Sticky Thread for MilAir II

[DPD1]

Dave, your "The North Spin" site is one hell of a nice job! I wish I had known about that sooner - much sooner. You've got some items there very applicable to Patuxent which can help us identify some of the strange stuff we hear on their freqs. It's very difficult to identify what you hear coming from Patuxent because the callsigns are all so similar. So, the only way to ID them would be to recognize the type activity they're performing - and it still won't be easy. Your site should help that effort though. Very nice work you've done there.

Thanks... I announced it a while back, but I must have forgot here. But yeah, I don't know about the TPS, but some of the other units like SD probably use their side numbers quite a bit, so those you could look up. In fact, anybody who gets roster info is welcome to send it to me at northspin@aol.com

Even if I have the aircraft listed already, it still helps to know if something is still flying or not.

I'm working on all the AF test rosters and hope to have those up after a while.

Dave
http://www.dpdproductions.com
- Custom Scanner, Aviation, MURS, GMRS, Marine & Ham Antennas -

 

[Waltz41]

1711: 351.75 - the old 913th Ops freq - Summit (missed #) holding east due to Willow Grove extended 'Quiet hours'
Also interesting at about 1600, SkyFox 1 (Assuming it's local Fox news chopper) talking to WG tower about holding in position to get some shots of the arrival of the 'entourage from Dover'. WG approved, then came back and told them to leave. Skyfox has been around the area a bit I've heard them with several Phl tracon freqs.

1718: 21 minutes left for the quiet hours. ive also heard tower tell other aircraft going through the airspace that it's 'special operations' going on.

 

[andy3315]

1711: 351.75 - the old 913th Ops freq - Summit (missed #) holding east due to Willow Grove extended 'Quiet hours'
Also interesting at about 1600, SkyFox 1 (Assuming it's local Fox news chopper) talking to WG tower about holding in position to get some shots of the arrival of the 'entourage from Dover'. WG approved, then came back and told them to leave. Skyfox has been around the area a bit I've heard them with several Phl tracon freqs.

1718: 21 minutes left for the quiet hours. ive also heard tower tell other aircraft going through the airspace that it's 'special operations' going on.

Hey Walt This Might Be Better To Enplane The Quiet Hours.

Q) /QXXXX
A) KNXX
B) 200705031400
C) 200705031700
E) QUIET HOURS FOR A PERIOD OF 45 MINUTES BETWEEN THE HOURS OF
1400(L)-1700(L) ON MAY 3, 2007 FOR FUNERAL HONORS. TIME TARGET WILL
BE DEPENDENT UPON AIRCRAFT ARRIVAL.
M0210/07 NOTAMN

 

[n3bxv]

Today is another heavy activity day for the transports and tankers but non-existent for fighters - at least so far. I managed to hear six Army C-12 (Scramble shows them as RC-12N) types from the 224th Aviation Battalion, Hunter Army Airfield in Savannah flying in this area. They all used the SUNNY callsign - SUNNY 11/12/13/21/22/23. There was no indication of their mission or why they were up this way.

That should be the 224th Military Intelligence Battalion....

The Aircraft were apparently returing from the SandBox.



Blackanthem Military News, LSA ANACONDA, Iraq — With a backdrop of unmanned aerial aircraft, a transfer of authority ceremony between the 224th Military Intelligence Battalion, and the 15th Military Intelligence Battalion, was held here April 20.

The transfer of authority marks the end of the mission for the 224th, and the beginning of the 15th’s in the field of intelligence support.

During their deployment here, the Hunter Army Airfield, Ga-based unit assisted with intelligence missions which strengthened the Coalition Forces’ edge in Iraq.

“(We helped) in the discovery of thousands of items used in the manufacture of Improvised Explosive Devices, and most importantly, after providing actionable intelligence, (we helped) save the lives of countless U.S. and other Coalition Force personnel,” said Lt. Col. Scott Sanborn, commander of the 224th.

The 224th was also responsible for pumping jet fuel, manning guard towers, and conducting intelligence reports.

“I cannot tell you how proud I am of each and every member of Task Force Vigilance,” Sanborn said. “You have all served your country with honor and have exceeded the high standard that was set before us. After all this, it is time to pass the torch.”

As the flags were transferred from the 224th M.I. to the 15th M.I., with a color guard of Soldiers from both units, Task Force Nighthawks assumed the full duties and responsibilities of their intelligence support to Multi-National Corps-Iraq.

“In the few weeks we have spent together, it is clear that you are ready for this mission,” Sanborn said.

 

[Waltz41]

Hey Walt This Might Be Better To Enplane The Quiet Hours.

Q) /QXXXX
A) KNXX
B) 200705031400
C) 200705031700
E) QUIET HOURS FOR A PERIOD OF 45 MINUTES BETWEEN THE HOURS OF
1400(L)-1700(L) ON MAY 3, 2007 FOR FUNERAL HONORS. TIME TARGET WILL
BE DEPENDENT UPON AIRCRAFT ARRIVAL.
M0210/07 NOTAMN

Ok,...this is starting to make sense. A few days ago a Marine from Bucks County PA was killed in Iraq. His body was probably flown into Dover, and then would fly it here to Willow Grove for him to buried here. The aircraft hasn't arrived though yet, at least I don't think so. Right after the quiet hours was lifted, Summit and Vader, both C-130s came in. Also makes sense for the news coverage. If anyone hears anything, please post.

 

[CitationJet]

Re: CATBIRD

Hi Alan,

I believe the CINCUSNAVEUR C-20 callsign is actually just CATBIRD as opposed to CATBIRD 1?

Over the years, I've only ever heard it as such, however I stand to be corrected.



Tony

I don't understand the reference to "CatBird 1" though. The only CATBIRD 1 I've heard is the callsign for the C-20A that flies the CINC, U.S. Naval Forces Europe. Are you saying there's another bird using that same callsign? It was just at Andrews last week.

 

[bigred10]

The F-18 That Was In On Saturday Was A Canadian Hornet Not Sure When He Came In But He Left Saturday Was Doing Yard Work When I Saw Him, And The Hornet The Other Day Was Roman07 Supper Hornet. He Did One GCA Approach With With Willow Grove And Got His Clearence To KACY Then Who Knows Who Knows Where He Went After He Went To KACY, Probably Back To KNTU

Awesome Andy, thanks for the info. We had some Canadian helicopters here a few months ago as well...they stuck around for about a week.

 

[TinEar]

That should be the 224th Military Intelligence Battalion....

The Aircraft were apparently returing from the SandBox.

Blackanthem Military News, LSA ANACONDA, Iraq — With a backdrop of unmanned aerial aircraft, a transfer of authority ceremony between the 224th Military Intelligence Battalion, and the 15th Military Intelligence Battalion, was held here April 20.
<SNIP>

You're quite right Chuck. I stand corrected on the unit designation. I started searching around looking for clues to their mission and found that article you posted but got lazy and didn't followup with the info here.

Nine total came through the area heading home by the time they were done - or by the time I got done listening to SUNNYs flying overhead. They were apparently also heard in Germany on a stopover at Wiesbaden according to "another most reliable source."

Good to see you back here Chuck . Wish you'd stick around. You always were good with details that the rest of us didn't take the time to search out or - like me - get busy with too many projects and sometimes don't find the time for further explanations that deserve to be made.
****************************************************
I had a couple of KC-10As from McGuire through the area around 2030 that were BLUE 41 and 42 but I'm not hearing any accompanying aircraft joining up with them for a flight across the pond. They may just be pre-positioning somewhere for a flight tomorrow.

In the 2100 hour, BLACKJACK 1 and 2 are doing practice intercepts using Marine Channel 21A - 157.05. Still going at 2123.

And also in the 2100 hour (still going at 2130) I have a CAP flight operating on 148.15 doing a search for something....sounds like it's possibly an ELT.

 

[andy3315]

No Problem There Red. Yeah They Were Working With The 111th Witch Was Cool, Not A Problem There Walt , Also There Was Two CH-53 That Came In Just As Quiet Hrs Went Into Affect Not Sure If They Had Brought That Marine Home Who Knows I Know A C-17 Came In On Monday Not Sure Where He Went On The Base But He Left Like 3hrs After That.

 

[Waltz41]

No Problem There Red. Yeah They Were Working With The 111th Witch Was Cool, Not A Problem There Walt , Also There Was Two CH-53 That Came In Just As Quiet Hrs Went Into Affect Not Sure If They Had Brought That Marine Home Who Knows I Know A C-17 Came In On Monday Not Sure Where He Went On The Base But He Left Like 3hrs After That.

It was the Ch-53's that brought him in. Callsign Hustler. That was them, and then the quiet afters came right after that, which makes sense. I was down at the base, caught them coming in on video. Chilling now knowing what they were doing.

 

[TinEar]

0900: Lots of stuff cooking this morning. TEAM 50 and 51 (KC-10As from McGuire) heading south to W-386 and talking to Giant Killer on 118.125 to enter the offshore area and on 139.875 tanker interplane freq talking about the mission. They're going to be refueling Langley F-22As who are entering W-386 with GK on 249.8. I've heard three or four F-22A flights entering offshore in the past few minutes.

At the same time, three KC-135Rs from Andrews just took off within a minute or two of 0900...reported on 378.1 to LIBERATOR and currently with Potomac TRACON on their DCA freqs. All three of them also came up for chat on 351.2 and just changed to 266.5 in Comm 1 radio. They refer to themselves as a TIGER flight once airborne. These are DC 51 and 52 along with DC 98 callsigns with ATC. A few minutes later they all go back to their Comm 3 radio on 351.2 again where they are trying to coordinate which Center freq they should be on...it's agreed it's 121.025. At 0912 they are splitting up for their individual missions.

Have an unknown flight (suffix 41) with FSS on 255.4 asking for weather for Cherry Point and for their divert airport Seymour Johnson. It appears to be a multiple ship flight currently over West Virginia. When they first came up, they mentioned being 260 miles from Cherry Point.

And at 0912 there's a flight of F-16s from Andrews working interflight freq 139.15 and departure 348.725. It's a SCARY flight of four changing to Potomac TRACON (BWI) 317.425 at 0917 where they check in at 11K and are cleared to 14K. They're immediately handed off to ZDC-Swann 360.7, check in and are cleared to FL 210. At 0920 they're handed to ZDC-Coyle 254.3 and check in at FL 210.
There is also a WILD flight on interflight 143.6 following the same path.
0925: WILD flight checking into W-107 with Giant Killer...says they're a two ship F-16 flight....reports they'll be working with SCARY flight of four and with DC 52 who is in a flight of three tankers...also says they'll be working with SCARY on discrete freq 337.225...255.0
At 0927, the DC tankers are chatting again on 351.2 (DC 51 and 52...believe 98 headed off somewhere else)
0930: SCARY flight checking into W-107 with Giant Killer as fragged and say they'll RTB to Andrews AFB (when done.)

Forgot to mention that CRAB 51 and CRAB 54 from MTN are also airborne this morning early in the 0900 hour.

Langley interflight 252.775 active with F-22A traffic in first half of 0900 hour.

0952: CYCLONE 51 flight (F-22A Langley) entering W-386 for 20 minutes with Giant Killer on 249.8

Have to leave it there for now. Time to feed and walk the neighbors dog while the wife is in labor in the hospital and the husband is pacing the halls nervously awaiting their first child. It's the neighborly thing to do...I think.

 

[BM82557]

Activity 05042007

That flight on FSS was working Elkins, heard Martinsburg thank him for handling them. Also heard the DC ANG F-16's with tanks dry, tanks feeding etc on 143.60 @ 0913. They're still active @ 0918. Currently hearing multiple SCARY ac on 139.15 @ 0920. Somebody from Langley is up on 228.175 @ 0927. A break in the action for a musical interlude @ 0941 & 0944 on 228.175. Interflight on 138.425 @ 1007 - 1009 talking about numerous resets but is getting video, the seeker head is open... have this listed as NJ ANG. At 1030 had MUSSEL 03 (male) to MUSSEL OPS reporting ops normal, location Harper's Ferry - 292.2am, then at 1034 had MUSSEL 03 (female) to BLUEGRASS OPS - 241.0 MUSSEL 03 again at 1040 to BLUEGRASS OPS "copy land at helopad 4 at pilot's discretion" - 241.0

 

[TinEar]

1700 hour: CAP Flight 1876 working the area looking for ELTs. He mentioned searching for an ELT signal on 121.5 and he found it at Ft. Meade Airport (Tipton). It's a plane that crashed earlier today at the airport, is already known so it's of no significance now. Yes, another crash in addition to Monday's crash there. He also mentioned several news helicopters operating in the vicinity. He gives the lat/longs for the ELT and says it's about 1 mile southeast of the airport.

He also has an ELT working 243.0. He tracked that one to right over the Bay Bridge Airport but no crash is visible so it's probably someone that set one off accidentally.

CAP Flight 1876 is working with a Bowie Ground Team on 148.15 for that activity.

1729: CAP Flight 1876 is now talking to Free State 852 and repeats the info about the Tipton crash that happened a few hours ago. He says he's now going to investigate the signal being heard on 243.0 and heading east for that one. (He had already made it appear he found it at Bay Bridge Airport but perhaps since he didn't see a crash, he doesn't have anything to log the ELT against so is taking another look....just my guess on that one.)
He then tells Free State 852 that the Bay Bridge Airport signal is actually 2 miles east of the airport and is going back to check on it....gives a time hack as 1730 local.
He then goes back to the Bowie Ground Team and says he's at 4,000 feet and can't go up to certain altitudes...says the signal on 243.0 is very weak at this point.
All this activity is still on 148.15.
1754: CAP Flight 1876 calls Free State 852 and says the 243.0 ELT appears to be coming from in a hangar at the Bay Bridge Airport or from a boat in the marina just north of the airport. He's going to go down to 2500 feet and try to get lat/longs on the signal.
(I haven't been able to hear the Free State 852 transmitter - just the CAP Flight)

 

[bigred10]

Busy night at KNXX.

Had a C-17 doing various approaches since shortly after 7 PM. Actually as I type this he just did another approach. For as large as the C-17 is, I'm impressed at its gracefulness and also how quiet it is. It's just me and the 2 kids tonight so I only had enough time to turn on the scanner and catch the callsign as JEDI which makes it a C-17 from McGuire.

Also around 1945 (in-between C-17 approaches) a single F/A-18 arrived.


Thanks Tin! (See message below)

 

[TinEar]

Busy night at KNXX.

Had a C-17 doing various approaches since shortly after 7 PM. Actually as I type this he just did another approach. For as large as the C-17 is, I'm impressed at its gracefulness and also how quiet it is. It's just me and the 2 kids tonight so I only had enough time to turn on the scanner and catch the callsign as JEDI which makes it a C-17 from McGuire.

Also around 1945 (in-between C-17 approaches) a single F/A-18 arrived.

The single F/A-18 was RAIDER 51. He used 306.8 for his arrival message.

 

[TinEar]

0935: DEVIL 11 and BANGER 21 flights of F-16s from the NJ-ANG Atlantic City active. DEVIL 11 just signing into W-107 with Giant Killer for event A-0505 and says they'll be MARSA with the BANGER flight...255.0
0936. YANKEE 76 to Andrews CP with arrival message...20 minutes out...picking up a pallet...gives tail as NY4441 and IDs as a Marine C-130....378.1 (Full BuNo is 164441, KC-130T, VMGR-452)
0943: REACH 292 (KC-10A, 83-0081, 305th AMW McGuire AFB) reports airborne at 0940 to Andrews CP...378.1 (Then heard working Potomac TRACON 118.95 as REACH 292 Heavy)
0943: BANGER flight working interflight...138.875
0944: DEVIL flight working interflight...138.425
0958: CRAB 53 (C-130J, 98-1353, 135th AS MD-ANG Warfield ANGB) reports airborne at 55 past the hour to Crab Ops...385.9 (Believe he's doing approaches at Phillips AAF early in the 1000 hour...126.15)

1004: ROCCO 82 (KC-135E, 62-3527, 108th ARW McGuire) airborne
ROCCO 81 (KC-135E, 58.0087) took off from McGuire about 45 minutes earlier.
1018: BLACKJACK 1 and HUNTRESS up but the freq is so noisy I can't understand the transmissions....so I don't know if this is a scramble or practice...139.7
1021: EVAC 5139 (C-17A, 05-5139, 729th Airlift Squadron, March ARB CA) reports airborne from Andrews...378.1
1025: BANGER 21/22 flight on the way home...checking in with Atlantic City Approach...report in non-standard formation, 2-mile trail...327.125

Time for Saturday stuff. Back later.

 

[Mark]

Rgr Tin CRAB 53 and 56 now doing touch and go's at Dover 132.425 and appch 125.900.
Earlier this morning had a CRAB I believe around 1020am buzz my car coming across farmer's field at 500 feet.So low he could have been crop dusting LOL... Got my attention for sure...

Mark

ref below. Guess the ROCCOS have to get their weekend work in now as Airshow next weekend
at McGuire.

 

[TinEar]

Rgr Tin CRAB 53 and 56 now doing touch and go's at Dover 132.425 and appch 125.900.
Earlier this morning had a CRAB I believe around 1020am buzz my car coming across farmer's field at 500 feet.So low he could have been crop dusting LOL... Got my attention for sure...

Mark

Yeah, I guess this was touch-n-go day for the CRABs. I heard them take off and just barely start climbing when they were already doing an approach to Phillips AAF which is about a stone's throw from their takeoff point.

Today was ROCCO day from the 108th ARW at McGuire. There were eight of them up...81/82/83/91/92/93/94/95. It must have been a training day for the unit. Or???

 

[TinEar]

Today was NASCAR day so I had a couple of radios on in the background while watching the race. One was on the Andrews freqs, the other on the Command Post freqs. I didn't mark freqs since nothing heard on those would be important. I just made notes of who was flying. Most of the below activity would have been with Andrews. The list...

Air Force (including ANG and AFRC)
C-21A (JOSA flights): 84-0075, 84-0092, 84-0103, 84-0140

C-17A (Mostly REACH flights): 01-0092 437th AW, 03-3127 6th AS, 90-0535 62nd AW, 02-1098 437th AW, 99-0169 62nd AW, 02-1112 183rd AS
I did check the freq for 02-1098 because I heard him calling Cherry Point Ops as REACH 2098. It was 305.7

C-5 (REACH flights): 86-0017 436th AW, 69-0005 337th AS, 86-0011 436th AW, 86-0013 436th AW

C-130: 90-1057 DE-ANG 142nd AS, 84-0206 DE-ANG 142nd AS, 80-0323 GA-ANG 158th AS, 97-1931 PA-ANG 193rd SOW

Marines
166474 UC-35D, 164181 KC-130T, 166767 UC-35D

Navy
161266 C-9B, 163692 C-20D, 161511 C-12, 166693 C-40, 164998 C-130T, 165350 C-130T, 159114 C-9B

Army
99-0100 UC-35, 04-1778 C-37A, 02-1863 C-37A, 00-1052 UC-35B, 00-1051 UC-35A, 87-0140 C-20E

All services have their share of small jets to fly service members and government officials from Point A to Point B.

No fighter activity heard today. There were two MAZDA flights of A-10s heard in the midwest flying eastward but they apparently were too far north of here to be heard.

 

[Mark]

Rgr TIN got those MAZDA A-10's into Willow Grove NAS.
MAZDA 11 flt of 4 with WG 266.800 landing runway 33 at 1800 local.
MAZDA 21 flt of 4 with same at 1845 local.

Could be those Boise Idaho ANG A-10's 190FS/124thWing supposed to go to Westover then Lajes Tuesday.
A/A was reported 138.100
This group was involved with some controversial friendly fire incident early in the war
but who is counting.. They are back is what counts.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/190th_Fighter_Squadron

Mark

Now have been told from Euro poster that these A-10's could be AK OA/A10's heading to the Gulf.
Need some visual id help from one of our WG guys..AK is Alaska tail.ID is Idaho tail.
Not due to leave till Tuesday