Sigonella (LICZ) - 2015

[Bennie]

What a sad thing that there is no one spotter around this base...
Always lot's of movements here but never a picture.. really sadly.

Its forbiden to take pics.

It may be forbidden, but this not mean it's impossible..... Sigonella is not the easiest base due to its size and infrastructure, but photography is possible on final approach to both ends..

[Basman]

Sigonella is not the easiest base due to its size and infrastructure, but photography is possible on final approach to both ends

Indeed not easy...distance to platforms and runway from outside is huge, heat vibrations can be very annoying for reading stuff. Approach shots are your best bet, but even though these visitor lists seem tempting, it is awfully quiet most of the times. Pity the Italians don't fly their Atlantics from here anymore (afaik).
Was there a couple of years ago, saw a Predator and a couple of P-3's on the platform but couldn't make out any numbers due to the heat (at 8.30am...). Only thing flying was a C-17.

Bas

[woelfie]

You might want to have a look here: http://www.flugzeugforum.de/threads/795 ... nella-LICZ.

Not a lot of pictures there but it might give an impression.

[EvD]

Indeed, I think it is quite dull. Five movements a day means a 2 hour wait between them
I was there when the Turks, Emirati, Swedes and Danish were there in 2011. Very easy base to spot. Photography at finals and you can look from the opposite side along most the base perimeter from the river embankment and see everything that is there, albeit from a distance. You will surely need a big pole and not sleep in until 0830, but just after dawn and before dusk it is quite do-able.
Besides, you can fly for two hand fulls of euros to Trapani with Ryanair and make a combination (Trapani also nice in approach and open on many sides for looking).
Erwin

[Bennie]

Indeed, I think it is quite dull. Five movements a day means a 2 hour wait between them
I was there when the Turks, Emirati, Swedes and Danish were there in 2011. Very easy base to spot. Photography at finals and you can look from the opposite side along most the base perimeter from the river embankment and see everything that is there, albeit from a distance. You will surely need a big pole and not sleep in until 0830, but just after dawn and before dusk it is quite do-able.
Besides, you can fly for two hand fulls of euros to Trapani with Ryanair and make a combination (Trapani also nice in approach and open on many sides for looking).
Erwin

Trapani-Sigonella is 222km as the crow flies... Catania is more or less next door to Sigonella!

[EvD]

Sure, but there are no Eurofighters at Catania
I never said it would have to be done in 1 day.
It depends a bit on the flight times. An afternoon weekend arrival for Catania gives you evening and morning light.
You can fly to Palermo also.

[Bennie]

Sure, but there are no Eurofighters at Catania
I never said it would have to be done in 1 day.
It depends a bit on the flight times. An afternoon weekend arrival for Catania gives you evening and morning light.
You can fly to Palermo also.

Sicily has a lot more to offer than spotting.... but I have no doubt you know that!

[Oscar01]

Just my two cents....

You know that the big AEF downrange changes every half year (first half of April and first half of October). And as the US is still flying the A-10s at forward operational bases, they switch these as well in those time frames.

And the normal(!) route from the US takes the A-10s via Lajes to Sigonella and then further east. So if you wanna see some nice planes, go there first half of October or April (no guarantee given though ).

Have fun,
Oz

[Bennie]

October 3rd visitor:
AFP50 (16712)
CNV4061 (166695)
CNV4981 (165829)
LOBO02 (161529)
RCH374 (66165)
RCH711 (66158)

[Banter]

Diverting in yesterday were 6 HH F22's eastbound ex Moron.
Today they departed as Trend21-26.

Gtz

[Bennie]

October 13th visitor: NAF11 from Rotterdam.

[Bennie]

October 19th visitor: NAF34 from Eindhoven.

[Bennie]

October 19th visitor: NAF34 from Eindhoven.

+ NAF30 on October 28th.

[Bennie]

November 2nd visitor: NAF71.

[Bennie]

November 2nd visitor: NAF71.

+ NAF36 on December 2nd..