Sticky Thread for MilAir II

[TinEar]

I was wondering if you had the computer and radio on Dave and would catch that F-22A flight that flew directly over your house. (That last part was just to rub it in.) When you didn't post, I assumed you didn't have them on.

That 381.5 freq you had for FIRST 81 is the "old" ZDC-Potomac freq. It has been changed to 307.025. Did you actually hear them make contact on 381.5?

I made a note yesterday about hearing 143.75 and guessed it was Willow Grove A-10s but it turns out it was probably those DUKE aircraft you heard that seemed to be all over the northeast over the weekend.

I'm just getting the radio on in the 1300 hour after dealing with water in the basement all morning. I complained about no rain for the past two months so fate paid me back by flooding me out. Such is life.

I have a pair of F-22A aircraft on Giant Killer's 238.1 and then on Langley tac freq 233.525 midway through the 1300 hour. Callsign sounds like JESTER or JASPER. Depending on which of the two pilots is saying it, it clearly sounds like either one. I lean toward JESTER though for now. Whichever it is, it's new for Langley. There was also a DEVO pair of F-22As that came up on the same freq for a couple of minutes.
1347: That Langley pair of F-22As just got louder and now I feel fairly sure the callsign is JASPER. I'm adding that to the Langley F-22A callsign list. «233.525»
1350: LIFTER 39 (C-17 437TH AMW, Charleston AFB SC) with McGuire CP on 319.4. He's going into McGuire to pick up two crews and take them back to Charleston. Also says he's contacting Charleston to determine if any other crews are coming into McGuire today that he needs to coordinate with to also take back. He's having a hard time communicating with McGuire and making multiple calls.
1355: LION or LIMEY 71 flight (F-15/F-22A Langley) to Giant Killer on 238.1 to enter area W-72 C-E from now until 1430L.
1357: BOBCAT 11 (F-22A Langley) to Giant Killer on 238.1 to enter area W-72. Working for 20 minutes in the area.
1359: Langley tac freq 257.075 active with F-22A activity.

1400: Bollen Range active on 237.2
1401: DEVO flight to Giant Killer on 249.8 heading direct Langley.
1401: BOBCAT 11 with Giant Killer on 233.7
1402: LIMEY 71 (F-22A Langley) with ZDC-Cape Charles 256.8 requesting diversion from course due to weather.
1403: DEVO 21 calling GK on 249.8
1403: JASPER 11 (F-22A Langley) with Giant Killer 238.1
1405: JASPER 11 trying to contact GK on 238.1...does and announces course correction due weather direct Langley.
1406: LIMEY 71 (F-22A Langley) handed off to GK on 249.8 to enter W-386 A-F at FL 330 for 20 minutes and will be MARSA with a MAI TAI flight (Also F-22A Langley) Adding LIMEY to F-22A callsign list.
1407: MAI TAI 31 with Norfolk TRACON 370.925 and handed to ZDC-Cape Charles 256.8
1409: JOSA 007 with arrival msg to Andrews 378.1...in blocks at 1825Z, he's a C-21, tail 40119, has 2 Duty Pax and 2 Space A pax on board...only the two Space A pax will be deplaning...needs 2500 pounds of fuel and will leave Andrews at 2004Z.
1411: DEVO 21 to Norfolk TRACON 370.925 reports as a two ship heading for Langley. (All these flights are juking left and right trying to avoid weather.) DEVO also IDs as two Raptors to Norfolk controller.
1414: Langley tac freq 228.45 active with F-22A activity.
[I could use about 20 radios right about now.]
1415: Tac freq 141.8 active with probable Willow Grove A-10s (same guys at Bollen Range?)
1416: Freq 228.45 is the BOBCAT F-22A flight.
1419: Langley tac freq 358.85 active. (Turns out to be the LIMEY flight)
1419: Giant Killer's ops freq 312.3 active (Turns out to be MAI TAI flight)
1423: REACH 6048 with arrival msg to Dover CP on 349.4...IDs as a C-130, tail 21806, offloading 3 pallets, zero pax, needs 22,000 pounds of fuel, fleet service and a parking spot.
1430: MAI TAI 31 to Giant Killer on 238.1 to say his flight is ready to RTB at this time...looking for FL 310 for RTB.
1432: SAM 600 to ADW Approach 119.3. (Gave it as "six hundred" rather than "six zero zero")
1434: LIMEY 71 to Giant Killer on 249.8 for RTB...FL 310 direct Snow Hill, Cape Charles...wants to know the flight route the other flights are taking back to Langley. Trouble hearing GK...multiple calls.
1436: MAI TAI 31 says he's going to maintain FL 310 RTB Langley due to weather.
1437: LIMEY 71 says he'll take FL 280 direct Snow Hill if able. 238.1 now. Says his flight is currently in the weather.
1438: MAI TAI 31 passing FL 280 for 240 direct Langley 249.8
1438: LIMEY 71 direct Snow Hill FL 270, Langley direct. 249.8 (Over on tac 358.85 they're complaining about GK talking with the MAI TAI flight out in front of them and not hearing their flight.)
1439: GIant Killer's ops freq 373.1 active
1439: MAI TAI 31 flight over to Norfolk TRACON 370.925 heading Langley...now at FL 330 again
1440: MAI TAI cleared down to 14000 feet. 370.925
1442: DOLLAR 91 flight also dodging the weather with GK on 238.1 (Wasn't sure about that callsign the first couple of times he said it but it's clear now...this is a new callsign for Langley.) The flight is also with ZDC-Cape Charles on 256.8 going around weather. (Adding DOLLAR to Langley callsign list...not sure yet whether F-15 or F-22A)
1447: LIMEY 71 flight with Norfolk TRACON 370.925 heading direct Langley.
1451: Northrup Grumman test flight freq 123.2 active.
1452: SAM 0631 with ADW Approach 119.3

And suddenly at 1500 somebody pulled the switch and all MilAir became quiet. Guess that corresponds with the end of their flying day today.

1504: Have a VENUS 92 approaching Andrews and calling on 378.1 to inquire about the ramp freeze. Apparently, they tell him it has been in effect for 20 minutes. (I show a ramp freeze to be in effect from 1845-1915Z/1445-1515L today so he's correct that it's on now.)
1515: Still a bit of activity in Giant Killer's areas...activity on ops freq 373.1 but it's weak and probably down in W-122, maybe W-72.
1540: TORCH 73 (F-15 Langley) with Giant Killer on 238.1

1601-08: BLUE 22 (tanker for trans-Atlantic flights) calling Pope Metro on 344.6. (Multiple calls, no reply)
There were three flights (total 12) Pope A-10s deploying overseas today. At least part of a flight returned to Pope for mechanical reasons. Not sure if this BLUE 22 flight has anything to do with them.

Here's an interesting NOTAM for McGuire AFB....
BASH PHASE II IN EFFECT. 305 AMW, 514 AMW, AND TRANSIENT AIR FORCE AIRCRAFT ARRIVALS, DEPARTURES, AND TRANSITIONS ARE PROHIBITED WITHIN PLUS/MINUS ONE HOUR OF SUNRISE OR SUNSET. COORDINATE WAIVER REQUEST THROUGH 305 AMW/CP (TOWER PERMISSION TO DEPART OR LAND DURING THESE TIMES DOES NOT CONSTITUTE 305 OG/CC APPROVAL). APPROVAL AUTHORITY FOR 108 ARW MISSIONS IS THE 108 OG/CC. ALL OTHER AIRCRAFT ARRIVALS, DEPARTURES, TRANSITIONS WITHIN PLUS/MINUS ONE HOUR SUNRISE OR SUNSET SHOULD COMPLY WITH THEIR APPLICABLE BASH GUIDANCE. 18 AUG 07:00 UNTIL 16 NOV 07:00
[By the way, BASH is Bird-Aircraft Strike Hazard]

(Ref Below): And when they get that low Dave, I can't usually hear them going home either unless they swing around to the south of Willow Grove.

 

[dparana]

Tin,
Ref Above: Yeah they actually did switch to and checked in on the 381.50 freq. I was manually tuning them in as they switched freqs. That's not to say that weren't handed off on the wrong freq but they did use it. They were fading at that point so if they switched to the new 307.025 freq I might not have heard it.

A little DUKE action starting a little before 2:00PM

FLYER 1 with Cleveland Center (ZOB-Wayland) on 353.85 checking in at 12,000 feet.
FLYERS are air to air on 142.25 (AM Mode)
1403 - FLYER 1 in the DUKE, MARSA with SLUFF 61 (Rickenbacker, OH).
1404 - FLYER to SLUFF 61 on DUKE Primary 301.60. FLYERS coming up to 16,000 feet.
1405 - FLYER has SLUFF in sight. FLYERS are "Nose Cold".
1406 - FLYERS will take 3,000LBS each. An UGLY flight will be coming in after them.

1408 - FLYER 1 is tail number 80-0152 and is cleared to contact. Seems like the FLYERS have switched air to air freq to 141.80 (AM Mode).
1411 - FLYER 2 is cleared in. (301.60). Didn't get a tail number for FLYER 2.
1413 - Seems like the ride is a bit bumpy. Tanker is coming right (301.60).
1414 - The FLYERS are wrapped up and notify SLUFF that the other two ship is about 5 Minutes out and are coming in at 16,000 feet. They are going to drop below 16,000.
1415 - FLYER 1 and UGLY 1 air to air on 141.80 relaying positions.
1417 - UGLY 1 to ZOB-Wayland on 353.85 checking in at 16,000 feet. They are MARSA with FLYER.
1421 - UGLY 1 switches to 301.60 and contacts SLUFF 61.
1423 - UGLIES are nose cold (301.60).
1424 - UGLY has SLUFF in sight (301.60). They are coordinating their join-up.
1426 - UGLY 1 cleared to contact (301.60).
1430 - Sounds like UGLY 1 is done and UGLY 2 is cleared in (301.60).
1431 - The UGLIES are done and are going to stick around in the DUKE to do a little work.
1432 - FLYER 1 to ZOB-Wayland (353.85) they will RTB Willow Grove. FLYERS are at 11,000 feet and will take the usual direct ETX VOR then Willow Grove. They have the flash (squak).
1434 - FLYER 1 switches to ZNY 338.30.
1436 - UGLY 1 to ZOB-Wayland on 353.85 at 16,000 looking for clearance back to Willow Grove.
1437 - UGLY 1 requests lower since it seems clearer, wants down to 9,000 feet (353.85). They'll also go direct ETX and then Willow Grove.
1439 - UGLIES "Push 17" and come up on 338.30 (ZNY). They are at 9,000 feet headed direct ETX.

And when they're that low they faaaaaaaaade away.


Dave

 

[Mateo]

I was away all weekend, so no monitoring from me, but two quick pieces of commentary to add.
1.) The "show" that the RAID tanker and the FIRST fighters were going to was the one in Toronto, which explains the clearance to Buffalo. A Jackson C-17 was there, too.
2.) ADW doesn't have a crosswind runway, and the wind sensors are NOTAMmed to be only accurate to within +/- 4kts, so it effectively reduces the crosswind limits for any Andrews-bound traffic.

 

[TinEar]

2032: BATON 52 (EC-130J, 193d SOG, PA-ANG Harrisburg) with Giant Killer on «255.0» to report leaving area W-107 and requesting his clearance. He'll go direct Sea Isle, DuPont, Lancaster, MDT (Harrisburg) at flight level 200.
2036: BATON 52 gets the requested clearance to home plate as stated above. «255.0»

 

[TinEar]

With a dark, overcast, low ceiling day outside, I didn't expect to hear much today. I haven't. There were a couple of DC-ANG F-16 flights that went down to Pax to work, a ROCKY 92 Langley F-15 flight into area W-72 with Giant Killer on 238.1/233.7, a few transports to the major bases (Andrews, Dover and McGuire), a couple of Navy aircraft at Pax -- and that has been it.

There was also a FLIGHT CHECK 58 doing some work at Phillips AAF on 126.15. He was checking the approach to runway 22. He said when done at Phillips he was going to Dulles and making a full stop landing. That was early in the 1200 hour.

Skies overhead my area are starting to lighten...even had a spot of sun for a couple of minutes. And so....
1341: COLT 45 (A-10 MTN) to Raven Ops on 347.2 to report 10 minutes out.
1347: RAVEN flight of A-10s from MD-ANG Martin State Airport report airborne at 1344 to Raven Ops on 347.2 and are working on tac freq 142.3.
1351: GOLIATH (E-3B/C Tinker AFB OK) calling FURY Ops (Base Ops, VA-ANG Richmond) on 289.3
1351: GOLIATH also on VA-ANG tac freq 141.875 says he's checking status.
Believe this was same aircraft I heard a few minutes ago with Giant Killer on 233.7 saying he had no playmates and was leaving the warning area. Didn't hear a callsign there but voice sounds the same.
1354: JEDI flight (F-22A Langley) on tac freq 233.525
1354: GOLIATH with Giant Killer on 238.1 asking for a correlation check at 1755Z with callsigns BANYAN and BASH. (BANYAN should be Langley F-15 and BASH is Richmond F-16)
1357: GOLIATH now calling Langley's 71st Fighter Squadron IRON Ops on 357.1...no reply to a couple of calls. (It appears that GOLIATH is searching all over the area for potential playmates. AWACS are often heard trolling for activity in this area.)

1400: U/I fighters on tac freq 140.2 (This is a good tac freq for A-10s from the CT-ANG Bradley)
1403: GOLIATH makes contact with Iron Ops at Langley and says he's scheduled to control one of his flights at 1835Z and wants to know the status. (That must be the BANYAN flight)
1407: DEEJAY 31 flight (F-22A Langley) with ZDC-Cape Charles 256.8 at FL 180
1407: SALTY DOG 403 (Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 23 [VX-23] Patuxent River NAS) with Pax on 270.8
1410: JEDI flight in ACM activity on tac 233.525...it's a flight of at least four F-22A aircraft.
1408: Giant Killer's ops freq 391.2 active
1412: DEEJAY 31 flight into GK's area on 238.1
1414: BANYAN 71 (F-15 Langley), flight of four into GK's area W-386 on 238.1. Reports they'll be MARSA with BASH 21 (F-16 VA-ANG Richmond)
1416: GOLIATH tells GK he expects the BANYAN flight to work freq 391.2 «238.1»
1417: Langley tac freq 257.075 active. (turns out to be the DEEJAY flight)
1418: Warren Grove Range active on 283.1
1418: VA-ANG tac freq 141.875 active. (Must be the BASH flight)
1421: PAT 33 (helo) to Leesburg Radio on FSS 255.4 to report on opening a VFR flightplan from takeoff ESN (Easton) at 1905Z to DAA (Davison AAF). 25 minutes enroute. Also wants wx for DAA. He didn't say where he is now but he's obviously heading for Easton since his takeoff time from there is not for another 44 minutes in the flight plan he's talking about.
1422: BASH 21 (F-16 Richmond) to GK on 238.1 to enter W-386 at FL 280. Reports as a flight of four. Calls several times, no joy.
1428: BASH 21 asks GK if he wants them to hold in place since their time in the airspace doesn't start for another minute. 238.1
1429-30: DEEJAY 33 calling GK on 238.1 and then 249.8 to say he and DEEJAY 34 are heading direct Langley...he's got some kind of emergency...says there's just one soul on board. (Not sure if he's got the emergency or if it's 34....probably it's 34 with the problem since 33 is doing the talking and just letting 34 fly his jet.
1431: DEEJAY 33 says they'll be at FL 190 direct Langley 238.1
1431: Over on tac 257.075, DEEJAY 33 tells 31 they'll be on 249.8 if he wants to listen in.
1432: JEDI 11 calling GK on 238.1
1432: DEEJAY 33 to Norfolk TRACON 370.925 to say DEEJAY 34 has an emergency and they request straight in to Langley...currently at FL 180.
1435: DEEJAY 33 and 34 with Langley SOF on 383.2 requesting straight in on the runway...says he's with 34 who has an emergency (he hasn't stated the nature of the emergency on any freq I've monitored). 33 tells SOF he's abreast of 34 as he makes the approach. (This is last heard from them)
1437: VOODOO 2 (Langley) to GK on 238.1 to report direct Langley at this time. Would like to switch to Norfolk now. Says he's at FL 230 direct Langley....then in descent.
1439: DEEJAY 31 calling GK on 238.1
1439: VOODOO 2 to GK 238.1 to report FL 230 direct HEELS. Again requests switch to Norfolk.
1440: VOODOO 2 to Norfolk TRACON 370.925 requesting direct Langley
1440: DEEJAY 31 makes contact with GK after many calls to say his flight is RTB at this time. 238.1
1441: BASH flight working with GOLIATH on their tac 141.875....another flight is working GK's ops freq 292.3 (not sure if with GOLIATH) and the BANYAN flight is working 391.2 as GOLIATH requested earlier.
1443: VOODOO 2 to Langley SOF on 383.2 to say he's coming in low on gas and then something about shutting the runway down. (Last heard from him)
1448: SONIC 81 (F-15 Langley) with Norfolk TRACON 370.925 and then to Giant Killer on 238.1 to enter W-72 at FL 230 and work for the next 20 minutes...reports in standard formation.
1450: SONIC 81 to Giant KIller on 233.7 repeating his msg above...and requests FL 250 for wx.
1453: BANYAN 71 flight to Langley SOF on 383.2 to request status of homeplate. (Guess he heard the emergency and the low on gas flights and wonders if the runway is open.)
1456: SONIC 81 on 233.7 with GK to ask how many aircraft he has working in his area.

1502: Langley tac freq 228.175 active...flight of two. Sound like F-15s.
1505: REACH 18 calling Griffin Command at Andrews. 141.55
1507: GOLIATH calling HUNTRESS on 364.2 (probably for modes and codes check)
1517: SENTRY 06 (front end callsign for the GOLIATH E-3B/C aircraft...GOLIATH is the backend) calling Langley Metro on 239.8 to request the weather at KTIK (Tinker AFB OK) for 2230Z. (Guess he's done with the Langley and Richmond fighters and is ready to head home.)
1522: SENTRY 06 telling Langley to go ahead with the wx report. 239.8. Asks for a repeat on the visibility, says he copies all and thanks him for the info. Says to stand by one (probably for a requested PIREP by Langley.)
1524: RAVEN flight sounds like it's coming home on tac 142.3 (No idea where they went)
1525: SENTRY 06 indeed gives a PIREP to Langley Metro on 239.8. Says he was in AW-701 which is about 130 miles east of Langley at FL 280 (By the way, this callsign is often heard as CENTURY and reported as such. It does sound like that if you're not aware it should be SENTRY.)
I'm not sure what AW-701 is. Alert areas (A areas) only go up to 685. Warning areas (W areas) only go up to 612. We know he was working in Warning areas W-386 and W-72 with the Langley and Richmond fighters.
1526: RAVEN flight with Martin State Tower on 297.2 for landing.
1530: U/I aircraft giving arrival message to Hawk Ops on 303.0 (Hawk Ops = Base Ops at Barnes ANGB MA)
1535: Navy ?B 132 with Giant Killer on 238.1
1535: Navy TP 14 with Atlantic City Approach on 124.6

(At 1539, I just happened to run across Marine freq 157.125 (Channel 82A) and heard a station that identified himself as "Homeland Security" sternly telling someone to go to the appropriate channel - to get off this one. I've never heard Homeland Security operating on the Marine channels and don't know if this is very unusual or just something I'm not aware of because I don't generally monitor these channels. How about the word from one of you dinghy drivers reading this? What say you?)

1549: TORCH 91 (F-15 Langley) into Giant Killer's area on 238.1...no comms...so to 249.8
1550: Navy TP 14 with ACY Approach on 327.125 and then handed off to ZDC-Casino 285.4 where he checks in VFR at 6500 feet...says he's going to R-4006 and has contact with BayWatch (Pax).
1552: WATERBUG 122 (Force Aircraft Test Squadron, NAS Patuxent River) to Giant Killer on 238.1...couple of calls, no joy.
1557: (Navy) TP 14 with Dover Approach 257.875.

1602: Helicopter 402 to Weide AAF Tower on 126.2 on approach.
1603: GK's ops freq 312.3 active
Okay...when I start reaching for helo traffic, I know it's time to quit. Back later.

 

[CitationJet]

Re: Flightcheck 58

Hi Tin,

Lear 60 N58 FAA.

Best regards,

Tony

There was also a FLIGHT CHECK 58 doing some work at Phillips AAF on 126.15. He was checking the approach to runway 22. He said when done at Phillips he was going to Dulles and making a full stop landing. That was early in the 1200 hour.

 

[ka3jjz]

Tin and list - according to

http://wiki.radioreference.com/index.php/Marine

157.125 is reserved for US Govt ops only - interesting that you heard a Homeland Security station respond; I knew I added the marine channels to my 2m/440 in the car for a good reason! Actually I spend some time down by Down's Park (right off the Bay) and it makes for good casual listening... 73s Mike

 

[TinEar]

1937: Refueling freq 228.0 active...no callsigns heard yet.
1940: OMAHA 3 calling THOR on Customs freq 165.2375. OMAHA 3 is calling this "Net 1"
1941: OMAHA 3 then talks to ?RAVEN? 400 to say THOR must have comm problems since he can't make contact with him.
1942: OMAHA 3 talking about comm problems to 400 and says he can hear THOR broken but readable and that they need to solve this in the next couple of days. OMAHA 3 is difficult to understand...he sounds overmodulated. He wants to know if there's a UHF freq they can use. 165.2375
1944: BICEP 11 (F-16 NJ-ANG Atlantic City) with Atlantic City (ACY) App/Dep 327.125
1945: BICEP 11 changes to preset U-19 and comes up on 255.0 to contact Giant Killer to work in W-107.
1945: Someone, sounds like a ground station, calling OMAHA 3 on 165.2375 but no reply that I can hear. This station is extremely weak.
1951: BICEP flight of F-16s working tac 138.875 (Preset V-17)

2001: There is another pair of NJ-ANG F-16s working tac 138.425 (Preset V-15) (Turns out to be the AERO flight)
2002: AERO 21 flight (F-16 NJ-ANG) to Giant Killer on 255.0 to work in area W-107 and will be MARSA with the BICEP flight.
The New Jersey ANG has been working in W-107 almost nightly for a few weeks now with ACM practice. Haven't heard them doing anything but that activity during this time.
2044: CRAB 51 (C-130J MD-ANG MTN) reports inbound. This was on Crab Ops freq 385.9 and was probably by mistake.
2045: CRAB 51 reports inbound to Phillips AAF Tower on 126.15 and preparing for a drop.
2048: Giant Killer's ops freq 312.3 active....this is probably part of the NJ-ANG F-16 exercise....two are working this freq and two on 138.425. AERO is on 138.425 which indicates this should be the BICEP pair.
2050: CRAB 51 completes his drop and clears out to the west. «126.15»
2052: CRAB 51 calling someone, probably the drop controller, on 148.925 but unable to catch the callsign.
2055: AERO F-16s are operating at 30,000 feet in W-107 which makes them very readable. «138.425»

2102-09: PETRO 03 (KC-10A ????) calling McGuire CP many times with no joy on 319.4
2110: PETRO 03 makes contact with McGuire and gives arrival message....15 minutes out, A-2 with one writeup, dowloading 1 pallet and 7 passengers, fuel remainder will be 61,000 pounds.
2110: CRAB 51 to Phillips AAF Tower 126.15 to report 10 minutes out.
2112: CRAB 51 again makes a call to ???? DC, the drop controller, to report 10 minutes out for SATB Charlie (no idea what that means)
2113: CRAB 51 makes the same report on Crab Ops freq 385.9
2114: CRAB 51 calls what sounds like AEGIS DC (drop control?) and says he's unreadable, will call back in a few minutes. 148.925
2115: CRAB 51 reports "cleared to drop" on Phillips AAF Tower 126.15
2116: CRAB 51 says he's cleared to drop "the bundle" to AEGIS DC on 148.925
2118: Navy 7N 191 with ADW Approach 119.3...says he'll make a full stop landing.
2120: CRAB 51 tells AEGIS DC he'll be back in 30 minutes. 148.925
2121: SCALP 99 (B-52) with ZDC-Blue Ridge 285.6 at FL 270
I first copied this callsign as SCOUT but am convinced it should be SCALP so have changed it throughout the log.
2125: PACER 13 with ADW Tower 118.4 reports gear down, full stop.
2129: SCALP 99 handed off to ZDC-Hagerstown 227.125 where he checks in at FL 270
2135: SCALP 99 handed off to ?307.3? (Waiting there but hearing nothing)
2135: WAMO 51 (Washington Aerial Measurements Office-based at Andrews AFB) with ADW App on 119.3
2144: Found SCALP 99 again with ZNY-Philipsburg 306.2 (and fairly sure I heard him prior to this on 322.4 ZNY-Middletown being handed off to the Philipsburg freq.)
2145: SCALP 99 handed off to ZNY-Parke 339.8 where he checks in at FL 270 and says he'd like to stay on the route.
2149: CRAB 51 making another drop with AEGIS DC on 148.925...clears off and says, "I'll see ya."
2151: CRAB 51 calling CRAB SHACK on 148.925. Two calls, no joy.
2052: CRAB 51 to CRAB SHACK on 148.925 says he's done, will make one touch and go and is 30 minutes out. (Missed part of his transmission. He and SCALP 99 were talking at the same time. I wonder if CRAB SHACK is the new Crab Ops? We also have a CRAB SHACK heard with the OMAHA Customs aircraft but this doesn't seem to be the same place....I think.)
2052: SCALP 99 handed off to ZNY-Kennedy 282.3 where he checks in at FL 270

2201: SCALP 99 handed off to freq 290.35 (ZBW-Kingston) From here, he was handed off to 379.XX but was fading and I couldn't hear it all or clearly and can't find him in search. (turns out the handoff was to 370.9 in ZBW)
NOTE: The same aircraft is now with Boston Center and is being copied by a listener in Vermont.
This aircraft flew through the Boston Center area, is now (2245 local) refueling with OPEC 78 off the coast and heading to the UK.
2201: CRAB 51 to Martin State Tower 121.3 on approach
2202: CRAB 51 to CRAB SHACK on 148.925 to say he'll be in the chocks in 5 minutes (Looks like this is the new Crab Ops.)
2206: REACH 405 to Dover CP to give a DNS for them to call to inquire about his tanker. A minute or so later he says he'd be happy to rendezvous at the IP. «349.4» He goes on to say that the rendezvous at the IP at 0300Z will work for them.

 

[CitationJet]

09/07/2006

1429Z 118.950 Potomac DEP - EVAC 80074 (KC-135T 171st ARW PA ANG) - deps ADW, one xmsn then Potomac unable further contact.
1456Z 118.950 Potomac DEP - VENUS 94 (C-32A 99-0004 89th AW) - deps ADW.
1457Z 118.950 Potomac DEP - REACH 454T () - deps ADW to 17000' QSY 118.675.

1500Z 118.950 Potomac DEP - DC 93 (KC-135R 459th ARW AFRC) - deps ADW.
1542Z 118.850 Davison AAF GCA - Flightcheck 58 (LJ60 N58 FAA) - @ DAVEY for localizer rwy 32 checks.

1611Z 119.300 Potomac APP - JOSA 393 (C-21A) - req. vectors for the ILS 1R.
1651Z 378.100 SAM CP Andrews - EVAC 118 (Pres. C-17A 03-3118 183rd AS MS ANG) - arr/dep times.

1717Z 120.650 ZDC-Linden - BOXER 51 (201st AS DC ANG) - 14900' for 17000'.

1819Z 118.950 Potomac DEP - NAVY 200 () - deps NSF QSY 120.65.
1820Z 118.950 Potomac DEP - JOSA 173 (C-21A) - deps ADW dir FLUKY QSY 121.050.
1822Z 378.100 SAM CP Andrews - JOSA 173 (C-21A) - passes t/ off ADW 1814Z.
1827Z 349.400 Dover CP - REACH 6023 (C-5B 86-0023 436th AW) - 20 mins out A1 10 crew 3 pax 0 cargo req. parking/etc.
1848Z 118.950 Potomac DEP - N3 (Ce560XL N3 FAA) - deps DCA to 17000' dir LDN QSY 118.675.

 

[TinEar]

Tony, thank you for the info on Flight Check 58. Started to respond last night and then got distracted with the SCALP flight.

That SCALP 99 flight logged last night went across the pond and landed in Scotland at Luechars Airbase for an airshow. He was accompanied all the way by OPEC 78, a KC-10A from McGuire.

Hearing a RETRO 96 flight through our area at flight level 260....
1610: 282.3 ZNY Kennedy
1612: 254.3 ZDC-Coyle
1616: 363.0 ZDC-Woodstown
1622: 327.0 ZDC-Brooke
1633: 284.7 ZDC-Montebello
1641: 351.9 ZDC-Gordonsville (Asks for direct Macon when able)
That was last heard.

Freq change (no matter how obscure): Chambers Field [Norfolk] Ground Control - 370.85 replaces 352.4 (via NOTAM, valid until 18 October at 2300Z)

Saudi Air Force 908 (also IDs as RSF 908) with Dover Tower 126.35 at 1704...sent to 134.1 with Dover CP for comms where he reports 25 minutes out, needs Customs and Immigration and has cargo for Customs inspection...wants crew transportation.

REACH 451T with Atlantic City Approach on 124.6 at 1711 descending from 10,500 to 8000. Then heard trying to contact McGuire CP on 319.4.

 

[Mark]

A few heard this evening..

SPECK 02 with Dover CP 349.400 @1510 local arriving 1945z self id as T-1 picking up
one A-7 pax quick turn..Mentions also a
SPECK 98 15 minutes in trail but never heard him myself.

SPACE 1 C-21 depart Andrews 2034z tail 84-0107.
REACH 161 prob C-5 departs Dover 2248z
THUNDERBIRD 14 C-17 arriving McGuire 0025z.

Mark

 

[TinEar]

1951: KING 85 with Willow Grove Ops 306.8
1956: GIANT 8227 on freq 134.1 (not sure if he contacted McGuire or Dover) but he IDs as an Atlas Airlines 747 heading for Charleston. He wants a message passed to them that his arrival time is 0115Z and will need Customs, Ag and Immigration. Says one of his pilots is a foreign national and needs Immigration and a form. Also says he doesn't have UHF capabilities. He asks for the Charleston weather.

2001: BICEP 11 (F-16 NJ-ANG Atlantic City) flight with ZDC-Casino 285.4 climbing from 14,000 to 16,000.
2002: BICEP 11 handed off to ZDC-Salisbury 257.7 and checks in at 16,000 feet....at 2004 cleared to FL 200. Says his flight will stay in the Norfolk area R-5314 airspace for about 30 minutes and then go back to Atlantic City.
R-5314 is the Dare County NC bomb range.
2007: BICEP 11 flight cleared up to FL 220. «257.7» and at 2009 cleared to FL 230.
2012: BICEP 11 cleared to FL 280 but asks for 260 and gets it. «257.7»
2013: BICEP 11 flight handed to ZDC-Norfolk where they check in at FL 255 heading for 260. «327.8»
2020: There is also an AERO flight of F-16s from NJ-ANG on tac...they're using 138.875 (Preset V-17)
2021: BICEP 11 flight requests heading of 190 degrees direct R-5314...approved and gets cleared from FL 260 down to 240. «327.8»
2024: BICEP 11 flight handed off to freq 266.8 where I get to in time to hear them check in at FL 240 but didn't hear who they called. (This freq doesn't sound familiar for the Dare Ranges.) They are getting very weak at this point.
Anyone have an ID for 266.8?
2026: The AERO flight is in ACM activity -- probably up in W-107. «138.875»
2033: CRAB 51 (C-130J MD-ANG Martin State Airport) back in the area tonight working with Phillips AAF on «126.15»
2038: CRAB 51 to Phillips AAF «126.15» to say he's ready to drop...ready for an SATB.
2038: GIANT 8227 calling Dover CP on «134.1»
2043: CRAB 51 speaking with U/I ground station on «148.925»...says he'll see him later. (Probably the AEGIS drop controller or CRAB SHACK.)

2104: NJ F-16s chat on tac «138.425»[preset V-15]...this must be the BICEP flight coming home from Dare.
2109: BICEP 11 with Norfolk TRACON (Departure) «353.7»
2110: BICEP 11 handed off to ZDC-Cape Charles «256.8» where they check in at FL 230 and request direct Sea Isle and are approved.
2115: BICEP 11 cleared down to altitude 15,000 «256.8»
2115: BICEP 11 and 12 both report Code 2 maintenance status «138.425»
2116: BICEP 11/12 to Devil Ops on «261.0» with mission status and codes.
2117: BICEP 12 comes back to tac with the latest ATIS report...runway 13 is the active runway at Atlantic City. «138.425»
2118: BICEP flight cleared down to 11,000 feet. «256.8»
2120: BICEP flight requests Uniform freq and is handed off to U-7 «285.4» ZDC-Casino.
2121: BICEP 11 tells 12 to go to V-18 while on «138.425» (Should be 138.3...and is)
2123: BICEP 11 flight handed off to U-6 «327.125» where they check in with Atlantic City Approach descending from 10,000 to 8,000 and report heading for runway 13 for full stop landing.
Never did hear the handoff to ACY Tower on 239.0 - must've been too low by then - but they no doubt checked in there and landed.
2137: Guard helicopter 21776 to Leesburg Radio on FSS freq 255.4 to activity his flight clearance from 3W3 (Kentmorr Airpark, Stevensville, MD) to DAA (Davison AAF, Ft. Belvoir VA)

(ref below): Thanks Travis. That sure fits since they were in the Norfolk area when they were handed to 266.8. I never would have figured that freq for a through flight....guess I better add it. Appreciate you looking it up.

A Raptor For U.S. Allies?
http://www.military.com/NewsContent/0,13319,112343,00.html?ESRC=airforce-a.nl
(Interesting bulletin board discussion follows the article)

 

[freqhopping]

2024: BICEP 11 flight handed off to freq 266.8 where I get to in time to hear them check in at FL 240 but didn't hear who they called. (This freq doesn't sound familiar for the Dare Ranges.) They are getting very weak at this point.
Anyone have an ID for 266.8?

ORF radar?
http://www.airnav.com/airport/ORF

 

[TinEar]

0927: UGLY flight (A-10 PA-ANG Willow Grove) active on tac 143.25 and also at Warren Grove Range on 283.1
0928: Langley F-15 single ship flight with Giant Killer 238.1 entering one of the warning areas for work. No callsign used...just suffix 91 for the call I heard.
0931: And a DEVO 01 flight (F-22A Langley) with Giant Killer on 238.1 and with Norfolk TRACON 370.925
0933: Have a U/I aircraft calling Langley Metro on 239.8. When he speaks, there is something in the background that sounds like an ELT transmitting. I don't think it's from his aircraft though and is just mixing with his signal.
0934: REBEL 21 flight (F-15 Langley) with Norfolk TRACON 370.925 heading home and descending.
0935: TBOLT flight (F-16 VA-ANG Richmond) with Norfolk TRACON 370.925 and then over to Giant Killer on 238.1 to enter W-386 MARSA with MEXICO, TORCH plus one other I couldn't catch. (Those last flights are all Langley F-15s) Says they'll work for the next 90 minutes and are currently heading for (AR)-636.
0936: U/I F-22A MARSA with DEEJAY 33 (F-22A Langley) RTB Langley as reported to Giant Killer on 233.7
0937: Martin State flight of A-10s up with Raven Ops on 347.2
0938: TBOLT flight working 141.875 tac.
0941: MEXICO flight (F-15 Langley) with Norfolk TRACON 370.925 and then Giant Killer on 238.1 to enter W-386. (Missed the flight suffix)
0944: TBOLT flight with their tanker on AR-636 primary freq 238.9. Tanker callsign not being heard but it's a female....also hearing her a minute later on tanker interplane 139.875...still no callsign.
0946: DEEJAY 31 (F-22A Langley) with Giant Killer 238.1...changing to 233.7
0947: One of the TBOLTs mentions going to the number two tanker. 238.9
NOTE: I'm managing to copy only a small portion of the traffic at this time. There is so much of it all at once, that at any given time there are 4-5 scanners squawking at the same time and it all becomes just a mishmash of voices. It's almost better to use a single scanner at this point -- but then I'd still miss a lot of the traffic. It's a lose-lose situation.
0950: Northrup Grumman test flight aircraft are up on their own 123.2 and in the Pax area on 270.8
0955: Add NJ-ANG F-16s to the mix....operating on tac 138.425...flight of three aircraft. (Turns out to be NY-ANG F-16s from Syracuse)
0955: And I have someone on ZDC-New Bern 272.75...no callsign heard but I mention it just because this is the first time I've ever heard traffic on this freq from North Carolina.

1002: RAVEN flight of A-10s reports "off" (off the deck) on the hour to Raven Ops on 347.2
1004: RAVEN flight using 41.95 FM for tac.
1005: Langley tac freq 315.85 active
1005: The flight on 138.425 mentions runway 1R is the active runway (Andrews?)...that's sure not at Atlantic City...also fairly sure I'm hearing the same guys on 139.9 which totally confuses the issue. (turns out to be FAST 61)
1006: FAST 61 (F-16 NY-ANG Syracuse) with ZNY-Modena 335.6...mention ? miles north of Baltimore at 12000.
1010: FAST 61 with Potomac TRACON (BWI) on 307.9
Okay...have it under control now....the FAST 61 flight is the group working 138.425 and on 139.9
1012: FAST 61 flight handed off to Potomac TRACON (Reagan) 270.275 and are trying to check in there but getting no reply so go back to 307.9 and get 335.5 where they check in at 10,000 feet, looking for lower.
1014: FAST 61 reports runway in sight (Andrews) and descending to 4,000 feet.
1016: FAST 61 handed to Andrews Tower on 349.0
1017: TBOLT aircraft working Giant Killer's ops freq 391.2...mention that the Raptors are all going to work above 30,000 feet.
1018: FAST 61, then 62, then 63 report gear down, full stop, runway 1R. 349.0
In W-386 we've got Richmond F-16s, about 3 flights of F-22A Raptors, several F-15 flights and they're all trying to decide who will work where, at which altitudes and on which freqs.
1025: COWBOY 11 flight (F-22A Langley) with Norfolk TRACON 370.925 and then over to Giant Killer on 238.1 to enter the work area direct Air Kilo. (what's one more flight?)

Unfortunately, I've got to leave this pile of activity and get out of here. Back later.

(Ref below): Nice activity for A-10s Dave. We don't get to hear ACM activity from that type aircraft very often. Very nice catch. Wish I could send some of the ton of aircraft working down here up your way.

 

[dparana]

Good Morning Everyone,

A little DUKE action with the Willow Grove guys...

Starting about 9:35
FLYER with New York Center (ZNY-Philipsburg) on 338.30 checking in at 16,000 Feet.
0939 - FLYER with Cleveland Center (ZOB-Wayland) on 353.85 checking in at 16,000 Feet.
0942 - FLYER with ZOB clear to operate in the DUKE up to 18,000 feet (353.85).
0944 - FLYERs switch to 301.60 (DUKE Primary), sounds like three aircraft.
0951 - Sounds like they're doing some 2 VS 1 air to air engagements. (301.60).
0952 - They terminate their first engagement (301.60).

They're probably using VHF Low and I will not be able to pick them up here at work. The other day they were using 49.75 (FM Mode).

0955 - FLYER 1 and 3 are ready in the North, and Fight is On.
0957 - They are using bearings and distances off of the Slate Run VOR for location references (301.60). The other day I heard this and thought they were using some kind of radar, new to the A-10s, but obviously that's not correct.
0959 - FLYER 1 calls Terminate (301.60).
1000 - They're getting back in position for another fight (301.60).
1002 - FLYER 1 calls "Tapes ON, Fights ON!" (301.60).
1004 - FLYER 1 calls Terminate (301.60).
1006 - FLYER 1 and 3 are ready again up in the North (301.60).
1007 - FLYER 1 calls "Tapes ON, Fights ON!" (301.60).
1009 - FLYER 2 launching flares....(301.60).
1010 - FLYER 1 calls Terminate (301.60). FLYER 1 instructs to push button 18 and they come up on ZOB-Wayland 353.85. They'll be headed out and are requesting a flight following.

Bummer, no refuelling today. In the past on beautiful days like today, a couple of STEEL tankers would be up here doing a series of practice maneuvers after refuelling. They must have been up too late watching the Steeler game last night.

1013 - FLYERS confirm they are done in the DUKE and are headed out at 11,500 (353.85)
1013 - FLYERS check in with ZNY-Philipsburg on 338.30, they will be headed to R-5802 (Bollen Range).

That's probably all I will hear from them.

Signing Off.

 

[dparana]

I hope this isn't too off topic, however.....

I'm sure by now you have seen the ongoing search for Ralph "Bucky" Phillips, now on the FBI's 10 most wanted list. That search is going on about 40 miles North of me up in Warren County. The reason I am posting is that OMAHA 41 is currently coordinating the search with the police from the air. I've seen you guys post this callsign before and thought it was kind of interesting. Do you think the U.S. Marshal's would be using this callsign?

On a side note, I played a scramble at that golf course (Cable Hollow) a little over a month ago. The second hole is a nice Par 3.....now I truly have gone off topic.

Update: Per a news conference that just wrapped up, U.S. Customs provided helo support along with NY & PA State Police helos. So that would jive with your posts Tin.

Dave

 

[freqhopping]

Some things I heard and saw this morning. I was at the gun range in Springfield and Davison AAF isn't far away. Pulling up to the range I saw what I later IDed as MUSSELL-03. He was flying loops around the Davison area. Then, even with the Radio Shack 800mhz antenna, I heard that TBOLT flight with Giant Killer. As I was leaving the range I saw a flight of three Blackhawks, two olive drab and one that appeared to have Customs colors. This was the PAT-27 flight from Quantico heading to Cabin John.

Also while there I heard a NIGHTHAWK flight going from Quantico to JFK.

 

[TinEar]

2024: Fighter activity on tac freq 138.3...no callsigns heard yet.
2025: Freq 138.3 is callsign AERO, flight of two, (F-16 NJ-ANG Atlantic City) working ACM activity with DARKSTAR. Believe they are just simulating the DARKSTAR AWACS activity. Flight is AERO 21 so there may just be a 11 flight also active such as BICEP 11 or DEVIL 11. Haven't heard them if so. Last night we had AERO in W-107 (which is where tonight's AERO flight appears to be) and BICEP 11 that went down to the Dare County NC Range.
2037: STUD 01 to McGuire CP on 319.4 with arrival message...expects to be in the blocks at 55 past the hour, IDs as a C-17, tail 007, no pax or cargo, is A-2 and expects parking in Victor Row.
(I don't have the STUD callsign in my database for C-17s.)
2042: SAM Interplane freq 136.725 active....aircraft mentions in the descent, presently at FL 250. Can't hear the aircraft he's talking to (Air Force 1?) as of yet.
There's a ramp freeze scheduled to go into effect from 2120 until 2150 this evening at Andrews giving weight to Air Force 1 arriving.
2053: Yes, another NJ-ANG F-16 flight is on tac 138.425...no callsigns heard yet.
2055: SAM 94 talking to the "big guy's" pilot on 136.725...says descent is smooth down to 18,000 and from 12 to 8,000 there is continuous chop.
2055: NJ-ANG flight on 138.425 is callsign BICEP.
2057: BICEP 11 flight currently with ZDC-Cape Charles 256.8 (This probably indicates they repeated last night's mission by going to Dare County Range.)

2103: BICEP 11 cleared from 19,000 down to 11,000 256.8
2103: SAM 94 with Andrews Tower for landing on runway 19L
2104: BICEPs reports Code 1 and Code 2 for HUD 138.425
2104: Air Force 1 talking about landing conditions with SAM 94 136.725
2106: BICEP 12 comes back to tac 138.425 with latest ATIS report and flight leader tells him to change to 285.4 (ZDC-Casino)
2108: BICEP 11 flight leaving 11 for 8,000 285.4
2108: BICEP flight leader gives command to "de-goggle" 138.425
2109: BICEP flight changes to U-6 Atlantic City Approach on 327.125 and reports 38 miles to the south.
2110: Air Force 1 asks SAM 94 if there are a bunch of folks out there waiting..."Nope," is the answer. 136.725
2110: BICEP 11 flight reports 32 miles to the south. 327.125
2112: BICEP 11 out of 7 for 4,000 feet. 327.125
2115: Air Force 1 to Andrews Tower landing on runway 19L....repeats that he's cleared to land. 118.4
(Air Force 1 is coming in ahead of the scheduled ramp freeze so it was obviously moved up by a half hour or so.)
2117: "Air Force 1 is gear down for the full stop." 118.4
This was followed by a very weak helicopter transmission talking to Air Force 1 and 1 answering but were too weak to understand. Helo was probably MARINE 1. 118.4
2120: U/I aircraft with ZNY-Oceanic 354.0 reporting climbing to FL 350. (Heard him again at 2125 but didn't understand a word he said this time.)
2125: SAM 8081 is the aircraft with ZNY-Oceanic on 354.0....he wants to amend his altitude to FL 310.
(I'm getting another signal mixing with 354.0 that sounds like it's possibly a Potomac TRACON (BWI) freq so I'm not really sure I heard the above traffic with ZNY-0ceanic or if it was a mixer.)
(Further listening to the 354.0 freq indicates I'm now hearing a ground controller. After checking, it's NOT a Potomac TRACON controller from the BWI area. Color me currently puzzled because I don't normally hear TRACON ground transmissions from the other Potomac regions - even on the freq where they belong. And this guy has mentioned "Oceanic" a couple of times. Tell me I'm not hearing the ZNY-Oceanic ground controller - even with the help of some weird propagation event. By 2150, the signal seems to have faded away....still there but no longer readable.)
2153: REACH 484T arriving Andrews. 378.1
2155: REACH 484T reports 5 miles out, gear down for runway 19L to ADW Tower. Says he'll take his time. 118.4

2200: And that's it for MilAir scanning for tonight. See y'all later.

 

[TinEar]

1332: Have a BANGER 45 landing at Andrews with Tower on 349.0. He's having trouble hearing the Tower and asks for a radio check. This callsign is usually associated with F-16s from the NJ-ANG at Atlantic City but it didn't sound like an F-16 so not sure of the ID.
1336: SCOUT/SCALP 7 (last time I thought I heard SCOUT it was really SCALP) with Potomac TRACON (Reagan area/Andrews Approach) on 335.5 heading for Andrews. I think I'm going with SCALP 7 this time since this was a slow, lumbering aircraft in the pattern taking a long time to go around and eventually land. That would make it a B-52H from Barksdale AFB LA. I'll be anxious to hear of any reports of anyone seeing this aircraft.
1338: SCALP 7 handed off to Andrews Tower on 349.0...reports 7 miles to the east.
1340: SCALP 7 reports 5 mile visual approach. 349.0
1342: SCALP 7 reports down to 3000 feet for full stop landing. 349.0

I came down here to do some PC maintenance but habit forced me to turn on a scanner and I caught the above. Not really monitoring this afternoon.

 

[JackTV]

Drago flight on 228.45

I have a Drago flight on 228.45 A/A
Must be a fly by somewhere close