Michigan Military Activity

drdispatch

If 1000 hertz, think what 1 gig must feel like
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Feb 17, 2007
Messages
1,402
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

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Joined
Jan 5, 2008
Messages
1,576
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
 
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drdispatch

If 1000 hertz, think what 1 gig must feel like
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Feb 17, 2007
Messages
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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

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Apr 12, 2019
Messages
481
Guess its time to make a new fav list half of this in my are is not coming even with updated DB????
 

jsoergel

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May 14, 2009
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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
1,576
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
 
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Saint01

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Joined
Mar 29, 2025
Messages
153
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

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Joined
Aug 10, 2018
Messages
157
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
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Messages
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Location
Fightin' River, Michigan

steve32

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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
153
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...
 
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