk Mk
designation, named after a mythical swallow in 2018. QEAF air and ground crews are being 167 advanced jet trainers, which will be
operated under another joint British-Qatari
training squadron at RAF Leeming in North
Yorkshire. The first two examples were flown
to Leeming on September 1, nearly a year after
the British and Qatari governments signed a
joint statement of intent to form the unit on
October 14, 2020. QEAF pilots will conduct
lead-in fighter training on the type, working
with instructor pilots from both nations, before
progressing to the Eurofighter.
By acquiring the T-346s and Hawks, it is
clear that the QEAF is taking some of the
advanced pilot training stresses away from the
PC-21 and covering it with the new aircraft.
Meanwhile, Pilatus has received an order
for two PC-24 Super Versatile Jets from the
QEAF. The first one was seen near completion
Personnel from the RAF’s No 12 Squadron – a joint British-Qatari Typhoon training unit earlier this year – at the company’s facility in
– deployed to Qatar in December 2020 under Exercise Epic Skies IV MOD Crown Copyright Switzerland on September 1.

www.Key.Aero November 2021 // 75

Modernisation in the Gulf

Saudi Arabia
The Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF) flies an
extremely modern fleet of aircraft. It operates
The RSAF received the last of 72 Eurofighters
in June 2017 and BAE Systems announced, on
84 new F-15SAs – the type was the most March 9, 2018, that a memorandum of intent
advanced variant of the Strike Eagle family had been signed with Saudi Arabia regarding
until the F-15QA and F-15EX Eagle II were the sale of another 48 aircraft. However, no firm The RSAF has also tendered a multi-million
developed. The RSAF’s 68-strong F-15S fleet is contract has been signed and one wonders dollar contract to standardise its legacy
being upgraded to a similar standard by Alsalam how it will all fit in with the country’s Vision fleet of 50 Lockheed C-130 Hercules
Aerospace Industries in Riyadh. 2030 strategy, which calls for the aircraft’s tactical transports into one standard. This
Dubbed the F-15SR (Saudi Retrofit) upgrade production to take place in Saudi Arabia. includes the de-modification of the air arm’s
by the firm, the bulk of the work sees new Going forward, Saudi Arabia – like the UAE existing KC-130H aircraft. There are several
Alsalam-built forward fuselages and wing – would like to acquire the F-35, but it is configurations that remain in operational service,
sets fitted onto the original fuselage, along unclear how far discussions have progressed including some C-130Hs that were upgraded
with new pylons and adaptors for underwing since Joe Biden became President of the with new Esterline CMC digital cockpits.
stations one and nine. United States in January this year. However, work on the programme has halted.
Above: The RSAF has opted for the Pilatus PC-21 in the basic/advanced flying training role Alan Warnes
Below: Saudi Arabia’s Alsalam Aerospace Industries is upgrading 66 F-15S to F-15SA standard at its Riyadh
facility. Work under the deal is expected to continue until 2026 Alan Warnes

UAE
be part of any production or maintenance M-346 was initially selected by the UAE back
programme associated with the fifth-generation in 2009, but the deal eventually fell through
multi-role stealth fighter. – the PC-21 was purchased instead.
On November 10, 2020, the US Defense Both Qatar and the UAE are now seemingly
Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) looking to conduct lead-in fighter training
announced that the State Department approved through jets rather than turboprops. As
the possible FMS of 50 F-35As, 18 General one experienced instructor pilot told AFM:
The UAE flies a mix of 77 F-16E/F Block 60 Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI) “Sometimes, you just need to feel the Gs and
Desert Falcons alongside its 56 surviving Mirage MQ-9Bs and a variety of munition packages to the experience of flying a fast-jet.”
2000-9DAD/EADs. Sustaining the fleets with the UAE for an estimated value of US$23.37bn. Rotary-wing training is contracted out to the
supportability packages should enable them to However, since the initial announcement and EDGE Horizon International Flight Academy
continue flying until 2030. In November 2019, the change in US government, there has been at Al Ain, where it operates 13 Bell 407s,
the UAEAF&AD announced it will upgrade its no word on this prospective deal and no firm two Bell 429s and 12 Bell 505 JetRanger Xs.
entire F-16E/F and Mirage 2000-9 fleets. contracts have been signed. Hareb Al Dhaheri, Horizon’s CEO, believes that
The US$350m Mirage 2000-9 upgrade The UAEAF&AD is also looking for a new operating the three fleets of Bell helicopters
will address the fighter’s mission computer lead-in fighter trainer – with Leonardo’s M-346, helps to keep costs down, thus providing more
system; fire control radar; electronic warfare China’s Hongdu L-15 and Aero Vodochody’s value for customers.
suites; cockpit displays and helmet-mounted L-39NG all under consideration. Each All 27 helicopters have joined Horizon within
systems. The package is also likely to include contender has been invited to Al Ain for a the last four years and are helping the biggest
the integration of the Thales RDY-3 radar and flight evaluation before the Dubai International civil helicopter training academy in the Middle
Talios targeting pod. Airshow takes place in mid-November. The East to flourish. AFM
Little has been revealed about the US$1.65bn
F-16E/F upgrade contract – the UAE said it
will address “obsolescence issues” in the jet.
A new, faster data processor is among the
solutions, plus spares and support services.
The UAEAF&AD has spent a decade
examining options for the purchase of around
60 new fighters, acquired for an estimated
potential cost of about US$6bn. These aircraft
would be used to replace the country’s ageing
Mirage fleet.
The UAE has longed to purchase the F-35A
Lightning II and that dream has moved a step
closer to reality after the historic signing of the
Abraham Accords with Israel in September
Above: The EDGE Horizon International Flight Academy based at Al Ain is used by the UAEAF&AD to
2020. The UAEAF&AD wants to procure up train its helicopter pilots. The all-Bell rotorcraft fleet includes two twin-engine Bell 429s for advanced
to 50 F-35As and the country also hopes to helicopter training Alan Warnes

76 // November 2021 www.Key.Aero

 Saudi Arabia is the largest export customer of the
most capable attack helicopter in the world - the
Boeing AH-64 Apache. Other customers in the
region include Kuwait (AH-64Ds); Qatar (AH-64Es)
and the UAE (AH-64D/Es). Both the Saudi Land
Forces and National Guard operate the brand-new
AH-64E Apache Guardian and is receiving more
Alan Warnes

www.Key.Aero November 2021 // 77

Mercenaries in Africa

Almost
forgotte
The aviators
78 // November 2021
of fortune
www.Key.Aero
 E
arlier this year a small force of ‘hired in the north of Mozambique have been hard to The Islamic State’s main operational strength
guns’ went to war against a powerfully unpick and details have emerged piecemeal is believed to number several hundred well-
armed and motivated group of during Mozambique’s recent conflict. Almost trained guerrillas, many of whom were taught
Islamist jihadists who overran the northern all journalists are stuck in Maputo, 2,000km the basics of insurgency in Somalia and were
Mozambique town of Palma. The hired guns from where the fighting was taking place in armed with modern weapons of Russian or
included mercenary aviators. the extreme north of the country adjacent Chinese origin.
Days before these events in April, Dyck to Tanzania. Government reluctance to DAG’s air force consisted of six helicopters,
Advisory Group (DAG), a maverick private provide communiqués, coupled to systemic which included three Aérospatiale Gazelles,
military consortium, had been fired by the obfuscation to keep everything secret – their a single Alouette III, which had seen service
Mozambique government and its founder own military losses especially – hardly helped. in South Africa’s Border War 40 years before,
Lionel Dyck, a Rhodesian war veteran, was a pair of Eurocopter AS-350 Écureuils, or
packed up to leave the country. But then he Small but strong Squirrels (for search and rescue tasks) as well
was begged to stay and help. The author spoke to Col Dyck after he had as two antiquated former South African Air
Amid the misinformation, events taking place packed up in Mozambique. He explained Force (SAAF) aircraft, a Atlas C4M Kudu and
that DAG fielded a tiny force of only 18 men an AM3C Bosbok, for reconnaissance.
(ground and air) while operational against the His weapons were a basic mix of light and
jihadist insurgents, which made it one of the heavy machine guns, with Russian PKM light
smallest units that ever went to war in Africa. machine guns throughout, backed by Russian
Any support or technical elements that DAG DShKa heavy machine guns in 12.7mm calibre
had hired remained back at base. in most helicopters.
Additional firepower came from mounted
AGS-17 grenade launchers, their 30mm
The incoming storm! This image shows the cartridges proving to be the most effective
moment after mercenary pilot Neall Ellis’
Mil Mi-24 fired a rocket salvo at a guerrilla base
weapon for this kind of unconventional bush
in the jungles of Sierra Leone All images via warfare in the heavily foliaged terrain found in
Al J Venter, unless otherwise stated northern Mozambique.
In that regard, the DShKas were found to be
wanting, especially whenever a sizeable body
of enemy forces like those around Palma
took cover in an expansive section of jungle,
as the guerrillas had been trained to do. Any
real damage was achieved by the grenade
launchers, ideal in a jungle that might secrete
an army from the air.
Dyck reckoned that throughout the ten-day
operation, his tiny fleet of aircraft managed
to airlift almost 300 people to safety. “Had
my team not been there, all would have
been murdered by those barbarians whose
preferred method of execution is the ritual
severing of heads,” he said.
Asked how he kept his helicopters in the air
with so little fuel available, especially since
the French-owned gas plant at Afungi refused
to help, Dyck admitted that he had initially
expected problems. “So, prior to the attack
we made an alternative plan to fly Avgas into
Vamizi Island – a luxury tourist resort off the
coast that had not been captured by the
rebels – and the company did so in a variety
of aircraft. DAG was also donated 200 drums
of aviation fuel from an anonymous donor in
Nairobi, all flown down to Afungi.
“That donation, either from British or
American intelligence interests, became

ten
enormously valuable during difficult times
because Maputo [the country's capital and
the seat of its government] was not exactly
Paid to support governments and helping us... and in the end we were fired,”
keep them in power, mercenaries he disclosed.
have been part of the African Why had Islamic State not held on to Palma
after occupying it the first time? They simply
political landscape for decades. had no need to. According to Dyck, they
Al J Venter has spent much of loaded all the arms and ammunition – which
his career working with these included artillery, mortars on a variety of
groups; here he looks at their trucks and SUVs, and took with them a score
past and present role, which now of infantry-fighting vehicles abandoned by the
Mozambique Army when they fled, together
includes keeping jihadists at bay with all the food they could plunder, and
headed back into the jungle.
“For the first time in three or four years now,
the insurgents are mobile and can move
about at will, something they were not able to
do before,” he said.

www.Key.Aero November 2021 // 79

Mercenaries in Africa

Military interventions followed in 1967, with British, South African, Armed Forces could not manage in six years
Mercenaries have had a role in a succession Australian and other nations providing pilots of hostilities.
of African and Middle East wars since to fly Soviet MiG-17 jets that eventually ended More recently in 2020, Moscow sent in its
Britain’s Special Air Service (SAS), in a force the rebellion. controversial Wagner Groups, a 200-strong
headed by Col Jim Johnson of 21 SAS (TA), Curiously, one of the most prominent fighter mercenary force that has been operating in
hired French freebooters to fight Egyptian pilots of that conflict was former RAF pilot Syria, Libya, as well as the Central African
forces in Yemen in the 1950s. After three hard Ares Klootwyk, today living in quiet retirement Republic at Mozambique's behest. This
years of fighting countering a strong Egyptian in Cape Town. We put our heads together seasoned fighting force was given solid
Air Force contingent, Cairo was forced to at one stage and concluded that the Biafran Russian government support that included
abandon its colonial aspirations in that remote truck in which I was travelling near the rebel helicopter gunships, several Mi-171s, a range
corner of the Arabian Peninsula. Uli Airstrip one morning was probably the one of infantry fighting vehicles, the latest in
More mercenary wars followed, including a he had targeted. But, as he was prepared to electronic surveillance, and a lot else besides
major insurgency in Oman (1963-76) in which admit, “my aim was poor that day”. in October 2019.
a significant number of British mercenaries Next came two civil wars in Angola (1992) After suffering a series of ambushes and
were involved. and Sierra Leone (1995) where the mercenary several reported deaths in a succession
Few people recall that several African group Executive Outcomes (EO) went in of battles in the densely forested and
conflicts have been halted and, in the and drove out the rebels. EO achieved in 18 northernmost province of Cabo Delgado,
process, thousands of lives have been saved. months what the Angolan army and air force the Russian private military contractors went
That had started with British-South African could not handle over two decades or more. into a strategic retreat and left Mozambique
Col Mike Hoare’s 4 Commando in In Sierra Leone, it took a South African force in disgrace after only three or four months
the Congo’s Katanga in 1961 where ‘Mad that never fielded more than 100 men at any active service. The mercenaries seemed
Mike’ ousted a large force of rebels from the one time less than a year to force the rebels totally intimidated by the extent of rebel
newly independent Republic of the Congo. to negotiate a ceasefire, that despite the brutality, which included several Russians
His most notable comment at the time was presence of 15,000 United Nations troops. dismembered after capture and their heads
telling a British journalist that “you can’t win a Similarly in Nigeria, in 2015, roughly 75 South placed on stakes outside their camp in the
war with choirboys”. Africans in concerted ground and air actions dark, to be discovered in the morning.
Conflict between Nigeria and the breakaway against the jihadist group, Boko Haram, Veteran South African mercenary aviator
Republic of Biafra – The Nigerian Civil War – accomplished in six months what the Nigerian Neall Ellis, who helped turn around the

The mercenary forward operating

base in Sierra Leone

‘In Sierra
Leone, it took a
South African force that
never fielded more than
100 men at any one time
less than a year
to force the rebels to
negotiate a ceasefire,
despite the presence of
15,000 United Nations
troops’

80 // November 2021 www.Key.Aero

 ‘Mozambique’s
root cause for the
insurrection stems
largely from the north
being either isolated or
ignored by the south,
with its seat of power
in its capital,
Maputo’

A DAG-operated Alouette helicopter

picks up survivors following an attack
Lionel Dyck

A DAG-operated AS350B Squirrel

helicopter lands at a gas plant in
Mozambique during a rebel attack

rebel insurrection in Sierra Leone under the Having taken heavy ground fire, very much
auspices of then Brig (later Gen) Sir David as the DAG had to contend with throughout,
Richards, has his own take on these events. they withdrew back to base complaining that
Ellis, who has also flown combat in Angola, conditions were “too dangerous”.
the Congo, Somalia, the Balkans (for Islamic
forces), as well as Rhodesia, maintains that Mozambique's quagmire
European or American forces that arrive in One needs to closely examine Mozambique’s
Africa to fight very rarely have any knowledge war to be able to understand a developing
of local conditions. “They don’t know the African trend where the Islamic State is
bush or how to read it,” he said, “and they making inroads in many regions that now
cannot even begin to understand the mindset extend halfway across West Africa and
of the locals who are traditionally suspicious include the Congo, Somalia and other
of foreigners, even more so (as with northern countries. The jihadist insurgency in Mali
Mozambique) where nine-tenths of the from being low-key three years ago is
population is Muslim and provide the rebels now regarded as the most dangerous
with support and intelligence.” peacekeeping operation on the plant.
That has since been further underscored by Mozambique’s root cause for the
the dismal role played by a bunch of Ukrainian insurrection stems largely from the north
mercenaries who were recently hired by being either isolated or ignored by the south,
Maputo at rates about five times what DAG with its seat of power in its capital, Maputo.
professionals were being paid. According to Additionally, alleged corruption at the highest
Ellis, on the first morning of the three-pronged government level – linked to Mozambique
Islamic State attack on Palma, Ukrainian having become a major drug conduit out of
Hips and Hinds were mustered to respond. the Yemen and Pakistan – is rampant, and the

www.Key.Aero November 2021 // 81

Mercenaries in Africa
An Executive Outcomes (EO) Mil Mi-17 conducts
operations over Africa

DAG was hired to halt a rot that went deep. Below A Mil Mi-24V Hind-E is prepared
Unrest in the north became endemic and led for a jungle sortie at the Freetown
to a group of Islamist radicals sensing an Air Wing base, Sierra Leone
opportunity; the start of a low-key guerrilla
struggle followed in 2017.
The struggle went on to become a fully-
fledged guerrilla war. The Islamic State,
headquartered in the Middle East, spotted
an opportunity early on and started sending
its cadres and weapons across the Rovuma
River from Tanzania to foment a jihadist
revolution in a region about the size of Ireland.
Dyck and his tiny force did well, but
corruption and the enormous illegal drug
trade that had become a feature in Cabo
Delgado province stopped his efforts to halt
the insurrection and the mercenary force was
sent home even before the battle ended.
As one foreign diplomat in Maputo told me:
“It was probably the most stupid move that
the Mozambique government could have
made... you don’t stop fighting in the heat of
battle, especially when you’re winning, and
DAG certainly was.” That absurd decision has
far reaching consequences.
In a report titled ‘A Gas El “It
Dorado and a Security was
Nightmare’ published by
African Intelligence last
probably the
April, French oil and most stupid move
gas multinational Total that the Mozambique
chief executive Patrick government could
Pouyanné declared from have made… you
Paris: “Armed violence
in the region has brought
don't stop fighting
work on the French major's when you are
liquefaction trains to a winning”
complete stop. When it will
resume is anybody's guess...”
Which raises the question: how did a
relatively small group of freebooters who
originally fought in Angola for 18 months and
forced the rebels to negotiate a settlement, Militants belonging to Islamic
and thereafter do the same in Sierra Leone State’s Central Africa detachment in
Mozambique pose with a captured ZBF-
against Foday Sankoh’s Revolutionary United 05 armoured personnel carrier (APC)

82 // November 2021 www.Key.Aero

 Front (RUF), manage to achieve so much in ‘middle rankings’ in their units. Moreover, in their own country’s Border War, they were
such a short time? the company stipulated that South African not unduly taxed by these stipulations. What
In truth, they were a handpicked, select nationals were preferred and anybody with ultimately took place was dictated as much
group of professional aviators and soldiers. All ‘political baggage’ or a criminal record was by the need to run an efficient business as to
had seen action, some a good bit of it during not welcome. Most important, recruits were prevent loss of life in combat.
South Africa’s 23-year Border War. Several expected to work in foreign locations and The issue is perhaps best encapsulated
had been wounded in action and quite a few what was termed ‘high risk’ environments. by the credo, crude but emphatic, that was
decorated for bravery while serving in the Money was always tight, though some EO printed on some of the T-shirts issued to
South African Defence Force (SADF). combat pilots flying Soviet-era Hips and Hinds the men at EO’s Rio Lomba Special Forces
Interestingly, many senior EO personnel could earn US$6,000 a month. Foot soldiers training camp. Emblazoned across the back,
had been in command positions with South in EO ranks earned a minimum of US$2,000 in bold Day-Glo letters four inches high, were
Africa’s Reconnaissance Regiment (Recces), a month, though this could double quickly for the words ‘Fit in or F••• Off’.
SADF’s 32 Battalion, or the police anti-terror specialists and field commanders. Consequently, there were few ground
detachment, which went by the name of operations without close air support, a
Koevoet. There was also a significant number Four interlocking principles situation routinely observed in Angola where
who had served in paratroop (airborne) units. Looking at the broader scenario, some of there was never a shortage of government
All the pilots had experienced combat EO’s successes are said by insiders to stem Soviet-supplied Mi-24 helicopter gunships
against advanced Angolan Air Force MiG and from what the late Reconnaissance Regiment and Mi-17 transporters, which always
Sukhoi aircraft (manned by Soviet and Cuban Col Duncan Rykaart – a senior member of the flew with side-gunners manning mounted
aviators) while flying dated French Mirage F1 company’s original command group – termed GPMGs that included the full range of squad
jets – hardly a match for the superior Soviet EO’s ‘four interlocking principles’. automatic weapons.
fighters. A United Nations arms embargo These fundamentals included air support Those Russian rotor wings were used
imposed against South Africa because of its for all ground operations, reliance on the extensively in just about every punch-up in
racial policies prevented that country from individual in the field for good level of which the company was involved in Angola
acquiring more advanced planes. personal initiative, basic common sense and and Sierra Leone, as well the Congolese civil
Additionally – and this is what EO recruiters good discipline. war in later stages. Angolan Air Force pilots
were looking for – officers and NCOs Finally, there was the logistics issue. Since flew a few of them, while most were piloted by
hired as mercenaries would have achieved most of EO’s men had served long and hard South Africans working for EO.

Bat Hawk deployment

An interesting sidelight to the Mozambique events was reconnaissance roles, for which they proved versatile
the deployment of two Bat Hawk 2s, a South African since this aircraft has a lengthy loiter time.”
ultra-light aircraft and blooded in battle for the first time. Unconfirmed reports state that throughout a
Built specifically for Africa’s hardscrabble conditions, succession of battles over several weeks, only one Bat
Dyck used them extensively in the Palma town battle. Hawk 2 was brought down by enemy ground fire, the
“Each one was armed with a Russian PKM light pilot having crash landed and rescued.
machine-gun mounted to port and another up As this machine was ‘out of the box’ for many veterans
forward, both fired by the single passenger,” he said. involved in the war, Dyck said some of the older
“Throughout, these modest machines proved effective armchair warriors found much to criticise, although
in picking up enemy ‘runners’ and jihadist ‘dispatch India, having seen how useful it was in Mozambique,
riders’ on the fringes of the battle and, believe me, tiny recently ordered 200 in a deal worth millions of dollars.
and seemingly ineffective as they appear, their attrition At an overall length of 5.54m and a standard fuel
rate was remarkable. These craft are extremely light capacity of only 54kg, the Bat Hawk 2's main attraction Above Lionel Dyck’s DAG used two of these
armed, South African-built Bat Hawk 2s for
and unprotected from ground fire, so as hostilities is that it is easy to maintain and can operate from combat and reconnaissance operations in
increased, I tended to deploy them increasingly in primitive bush strips no longer than a football field. Mozambique. India has ordered 200 examples

A Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23MF Flogger-B on

the ground at Luanda Airport in Angola.
This aircraft was eventually flown by
South African mercenaries

www.Key.Aero November 2021 // 83

Mercenaries in Africa

African leaders for a while by now and,

without exception, government support had
been found wanting.

Forgotten promises
Another SADF veteran who ran EO’s
operations, erstwhile Recce Maj Lafras
Luitingh, said: “All governments with whom
we’d been associated made promises; in
fact, lots of them. They always do, especially
when the bottle is being passed around. But
we’ve found – sometimes to our disadvantage
– that these good intentions are rarely kept.
Consequently, if we were to deploy a force
“Anyone in some remote region, we’d have to keep it
who stepped supplied ourselves.”
Above South African
mercenaries pose for
out line, which The second canon of this If anything were needed by the men in the
a photo at the air base excluded getting drunk private military company field – from a toothbrush or a hippo hide quirt
in Sierra Leone centred on initiative and (or whip) to a toilet roll – it had to arrive on the
as many times as week good common sense, weekly privately owned Boeing flight that was
as you liked as long as you values for which most allowed unimpeded access to major Angolan
were not smashed on forces in developing and Sierra Leone airports. Part of the deal
duty, was put on the first countries are not was that EO was not subjected to immigration
plane home” especially renowned. As or customs controls.
former Reconnaissance Significantly, the quirts seemed to form a
Former EO Reconnaissance Commando Col Hennie useful adjunct to keeping strict discipline,
Commando Col Hennie Blaauw – another EO combat something that would not be tolerated in any
commander in Angola – pointed Western army today. In Africa not all that long
out that “that sort of thing doesn’t ago, the strong-armed stuff seemed to work
feature in the handbooks”. very well.
The third element reverted to discipline, Basically, in all theatres of military activity
enforced with a resolutely strong arm. Anyone in which EO was active, the organisation
who stepped out of line, which excluded operated on the principle of the host nation
getting drunk as many times a week as you providing the main component of military
liked as long as you were not smashed on ‘muscle’ to get the job done. This included
duty, was put on the first plane home. arms, ammunition and land support vehicles,
The last was logistics. The key to EO’s together with the fundamental military
philosophy regarding conflict in Africa was infrastructure that any army should be able
that nothing happened unless it was actually to provide. Men in arms from the host nation
made to happen. were part of the equation.
Having been involved with local ethnic At the end of it, the company took with them
people for most of their lives, the South everything else needed to keep its force
Above Three Pilatus PC-7s were Africans had a very good understanding active in the field, along with the men who
deployed during the Angolan war and of Africa. Also, they had been dealing with kept the cogs of war efficiently greased. AFM
flown by South African mercenaries

Below Gunning up! The only

serviceable 'Hind’ in Sierra
Leone is fitted with weapons
before a sortie

84 // November 2021 www.Key.Aero

 AVIATION SPECIALS ESSEN T IA L REA D I NG F R OM KE Y P U B L I S H I NG

NEW INSIDE THE WORLD’S HOTTEST SELLING TWINJET W REGIMENTS | ARTILLERY | VEHICLES | KIT | HELICOPTERS
NE
NEW THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO BRITISH CLASSICS

A320 BRITISH
AIRBUS
THE AIRBUS
A320 FAMILY
All variants
explored
CLASSIC
ARMY
SINGLE AISLE
SUCCESS
A PLANE
FOR THE
PEOPLE
What makes
the A320
a winner?
BRITISH CARS
MARKET

£8.99
FR0M THE MAKERS OF

RIVALRY YEARBOOK 2021

Examining

CLASSIC BRITISH CARS

the A320’s

£8.99
21
competition

978-1-80282-006-5

9 781802 820065
ISBN
BRITISH ARMY YEARBOOK 2021
UK £8.99 
NEW TANKS BATTLEFIELD ROBOTS NEW EQUIPMENT
ISBN 978-1-80282-007-2
21 OPERATORS, TECH VINTAGE, VETERAN AND MODERN MASTERPIECES
The new Challenger 3 How drones are changing Air defence, comms,
XXXX £8.99

9 781802 820072 SPECS, PERFORMANCE in the spotlight the face of warfare tech, and weapons

US NAVY & MARINE AIRBUS A320 CLASSIC BRITISH ARMY

This eagerly anticipated special
CORPS AIR POWER looks at the type’s development, BRITISHCARS YEARBOOK 2021
YEARBOOK 2021 the family of variants, the aircraft’s Featuring the most famous, and
the best-loved British cars ever.
The volume includes the latest
news about current operations
The latest edition of this main systems and a review
popular yearbook. of operators. and overseas training.

£8.99 inc FREE P&P* £8.99 inc FREE P&P* £8.99 inc FREE P&P* £8.99 inc FREE P&P*

NEW SALUTE TO THE AIRCRAFT, MEN AND MISSIONS THE LONGEST CAMPAIGN OF WORLD WAR TWO A NEW GENERATION OF AIR WARFARE
PRESENTS PRESENTS

LANCASTER BATTLE
AVRO

The battle
that lasted
ys
2,075 da

FR0M THE MAKERS OF

The Landmark Raids OF THE

ATLANTIC
UNMANNED BUT
ON-TARGET NEW

LATEST
DRONES
1939-1945 REVEALED
RAF Protector &
£8.99
21

MQ-25 Stingray
978-1-913870-47-8

9 781913 870478
OF THE
ISBN
BATTLE ATLANTIC

Bombing JOYSTICKS,
Hitler’s Lair KEYBOARDS,
Master The Raid on
Bombmaker CONTROLLERS
Eagles Nest
The Genius of Virtual Pilots on
Barnes Wallis the Front Line
21

Fact Not
ISBN 978-1-913870-55-3
£8.99

9 781913 870553

REMOTE
21

Fiction
978-1-913870-49-2

WARFARE
9 781913 870492

Making the SAFETY IN SINK THE ENIGMA Striking the enemy

UK £8.99
DRONES

Dambusters NUMBERS BISMARCK SUCCESS

LANCASTER

from a distance
Legend
ISBN

How convoys Churchills order to Capturing the

AVRO

XXXX £8.99

defeated the enemy win at all costs code machine TYPES | MISSIONS | DEVELOPMENT
HOW BOMBER COMMAND CHOSE THE BIG TARGETS

B-52 AVRO THE BATTLE OF DRONES:

STRATOFORTRESS LANCASTER THE ATLANTIC Unmanned but On-Target
Full database revised Famous raids of the mighty Packed with rare imagery A fascinating read about
and updated. Avro Lancaster. and expert analysis. the drones of today.

£8.99 inc FREE P&P* £8.99 inc FREE P&P* £8.99 inc FREE P&P* £8.99 inc FREE P&P*

AVIATION SPECIALS
ESSENTIAL reading from the teams behind your FAVOURITE magazines
FREE Aviation Specials App

HOW TO ORDER Simply download to purchase digital versions

of your favourite specials in one handy place!
VISIT PHONE Once you have the app, you will be able
shop.keypublishing.com/specials UK: 01780 480404 to download new, out of print or
ROW: (+44)1780 480404 archive specials for less than the
cover price!
*Prices correct at time of going to press. Free 2nd class P&P on all UK & BFPO orders.
Overseas charges apply. Postage charges vary depending on total order value.
401/21
Rivet Joint over Afghanistan

Earsinthe
sky The USAF’s Boeing RC-135W Rivet Joint
signals intelligence aircraft played a vital, yet
unsung, supporting role in the evacuation
of coalition forces and civilians of various
nationalities from Afghanistan in August, as
Thomas Withington reports

T
he numbers speak for themselves: more to deter Taliban interference. and facilitating
than 120,000 people were airlifted to Boeing AH-64D/E Apache and MD terrorist activities
safety in just 11 days from Kabul’s Hamid Helicopters AH-6C Little Bird attack within the organisation.
Karzai International Airport. The evacuation was helicopters from the US Army did the same. Supporting these
a tour de force for military airlifters and Boeing’s The USAF even deployed a loitering General aircraft was
C-17A Globemaster III strategic transport took Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI) a solitary
centre stage. MQ-9A Reaper remotely piloted aircraft system USAF Boeing
Famously, one sortie saw a US Air Force- (RPAS) to provide extra firepower. RC-135W Rivet
operated (USAF) Globemaster, callsign ‘Reach Despite this armada of aircraft, tragedy Joint signals
871’, carry 823 passengers out of Afghanistan. struck. On August 26, a suicide bomb attack intelligence
The C-17As were joined by an array of other occurred outside the airport’s main gate – (SIGINT) platform.
types. Airbus A400M Atlas tactical transports killing 170 people, including 13 US service Online flight
from France, Germany and the UK supported personnel. A further 150 people were injured. tracking showed it departing Al Udeid Air Base
the effort, along with a myriad of other civilian Responsibility for the attack was claimed by in Qatar on August 17.
and military aircraft. Islamic State-affiliate, ISIS-K, and retaliation Two days prior, the Taliban had surrounded
Protecting the airlift mission was paramount. was swift. Kabul and had started to enter the city. The
Thousands of troops – mostly from the US The Reaper lived up to its name as it situation on the ground was developing rapidly.
– secured the airport as combat aircraft conducted an airstrike against ISIS-K militants Throngs of people inundated the airport, hoping
patrolled the skies. USAF Boeing F-15 Eagles, in the city of Jalalabad in eastern Afghanistan to escape as the Taliban tightened its grip on
US Navy-operated Boeing F/A-18E/F Super on August 29. This retaliatory strike killed two the Afghan capital.
Hornet fighters and Lockheed Martin AC-130J high-profile members of the insurgent group The Rivet Joint reportedly flew orbits over
Ghostrider fixed-wing gunships from Air Force and injured a third. These members were Kabul. Understandably, the crew appeared to
Special Operations Command (AFSOC) helped known to have been responsible for planning have switched off the aircraft’s transponder

86 // November 2021 www.Key.Aero

 ‘Supporting these aircraft was a solitary
USAF Boeing RC-135W Rivet Joint signals
intelligence (SIGINT) platform. Online flight
tracking showed it departing Al Udeid Air
Base in Qatar on August 17’

Above: A Boeing RC-135V/W Rivet Joint once on station. As a result, there is no

assigned to the USAF’s 763rd Expeditionary information on how long the platform remained
Reconnaissance Squadron (ERS) conducts
a mission over Afghanistan in support of above the city, when it left or where it returned
Operation Enduring Freedom on June 19, 2011 to. That said, the RC-135W can achieve loiter
USAF/Master Sgt William Greer times in excess of ten hours, which can be
extended through aerial refuelling.

Shadowplay
What was the aircraft up to? Much of the
RC-135W’s work is opaque. Together with
its RC-135V sibling, the Rivet Joint collects
and analyses SIGINT. In practice, the platform
detects radar and radio signals from the ground.
As the RC-135V/W is based on the Boeing
707, the two variants boast plenty of internal
fuselage space. This accommodates
powerful computers, communications
equipment, SIGINT experts and
analysts. The aircraft’s exterior houses large
fairings on its nose, on both sides of the
forward fuselage, wingtips and on the aft
dorsal fuselage. Blade antennas also cover
the platform’s ventral and dorsal fuselage.

www.Key.Aero November 2021 // 87

Rivet Joint over Afghanistan

Radar and radio signals inhabit the same part

of the electromagnetic spectrum. The fairings
house antennas, which constantly listen to this
part of the spectrum. This is a crowded place.
Television and radio broadcasting, mobile
phone traffic and satellite communications
(SATCOM) all use this part of the spectrum
– to name just three. The aircraft’s powerful
computers greatly aid this process. The crew
are looking for tell-tale signals from hostile
radars or military radios on the ground.
Once a signal of interest is detected, the
SIGINT experts begin a detailed analysis. A
radio signal is like a fingerprint, by analysing it
you learn a lot – not only about the signal, but
also about the radar or radio that transmitted it.
Analysts can determine what kind of radar
transmitted the signal. Was this a fire control
radar equipping an anti-aircraft artillery
battery? Was it instead an innocuous weather
radar? Was the signal similar to those used
by military radios? Or was it transmitted by a
truck driver’s radio back to their office?
Not only do the Rivet Joint’s experts and
computers help determine the type of signal, but
its location can also be determined. The blade
antennas on the dorsal fuselage help pinpoint
where that specific signal is coming from.
Why is this intelligence useful, and how did
it help during the recent evacuation effort in
Kabul? Knowledge is power. This is as true on
the battlefield as it is anywhere else. The Rivet
Joint’s key contribution is to help combatant
commanders know what is going on.
The radar intelligence trawled by the
RC-135V/W is known as electronic intelligence
(ELINT), which is an indispensable asset for
any air force. When planning sorties in hostile
airspace, pilots need to know where enemy air
defences are strong and weak. If airstrikes are
being planned on a series of targets, the Rivet
Joint may be deployed beforehand.
These aircraft routinely fly in international
airspace, but as close as possible to the area
of interest. The platform will collect ELINT
on the radars protecting a patch of airspace.
This intelligence will reveal the radar’s type
and their location. This helps pilots ensure
they use the correct type of jamming to
neutralise these radars. Ingress and egress
routes can be planned through areas
where radar cover is weaker. Once
radar locations are identified, they
can be targeted by anti-radar
missiles, if required.
Above: Rivet Joints routinely perform missions with linguists who translate radio traffic. Recent RC-
135W sorties over Kabul were believed to have included Pashtun experts, who could translate Taliban
communications USAF Below: A USAF-operated RC-135V (serial 64-14843) - assigned to the 763rd ERS
- sits on the flightline between missions at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar on July 28, 2017. Rivet Joints
frequently operate from the Qatari base to support missions in US Central Command’s (CENTCOM’s)
area of responsibility USAF/Tech Sgt Amy M Lovgren

88 // November 2021 www.Key.Aero

What’s going on? Above: The blade antennas visible here on the ventral fuselage of this RC-135V help to pinpoint
the exact location of the radios and radars that are transmitting signals of interest USAF
Given that the Taliban has no advanced air Below: The nose- and cheek-mounted fairings of the RC-135V/W are clearly visible in this image.
defence systems, ELINT would not have These fairings house antennas capable of detecting the faintest radio and radar transmissions
been a priority for the RC-135W during its USAF/Master Sgt William Greer
recent sortie over Kabul. Instead, it was the
aircraft’s ability to gather communications
intelligence (COMINT) that would have been
in high demand.
The Taliban uses a hotchpotch of
communications. These include mobile
phones, civilian ‘walkie-talkie’ style and
standard military radios. Collecting COMINT on
these served two purposes. Firstly, the Rivet
Joint is thought to be capable of intercepting
radio transmissions. Troops on the ground,
military aircraft and even reconnaissance
satellites with ‘eyes on’ Taliban forces can
share the latter’s location with the RC-135W.
The aircraft’s powerful sensors then
begin combing the area to detect hostile
communications. As signals are
detected, analysts get to work
decrypting and translating the radio
traffic. The Rivet Joint’s radio and
satellite communications lets

www.Key.Aero November 2021 // 89

Rivet Joint over Afghanistan

without radio communications would have

been futile. The Taliban had no choice but to
use radios and mobile devices. They were
most probably unaware of the RC-135W’s
capabilities, even if they knew from web
sources that it was overhead. Even if they
were – knowing that the US and its allies were
cutting their losses – it would have left many
of their cadres unconcerned.
With the exception of the ISIS-K attack,
the US-led evacuation of Kabul was largely
unopposed. However, the RC-135W would
have played a key role if the situation had
turned nasty.

Theoretical attack
Let’s return to our hypothetical scenario of
a Taliban unit moving aggressively towards
the Hamid Karzai International Airport. The
Rivet Joint’s sensors would detect radio
traffic from their forces. In this scenario, a
traffic analysis reveals that the Taliban are
planning to attack refugees trying to enter
the airport in a bid to flee Kabul. Immediately,
the Rivet Joint relays this information to
Details of the latest Automatic Electronic Emitter Location System (AEELS) are clearly visible combatant commanders on the ground. They
on the cheek-mounted fairing of this RC-135V. Also, the revised and miniature Multiple-position
begin manoeuvring their troops to anticipate
Communications Emitter Location System (MUCELS) antennae can be seen beneath the fuselage
Bob Archer the Taliban’s likely direction of attack. The
RC-135V/W’s analysts keep commanders
the aircraft share this intelligence product with Sharing is caring advised of Taliban movements and intentions
anyone who needs it. Another useful trick up the Rivet Joint’s sleeve as they continue their advance. Commanders
Intercepts revealing that a Taliban unit on is that it can use radio transmissions to track spot an opportunity to engage Taliban units
the outskirts of Kabul was ordered to move hostile forces. Returning to our example of before they reach the airport with minimal
to the airport would be classed as high-grade Taliban units moving to the Hamid Karzai risk to civilians. Air support in the form
intelligence. This would immediately be shared International Airport, once their radio signals of an AC-130J Ghostrider is requested
with forces on the ground, so they could be are detected, they can be tracked. to kill the enemy troops and destroy their
ready for any attack. The RC-135V/W’s sensors are sharp vehicles before they can threaten the airport.
The RC-135W does not always need to know enough to follow the radio by tracking its The Rivet Joint relays information on the
where the bad guys are to intercept their transmissions, even when the bad guys are on Taliban’s location to the orbiting AC-130J.
traffic. As with radar, every radio signal is a the move. Not only can troops at the airport The Ghostrider arrives on the target’s
fingerprint. Transmissions from military grade be warned that hostiles are approaching locale, positively identifying enemy units
radios in the middle of a crowded marketplace them, but they can also be told where they with its own sensors before engaging them
would stick out like a proverbial sore thumb. are in relation to their position. with the gunship’s 30mm chain gun and
Such an environment would usually be filled It would have been impossible for any 105mm cannon. Through timely detection
with people using their mobile phones, with Taliban units in and around Kabul to perform and analysis of the Taliban’s radio traffic, a
perhaps some radio traffic from police forces. any electronic communications without the potentially devastating attack is averted.
Military radio transmissions from a marketplace RC-135W crew knowing. This was something the RC-135W was
would show that something may be amiss. Likewise, any attempt to capture Kabul unable to do on August 26, when the

‘With the exception of the ISIS-K attack, the US-led

evacuation of Kabul was largely unopposed. However,
the RC-135W would have played a key role if the
situation had turned nasty’

90 // November 2021 www.Key.Aero

The interior of the RC-135W is loaded with
computers and workstations for analysts who
interpret signals of interest, which are collected by
the Rivet Joint’s numerous sensors USAF

ISIS-K suicide bomb wrought carnage on communications traffic, indicating third Veteran performer
Hamid Karzai International Airport. It is parties may be planning to hamper the When the RC-135 entered operational service
possible that the Rivet Joint was no longer evacuation. Persistent allegations have with the USAF, it was very much a Cold War
supporting the security operation at that pointed the finger at the government of weapon. The Rivet Joint collected COMINT
point. Moreover, a suicide bomber tends Pakistan for being a key supporter and and ELINT on Soviet and Warsaw Pact forces.
not to emit radio signals. sponsor of the Taliban. While the Cold War ended in December 1991,
Even their mobile phone – should they Any attempt by Pakistan’s armed forces to the platform remained to be in high demand to
be carrying one – would appear no more negatively intervene in the evacuation would support US-led operations in Iraq, the Balkans,
remarkable than any other cellular-based have been immediately apparent. The precise Libya and Afghanistan.
transmissions in a busy city centre. Theirs detection ranges of the RC-135W’s sensors The type has routinely collected intelligence
would be one of thousands of signals are classified, but sources have hinted that – near sensitive areas like Syria, the Baltic
to periodically connect with the nearest from an altitude of 35,000ft – the platform can and the South China Sea. It has consistently
mobile phone tower. To be fair, tracking and detect signals at ranges of at least 230nm. showed itself to be just as capable in
preventing a suicide bomber’s attack was Any force making its way across the Afghan monitoring the communications of militia and
not a mission that was envisaged for the border would rely on communications to insurgent forces.
RC-135V/W and its sensors. support its actions. This traffic could be The Rivet Joint’s role during the recent
Another of the Rivet Joint’s useful intercepted, its source located and the traffic evacuation effort in Kabul demonstrated that
attributes is that the aircraft could analysed before a threat to the evacuation these ‘ears in the sky’ were just as valuable for
also monitor the airwaves for tell-tale ever materialised. defence as they were for offence. AFM

Above: The Airborne Information Transfer (ABIT) system is fitted within a small circular fairing on the
upper section of the RC-135V’s tail. This enables the transfer and receipt of all data to and from
other NATO aircraft, ships and ground stations to enhance situational awareness in near real-time.
This includes emails, image transfers, and so forth Bob Archer
Left: RC-135V – serial 64-14846 – departs Al Udeid Air Base for a mission over CENTCOM’s area
of responsibility on October 21, 2016 USAF/Senior Airman Miles Wilson

www.Key.Aero November 2021 // 91

Taiwanese highway exercise

Preparing
for China
With its latest annual drill,
the utility of all five of the
Republic of China Air
Force’s highway airstrips
have been validated, as Roy
Choo and Peter Ho report

T
aiwan has always been a potential using what are termed as ‘grey-zone’ tactics. airborne early warning aircraft intruding into
flashpoint since the Republic of China ‘Island encirclement’ drills – flown by People’s the airspace, even on occasion crossing the
(ROC) government was re-established Liberation Army-operated (PLA) H-6 bombers sensitive median line of the Taiwan Strait that
there more than 70 years ago. However, in and escort aircraft – have circumnavigated separates the island from the mainland.
recent years, tensions with the mainland Taiwan’s Air Defence Identification Zone The normalisation of such activities seek
(People’s Republic of China, PRC) have been (ADIZ) on various occasions since 2016. to not only heighten Taiwan’s perception of
the highest since the strait crisis of 1995-1996, From 2020, daily incursions – primarily vulnerability and isolation, but also inflict
in which the PRC conducted a series of missile by PLA anti-submarine warfare and disproportionate stress on the country’s
tests in the waters around Taiwan. reconnaissance aircraft – have been made into smaller air force. It is under this climate that
As a clear indication that it could resolve the ADIZ, particularly in the southwest corner. Taiwan’s armed forces conducted the 37th
cross-strait sovereignty disputes through the Attempts to put on a show of force have also edition of its annual ‘Han Kuang’ wargames.
use of its new-found military muscle, China been conducted, with packages of bombers,
has continued with the intimidation of Taiwan fighters, anti-submarine, electronic warfare and Highways to airstrips
This year’s exercise incorporated a highway
emergency drill on September 15 – the third
day of the week-long event. Taiwan is among
the handful of countries that still maintains and
regularly trains its highway airstrip capability.
This capability had been developed in the
1970s, with six sites officially designated as
convertible airstrips as Taiwan’s highway
infrastructure was established. Five of these
remain active today; four are on the No 1
National Freeway – an arterial highway linking
the island’s north and south along the west
coast – and one on Provincial Highway No 1,
located in the southwest.
These tracts of freeway are approximately
9,843ft in length and 131ft wide, designed
with a weight-bearing capacity of at least 100
Above: This aircraft – serial 2503 – is one of six Northrop Grumman E-2K Hawkeyes that are operated by
the 6th CW’s 2nd Early Warning Squadron. It was one of four E-2Ts purchased in 1993 and subsequently
upgraded to Hawkeye 2000 standard in the early 2010s

92 // November 2021 www.Key.Aero

The ROCAF still operates
55 of its original 60
Mirage 2000 fleet.
However, a number of
these have been placed
into long-term storage
due to the platform’s high
support costs

tons and a full cement base with a thickness (known locally as F-16BM) overran the taxiway a Northrop Grumman E-2K Hawkeye from the
of 15¾in. To facilitate quick conversion to an and ploughed nose-first into the ground while 6th CW – all at two-minute intervals. All of the
airstrip, there are minimal highway lightings landing during rainy conditions. Fortunately, fighters were two-seat variants, allowing for
used and removable concrete median the crew were unhurt. greater crew exposure to the drill.
dividers are installed. All four aircraft subsequently back-tracked
Not including the test flights flown before Drill day to the opposite end of the airstrip, where
the expressways were opened to traffic, In the preceding months, resurfacing work Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen met and
this year’s highway exercise was the ninth in had been performed on this section of interacted with the aircrew as the aircraft were
the series. In particular, it sought to validate the highway by the Directorate General of refuelled. In what seemed like a deliberated
the utility of the strip on Provincial Highway Highways in anticipation of the exercise. move at the engagement session, the back
No 1, near Jiadong Township in Pingtung Republic of China Air Force (ROCAF) of an information card held by President
County. The highway section had never personnel from the unit responsible for the Tsai revealed images of PLA aircraft being
been drilled prior to the event. An attempt strip – the Pingtung-based 6th Combined intercepted by ROCAF fighters.
was made in 2011 during Exercise Chang Wing – began moving in several days before Unlike previous exercises, the aircraft
Qing 12, but due to inclement weather, the to remove road infrastructure and establish were not rearmed with munitions as
aircraft only performed missed approaches. the aerodrome facilities. The road was closed personnel numbers were decreased under
Compared to the other five, the Jiadong to traffic a day before the drill began to COVID-19 prevention measures. Republic of
section is known to be more challenging. facilitate the preparatory work. China Army (ROCA) gunships and resupply
Apart from the frequent wet weather in that After a night of thunderstorms, dawn helicopters – as well as ROCAF ground-
part of the island, the designated tract is also broke to clear skies. At 0630hrs (local time), based air defences – were also absent from
shorter at 7,434ft. In preparation for this drill, the first aircraft – an Aerospace Industrial the event. After half an hour of ground time,
participating crews conducted take-offs and Development Corporation (AIDC) F-CK-1D all four aircraft departed the airstrip for their
landings on a taxiway at Pingtung North Air Ching-Kuo from the Tainan-based 1st Tactical respective bases. AFM
Base (AB) in the weeks prior to the event. Fighter Wing (TFW) – touched down on the
An embarrassing incident occurred on strip. This was followed by an F-16BM from Roy Choo and Peter Ho are the authors of Modern
August 31, when an upgraded two-seat the Chiayi-based 4th TFW, a Dassault Mirage Taiwanese Air Power: The Republic of China Air Force
Lockheed Martin F-16V Fighting Falcon 2000-5DI from the 2nd TFW at Hsinchu and Today, published May 2021.

Force preservation
Officially, the Republic of China’s Air Force’s (ROCAF) The former is a hollowed-out mountain, while the latter
five highway airstrips act as an emergency back-up for is a network of cavern tunnels built into the terrain.
nearby air bases, should they be rendered inoperable by Completed in the early 1990s, both facilities are thought
enemy action. While the ROCAF’s rapid runway repair to be designed to keep the entire combat fleet sheltered
teams would endeavour to bring a damaged runway back from missile attacks.
to operational status, this would still require a minimum The ROCAF is also taking steps to replace some of its
of 90-120 minutes, as often suggested. The need for 1970s-era hardened aircraft shelters. Newer generation
highway strips is further highlighted by Taiwan’s lack of ones that could withstand impacts from up-to 2,000lb
tanker aircraft, which would keep its aircraft airborne munitions are being built at Ching Chuan Kang AB in
during such scenarios. Taichung, as well as Chihhang – which will be home to its
If needed, the airstrips could also function as dispersal future F-16C/D Block 70 fleet.
sites. Detachments of ROCAF aircraft deployed to Normally a sanctuary from Chinese threats, military
converted highway tracts or even civilian airports could facilities on Taiwan’s east coast are facing growing
complicate the PLA’s targeting efforts, thereby contributing danger from the PLA’s fielding of aircraft carriers and
to the air force’s ability to sustain its airpower. long-range bombers. As such, a number of ex-military
Taiwan has significantly invested in other force personnel and defence analysts have been discussing the
preservation measures over the decades. Under various possibility of developing a highway airstrip in the east as
AIDC F-CK-1D – serial 1613 – departs the ‘Jian’an’ projects, efforts to harden important facilities a contingency for its bases there.
Jiadong airstrip after approximately 35 have been made. The most well known are the Chiashan Should this come to fruition in the years ahead, it would
minutes on the ground. Note that the aircraft
base in Hualien and the smaller Shizishan facility at add to the five strips that have already been validated for
was carrying live AIM-9P missiles All images
Peter Ho/Formosa Military Image Press Chihhang AB in Taitung, both on the island’s east coast. use by ROCAF aircraft.

www.Key.Aero November 2021 // 93

Attrition
Report Subscribe to www.Key.Aero
for breaking news stories. E-mail the news
team at [email protected]

Overheating F-22 APU

caused nearly US$3m
of damage

Above: Maj Michael Fesler, a 433rd Weapons Squadron pilot, flies F-22A Block 30 Raptor 06-4109 ‘WA’ from the Lockheed Martin factory in Georgia to Nellis Air
Force Base, Nevada, on January 9, 2008. This is the aircraft that was involved in the mishap on October 30, 2020 USAF/TSgt Phil Landram

A
NEW US Air Force Aircraft extensive teardown and rebuild instead. On the day of the the firewall shutoff valve,
Accident Investigation process, a disparate maintenance mishap, the APU emergency-off APU generating system valve
Board Report has revealed team consisting of Raptor switch (AES) was incorrectly assembly, APU inlet/exhaust
that an overheating auxiliary power Aircraft Maintenance Unit (AMU), set to ‘Normal’ by an unknown door actuator and APU surge
unit (APU) caused nearly US$3m Instrumentation and Lockheed person. According to Technical control valve. In addition, 47 wire
of damage to an F-22A Raptor in Martin subcontractors, began the Order (TO) guidance, to harnesses and miscellaneous
a previously unreported incident final stages of the modification accomplish AMED removal, aluminium brackets in the APU
at Nellis Air Force Base (AFB), process. On October 26, 2020, MXMs are required to set the bay also needed to be replaced
Nevada, on October 30, 2020. to facilitate troubleshooting of APU emergency switch (AES) to due to heat damage.
The report, published by Air the MA modification, the APU ‘Emergency Off’ (EMER OFF), as The Accident Investigation
Combat Command on July 9, mixing exhaust duct (AMED) was well as pull and collar APU circuit Board President (BP) found, by a
outlined that the aircraft involved removed and replaced to allow for breakers (CB); setting the AES to preponderance of the evidence,
was F-22A tail number 06-4109 access and repair to wiring and ‘EMER OFF’ prevents the APU that the cause of the mishap
‘WA’ from the 53rd Wing’s 422nd components in its corresponding from starting, as does pulling the was improper maintenance
Test and Evaluation Squadron compartment. On October 28, APU CBs. During pre-procedural procedures resulting in the
‘Green Bats’ headquartered at 2020, at 0620hrs local time, the checks, MXM3 failed to recognise starting of the APU while the
Eglin AFB, Florida. AMED was again removed and during his review of the MA forms AMED was removed.
On October 30, 2020, at not replaced, during which time and via visual inspection that The BP also found, by the
approximately 0930hrs local applicable circuit breakers (CB) AMED installation was required preponderance of the evidence,
time, the mishap aircraft (MA) were not pulled and collared, before APU operations. that there were four additional
experienced an overheat and warnings were not applied After start of the APU, smoke factors that substantially
condition in the auxiliary power to the MA’s structure or the MA began emanating from the APU contributed to the seriousness
unit (APU) exhaust bay. The MA digital forms in accordance with exhaust bay and into the left of the mishap:
was maintained by the 757th technical order guidance by main landing gear wheel well. 1) The culture of the mishap unit,
Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Maintenance Member (MXM) 1. MXM3 delayed emergency APU including limited use of CB collars
57th Wing, Nellis AFB, Nevada. Further, these errors were not shutdown in order to review the and inconsistent use of warnings;
The estimated cost to replace corrected by MXM2, the on-scene digital forms for fault reporting 2) The design of the test
damaged parts and repair the 7-level supervisor who verified the codes (errors). A maintenance instrumentation on the MA,
MA is US$2,690,000. work of MXM1. member in the vicinity which obscured access to
On June 26, 2020, the MA made On October 30, 2020, the approached the MA and set the applicable CBs;
its last flight prior to the mishap MA required defueling and AES to ‘Emergency Off’, shutting 3) The extensive nature of the
and began an extensive hardware reconfiguration of the aircraft down the APU manually. MA’s modification;
and software modification doors via aerospace ground As a result of the mishap, 4) Distractions caused by several
programme to prepare for new equipment (AGE), but a decision the following parts required non-standard events scheduled
operational test missions. After an was made to use the APU replacement due to overheat: on the day of the mishap.

94 // November 2021 www.Key.Aero

 Accident Reports
Date Nationality/unit Type Serial
Jul 9 US Navy Unidentified
type
An unspecified type of aircraft sustained engine damage due to external
foreign object debris during an arrested landing on an aircraft carrier in
the Pacific Ocean.
Jul 12 US Navy F/A-18F Super
Hornet
This aircraft sustained foreign object debris damage to the starboard
intake and starboard engine due to a bird strike during a low-level
flight in the vicinity of Roanoke, Virginia. The aircraft recovered safely
and there were no injuries to the crew, but the US Naval Safety Center
categorised the incident as a Class A mishap, indicating damage of at
least US$2.5m.
Jul 15 US Army/1st CAB/3-1st AVN UH-60M 10-20241
Black Hawk
This helicopter took off from Bucharest-Henri Coanda International
Above: A US Army Aviation and Missile Command Logistics Assistance
Airport, Romania, for a training flight over Bucharest as part of a Representative, assigned to the 405th Army Field Support Brigade, inspects
formation of three US Army Black Hawks and three Romanian Air a damaged rotor blade on UH-60M Black Hawk 10-20241 in a hangar at
Force helicopters, practising for the Romanian Air Force Day on July Bucharest International Airport on July 26 after it was damaged in a forced
20. At 1010hrs local time, it suddenly broke formation and began a landing in the middle of Bucharest on July 15 US Army
rapid descent, due to a major mechanical problem in flight and, after safely to Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Washington, without further
passing the monument on Aviatorilor Boulevard, the main rotors struck incident and there were no injuries to the crew. However, post-flight
two street light poles, knocking one of them down and damaging two inspection revealed damage to the leading edges of the aircraft’s wings
cars. The Black Hawk then force-landed on a busy boulevard in Charles and the US Naval Safety Center categorised it as a Class A mishap,
de Gaulle Square in northern Bucharest. Quick action by traffic police indicating damage of at least US$2.5m.
on the ground resulted in a clear area for the emergency landing and Aug 31 Republic of China AF/4th TFW F-16B 6829
no injuries were reported, but the helicopter sustained damage to While landing at Pingtung Air Base at 0632hrs local time during a
two of the main rotor blades as it came down. With assistance from combat readiness exercise, this aircraft veered off the paved surface,
the US Army’s 405th Army Field Support Brigade, based at Illesheim, resulting in the nose falling into a ditch. The crew were not injured, but
Germany, the damage was inspected the same day to determine taken to hospital for a check-up as a precaution. The air force said
which parts needed replacing. After partial disassembly, the Black the nose was not damaged, but the port wing was in contact with the
Hawk was towed through the streets of the city for eight miles back ground and sustained some minor damage. The aircraft was detached
to Bucharest International Airport where the safety investigation team from Hualien Air Base to train for the forthcoming 37th annual Han
completed its investigation and the required maintenance and repairs Kuang military exercises (on September 13-17, see p92-93) and landed
were accomplished. After ground runs and a 30-minute hover test were on a rain-soaked taxiway on the northern side of the base to simulate
completed, the Black Hawk was cleared to fly and it returned to Mihail landing on a road runway. The aircraft had landed normally, but when
Kogalniceanu Air Base on August 5. the pilot deployed its braking parachute it suddenly veered to the left.
Jul 16 US Navy/Fallon Helicopter MH-60S 165760 Aug 31 US Navy/HSC-8 MH-60S
SAR Squadron Knighthawk ‘7H-02’ Knighthawk
Following the crash of this helicopter on Mount Hogue in the White After touching down on USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) approximately
Mountains of California (see ‘Attrition’, September, p96), it has finally 60nm off the coast of San Diego, California, at around 1630hrs Pacific
been recovered. After languishing at the crash site for several weeks, Daylight Time, this helicopter experienced side-to-side vibrations
following a two-day operation the helicopter was recovered as an causing the main rotor to strike the flight deck, after which it fell over the
underslung load on September 5 by a new US Marine Corps CH-53K side into the Pacific Ocean. One crew member was rescued from the
King Stallion on the type’s first official fleet mission. The latter was still helicopter and transported ashore, where he was in stable condition.
undergoing the initial operational test and evaluation (IOT&E) process The other five were missing and an extensive search was under way
with Marine Operational Test and Evaluation Squadron 1 (VMX-1) at for them using multiple air and surface assets, but they were not found
the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms in and are assumed deceased. Five other sailors on the flight deck were
California. At the request of the US Naval Safety Center, the CH-53K
was brought in after all other possible resources to recover the MH-60S
had been exhausted, as every other helicopter option lacked the
capability to lift the stricken Knighthawk without extensive disassembly.
After two weeks of planning, two VMX-1 CH-53Ks were deployed to
Bishop, California. On September 4, the MH-60S was partly
disassembled in the tight, high-altitude ravine in which it had come
down, before being lifted out the following day by one of the CH-53Ks.
It was then carried the 23nm to Eastern Sierra Regional Airport in
Bishop as an approximately 15,200lb underslung load.
Jul 26 US Navy F/A-18E Super
Hornet
This aircraft experienced an engine fire during a training flight from
Naval Air Station Lemoore, California. The pilot was unhurt, but the
recovered aircraft was classified by the US Naval Safety Center as a
Class A mishap, indicating damage of at least US$2.5m.
Aug 6 US Navy P-8A Poseidon Above: US Navy MH-60S 165750 ‘7H-02’ being disassembled on Mount Hogue,
California, on September 4, prior to being airlifted out by a USMC CH-53K
While in descent to Idaho Falls Regional Airport, Idaho, the aircraft King Stallion the following day. The helicopter had made a hard landing there
experienced heavy precipitation and turbulence. The Poseidon returned on July 16 USMC/Lance Cpl Colton Brownlee

www.Key.Aero November 2021 // 95

Attrition
Report Subscribe to www.Key.Aero
for breaking news stories. E-mail the news
team at [email protected]

non-commissioned officer Hassan Al-Tom. The type is unconfirmed,

only one media report suggesting it was an Mi-24.
Sep 10 Ivory Coast Air Force Mi-24D Hind-D
Communication with this helicopter was lost around 0200hrs local
time in the Ferké area while heading for Korhogo, undertaking a
reconnaissance mission near the northern border with Burkina Faso,
in support of army operations. The wreckage was later found 1¼
miles (2km) north of Togolokaye in the Tehini department and it was
confirmed that all five on board had been killed in the crash.
Sep 12 Sécurité Civile EC145 F-ZBQG
While en route to rescue a mountain biker, the helicopter, callsign
‘Dragon 38’, crashed at 1630hrs local time after losing altitude in
Villard-de-Lans, Isères, France. One crew member, a flight engineer,
was killed and the four other crew (a pilot, SAMU doctor and two
gendarmes) were injured, one of them seriously, and evacuated to
Grenoble University Hospital.
Sep 13 Brazilian Air Force/3°/3° A-29A Super 5715
GAv ‘Flecha’ Tucano
Following a technical malfunction, this aircraft crashed in a field near
Above: The wreckage of Ivory Coast Air Force Mi-24D Hind-D following its Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul state. The pilot ejected safely after
crash on September 10 directing the A-29A towards an open area. After being rescued by a
also injured during the incident, but all were reported to be in a stable Black Hawk helicopter from the ‘Pelicano’ Squadron, 2°/10° GAv, the
condition. Two of them were transported ashore for treatment while the pilot was receiving medical care and reported to be doing well.
other three had minimal injuries and remained aboard the ship. Sep 14 Peruvian Naval Aviation/ Mi-8TB HT-452
Sep 7 Japan Maritime Kawasaki P-1 5533 Escuadrón Aeronaval 32
Self-Defense Force This helicopter crashed following a bird strike at around 0920hrs local
While landing at Gifu Air Base at around 1600hrs local time, the aircraft time, 30 miles north of Pucallpa. The crew were uninjured, but the Mi-8
slid off the right-hand side of runway 28 into soft ground. After gouging sustained serious structural damage and may be a write-off.
long deep furrows in the grass, it came to rest still appearing to be on Sep 14 US Air Force/509th BW B-2A Spirit
its undercarriage, but with at least one engine (the port inboard) resting During a routine training mission, this aircraft experienced an in-flight
on the ground. No serious damage was immediately apparent and the malfunction and at 0030hrs it made an emergency landing back at
ten crew members were unhurt. The aircraft was one of the latest new Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, during which it was damaged on
production examples and had not yet delivered, but was being test the runway. Following the accident, a NOTAM (notice to airmen) was
flown by a JMSDF crew. issued at 1524hrs UTC the same day putting in place a temporary flight
Sep 8 Mexican Navy/Escuela Zlin Z242L restriction extending for six nautical miles around the base and up to an
de Aviación Naval Guru altitude of 8,000ft above ground level, which the NOTAM said was “to
Following a technical malfunction during a training flight, the pilot provide a safe environment for accident investigation”. The base has
made an emergency landing near La Paz/Manuel Márquez de León confirmed that there were no injuries and no fire associated with the
International Airport. He was not injured and the aircraft appeared to landing. An investigation is under way, but at present no further details
have sustained only minor damage and was later recovered on a flatbed have been released and it is not yet known how serious damage was to
truck back to its base at Base Aeronaval La Paz, Baja California Sur. the aircraft. It came to rest on the grass off to one side of the runway,
Sep 8 Sudanese Air Force Mi-24 Hind? after an apparent port main undercarriage collapse, leaving it resting
This helicopter crashed into the White Nile, in the Al-Shiqiylab on the outer section of its wing on the port side. It remained in situ for
area, south of Khartoum, at around 1500hrs local time. Two bodies two days before it was moved back on to the runway and three days
were recovered from the river and a search was under way for the later there was no sign of the aircraft anywhere on the airfield, it having
unspecified number of other crew members. The media advisor of the presumably been taken to a hangar.
armed forces commander-in-chief, Brig Al-Taher Abu-Haja, identified Sep 15 Honduran Air Force/1 Grupo OA-37B FAH-1015
the two fatalities to be Capt Ala-Edeen Mohammed Omar and Aerotáctico/Escuadrón de Dragonfly
Apoyo Aéreo
After performing a display for the Honduran bicentennial celebrations,
the aircraft returned to San Pedro Sula-Ramon Villeda Morales Airport
where, as a result of a technical failure, it performed a landing with
the undercarriage retracted. The two crew were reportedly unhurt and
damage appeared to be confined to the belly of the aircraft.
Sep 19 Libyan National Army 2 x Mi-8
These two helicopters collided in mid-air and crashed around 80 miles
(130km) southeast of Benghazi. Two personnel (Buzid Al-Barassi and
Milad Al-Asebi) in one helicopter were killed, but the crew of the other
helicopter survived.
Sep 19 US Navy/TAW-2 T-45C 167087
Goshawk ‘B-237’
This aircraft crashed into two houses in the suburbs between the 4,000
blocks of Tejas Trail and Dakota Trail, Lake Worth, approximately two
miles northeast of Naval Air Station Fort Worth Joint Reserve Base,
Texas, at about 1115hrs CDT, following ingestion of a bird into the
engine during a routine training flight. Both crew members ejected, but
one suffered burns after coming down on power lines near Highway
199, while the other landed in a tree, both suffering injuries. The
instructor pilot was reported to be in stable condition, while the student
Above: The burnt-out remains of Russian FSB Border Guards/317th OSAP
Ka-27PS RF-19590 following its crash on September 23 naval aviator was in a serious, but non-life-threatening condition. Two

96 // November 2021 www.Key.Aero

to three people on the ground were reported injured. The serial is
subject to confirmation. The aircraft was from Training Air Wing 2 at
Naval Air Station Kingsville, Texas, but had flown out of Corpus Christi
International Airport at the time of the accident.
Sep 20 US Navy Multiple MH-60Rs
These helicopters, exact number unspecified, were damaged in a
hangar at Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Florida, when the hangar’s
Aqueous Film-Forming Foam (AFFF) fire-fighting system discharged. No
personnel were injured, but the US Naval Safety Center categorised the
incident as a Class A mishap, indicating damage of at least US$2.5m
had been sustained by the helicopters.
Sep 21 Indian Army Aviation HAL315B
Corps Cheetah
This helicopter was written off when it crashed between 1030 and
1045hrs local time into trees on a thickly wooded hillside in dense fog Above: German Navy/MFG5 Super Lynx Mk 88A 83+23 following a safe
during a training flight near Patnitop in the Shiva Garh Dhar area of emergency landing on August 9 in Harsefeld as a result of a suspected
Udhampur district, Jammu and Kashmir. The two pilots were rescued hydraulic defect. After assessment it was moved to Nordholz German Navy
with critical injuries and transported to a medical facility in Udhampur, of Nikolaevka, three miles from Sosnovka, in the Yelisovsky municipal
where they both succumbed to their injuries a short time later. district of the Kamchatka territory in Russia’s Far East. The wreckage
Sep 22 Angolan Air Force SA316B H-233 was located the following day by an Mi-171 operated by the
Alouette III Emergency Aviation Service. The bodies of three fatally injured
This helicopter crashed under unknown circumstances in Benguela city. occupants were recovered from the crash site, although some
Two crew members (the aircraft commander and an officer) were killed reports said there may have been five on board. The helicopter
and two other air force personnel on board were seriously injured. The was operated by the 317th Independent Composite Aviation
Alouette was en route from Lobito to Lubango at the time. Regiment (OSAP) and based at the 7060th Naval Aviation Base at
Sep 22 Pakistan Air Force/PAF Cessna Petropavlovsk-Kamchatskiy/Yelizovo.
Academy/College of T-37B/C Sep 26 Philippine Navy AW109E 435
Flying Training Tweet Power
This aircraft crashed under unknown circumstances in an open area This helicopter was involved in a landing accident, although there are
at Gahderhi, Nowshera, near Mardan. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, during a conflicting reports on the precise nature of the crash. The incident
routine training sortie from the PAF Academy Asghar Khan at PAF Base was not made public until an official statement was released on
Risalpur. The student pilot did not eject in time and was killed. October 3 saying that it happened at around 0200hrs local time when it
Sep 23 Republic of China AF/4th TFW F-16V 6650 was attempting to land at its designated station in Lal-lo, Cagayan,
During initial start-up for an early morning scramble from Chiayi Air after returning from a mission in support of Northern Luzon
Base, the pilot reported an undercarriage problem. After being shut Command’s internal security operations. The two pilots and two crew
down, the ground crew troubleshooted the problem and the pilot sustained minor injuries, but were taken to a medical facility as a
started up the aircraft again. However, during this second start-up, the matter of routine procedure, to be checked over. Vice Admiral Adeluis
undercarriage was accidentally retracted, causing some damage to the Bordado, PN Flag Officer in Command, said it suddenly tilted over
airframe. The aircraft was responding to 19 Chinese PLAAF aircraft that when hovering just a few feet above the ground, but did not crash.
were heading towards Taiwan’s air defence identification zone. After the However, Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Delfin
accident, an alternative standby F-16V was scrambled. Lorenzana mentioned at a budget deliberation in the Senate on
Sep 23 Russian FSB Border Ka-27PS RF-19590 October 1 that it was destroyed when it rolled over after being
Guards/317th OSAP caught by strong, gusting winds. AFM
During a training flight, the helicopter crashed at around 2030hrs
Moscow time in a remote and difficult to access area at a height of Additional material from: Donny Chan, Scramble/Dutch Aviation
almost 3,120ft on the steep slopes of Mount Ostraya, near the village Society and Asagiri Yohko.

Above: Battle-damaged US Army CH-47F Chinook 04-08706 makes its first flight for two years at the 1109th Theater Aviation Support Maintenance Group
facility in Groton, Connecticut, on June 2 after an extensive rebuild. It had been extensively damaged in a hard landing in Iraq, date unknown, then had been
sitting in Kuwait since 2018 awaiting repairs US Army/Connecticut NG

www.Key.Aero November 2021 // 97

Next
Issue

Russia in big drills

with allies
AFM provides unrivalled behind-the-scenes
coverage of the Russian Aviadarts and Zapad
exercises, where a collection of the world’s military
foes – Russia, China and Belarus – convened
to carry out fixed-wing combat and helicopter
operations together.

Next Issue
The December
issue is on
sale from
November 18
2021* Equipped with four rocket pods, a People’s Liberation Army Air Force
(PLAAF)-operated Shenyang J-16 from the 3rd Air Brigade at Qiqihar Air Base
* On sale date may vary by region. takes off from Dyagilevo for a mission over the Dubrovichi range in Russia’s
Content subject to change. Ryazan region during Exercise Aviadarts 21 Giovanni Colla/Daniele Faccioli

The Royal Air Force’s Boeing E-3D

Sentry AEW1 fleet was formally • Sun sets on the Sentry
withdrawn from service on September The UK formally retired its steadfast Boeing E-3D Sentry AEW1 fleet
28, 2021, after 30 years of operational
service MOD Crown Copyright in September. We look back at the airborne early warning and control
(AEW&C) platform’s service over the last three decades; highlighting
its operations, upgrades and what it did for the Royal Air Force.

• In the shadows...
We detail the operations of the secretive US Air Force Special
Operations Command (AFSOC), as well as the assets used by the
force in shadowy missions across the globe.

• Stockholm’s eyes and ears

The Swedish Air Force’s covert intelligence, surveillance and
reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft come under the spotlight, as we ask
what the future holds for the Korpen and Erieye.

• Plus the best military aircraft

news coverage of any aviation
magazine anywhere!

98 // November 2021 www.Key.Aero