Michigan Military Activity

drdispatch

If 1000 hertz, think what 1 gig must feel like
Premium Subscriber
Joined
Feb 17, 2007
Messages
1,403
Location
Fightin' River, Michigan
08-02-25

BUZZ 21 x 4 (TOL F-16's)
357.100 A/A, Ops check, 09:50am. #2 The dreaded light chop, 09:57am.
234.900 BLACK TALON, airspace brief, 10:02am.
254.700 PIKE MOA Traffic, BTN 14, 10:03am.
140.200 AM Mode A/A, 10:04am.

STING 11 x 4 (TOL F-16's)
248.650 A/A, 10:08am.
269.525 Cleve.C. 10:12am.
234.900 BLACK TALON, AIRSPACE BRIEF, 10:13am.

RASTA 11 x 2 (MTC A-10's)
391.900 MTC dep, 10:00am.
290.425 Cleve.C. 10:14am.
273.250 A/A, 10:14am.
234.900 BLACK TALON, airspace brief, 10:16am.
290.425 Cleve.C. RTB early because one of them had an issue with his aircraft, 10:35am.
318.200 MTC app, 10:38am.

STEEL PA KC-135 58-0096 with PITT 58, (C-17A 00-0184)
274.450 AR-220 Prime, 10:35am.
311.000 STEEL Control, ETA, Codes fuel, 11:20am.

REBEL 41 x 2 (MTC A-10's)
391.900 MTC dep, 10:39am.
290.425 Cleve.C. 10:41 am.
365.650 A/A, 10:40am.
234.900 BLACK TALON, 10:45am.
225.300 STEELHEAD MOA Traffic, 10:54am. MARSA with RITZ flight, 10:54am.

BUZZ 23 (TOL F-16 single)
127.700 Cleve.C. 10:52am.
132.025 DTW app, 11:03am.
134.350 TOL app, 11:08am,

INDY 81 (IN KC-135 60-0364) with MASH 82 (IN KC-135 60-0363)
379.500 A/A,

STING 11 x 4 (TOL F-16's)
290.425 Cleve.C. RTB, 11:06am.
363.300 DTW app, 11:14am.
234.900 BLACK TALON, RTB, 11:10am.
338.150 BEEHIVE Ops, ETA, Codes, 11:15am.
134.350 TOL app, 11:18am.

BUZZ 21 x 3 (TOL F-16's)
338.150 BEEHIVE Ops, 11:17am.
357.100 A/A, 11:19am.

TRUNK 72 (E-4B 75-0125)
276.500 AR-321 Prime, 11:47am. calling the tankers.

RASTA 11
269.450 MN.C. 12:04pm.
234.900 BLACK TALON, 12:08pm,

RHODY 41 (C-130J 02-1435)
126.750 Cleve.C. to Alpena, 12:20pm.
132.425 MN.C. 12:29pm.

HOBBY 88 (C-130J 04-8153)
126.750 Cleve.C. 01:06pm.

HOBBY 81 (C-130J 05-8157)
126.750 Cleve.C. 01:07pm.

GUTS or GUS? 21 x 2 (MI A-10's)
257.900 Flint app, 01:20pm.
326.400 A/A, 01:20pm.

STING 31 x 4 (TOL F-16's)
379.200 Cleve.C. 02:16pm.
285.625 Cleve.C. 02:19pm.
269.525 Cleve.C. 02:24pm.
248.650 A/A, 02:17am.
234.900 BLACK TALON trying to check in, no joy, 02:25pm. BLACK TALON STING 31 checking in, 02:32pm.

ASCOT 2228 (A330-200)
126.225 DTW app, runway 4R, 02:20pm.

DEMON 31 (MI A-10)
120.159 MTC twr, RTB, 03:19pm.

CFC 2562 x 2 (C-130J 130617 & C-130J 130606)
133.875 Cleve.C. 06:05pm.
125.775 TOR.C; 06:11pm.
254.450 A/A, 06:23pm.

Chuck in Detroit / NODAK 1
Chuck, YOU DA MAN!
 

nodak1crdet3

Member
Joined
Jan 5, 2008
Messages
1,584
Location
Detroit, MI
08-06-25
LOBO 11 x 4 (SD F-16's)
121.350 APN twr, cleared for take off contact departure, 10:29am.

364.200 HUNTRESS & CLOSEOUT (E-2 Backend?) Closeout gives target info to HUNTRESS, then HUNTRESS passes info to MUDDY 41 x 2 on 228.900. )


Chuck in Alpena
 
Last edited:

drdispatch

If 1000 hertz, think what 1 gig must feel like
Premium Subscriber
Joined
Feb 17, 2007
Messages
1,403
Location
Fightin' River, Michigan
08-05-25

BAT 21 (IOWA KC-135 59-1506)
262.750 sounded like he was calling SCRIMSHAW Ops @ Battle Creek, 01:20pm.


Chuck in Detroit / NODAK 1
One of the KC-135's did a touch-&-go at BTL and then landed here around 1400L. I was kinda surprised that he parked on the east side by WMU Aviation School, rather than over at the ANG base on the west side. The only angle I could get to take a photo did not allow me to read the tail number or fin flash to see where he's from.
(I tried to attach the photo, but the file size is too large.) 🤦‍♂️
 

dmchalmers

Member
Joined
Apr 12, 2019
Messages
483
Guess its time to make a new fav list half of this in my are is not coming even with updated DB????
 

jsoergel

Member
Premium Subscriber
Joined
May 14, 2009
Messages
2,217
Location
Cincinnati/Dayton, OH
Guess its time to make a new fav list half of this in my are is not coming even with updated DB????
Exercise frequencies are assigned from a massive pool of freqs designated for use in CONUS. They aren’t authorized for everyday use, so probably not worth having in a favorites list.

If you’re referencing the talkgroups, though - would suggest just setting your system to ID search: ON.
 

nodak1crdet3

Member
Joined
Jan 5, 2008
Messages
1,584
Location
Detroit, MI
08-06-25
My trip to Alpena airport for NORTHERN STRIKE 25-2.
Departed home just before 6am, VIA the I-75 North VFR LOW Route. In Rochester Hills just north of the Mall, I ran into a pretty heavy Thunderstorm for about 15 minutes. Then it was clear sailing from there, except for the Zilwaukee bridge north bound was closed so I took the I-675. I stopped in Standish @ 07:54am for some food, & headed for Wurtsmith. I made it there at 9am. Nothing interesting that I could see. That's a nice drive along US-23 to Alpena. I arrived at the airport around 10:30am. They still have the aircraft viewing area open on the south side of the airport.


LOBO 11 x 4 (SD F-16's)
121.350 APN twr, cleared for take off contact departure, 10:29am.

HUNTRESS, GNARLY (E-2C Frontend) & CLOSEOUT (E-2C Backend)
364.200 HUNTRESS & CLOSEOUT (E-2 Backend?) Closeout gives target info to HUNTRESS, then HUNTRESS passes info to MUDDY 41 x 2 on 228.900. )

HUNTRESS
364.200 HUNTRESS & CLOSEOUT (E-2C) 10:44am. HUNTRESS calling out targets for COMMIE 12 (L-39), 10:48am.

STING 11 x ? 248.650 A/A,
BUZZ 21 x 2 (TOL F-16's)
282.600 HUNTRESS, CLOSEOUT (E-2C), calling out targets for BUZZ, 10:40am.
312.175 A/A,
256.600 ABSOLUTE, 10:54am. (Used to be called BREWTOWN).

BATTLE 11 (MQ-9 REAPER)
234.900 BLACK TALON, airspace brief while still on the ground, 10:45am. (The BLACK TALON building is on the base)
275.800 APN clearance, 10:52am.
379.300 APN dep, 11:25pm.
256.600 ABSOLUTE, 11:28AM.

MUDDY 41 x 2 (TOL F-16's)
228.900 HUNTRESS,

238.900 AR-632 Prime, BREWER (WI KC-135) with MUDDY 41 x 2, 11:12am.

132.200 ABSOLUTE & WARRIOR, 11:49am. GNAT 1 (JSF Mini Sirrus SF-50) 11:44am. MUDDY 41 x 2 (TOL F-16's), 11:47am. ABSOLUTE to COMMIE 22 your dead, 11:48am.

SNAKE 11 x 4 (FWA F-16's)
234.900 BLACK TALON, 11:03am.
226.025 A/A, 4 is JOKER, 11:36am.
238.900 SNAKEPIT Ops,

COMMIE 21 (L-29)
128.425 APN app, RTB, 11:32am.
121.350 APN twr, 11:33am.

WOLF 13 (UH-60)
121.350 APN twr, cleared to land, 11:38am.

128.425 APN app, somebody calling ?

266.600 STEELGATE R-4201, Might've been BATTLE 11 (MQ-9 REAPER) checking in, 11:47am.

LOBO 11 x 4 (SD F-16's)
282.600 CLOSEOUT (E-2C), calling out targets for LOBO flight, 11:50am.

GNAT 14 (JSF)
121.350 APN twr, cleared to land, 11:55am.

GNAT 12 (JSF)
121.350 APN twr, cleared to land, 12:05pm.

COMMIE 12 (L-39)
121.350 APN twr, High Key, 12:03pm. cleared to land, 12:08pm.

BATTLE 11 (MQ-9) & EAGLE ?
261.200 STEELGATE R-4201 Secondary, 12:10pm. EAGLE might be the JTAC controller on the ground.

LOBO 11 x 4 (SD F-16's)
128.425 APN app, cleared Tactical initial, 12:09pm.
121.350 APN twr, 12:18pm. Landed, 12:20pm.

150.200 APN twr, for some reason I was hearing tower on this freq also. Maybe it's a twr / ground freq? I was even hearing the aircraft respond on this freq.
318.100 APN twr,

GNAT 13 (JSF)
121.350 APN twr, cleared to land, 12:29pm.

GNAT 11 (JSF)
121.350 APN twr, cleared to land, 12:45pm.

GUARD COPTER 20799 x 2 (UH-60's)
121.350 APN twr, cleared to land, 12:48pm.

DARKWING 11 x 2 Unknown?
261.200 STEELGATE R-4201 Secondary, 01:53pm.

Some misc freqs heard.
136.925 ?
148.9625 Maintenance.
165..1375 APN ground, Sweeper One x Two, getting permission to go back home.
173.4875 ?
173.5875 ? One of these 2 were ENC.

That's the morning action.
I lost power for about 10 seconds when I was just starting to post the afternoon action 05:24am. Fortunatly I didn't loose any info.

Afternoon action.

GUARD COPTER 20799 x 2 (UH-60's)
121.900 APN ground,
121.350 APN twr, cleared for take off, 02:38pm.

GNARLY 21 (E-2C)
121.350 APN twr, 02:40pm.
128.425 APN dep, 02:41pm.
256.600 ABSOLUTE, checking in, 02:42pm.

Capture+_2025-08-11-07-44-13.png

DINGO 21 x 4 (SD F-16's)
121.900 APN ground, 02:49pm.
234.900 BLACK TALON, while on the ground, 02:49pm.
150.200, & 121.350 APN twr, cleared for take off contact departure, 03:09pm.
128.425 APN dep, 03:10pm.
305.750 A/A, 03:11pm. Ops check, 03:11pm.

364.200 HUNTRESS AICC Prime, 03:25pm.
282.600 HUNTRESS,
228.900 HUNTRESS, 03:38pm.

GNAT 21 x 2 (Single engine prop planes)
121.350 APN twr, 03:12pm.

COMMIE 21 x 2 (L-29 & L-39)
129.950 A/A, 03:36pm.
121.350 APN twr, cleared for take off, 03:15pm.
128.425 APN dep, 03:18pm.
132.200 BRA calls from WARDEN,

GUARD COPTER 095 (MI CH-47F)
121.350 APN twr, cleared to land. wanted to park further down the ramp near the Cobra helo's & some others, 03:17pm. Departed @ 03:31pm.

Has anybody heard those COBRA's & UH-1's yet. They didn't fly when I was there.

WOLF 12 (UH-60)
121.350 APN twr, cleared for take off, 03:23pm.
128.425 APN dep,

GNAT 22 (Prop plane)
121.350 APN twr, cleared to land, 04:14pm.

GNAT 21 (Prop plane)
121.350 APN twr, cleared to land,

DINGO 21 x 4 (SD F-16's)
128.425 APN app, 04:26pm.
121.350 APN twr, 04:27pm. overhead Tactical approach, 04:29pm. All 4 did multiple low approaches. #4 had a light grey nose cone.
150.200 APN twr, could be a ground freq also, 04:38pm.

DEMON 11 x 2 (MI A-10's)
273.250 A/A, 04:56pm.
266.600 STEELGATE R-4201, 04:58pm.
261.200 STEELGATE R-4201 Secondary, calling SABRE, 05:00pm. Now calling Apache 04 (JTAC), 05:08pm.

GNARLY (E-2C)
256.600 ABSOLUTE, 05:22pm.
128.425 APN app, 05:26pm.
121.350 APN twr, 05:27pm. overhead pass 05:30pm.

BATTLE 11 (MQ-9 REAPER) landed on runway 19, so I never saw him.

At 05:42pm I departed Alpena for Grayling. Taking 32 to Gaylord & I-75 south to Grayling. I crossed the 45th Parallel multiple times on US-32.
229.125 a recorded message saying, Grayling Range Control stand by for new message. 07:20pm.
the Grayling airport had at least 12 UH-60 on the ramp. lot's of construction going on there, & it looks like they have a new tower.
I refueled the car & started heading for home, but I soon realized that I needed to stop & get some rest. I pulled into a rest area & was able to take a nap after being up for about 24 hours straight. I felt much better when I woke up. I was able to get home before midnight. That was a good trip.

Chuck in Detroit / NODAK 1
 
Last edited:

Saint01

Member
Joined
Mar 29, 2025
Messages
155
Location
2 miles east of (K)LAN
Wow, those are some great shots! I especially like the close-ups.
That helo is registered to the State of Michigan, and it doesn't have the state police seal, so not sure who operates it.
thank you. it is a State Police copter, I found the info on a website a few months ago, I think they needed to tone it down from the way too obvious blue copter
 

robert16627

Member
Joined
Aug 10, 2018
Messages
158
thank you. it is a State Police copter, I found the info on a website a few months ago, I think they needed to tone it down from the way too obvious blue copter
That exact Helicopter was featured on Michigan State Police’s instagram, Trooper 6 is its callsign and they landed at Lansing earlier today while they were having a National Aviation Day event.
 

drdispatch

If 1000 hertz, think what 1 gig must feel like
Premium Subscriber
Joined
Feb 17, 2007
Messages
1,403
Location
Fightin' River, Michigan

steve32

Member
Joined
Jun 3, 2005
Messages
6
Location
Southeast Michigan
The hornets are still at Alpena. I was up there today, the 21st for the morning sorties, which were late due to fog. They used their squadron freqs-
299.35
237.8
273.7
275.3
along with the normal range frequencies, including still using 256.6 as a controller freq that I don't think Black Talon appreciates.

Steve in Rochester Hills
 

Saint01

Member
Joined
Mar 29, 2025
Messages
155
Location
2 miles east of (K)LAN
The hornets are still at Alpena. I was up there today, the 21st for the morning sorties, which were late due to fog. They used their squadron freqs-
299.35
237.8
273.7
275.3
along with the normal range frequencies, including still using 256.6 as a controller freq that I don't think Black Talon appreciates.

Steve in Rochester Hills
while I was up there, tower told one of the flights that starting next week there would be F-16s up there, I see a PTO day coming up...
 

nodak1crdet3

Member
Joined
Jan 5, 2008
Messages
1,584
Location
Detroit, MI
I think the Hornets are still here. Check out the SUA website the MOA's and VR routes are still opened early.


Here is day one. I need to take a break.
08-13-25

Second trip to Alpena for 2 days. Departed for Alpena @ 5am. 8 Mile & I-75, 05:10am. I-69 @ 05:51am. Standish Exit 188, US23 @ 06:46am. Stopped @ Micky D's in Standish, 06:51am. Departed 07:11am. Heard EMPIRE flight on 237.800 A/A, while driving @ 08:27am. Crossed 45th parallel @ 08:54am. Ripley St, @ 08:59am. M-32 @ 09:01am. At the viewing area, 09:10am. 251 miles total, in 4 hours & 10 minutes.

They were flying both types of Super Hornets, the E single seat & F two seat.

EMPIRE 13 F/A-18E/F (VFA-106 Alfa Delta Tail Code, Gladiators)
275.800 APN ground, taxi to runway 01, 09:24am.

EMPIRE 21 F/A-18 Blah blah blah.
256.600 ABSOLUTE, RTB APN, 09:28am.
379.300 APN app, 09:29am.

STEEL 66 (PA KC-135 58-0045)
125.475 MN.C. 09:33am.

EMBER 40 (E-3B AWACS)
364.200 HUNTRESS, talking to BANDSAW (E-3B backend), 10:00am.
256,600 ABSOLUTE, BANDSAW checking in, 10:02am.

MUDDY 41 x 2 (TOL CAP F-16's)
264.400 with ABSOLUTE, 10:11am.
132.200 ABSOLUTE answering MUDDY 41, 10:??am.

EMPIRE 61 (FA/18)
318.100 APN twr, cleared for take off, contact ABSOLUTE, 10:23am.
256,600 ABSOLUTE, EMPIRE 61 checking in, 10:24am.

STING 11 x 4 (TOL F-16's)
248.650 A/A, Ops check, 10:26am.
228.900 HUNTRESS, ACM, 10:27am.

EMPIRE 41 x 2 (FA/18)
275.800 APN ground, 10:25am.
318.100 APN twr, 10:29am.
256.600 ABSOLUTE, 10:35am.
275.700 A/A, 10:37am.

MN.C. & EMPIRE ??
296.675 MN.C. I can hear center talking to HAMMER, (One of the EMPIRE flights), 10:26am.

EMPIRE 51 (F/A-18)
234.900 BLACK TALON, 10:31am.

EMPIRE 61 x 2 (F/A-18)
275.800 APN ground,
318.100 APN twr, cleared for take off, contact ABSOLUTE, 10:58am.
256.600 ABSOLUTE, 11:02am.
299.350 A/A, 10:48am.
266.600 STEELGATE R-4201 Air to Ground Range, JTAC freq BTN 11,

BUCKI 31 x 2 (TOL F-16's)
264.400 ACM, 11:00am.

DARKWING 11 x 2 (EMB 312F TUCANO's) N474VK & N458VK DWG58 on ADSB.
326.500 TAC, BLADE? calling ABSOLUTE, 11:05am.
256.600 ABSOLUTE, DARKWING 11 x 2 RTB, 11:08am.
234.900 BLACK TALON, RTB to Gaylord, 11:09am.

These next 3 EMPIRE flights may not be in the right order? I had trouble keeping track of who was on first, & what's on second? I don't know? Also they were asking for Carrier breaks & got permission to do a Carrier break, & then they didn't do a Carrier break! AAARRG!!
EMPIRE 41 x 2 (F/A-18's)
379.300 APN app, RTB, 12:02pm.
318.100 APN twr, 12:04pm.

EMPIRE 51 x 2 (F/A-18's)
318.100 APN twr, RTB, 12:09pm.

EMPIRE 61 x 2 (F/A-18's)
318.100 APN twr, RTB, 12:11pm.
256.750 F/A-18 Ops, 12:21pm.

EMBER 40 (E-3B AWACS)
132.425 MN.C. 02:08pm.
256.600 ABSOLUTE, 02:10pm.
282.600 ABSOLUTE, 02:13pm.
376.025 a single loud tone, 02:19pm.

PIONER 25 (P-8 167956)
379.300 APN dep, 02:15pm.
125.475 MN.C. 02:17pm.

DEMON 41 x 2 or 4?
256.600 ABSOLUTE, 02:22pm.
273.250 A/A, 02:44pm.
261.200 STEELGATE, 02:56pm.

EMPIRE 81 (F/A-18)
379.300 APN app, RTB, 02:27pm.
318.100 APN twr, RTB, 02:28pm.

EMPIRE 71 (F/A-18)
379.300 APN app, 02:31pm.
318.100 APN twr, RTB, 02:34pm.
256. 750 F/A-18 Ops, 02:39pm.

EMPIRE 82 (F/A-18)
318.100 APN twr, cleared to land, 02:44pm.
256.750 F/A-18 Ops, 02:47pm.

GNAT x 4 SWISS EXCELLENCE RISEN N19KX, N77KX, N43KX, N16KX.
121.350 APN twr, cleared for take off, 02:51pm.
130.300 A/A, 02:52pm.

EMPIRE 15 x 2 (F/A-18's)
234.900 BLACK TALON, getting airspace brief while on the ground, 03:59pm.
275.800 APN ground, 04:17pm.
318.100 APN twr, cleared for take off, 04:20pm.
256.600 ABSOLUTE, 04:27pm.
266.600 GAURDIAN AIR, 04:32pm.
237.800 A/A, 04:34pm.
261.200 STEELGATE R-4201 Secondary, HAMMER F/A-18, 04:35pm.

BATTLE 11 (ND MQ-9 REAPER)
121.350 APN twr, 04:08pm.
128.425 APN dep, 04:10pm.
256.600 ABSOLUTE, 04:39pm.

EMPIRE 35 (F/A-18)
234.900 BLACK TALON, airspace brief while on the ground, 04:04pm.
318.100 APN twr, cleared for take off, contact departure, 04:43pm.
379.300 APN dep, 04:47pm.
256.600 ABSOLUTE, checking in, 04:51pm.

EMPIRE 26 (F/A-18)
234.900 BLACK TALON, airspace brief while on the ground, 04:16pm.
318.100 APN twr, cleared for take off contact departure, 04:29pm.
379.300 APN dep, 04:30pm.

2 AH-1Z's VIPER landing from the west, 04:50pm. I think they were COYOTE flight. They were at R-4201 Range.

Found this on Facebook Grayling range.

Profile for Grayling Air Gunnery Range.

EMPIRE 26 EMERGENCY (F/A-18)
379.300 APN app, EMERGENCY, 04:52pm.
318.100 APN twr, EMERGENCY, 04:56pm. Landed 04:58pm.
275.800 APN ground,

EMPIRE 91 (F/A-18)
379.300 APN app, 04:54pm.
318.100 APN twr, holding for runway sweep, 05:00pm. Landed 05:16pm.
256.750 F/A-18 Ops, calling Ops to find out how long the runway would be closed? Ops didn't even know the runway was closed! DOH!! 05:11pm.

EMPIRE 35 x 2 (F/A-18's)
234.900 BLACK TALON, RTB APN, 05:08pm.
256.600 ABSOLUTE, RTB APN, 05:09pm.
379.300 APN app, 05:14pm.
318.100 APN twr, 05:14pm.
273.700 A/A, 05:13pm.

COYOTE 88 x 2 (UH-1Y VENOM)
234.900 BLACK TALON, RTB APN, 07:13pm.

BATTLE 11 (ND MQ-9 REAPER)
234.900 BLACK TALON, 07:26pm.

EMPIRE 13 (F/A-18)
128.425 APN app, 07:39pm.
121.350 APN twr, 07:42pm.

Ok that's day one! We're half way through this. I went online earlier & reserved a room for myself down the street from the airport. I had trouble sleeping there. No fire or police cars screaming up & down Van Dyke. No gunfire either. How's a guy supposed to get some sleep around here?

Chuck in Detroit / NODAK 1


MISC freqs.

165.1375 FM, APN ground vehicles,
173.5875 FM, APN ground vehicles,
300.650 APN ATIS,
323.075 MN.C. Order 441, sounded like, 10:19am.
291.700 APN twr? 11:20am.
327.050 APN ATIS,
 

nodak1crdet3

Member
Joined
Jan 5, 2008
Messages
1,584
Location
Detroit, MI
08-25-25
YOGA 91
237.800 EMPIRE A/A, YOGA 91 pushing, 12:30pm. Countdown, 3, 2, 1, pickle, 12:35pm. Fights on. BRA calls, 12:42pm. 3, 2, 1, pickle, 12:47pm. Fights on, 12:51pm.

I've got to go back up there Wednesday. 😃
Chuck in Detroit / NODAK 1
 
Last edited:
Top