Lajes (Azores) (LPLA/TER) 2008

[Dutchmil]

Hi All!!!,

Today Lajes received more 12 A-10's and 2 support aircraft Kc-10's.

The A-10s arrived as Trend 11-16 and Trend 21-26 with KC-10s Gold 66 and Gold 76.


RH.

[thunderboypt]

Hi All!!,

The A10's (and support) from 08/05/2008:

A10's:
79-0093/KC
80-0273/PA
81-0981/PA
78-0653/ID
78-0627/ID
78-0611/ID
80-0230/PA
82-0659/PA
79-0123/KC
80-0250/ID
78-0655/KC
79-0119/KC

KC10's:
83-0076
86-0033

C17:
98-0050


King Regards,
Leandro Rocha.

[J.J.]

Special thanks for posting your log of A-10s, Leandro! And if all serial numbers and tailcodes are identified 100 % by eyewitnesses, that should be a big surprise! Please remember my reply from Wed, 23 Apr 2008 20:58:

Probably in early May, an undisclosed number of A-10s from the 303rd FS, 442nd FW (AFRC), Whiteman AFB, Missouri (tailcode KC), will go trough Lajes and possibly also trough Sigonella. According to a 442nd FW PA news article, they will deploy to Afghanistan this spring. And in this case, they will deploy as 303rd EFS for USAF´s upcoming AEF 3/4 (Cycle 7) rotation (May - August 2008). And they will replace the Spang "Hogs" at Bagram AB, Afghanistan. Happy spotting!

See: http://www.acc.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123095383" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

That means: Originally I thought the 303rd FS / 442nd FW will deploy alone for this AEF rotation.

But if Leandro´s sources are O.K., in this case an AFRC A-10 unit deploys as a "Rainbow Team" together with aircraft from two A-10 ANG units. It looks to me like a very first (probably related to BRAC 2005), but please let me check my archives for further details. And here´s my current sorted list (related to the info given by Leandro):

AEF 3/4 (Cycle 7) rotation (May - August 2008)

A-10 “Rainbow Team”

12 A-10

303rd FS, 442nd FW (AFRC), Whiteman AFB , Missouri (KC)
78-0655
79-0093
79-0119
79-0123

103rd FS, 111th FW (Pennsylvania ANG), Willow Growe ARS, Pennsylvania (PA)
80-0230
80-0273
81-0981
82-0659

190th FS, 124 Wg (Idaho ANG), Boise, Idaho (ID)
78-0611
78-0627
78-0653
80-0250

In the next couple of days I will post further comments. But there are still some open deployment questions!

[sentinel]

Today there should be 8 F-16s at Moron deploying east probably to Balad. Any idea of units or possible serial confirmations? I'm aware this is a Lajes forum but I have not heard of any spotters around in Moron - seems to be one of those 'no go' zones. This also means that they will be replacing another unit based in Iraq which will be heading westbound in the next few days.

[J.J.]

Sorry, but I´m tired, sentinel! Please let me reply tommorow - together with a "Hog" OEF deployment update.

[thunderboypt]

Good Morning,

The 2 Pakistani F16's departed a few hours ago from Lajes with a Kc135.
Anyone knows were are they going? maybe Pakistan?

Regards,
Leandro Rocha.

[J.J.]

To sentinel and all others: Unfortunately, the best guy who provided first-hand info of F-16 Moron stopovers in the past is currently deployed!. Please understand: To save this very important private source I will not disclose any further source details on this topic.

[wamovements]

Good Morning,

The 2 Pakistani F16's departed a few hours ago from Lajes with a Kc135.
Anyone knows were are they going? maybe Pakistan?

Regards,
Leandro Rocha.

Were they still wearing their LJ code or were these removed shortly after 1st April?

Regards
Dennis

[thunderboypt]

Yes, they were still wearing the LJ code on the tail.
They went to the united states were they will serve as prototypes for the Pakistan Air Force F-16’s MLU Program. Thats the little info I got.

Kind Regards,
Leandro Rocha.

[falcon]

The Indian Sukoi deployment to USA is due to arrive at Lajes at 13th or 14th July.

So heads up for the Lajes spotters !!

[thunderboypt]

Hi All!!

The Indian Su30MKI had just departed from Lajes today in the morning, they were 8 Su30MKI, 2 IL78 and 1 IL76. Because I dont have internet at my home, I will try to post all the serials (from all the fighter I spotted this summer) in the next weeks
You can find photos at the usual places

Kind Regards,
Leandro Rocha.

[Stefan]

A heads up for Lajes probably:

ISLAMABAD: Four more F-16 fighter aircraft will join the Pakistan Air Force on July 28, 2008. For this purpose, a ceremony for handing over of the planes to the Pakistan Air Force will be held at the PAF Base Mushaf on Saturday.

Greetings,
Stefan

[falcon]

Hi,

After some months again some news from my site,

Lajes is expecting next week,

F-16's from different users
Rafales from FAF
Prowlers and Vikings

p.s. the Idians are coming back end August on Lajes.

[J.J.]

There´s an interesting USAF news article "Indian air force stops at Lajes on their way to Red Flag" (four pictures included): http://www.lajes.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123106572" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[sentinel]

Good heads-up for the folks at Lajes.

I wonder where will the Vikings be coming from. Thought they were no longer in use!

The Pakistani F-16 are among the delivery package as this was well covered in the news. The rest will probably be Sufas.

Hi,

After some months again some news from my site,

Lajes is expecting next week,

F-16's from different users
Rafales from FAF
Prowlers and Vikings

p.s. the Idians are coming back end August on Lajes.