Chania/Souda (LGSA/CHQ) - 2009 MIL

[Oscar01]

Hi,

Some very nice a/c at Souda these days....

Arr today: Expres00-03 4x V-22
Arr tomorrow: Expres06-09 4x V-22

Nothing known about further route, but they are westbound. So perhaps(!) Sig, Moron, Lajes? Or northern route (as they didn't have tankersupport)?

Cheers,
Oz

[Maurizio]

Any news about this flights?

[J.J.]

Must be USMC MV-22 Ospreys on their way back to CONUS from Al Asad, Iraq. See: http://www.dvidshub.net/?script=news/ne ... p&id=32351" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; Please note: [...] While three Osprey squadron's personnel have rotated in and out of Iraq since September 2007, the aircraft they have been flying have remained in country the entire time traded between each incoming squadron. [...]

By released USMC OIF photos, I was able to identify at least the following deployed aircraft:

ES 01 5853 VMM-266
ES 02 VMM-266
ES 06 6498 VMM-266
ES 07 6497 VMM-266
ES 09 VMM-266
ES 10 VMM-266
ES 11 VMM-266

EG 00 5852 VMM-263
EG 03 VMM-263
EG 04 VMM-263
EG 07 6497 VMM-263
EG 09 VMM-263
EG 10 VMM-263
EG 11 5851 VMM-263
EG 12 6494 VMM-263

According to USMC news, ten VMM-263 aircraft were ferried to Iraq in early October 2007 as so-called Tilt Rotor Surge Deployment aboard USS Wasp (LHD-1). Anybody who remember the deployment of VMM-266 aircraft? Is the Osprey able to cross the Atlantic only with tanker support or were the VMM-266 aircraft ferried aboard another USN ship?

Could be that USS Wasp will embarke at least some of the returning MV-22s at Souda Bay during their current surge deployment. See: http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=44581" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; Note: [...] Wasp is steaming into the European Command's area of responsibility to recover Marine Corps assets. [...]

Regards

[Oscar01]

Arr today was Boss87 E-4 74-0787

Will dep tomorrow.
Oz

[skippy1]

Long shot for a first post - seen on arrival at Souda Bay on 30/6 was a USAF E3,KC135 and 2 x 'OF' C135's - alsp two F16's

On departure on 7/7/09 I noted a RSAF C130 (dep 1350Z ish), 2 x USN C2,a C26 and 2 x KC135 - one of which looked like 37070.

The preserved Greek AF A7 can easily be seen from the holding point on the NATO side of the airfield

[11E]

31 JUL
CH11 C-130H

02 AUG
84-0188 KC-10A

Also noted were the 3 gate guards (F-4 68-0424, T-33 58683 and F-84 ''745''), a Greek C-130 with a special painted tail, and the stored T-33 at the end of the runway. Also one T-33 in the shelterarea.

Anyone has the serials of the stored T-33s?

[Bram]

Hi,

The HAF C-130 with special tail is the 752 from 356 MTM.

Regards

Bram

[gatso76]

We will fly soon to Greece for our holiday.
Arrival and departure will be at/from Chania/Souda airport.
This will be a non spotting holiday but perhaps it is possible to see something after arrival and before departure...or during a 'hit and run' or from our balcony (we have an appartment booked at Bella Mare, Rethymnon, located at the northern part of the island near the coast) or during our stay at the beach.
Somebody with more info about the things to do and don't ??

[falcon]

hi,

Was there in 2000 and 2004. both times visited Souda. Best spot is at the north eastern approach, as standing on a dirt road the vipers can easely been seen, no sign of base patrol or local police as they can't see you there, oohh and yes, please watch out for some streetdogs at this spot, and some gipsy's in the caravan.......

don't try to spot at the airport road at the westside, you will get spot and troubles will follow.

[Roland van Bommel]

Souda Bay 31-08-2009

5.3 bl F-16C 343Mira
510 bl F-16C 343Mira
511 bl F-16C 343Mira
512 bl F-16C 343Mira
513 y/bk F-16C 340Mira
519 y/bk F-16C 340Mira
521 y/bk F-16C 340Mira
523 y/bk F-16C 340Mira
525 bl F-16C 343Mira
526 y/bk F-16C 340Mira
527 bl F-16C 343Mira
529 bl F-16C 343Mira
533 y/bk F-16C 340Mira
534 y/bk F-16C 340Mira
535 y/bk F-16C 340Mira
536 y/bk F-16C 340Mira
538 y/bk F-16C 340Mira
612 F-16D 115 PM unmarked
615 bl F-16D 343Mira
616 bl F-16D 343Mira

visit
2x AMX AMI
723 C-130B 356 MTM
88-4404 sil C-130H 95 AS AFRC
78-0576 OK r E-3B 552 AW&CW
165829 C-40B VR-58
900528 C-26B Naples AOD
A6-OOO? AW-139 Dubai AW?? delivery flight??

Greetings from sunny Crete
Roland van Bommel

[AndyMarden]

Souda Bay 31-08-2009

A6-OOO? AW-139 Dubai AW?? delivery flight??

Greetings from sunny Crete
Roland van Bommel

Roland,
DU-141 left the UK on 29.8 for a 5-day flight home, having again taken up registration A6-DU3.
I guess this is what you saw.
Regards,
Andy Marden

[Tim Jones]

Anybody have the serial of the white based Do-28? They can only have at most 2 still flying? I have seen that one was recently delivered to the HAF museum all be it camo!

Cheers,

Tim.

[F17_114PM]

Hi Tim,

only one is white, 4120.
By the way, why do you think, that only maximal 2 are still flying?

Greetings
Marcus

[gatso76]

Returned this afternoon from Crete.

After the check in we went to our gate for our flight.
We still had to wait about 1,5 hours.

At the MIL area which is located at the south part of the airfield 3 Hellenic AF Phantoms could be seen but not read...too far away.
Lucky for me they taxied our for departure between 0955 and 0958 Lt....dep from runway 11 with afterburner.

01501, 01504 and 01522 are the lucky numbers.

Near the beginning of runway 11 about 7 to 9 T-33 were seen stored but not read and also a F-84 is present near the MIL area.

[Oscar01]

Three nice visitors here today:
50424, 50447 and 50482 all U-28A

They will RON and dep tomorrow.

Oscar