RAF Mildenhall - 31/03/2008

With a ten-strong C-17 presence the day before (a detachment has been setup at EGUN whilst Incirlik's runway is being repaired), together with the arrival of a pair of E-3s and an Israeli C-130E, I decided I had to go to Mildenhall - my first visit for a full day for absolutely ages.

I arrived about 0830, having seen a C-17 and an RC-12 land whilst completing the final few miles of the journey.

It wasn't long before the props were turning on the Israeli Herc (minus national insignias), and this was the first movement I got to shoot. A shame the sun hadn't come around a bit further, but some nice prop-tip vortices were present in the air.

A couple of smaller departures next, with a C-21A Learjet from the 76th AS at Ramstein, Germany, and one of the RC-12Ks from 1st MIB at Wiesbaden, Germany.

Next up was a KC-135T from the 92nd ARW at Fairchild AFB, WA, followed hotly on the heels by a KC-135R from the 434th ARW, Grissom AFB, IN. These were broken up by a couple of based Herc movements, pictures of which were better on their return. The '135 triumvirate was completed by a KC-135R from the 319th ARW, Grand Forks AFB, ND.

With lunchtime fast approaching and still no sign of a C-17 movement, despite six having been sat on the deck the whole time, finally "Reach 8056" called up for a run and break into the circuit. A most spectacular sight when it involves such a big aircraft! The subsequent approach was also very impressive, literally hanging in the air with virtually no forward motion as the altitude bled off. Sadly, just after the shot below was taken the sun disappered... She's a C-17A belonging to the 62nd AW, McChord AFB, WA.

A period of calm followed, which was punctuated by the return of the MC-130H Combat Talon II of the resident 7th SOS. The aircraft flew three PAR approaches before a rather more impressive visual approach to runway 29.

A Belgian AF C-130H visited briefly from 15 Wg, Brussels-Melsbroek, sadly going up like a rocket on departure...

The other resident Herc that had departed earlier provided the next photo opportunity. This one was an MC-130P of the 67th SOS.

With the Herc on the deck a few other aircraft sprung into life. Two C-17s started flashing, and the radomes of both E-3s started to spin. Sure fire signs that something was going to happen.

The first departure from this little gaggle came from this 437th AW C-17A from Charleston AFB, SC. He wouldn't be away for long, however, returning with a warning light for his cargo door.

Next up were the E-3s, departing fifteen or twenty minutes apart. They came from the 960th AACS, and the 964th AACS, both part of the 552nd ACW from Tinker AFB, OK, respectively.

The final C-17 movement I witnessed was provided by this 60th AMW example, from Travis AFB, CA.

The 7th SOS MC-130H departed for a second flyaround of the day, and I was just about to leave when Andy Chaplin and Matt Clements arrived. If it hadn't have been for them I would've missed the return of the Charleston C-17 - arguably the best photo opportunity of the day.

Slow at times, but all in all a good visit with plenty of activity and decent weather.

Next stop Alaska!