The SAAF Forum

Exercise Cobra Warrior 2022

Hosted again by the RAF at Waddington, this annual event resumes after two years of cancellations, due to Covid. Numbers are fewer than 2019, but at least it is happening. The fighter contingents arrive next week Tuesday and Wednesday. Needless to say, I will keep you posted as much as possible.

Participants:
Italy - Arrivals 30 Aug:
6 x Italian Eurofighter EF2000
Italian Gulfstream G550

Germany - Arrivals 31 Aug:
6 x Luftwaffe Tornado
NATO E-3A (AWACS)

UK
Various Royal Air Force assets from bases around the country

Support Aircraft:
24 Aug: Luftwaffe C-130J
26 Aug: Italian C-130J
30 Aug: Italian Boeing B767
31 Aug: Luftwaffe A400

First to arrive Wednesday 24 Aug was a Luftwaffe C-130J-30 to offload equipment, departing after a one hour stop. I am awaiting confirmation that this was the first time a Luftwaffe C-130 has landed at a RAF base.




Taxiing to the designated area, note the wind causing the C-130 to lean over to starboard.


Taxiing ...


A surprise visitor to welcome the Luftwaffe - RAF F-35B.


Taxiing for departure, passing near the fence line, giving us a look at the co-pilot.

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https://www.flickr.com/photos/tallyho2015/albums

Thanks for the report, look forward to more photos

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

Great stuff! Thanks for sharing. I'll pull a chair and some popcorn closer to follow

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There's no such thing as a good or bad gun. A gun in the hands of a bad man is a very dangerous thing. A gun in the hands of a good person is no danger to anyone except the bad guy.

Thank you Dean and Wingman for your comments!

Friday 26 August saw the arrival of an Aeronautica Militare (Italian Air Force) C-130J (46-50) to pre-position support equipment. We noted the outer wing refuelling pods which would designate it as a KC-130J version. The Italians were quick in off-loading at their designated area and were airborne again in less than an hour.
The aircraft landed well down the runway resulting in a good rubber on tarmac moment, with heat from the four turboprops and midday heat haze, adding to the effect.


Aeronautica Militare KC-130J


Smoke and heat haze!

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https://www.flickr.com/photos/tallyho2015/albums

A teaser - Star of Exercise Cobra Warrior 2022 deployment thus far!

This heavily modified Gulfstream G-550 Airborne Early Warning, modified in this case by Israel Aircraft Industries, is one of two operated by the Italian Air Force. It was acquired by the Italians as a counter deal to the Israeli purchase of the Alenia Aermacchi M-346 advanced trainer. Business is business!

More pictures to follow once I've edited, from the arrivals of the Aeronautica Militare contingent to this exercise. It was a good day (Tuesday 30 Aug) at the fenceline, today (Wednesday 31 Aug) sees the arrival of the Luftwaffe contingent. Much to do!


A mean machine - stance, presence and sophistication!

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https://www.flickr.com/photos/tallyho2015/albums

Thanks Tally-Ho, I'm watching this space

I once met a crew member of a B1 bomber when it was at Waterkloof, she was of Oriental descent with her surname Ho and her callsign Tally-Ho. I was treated to a tour inside the B1 by her and the female pilot whose name I can't remember now, I think it was Sally but I will do a check.

Maybe she was called Sally B, after the B-17 Flying Fortress at Duxford?

Cobra Warrior 2022 continued:-


Arrivals on Tuesday 30 August started with IAM (Aeronautica Militare) Boeing KC-767A tanker MM62226, sporting graphics on the tail '100 1916-2016'


The first three of six IAM Eurofighters overhead


IAM Eurofighter


Friendly pilot greeting the photographers at the fenceline


Turning off Runway #02 and taxiing to their designated staging area


RAF Boeing RC-135 (Reconnaissance) taking off, in between IAM arrivals. It has been a dry summer, note the dust.


Another shot of the Gulfstream G-550 AEW (Airborne Early Warning). This G-550 was a first for all of us at the fenceline.

Next up will be Luftwaffe arrivals on Wednesday 31 August. The exercise starts Monday 5 September lasting anything from two to three weeks.
And yes, there is tension in Europe ...

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https://www.flickr.com/photos/tallyho2015/albums

Great stuff, thanks!

That G-550 AEW will not be winning any beauty contests.

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

The G-550 is a real "chubby cheeks"!

Thank you for the photo's.

Thank you Dean and AT6C.

Cobra Warrior 2022 continued - Luftwaffe arrivals

It is important to note that the Luftwaffe deployed six of their Tornado ECR planes (Electronic Combat Reconnaissance) a dedicated SEAD (Suppression of Enemy Air Defences) so as to enhance dissimilar and varied exercise scenarios. Due to heavy operational use the RAF retired all of their Tornados some time ago, thus the noise and thunder of those twin afterburning turbofans around Waddington, is music to 'avgeek' ears.

The Tornados are from TLG 51 (Taktisches Luftwaffengeschwader 51) "Immelmann" based at Schleswig.


At full tilt down the runway


Taxiing to their designated staging area


Carrying four long range tanks and showing a Operation Inherent Resolve graphic on the engine air intake.


Operation Inherent Resolve


Taxiing to their designated staging area


RAF Boeing RC-135 Reconnaissance in-between Luftwaffe arrivals


Luftwaffe staging area


A-400


A-400


NATO Boeing E-3A with that signature smoke trail from four Pratt & Whitney turbofans, on short finals.


Boeing E-3A

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https://www.flickr.com/photos/tallyho2015/albums

The 550 is certainly an interesting looking aircraft. I do wonder why the intake "lips" are polished metal? I see it on the exhaust on some PLAF aircraft too, any particular reason for this? Those Tornado must be getting really long in the tooth now!

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A plan is simply a basis for change.

The intake bling matches the windscreen

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

I note the leading edge of the wings have the same 'polished metal' look. No idea as to why.
Yes, the Tornado as a platform is getting old, however the Luftwaffe is known for not letting age determine the length of service of their assets. If I had to be frank, the Luftwaffe is currently well behind the curve in terms of upgrades to their Eurofighters and modernity re their fast jets. Only recently, and belatedly, have they decided to join the F-35 club with deliveries some years off.

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https://www.flickr.com/photos/tallyho2015/albums

A subtle bit of poetic licence, or the photographic equivalent thereof ...


Luftwaffe Tornado showing 17,300 lbf (pound force) or 76.8 kN (kilo newton) thrust from those twin Turbo-Union afterburning turbofans, as it blasts down the Waddington runway.

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https://www.flickr.com/photos/tallyho2015/albums

And the show goes on ... all in good company!


Life at the fenceline; flags at half-mast at the roadside carpark / cafe, German Tornado about to land, Tornados taxiing, Italian Typhoon.


The second of only two Italian Air Force G-550's. Not kitted out yet as its stable mate. You saw it here first!


Italian Air Force Gulfstream G-550:-
The graphics celebrate "the 50th anniversary of the 71° Gruppo (Squadron), the unit historically focused on SIGINT (Signal Intelligence) as well as EW (Electronic Warfare) of the Italian Air Force".
(The Aviationist: David Cenciotti)
Furthermore:-
It depicts Perseus (Italian: Perseo) having decapitated the head of Medusa with a machete. Perseus was a mythological Greek hero ... go check out Greek mythology. Reading for the weekend!

Until next time

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https://www.flickr.com/photos/tallyho2015/albums