Sticky Thread for MilAir II

[HM1529]

Some Airshow players heard today into Atlantic City..All heard on 327.125

Also earlier this afternoon eyeballed 2 MH-53E "Hustlers from Willow Grove NAS HMH-772 headed Southeast towards Del Bay
or New Jersey.Callsign heard on Wilmington Tower 126.000 was HUSTLER 403 clearing your airspace.
Impressive in flight those monstrous Choppers.

Mark

I had a visual on the Hustlers this afternoon while in Plymouth Meeting, PA. I was refueling my CNG work truck when I caught part of a transmission on KNXX Tower 340.200. Since it is mostly the A-10's and the CH-53's that I hear on the UHF tower freq, I started scanning the skyline in the direction of Willow Grove.

These suckers look like they're moving so slow up there...but they're not! The pair was headed south when I saw them.

I didn't have my PRO-97 with me, so I didn't copy any air-air between the two. My PRO-96 is mostly public safety with a few tower/approach freqs thrown in for local airports.

Wish I had more time to monitor lately...baby was born at the end of June, so I've been a little sidetracked. I still like reading the reports here, though.

Last Thursday, I got buzzed by the NYANG fighters returning north. Unfortunately, I was busy working up in Shoemakersville, PA, so I just caught some air-air chatter in the background. Doubly unfortunate was the 100% cloud cover...no mistaking the sound of a bunch of afterburners overhead, though.

 

[freqhopping]

Seems like an active night.

Heard ROMAN-61 with Pax Approach a few minutes ago. 281.8
Some interflight on 1st FW 252.775
Flight on GK 391.2 just switched over to 234.6 with HUNTRESS (NORAD Blue 10).
2107- Someone on Blue 16 too. 277.6
2128- GK 249.8
2130- 1st FW 315.85

 

[bigred10]

I had a visual on the Hustlers this afternoon while in Plymouth Meeting, PA. I was refueling my CNG work truck when I caught part of a transmission on KNXX Tower 340.200. Since it is mostly the A-10's and the CH-53's that I hear on the UHF tower freq, I started scanning the skyline in the direction of Willow Grove.

These suckers look like they're moving so slow up there...but they're not! The pair was headed south when I saw them.

I didn't have my PRO-97 with me, so I didn't copy any air-air between the two. My PRO-96 is mostly public safety with a few tower/approach freqs thrown in for local airports.

Hey Ben....what frequencies do the CH-53's use for air-air.? That's one thing I haven't come across since I moved to the area a few years ago. Once they leave the KNXX airspace I usually don't hear them again until they return. I know the Ops frequency is 283.0 and that's about all.

 

[HM1529]

Hey Ben....what frequencies do the CH-53's use for air-air.? That's one thing I haven't come across since I moved to the area a few years ago. Once they leave the KNXX airspace I usually don't hear them again until they return. I know the Ops frequency is 283.0 and that's about all.

That's the freq I have, too. I don't have this in my PRO-96, so I don't know if they were using it or not today.

I have some lowband stuff tagged for HMH-772, but I've never heard anything on them:

50.5000
51.0000
51.5000
52.5000


Are you the one who sent me an email about KNXX? I didn't respond yet...keep getting sidetracked with the new baby at home. I'll go dig that up and respond.

 

[bigred10]

That's the freq I have, too. I don't have this in my PRO-96, so I don't know if they were using it or not today.

I have some lowband stuff tagged for HMH-772, but I've never heard anything on them:

50.5000
51.0000
51.5000
52.5000


Are you the one who sent me an email about KNXX? I didn't respond yet...keep getting sidetracked with the new baby at home. I'll go dig that up and respond.

That's a negative on the email. But I completely understand about the new baby; we have a couple of younger children so that keeps my scanner time to a minimum as well.

I also had the 50 mhz frequencies in my rotation but removed them recently since I've never heard anything on them. I thought maybe they had something else down in the low band...I've picked up other helicopters there before (like 40.8 for the apaches during the Army-Navy game, etc.).

 

[BM82557]

Activity 08142007

0941 - RAVAGE flight with fuel state, tanks feeding etc - 139.15
0942 - someone else with fuel state, etc - 143.6
0949 - activity continues - 139.15
0951 - still active - 143.6
1032 - 1034 -- continuous phone ringing until FOGHORN CONTROL eventually picked up - 287.6

 

[TinEar]

An extremely busy morning in the MilAir world. F-16s from the DC-ANG were up along with A-10s from the MD-ANG. The A-10s were working Pax and Bollen Range. The only unusual item to report is that the MD-ANG was using yet another new interflight freq of 142.0. I'm not sure that's so unusual anymore though. They just pick any freq they want and use it. There was also a SPORT 01 flight of MD-ANG A-10s coming homt to MTN. They were heard earlier by listeners in New England. Not sure where they went.
There were several KC-135s active from both Andrews and McGuire and even one from the MS-ANG at Meridian in the area.
Navy E-6B 163920 and 164405 both active from Pax.
A SENTRY 05 E-3C (76-1606) from the 552nd ACW at Tinker AFB OK flew into the area in the mid-1000 hour
Royal Air Force ASCOT 5322, a C-130/C3, tail XV209 from RAF Lyneham showed up mid-1100 hour.
Langley F-22s are also active this morning working offshore with Giant Killer.
There were also a few C-5s and C-130s but not a single C-17 was heard this morning which I find very unusual. Of course, the LBE flights are all over the place from all services as they are every day.

At noon, Belgian Air Force 636, a C-130H, tail CH-10 from 20 Squadron, called Andrews CP with an arrival message on 378.1

 

[Mark]

CANFORCE 3602 arrived Dover 1725z.with Dover CP self-id as C-17.
Geez! The Canadians just got this bird recently,like 2 weeks ago maybe?
Looks like they are putting it to work already.
33 thrupax,upload some cargo req customs.
"We are out of Trenton CYTR.

Mark

Rgr TIN
1526 local CANFORCE 3602 off Dover direct Baltimore 132.425/
1530 Balt appch 124.550 6k to 9k feet to 12k.
"Yes CANFORCE stands for Canadian Forces" he said to controller.
1539 CANFORCE 3602 sw to 128.700 Potomac level at 12k now going to 16k
Again he has to repeat to new controller Canforce callsign and meaning.
1542 CANFORCE sw to 123.825 direct Jarris sounds like.
Once again repeats callsign to another controller explaining Canadian Forces.Guess these guys don't get many Canadian Mil aircraft.
1546 CANFORCE 3602 sw to 134.500

 

[TinEar]

CANFORCE 3602 arrived Dover 1725z.with Dover CP self-id as C-17.
Geez! The Canadians just got this bird recently,like 2 weeks ago maybe?
Looks like they are putting it to work already.
33 thrupax,upload some cargo req customs.
"We are out of Trenton CYTR.

Mark

They're making it pay for itself sooner, rather than later. By the way, tail on that C-17A is 177701 from the 436 Squadron at Trenton. Their second one is due in October which will be 177702. (03 and 04 on order for sometime in the future - date depends on whether they are allowed to cut in line in front of our Air Force - or not.)

I've been expecting to see 06-6168 (the 4th for Dover) any day now. That'll be the last of the 06 series. Next one for Dover after that one is 07-7169.

Mark, I haven't heard anything from the MAZDA/BLUE flights for today. Have you?

1533: I know you're not going to believe this...06-6168 is in the air now approaching or departing Dover. Wow! (Appears to be departing and I have no idea when it arrived.)
Can't find him on the ZDC VHF freqs. (Edit: A friend just zipped me a message to tell me the aircraft landed at Dover about two hours prior to this departure. I can't believe it just arrived for the first time and is leaving already. It had to have come in within the past couple of days.)
1547: BLUE 93 calling Dover Command Post...wants a phone call placed to Bangor at DSN 698-xxxx to let them know his ETA will be 2100Z and then adds that they're A-1, as fragged...134.1 (This tanker may be accompanying some French Mirage aircraft due to arrive at Bangor today - or some F-16s returning from the desert.)
1550: BLUE 93 with ZDC-Sea Isle checking in at FL 270...133.125

1609: Langley F-22A working Giant Killer's 277.6...one callsign is RODEO.
1618: More F-22A types on GK's tactical freq 391.2
1630: RODEO 43 (Langley F-22A) to Giant Killer to report 65 miles east of HEELS, RTB Langley...249.8
1631: SALTY DOG 321 (F/A-18B, 162419) tells BayWatch he's departing the test track...354.8

 

[Mateo]

CANFORCE 3602 arrived Dover 1725z.with Dover CP self-id as C-17.
Geez! The Canadians just got this bird recently,like 2 weeks ago maybe?

The delivery flight was from LGB to Abbotsford to display at the airshow this past Saturday! It then flew on to its base in Trenton. There are also some C-130Js (eventually...) on the way also, as Canada adds strategic airlift and renews tactical airlift capability.

 

[Mark]

Sure has been a busy Tuesday judging by posts above and I missed a lot.
A couple interesting ones the last hour..

REACH 0460 C-5 departs Dover headed overseas and mentions they have Dover groundcrew's headset
on board and will rtb in about 5 days with it...oops!

TROOPER 4 arriving Martin State with tower 121.300 mentions just got chopper back
from the overhaul factory.

Thanks above to TIN and Mateo for info on CANFORCE C-17 and Dover's new C-17.
Like I said has been one of those days of interesting coms....

Mark

 

[TinEar]

The BLUE 93 that I reported earlier was apparently a KC-135 headed back to Bangor after escorting an F-16 flight from Europe to Homestead AFB.

Early 1900 hour have AR freq 319.7 active. One of them is MOVER 25, a KC-10A, tail 84-0188 from the 305th AMW at McGuire. He'll be the receiver. Not sure yet who the other tanker is. IP time for them is set for 2326Z.

Coast Guard Copter 6576 (HH-65) calls "SFO Baltimore" for about five minutes before making contact at 2040 on Marine Channel 23A - 157.15
Once he makes contact, he asks Baltimore to assume guard for his aircraft. He is going from DCA to ACY, has 3 P.O.B. and has 2+00 hours until splash. Gives his position as N39.01, W-76.31

2045: DC 23 (KC-135R, 62-3543, 756th ARS Andrews) has been in the ADW area for about 1/2 hour doing approaches. He's finally ready to make a full stop landing...119.3/118.4

 

[Mark]

2250 Tonite US Navy Sailing Vessel "Invincible" motoring thru C+D canal has water taking on and is stopping at the old Schaefers Canal restaraunt on the Canal with CG Group Baltimore CH 22A 157.100 after sw from CG channel 16.
Mentions another Navy vessel in area to assist and coms earlier heard boat to boat on CG Govt ops 157.125.Sort of a oddball side band CG Ops freq?
2303 local 157.100 Invincible mentions sister vessel behind us and docked as well,"We were taking on diesel fumes and water etc". Now safely docked at Schaefers and assessing situation.

Mark

 

[TinEar]

Looks like we've got an exercise starting shortly before midnight...

LOBO 73 and 74 (probably F-16s from the VT-ANG Detachment at Langley) working HUNTRESS (or trying to) on 260.9...they got HUNTRESS at last. Previously had tried 364.2. I also caught LOBO flight on 138.0 flying to the area which is why I believe it's the VT-ANG.

Also have a Civil Air Patrol Cessna 182 flying as CAP FLight 9929 (registration N729CP) and a C-38A, BOXER 99, tail 94-1569 from the 201st Airlift Squadron DC-ANG at Andrews flying in the area. That should complete the players. LOBO tells HUNTRESS they're in place to begin on the hour (midnight) as fragged.

2358: LOBO flight leader asking HUNTRESS for a Victor freq...260.9 (They stayed on 260.9 but ask again at 0002 for a Victor freq...says ATC wants to work Uniform and he'll go back to them and square it away)
0002: LOBO 73 goes to Potomac on 350.25 and gets the Victor freq 139.7 to work with HUNTRESS. Goes there and establishes contact with HUNTRESS
LOBO 73 goes to 260.9 to find his wingman who got lost in the shuffle and directs him to the two freqs now in use - 139.7 and 350.25.
0005: LOBO 73 tells HUNTRESS the freqs are squared away and they're ready to go...both LOBO 73 and 74 report weapons safe....139.7
0006: LOBO 73 having trouble talking to Potomac on 350.25 and asks for another freq...can't understand the new freq Potomac is giving him....they decide they'll have to use Victor for ATC and 260.9 for HUNTRESS...73 goes back to HUNTRESS on 139.7 and gives him the news....new ATC freq for Potomac will be 135.525 and they establish loud and clear comms there....they then go to Uniform-10 which is 260.9 and try to establish comms with HUNTRESS....and do. So...260.9 for HUNTRESS and 135.525 for Potomac ATC.
0009: LOBO 73/74 get a traget track to follow on the datalink -4663 - and ask Potomac for permission to descend to 10-13,000 feet. ....260.9/135.525
By the way, the Cessna 182 is flying at 3500 feet - if that's who they're chasing. If it's the C-38A BOXER aircraft, he's at 10,200 feet and that's probably the target since they weren't cleared for anything below 10,000 feet.
0011: LOBO 73 tells Potomac they're established in the block 10-13,000...then asks for 5-9000....135.525
0012: LOBO 73 reports datalink timber sour...directs LOBO 74 to 5 mile non-standard formation...260.9
0012: LOBO 73 reports tally on the target at 150 degrees, 10 miles...mission is to headbutt the TOI to the south...260.9
0013: BLACKJACK 1 (USCG HH-65) comes up with HUNTRESS on 139.7 to join in the fun.
The C-38A is now down at 5500 feet.
0014: LOBO 73 says they got within 2 miles of the target...no ID on it...says the TOI was heading toward the Pentagon possibly...LOBO 73 says they're bugging out and asks if they should go back up to the Guard Dog airspace...260.9
0016: LOBO 73 tells HUNTRESS they're in the JADOC gateway...not the Bolling gateway (in their datalinks)...260.9
0016: LOBO 73/74 to Potomac to climb back to the block 220-230....135.525
A second Civil Air Patrol Cessna 182 is now up at 2500 feet... this is CAP Flight 2536, registration N636CP.
0018: LOBO 73 tells HUNTRESS they have a good hour...maybe an hour 15 minutes of playtime left...260.9
0020: LOBO 73 asks HUNTRESS if they should go to the Andrews gateway....timber sour on JADOC gateway...say they're getting nothing...73 tells 74 to push the Andrews gateway and recycle power (to the datalink)...260.9
0023: LOBO 73 reports timber sweet (on the Andrews gateway)...260.9
0024: LOBO 73 and 74 report 8600 and 8000 pounds of fuel remaining...260.9
I can't hear HUNTRESS tonight and usually can't on the 260.9 freq. Someone else besides HUNTRESS must be on the freq. LOBO 73 just welcomed someone aboard. Wish they'd use 228.9 where HUNTRESS is normally loud and clear from my location.
0027: Not sure what HUNTRESS just asked LOBO 73/74 to do but 73 said, "Owww, you're killing us here but we'll give it a try."...260.9
0028: LOBO 73 tells 74 that in a certain position he'll be looking at Dulles - staring right down the runways...260.9
0029: LOBO 73 says timber still sour from the JADOC gateway...260.9 (Not sure why he's back there since they had timber sweet from Andrews)
0031: LOBO 73 asks HUNTRESS, "What's the story? You getting ready for the next event? Want us to stay here on this gateway or push back to Andrews?"...260.9
The two fighters now have 7200 and 7300 pounds of fuel remaining...outboard tanks dry on both.
0033: LOBO 73 pushing JADOC gateway again per instrux from HUNTRESS...260.9
0035: LOBO 73 reports still no luck on JADOC...260.9
I can open squelch and hear HUNTRESS barely but not worth listening to the noise to get every third word.
0037: LOBO 74 reports timber sweet, 73 still timber sour...260.9
0038: LOBO 73/74 given another target at 5000 feet, westbound...260.9....get permission from Potomac to go down to the block 5-9000 feet....135.525
0040: LOBO 74 reports TOI is 40 degrees left, 5000 feet at 20 miles...both report weapons safe...260.9 (74 has the working datalink so must report positions of the TOI)
0041: LOBO 73 (who is really 74) asking Potomac permission to turn eastbound at 5000 feet...135.525
0042: BLACKJACK 1 (USCG HH-65) asking HUNTRESS for bogey dope...139.7
0043: LOBO 73 tells Potomac they need a southerly heading...will keep the block 5-9000 feet...135.525 (again it's really LOBO 74...he uses 73 when with Potomac)
0043: BLACKJACK 1 asking airspeed of TOI and requesting a call at one mile from him...139.7
0045: BLACKJACK 1 IDs the target as a Cessna N638CP...headbutt north...139.7 (He gives the wrong tail on it...should be N636CP)
0045: LOBO 73 reports bugging out...says they're at 6500 feet, 300 knots southbound...260.9
0046: LOBO 74 to Potomac for permission to climb back into the Guard Dog area block 220-230 and a southerly heading to remain in the area...cleared to 19,000...135.525
Fighter fuel remainders...6100 and 5900 for 73 and 74 respectively.
0048: N636CP is at 2500 feet...N729CP is at 3500 feet and 94-1569 (BOXER C-38A) is at 9000 feet and climbing...gets to 10,500 feet and stops there
0049: LOBO 73 reports 45 minutes playtime and reports they're showing JADOC good now....says they're ready to head back to Guard Dog airspace...260.9
0052: LOBO flight cleared frojm FL 190 to the block 210-230...135.525
0052: LOBO 74 tells Potomac they're established 210-230...135.525
0056: The two CAP Cessnas, the C-38A and the two F-16s are just orbiting the area waiting for the next mission...not sure if BLACKJACK 1 is in the air or landed at DCA (where he's usually sent) awaiting next mission.
0058: LOBO 73 tells HUNTRESS that the target is requesting a turn inbound from ATC and wants to know if they're ready to go...260.9
While that last intercept was going on, two REACH C-17A types flew into the area...REACH 944 (C-17A, 00-0178, 62nd AW McChord) just flew over the area I believe and REACH 6163 (C-17A, 06-6163, 60th AMW Travis) landed at Andrews - I think. Wasn't really listening to them. They were just background noise while I followed the exercise.

0100: The BOXER C-38A is descending again. Not sure yet if he's getting in position as a target or finishing up and going home.
0103: Fighters both report 5000 pound fuel remainders...and ask HUNTRESS for status...260.9
0104: C-38A is at 5500 feet again so he'll be the target....LOBO 73 tells 74 he has the lead on this intercept and 73 will take ATC comms....260.9
0105: LOBO 73 now reports playtime of only 20 minutes (subtle push to get this thing going)....260.9
0105: LOBO 74 established on a 175 heading, 270 knots...260.9
0106: LOBO 73/74 get a target from HUNTRESS...260.9...73 goes to Potomac to ask for block 5-9000 feet and an easterly heading...135.525
0107: LOBO 74 reports BRA to TOI as 047/33/5000...260.9
0109: LOBO 73 reports tally visual...260.9
0110: LOBO 73 tells Potomac they're established 5-9000 in last stages of intercept...135.525
0111: LOBO 74 reports target in sight...closing faster than he wanted to....slowing...tally one...260.9
0112: LOBO 74 reports one mile back (from the target)...260.9 (meanwhile LOBO 73 is giving Potomac their direction of flight to get clearance for the moves)
0113: LOBO 74..." standby headbutt in about 8 seconds"...260.9
0114: CAP Flight 9929 reports 29 miles from DCA...TRACON freq 119.85
0114: BLACKJACK 1 reports target in sight....139.7
0114: LOBO 73 tells Potomac they need to bugout south and looking for a higher block...cleared to FL 190 southerly heading...135.525
0116: LOBO 2 (74) reports "joker"...260.9
0116: BLACKJACK 1 asking HUNTRESS for bogey dope...139.7
0116: BLACKJACK 1 reports 1.5 mile follow (of TOI)...139.7
0117: LOBO 73/74 eastbound heading as they climb back to altitude...260.9
The C-38A started a climb as he was being intercepted...got back up to 10,500 feet.
0118: BLACKJACK 1 doing an intercept on a Cessna...mission headbutt north...target non-compliant...attempting comms...139.7
0119: BLACKJACK 1 attempting to contact "aircraft approaching DC" on guard freq...121.5
0119: BLACKJACK 1 attempting again to turn target...not complying....121.5
0120: LOBO 73/74 cleared to RTB...73 is Code 2 for avionics and 74 is Code 1...mentions a bit of trouble with JADOC but all smooth...250.9
0121: LOBO 73 to Potomac says they're ready to RTB to Langley (confirming ID) and please get them turned in that direction...135.525
During that last flurry of activity, a couple more C-17A types came through the area - 04-4134 and then 04-4128 - presumably both going back to McGuire, their home station.
0123: LOBO 74 reports bingo...260.9
0123: LOBO 73/74 cleared direct Langley...135.525
0124: LOBO flight handed off to ZDC-Calvert and check in there at FL 190 direct Langley...281.4
0124: Meanwhile, BLACKJACK 1 is still messing around with his Cessna....139.7
0125: LOBO 73 tells 74 to go to Victor 20 and they come up on interflight as expected....contact Ops and report maintenance status to them...138.0
0125: CAP Flight 9929 tells TRACON he's reporting to the next point...119.85 (So, it will continue for them and BLACKJACK apparently)
0127: LOBO 73 reporting the errors he's seeing being reported in his avionics (like reading off Windows errors that no one understands)...138.0
0128: LOBO 73 flight cleared down to 12,000 feet...then to 10,000...281.4
0129: LOBO 74 says there's a loud squeal on ATIS freq at Langley...can't copy it...73 tells him to begin the descent and don't worry about it....138.0
0131: LOBO 74 manages to get the current (Yankee) ATIS report and reads it back to 73....138.0
0133: LOBO 73 tells 74 to push the Langley air key...138.0
0133: LOBO 73/74 to Norfolk TRACON (Radar)....353.7 (then says to push back to 281.4)
I probably should have monitored Andrews Tower 118.4 to hear if/when BOXER 99 (C-38A) landed...but didn't.
LOBO 73/74 are in the Langley area, I'm tired, I'm done. BLACKJACK 1, HUNTRESS and the CAP Cessna flights can do their thing all night if they wish but not with me listening. Bye y'all.

 

[TinEar]

So, I can't sleep, get up, make coffee, go outside to enjoy the cool night air.....and hear what sounds like fighters off in the distance (which I never would have heard during the noisy daytime.) Come back inside, turn on the radios and hear...

0445: BRAVE 62 and 64 (DC-ANG F-16s Andrews) working with Potomac TRACON 348.725. Then 62 is handed off to Potomac TRACON in the BWI area on 290.475. Also hearing BRAVE 64 on HUNTRESS freq 139.7
0452: BRAVE 62 tells TRACON he's headed 39 miles east and then to the Guard Dog MOA...290.475
The two Civil Air Patrol Cessna 182 aircraft are still up (or up again). CAP Flight 2536, N636CP at 2500 feet and CAP Flight 9929, N729CP at 4500 (down to 3500 feet by 0500) are the two. Comms from them heard on 149.5375.
0454: BRAVE 62 handed off to ZDC-Kenton and checks in there...354.15
0454: BRAVE 64 with ?HUNTRESS? on 139.7 says that BRAVE 62 is the target.
0455: BRAVE 64 asks( HUNTRESS) to tell BRAVE 62 to strangle his timber...139.7
I gather that BRAVE 64 is in Guard Dog area and BRAVE 62 has gone offshore and will intrude on the airspace from off the ocean.
0459: BRAVE 62 asks to move another 10 miles east...354.15
CAP Flight 9929 is under control of Potomac TRACON in the BWI area at present. (Heard the simulcast on 290.475)
BLACKJACK 2 (USCG HH-65) also heard with same simulcast controller on 290.475. Not sure of the actual VHF freq they're using since they combine freqs overnight and the simulcast is not on a one-for-one basis.

0500: REACH 6156 (C-17A, 06-6156, 60th AMW Travis) overflying the area at FL 310...ZDC VHF freqs (didn't catch which one, wasn't paying attention)
0505: Everything quiet with the Falcon Virgo exercise...guess everyone is currently just awaiting the start of the next event.
0506: CAP Flight 9929 (N729CP) tells Potomac TRACON he's inbound to the initial point for Event 3...119.7 (found the actual VHF freq for him)
0508: Here we go...BRAVE 64 gets mission to intercept 62 and headbutt....139.7
0508: BRAVE 62 told ZDC he was heading toward the Guard Dog area...354.15
0509: BRAVE 64 now working with Potomac TRACON in DC area on 348.725 saying he wants to descend to the block 5-10,000 feet.
0510: BRAVE 64 reports TOI at 100 degrees, 60 miles and requests simulated use of flares...139.7
To hear this whole messy thing you need radios on 139.7, 281.4, 354.15, 290.475, 119.7, 348.725, 149.5375 and then 125.65
0511: BRAVE 62 (the target) handed back to the 290.475 freq.
0512: BRAVE 64 asksing for bogey dope...says he's "hollow" on the gateway and needs directions...139.7
0513: BRAVE 64 is talking to BIGFOOT, not HUNTRESS...139.7
0514: BRAVE 64 over to Potomac TRACON 290.475 for permission to descend down to intercept the TOI...290.475
0515: BRAVE 64 looking for the block 5-10,000...gets it...290.475
0515: BRAVE 64 tells BIGFOOT he's intercepting the target....139.7
Reality radio: TRACON is giving directions to the intrucer - BRAVE 62 - of 64's position...290.475
0515: CAP Flight 9929 handed off to TRACON 125.65
Did I mention BLACKJACK 1 is involved in this also? He is.
0517: TRACON addresses BRAVE 64... "and BRAVE 64 only. Radar lost, Flash"...290.475
0517: BRAVE 64 tells BIGFOOT the TOI is not responding to the headbutt....139.7
Okay, so this is much the same as the last one except the fighters are intercepting each other. I'm not going to detail this thing unless something different should happen or a new freq appears. While the fighters are doing their thing, BLACKJACK 1 is intercepting one of the Cessnas and also working with BIGFOOT on 139.7.

0523: BLACKJACK 1 is told to RTB and does the authentication handshake with BIGFOOT....139.7
0525: BRAVE 62 and 64 apparently are going to swap roles...64 will be the bad guy and 62 the interceptor for the next event...348.725/139.7
0526: BRAVEs report 30 minutes playtime remaining....139.7

There are only two DC-ANG F-16s in the air but at various times have been BRAVE 61/62/63/64. I think they're so used to using BRAVE 61/62 during these exercises and for actual scrambles that they continue to use them no matter what their flight plan says for this mission.

0547: BRAVEs beginning Event 4....139.7 with BIGFOOT and TRACON on 348.725 at this point.
0548: BLACKJACK 1 also up again...139.7
0554: BRAVEs done with the intercept...same scenario as always - intercepted, refuse to be headbutted, break away....looks like they're ready to go home to Andrews...139.7
0556: CAP Flight 9929 sent from TRACON 125.65 to Andrews Tower 118.4 where he's ready to land.
0556: The second CAP aircraft - CAP Flight 2536 with TRACON on 125.65 is heading home to Manassas.
0556: BRAVE 64 is going to hold at Nottingham, BRAVE 63 will land at Andrews...348.725
Guess they really are 63 and 64 now that they're no longer excited and spitting out callsigns.
0558: BRAVE 63 to CAPITOL (Squadron Ops/Mission Control) to advise of the plan to split with one loitering at Nottingham while the other lands...139.7

0600: BRAVE 63 to ADW Tower to land...349.0
0610: BRAVE 64 advises TRACON he has the field in sight and will now land...348.725
0610: BRAVE 64 to Andrews Tower...checks in for landing...4 miles out, full stop landing, gear down...349.0
And call this one done.

 

[BM82557]

Activity 08152007

1038 - RAVAGE flight reporting their location as being over Harcum to DC-ANG SOF - 139.9
1040 - RAVAGE 1 through 4 reporting fuel state - 139.15
1042 - BULLY flight (1 & 2 heard) to DC-ANG SOF reporting 40 miles to the south, 10 minutes out - 139.9

 

[Mark]

1623z DEATH 11 B-2 inbound for AC airshow ZNY Dupont 335.600 mentions direct Modena
then CYN now hearing on hold for scheduled flyby at 1658z on 238.150 UHF Airboss
1624 DEATH 11 on ZDC Sea Isle 285.400 dropping down.
1628 DEATH 11 on AC approach 327.125 down to 8k then 5k.
1628 DEATH 11 on Airshow Boss 238.150 announcing inbound holding plans.
1635z DEATH 11 says they will do figure 8 at show center and 3 passes and clear out a 4 mile radius for them on 238.150
1650 HAGAR 70 Dover C-5 mentions to Dover CP 349.400 that after some local transition work they will head to Atlantic City for flyby as well.

Mark

 

[BM82557]

USAF on vhf guard

Since late this morning I've been hearing someone on vhf guard who id's as the USAF shepherding wayward aircraft out of the restricted area. Gives the ac's location, heading, altitude and ident and nearest exit point to leave the restricted area. Tells them to contact the FAA & send ident to show they received the transmission. Locations mentioned have been Leesburg Executive, Upperville and Dulles. Good signal strength. I haven't heard this in the local area before. Maybe a Sentry??

 

[freqhopping]

For the last 5 or 10 minutes AMONG-85 has been calling HUNTRESS and OAK GROVE on 364.2

1610- "5 degrees right, direct Tulsa." ZDC-Gordonsville. Heard whoever it is once again after that, but no more.

 

[Airfire]

Since late this morning I've been hearing someone on vhf guard who id's as the USAF shepherding wayward aircraft out of the restricted area. Gives the ac's location, heading, altitude and ident and nearest exit point to leave the restricted area. Tells them to contact the FAA & send ident to show they received the transmission. Locations mentioned have been Leesburg Executive, Upperville and Dulles. Good signal strength. I haven't heard this in the local area before. Maybe a Sentry??

That was Huntress attempting to raise a DC ADIZ violator that traversed the airspace on the west side from north to south.

Jim