Sticky Thread for MilAir II

[CitationJet]

10/13/2006

1347Z 118.950 Potomac DEP - JOSA 437 (C-21A) - deps ADW dir HAFNR QSY 121.050.
1352Z 118.950 Potomac DEP - N2 (Ce560XL N2 FAA) - deps DCA to 11000' QSY 121.050.

1436Z 279.575 Potomac APP - THUNDERBIRD 1 () - into hold for another run.
1441Z 279.575 Potomac APP - THUNDERBIRD 1 () - here they come, ready for another run in...
1447Z 279.575 Potomac APP - THUNDERBIRD 1 () - THUNDERBIRD 6: "6 clear"; going back to hold for another run in...
1458Z 279.575 Potomac APP - THUNDERBIRD 1 () - returning to hold point, ready for RTB in 3 mins.

1500Z 279.575 Potomac APP - THUNDERBIRD 1 () - 1500' for 2000' + ready for RTB. Right to 120 heading.

 

[freqhopping]

I got to see the T-Birds make a few passes around 1100. They're using 143.85 also. I could hear the planes so I went out to the roof and eventually they came by again. Surprisingly I can hear 279.575 from inside my work, was just hearing the female pilot. I thought I heard her say she was heading toward Linden, didn't see anything though.

 

[TinEar]

And the female pilot that was heard as DRAGO 51 on 279.575 is now with ZDC-Bryce on 259.1 at 1155 climbing up to 34,000 feet heading out of the area but using DRAGO 52. Wonder why? I kind of thought they'd all RON at Andrews preparing for tomorrow's events. At 1209 she was handed off and I lost her.

1213: After calling Leesburg Radio for several minutes on FSS 255.4, PAT 13 (a helo) finally makes contact while in the vicinity of Westminster. Says he departed W05 [Whiskey Zero Five] (Gettysburg Airport) at 1600Z and is headed for JPN (Pentagon). Wants to make sure his flight plan is open for that flight since he heard Williamsport Radio was trying to contact him but couldn't establish comms with that station.

1240: Leesburg Radio on FSS 255.4 talking to an aircraft which she first calls Guard 26663 because that's what he's using (although I can't hear him). He wants to make sure his flight plan is open for departing Hanover. She finds the flight plan under "ARMY 26663" and wants to make sure that's him. It is and she confirms his flight plan is in place.
1244: Auxiliary Air 28638 talking to Coast Guard Sector Balitmore about taking off from Frederick Airport and is now flying over the Bay. Baltimore asks for a phone number for him which he gives. (he used just AUX AIR 638 for all transmissions except one where he added the 28 in front of it), Activity on Marine channel 23A - 157.15
1258: Have some fighters on tac freq 138.25. Freq is used by CT-ANG A-10s but I've heard no callsigns yet. They mention something about "on the way home tonight" which might mean they're on a cross-country mission.

Last part of 1200 hour and into early 1300 hour is a TIGER 81 flight heard with ZDC-Sea Isle 281.45, then to ZDC-Cape Charles 256.8, handed off to Dover Approach 257.875 where he still is as of 1312. No indication given of aircraft type and there is a very long list of units using that callsign so can't ID them. He's talking like a Navy pilot though...for whatever that's worth. At 1315, he's handed off to Philadelphia TRACON on 269.25 where he checks in at 3,000 feet. At 1322 he's handed off again but I missed the freq (blocked by noise from other radios)
1319: Guard Helicopter 15249 to Leesburg Radio on 255.4 to report he took off from LNS (Lancaster) at 1700Z and is headed for DAA (Davison Army Airfield). He's currently 30 miles north of Baltimore. Leesburg says she'll notify Williamsport to open the flight plan.
1327: DC 51 (KC-135R 756th ARS Andrews AFB MD) with Giant Killer on 255.0 (around the W-107 area) climbing to 14,000 feet and cleared direct Dover, Sea Isle.
1336: Have an aircraft using an ID of just "56Tango" with Patuxent Base Ops on 302.55 giving an arrival message. He has 18 pax with cargo to drop off.
1339: PAT 465 to Andrews CP on 378.1 with arrival message.
1342: REACH 498T with arrival message to Andrews CP on 378.1. 30 minutes out, A-1, no pax or cargo, needs parking.
1344: COBRA 30 (VAQ-209 Andrews) off the deck with departure on 348.725 climbing out. Handed to ZDC-Swann 360.7 where he's cleared to 18,000.
1349: COBRA 30 cleared to 21,000 feet and handed off to ZDC-Woodstown on 125.45 or 363.0. He selects 363.0 and checks in there.
1358: TITUS 01 landing Andrews with Tower on 118.4. (Still don't know who this guy is. He's been heard buzzing around Andrews and Patuxent the last few days.)
1359: VENUS 49 to Venus Control on 142.75 reports 10 minutes out.


CAP Effective Date(s):
October 13, 2006 at 19:00 UTC (October 13, 2006 at 14:00 EST) - October 15, 2006 at 17:00 UTC (October 15, 2006 at 12:00 EST)


1402: BICEP flight (F-16 NJ-ANG Atlantic City) with Giant Killer on 255.0
1410: Tanker activity on 327.9. Turns out it's the BICEP flight but talking with HUNTRESS while in ACM activity. Strange freq for this activity. Believe HUNTRESS is just simulated but still a strange freq.
1413: TBOLT 31 flight (F-16 VA-ANG Richmond) with Norfolk TRACON 370.925 and then to Giant Killer on 238.1...lousy comms there so go to 249.8 where they report in to W-386. Says he only needs about 10 minutes so doesn't need much airspace. I'm not picking up a VHF chat freq so it might be a single ship.
1418: TEAM KC-10A from McGuire (suffix blocked) with ACY Approach 124.6 descending to 8,000 feet for approach to McGuire.
1425: Also have ACM activity with HUNTRESS on freq 288.4 (Heard this about 10 minutes ago but had nothing to ID it. ) Sounds like more of the BICEP flight perhaps. Maybe red flight/blue flight activity using both 288.4 and 327.9?

(Ref below) Thanks for that info. Wonder why they changed the start time earlier rather than later?
Yes, it would be removed after the start time. Hmmmm....

 

[Vschlitz]

Well Tin, now its back.

 

[CitationJet]

10/13/2006 continued...

1713Z 118.950 Potomac DEP - PAT 1270 (C-12T 85-1270) - down to 2000' for the app to Davison.
1717Z 119.300 Potomac APP - EVAC 118 (pres. C-21A 84-0118) - @ 3000' for the app to ADW 19R.

1803Z 118.400 Andrews AFB TWR - REACH 498T () - landing 19R.
1827Z 126.300 Davison AAF TWR - PAT 005 () - deps DAA QSY 118.950 to 12000' QSY 123.825.
1829Z 118.950 Potomac APP - EVAC 118 (pres. C-21A 84-0118) - deps ADW to 17000' dir LDN QSY ZDC-Linden 120.650.
1836Z 118.950 Potomac APP - PAT 8009 (UC-35A 98-0009) - 6000' for 4000' req. vis. rwy 14 @ DAA to 2000' QSY 126.300.
1841Z 118.950 Potomac APP - NASA 963 () - deps ADW to 11000' QSY 121.050.
1842Z 118.950 Potomac APP - BOXR 32 (201st AS DC ANG) - deps ADW to 17000' QSY 123.825.
1852Z 118.950 Potomac APP - JOSA 139 (C-21A) - deps ADW.

CAP is up.

Just had someone call up on ZDC-Guard Dog 288.35 @ 1854Z and ZDC-HUNTRESS on 260.9 @ 1855Z telling TANKER 1 to come up on 228.900.

1856Z 288.350 ZDC-Guard Dog - PITMAN 25 () - blocking FL210-250 push 260.900.
1856Z 260.900 ZDC-HUNTRESS - PITMAN 25 () - also with TANKER 1 weapons safe "" from 1905-2300.

1902Z 260.900 ZDC-HUNTRESS - PITMAN 25 has visual on the tanker, weapons safe.
1904Z 228.900 ZDC-HUNTRESS - TANKER 1 to PITMAN 25 "clear to the boom".
1914Z 260.900 ZDC-HUNTRESS - PITMAN 25 back up on freq.
1915Z 260.900 ZDC-HUNTRESS - PITMAN 25 with operational msg re: PITMAN 25/26.
1928Z 119.300 Potomac APP - MARINE 206 () - @ 3000' with practice app to 19R - gets direct RATTA to hold for two turns then inbound full stop.
1945Z 139.925 77th FS TAC V-12 - PITMAN 25/26 discussing planned total fuel intake @ I believe it was 8000 lbs. LOUD and clear here as well in Skyline. Chatting now @ 1947Z.

2011Z 260.900 ZDC-HUNTRESS - PITMAN 25 with bullseye, "clean, searching".
2013Z 260.900 ZDC-HUNTRESS - PITMAN 26 "clean, say again bullseye".
2017Z 228.900 ZDC-HUNTRESS - PITMAN 26 to TANKER 1 - 26 is 8 miles in trail. TANKER 1 will push it up.

 

[Vschlitz]

Helo's

I saw 3 helicopters going east, looked as though they were following I-70, Frederick going east.

At first I thought it was the big guy, but they were going the wrong way.

 

[freqhopping]

The CAP guys must be using 139.925 for tac because I'm hearing these guys loud and clear.

 

[TinEar]

Same here Travis...the 139.925 freq is booming. Sounds like it's the 77th FS on preset V-12.

Went out to rake leaves and cut grass and find the CAP started while I was gone.
And, oh yeah, it started right when the TFR said it would - at 1500 (1900Z). Don't know where I came up with that 1400 I posted earlier. Guess I mentally already changed my clocks to EST.

I can just barely hear HUNTRESS today but have to open squelch to do it.
Primary....260.900
Boom.......228.900
Tac A/A....139.925 V12 (For PITMAN 25/26)
Tac A/A....141.75 V9 (For PITMAN 31/32)
Guard Dog.135.525
PITMAN Fighters...F-16s, 77th Fighter Squadron, 20th Fighter Wing, Shaw AFB SC
TANKER 01.......KC-135, 147th ARS, PA-ANG Pittsburgh
TANKER 02.......KC-135, Seymour Johnson AFB NC

1625: PITMAN 26 has connected to the boom and disconnected several times trying to take on his fuel load. He's been with the tanker for about 10 minutes now working at it. «228.9»
1628: And he's finally done refueling and goes back to the CAP with HUNTRESS on 260.9. He probably reported his tail number/unit during his first refueling upon entering the CAP area which I wasn't here to hear.

1831: PITMAN 25 and 26 have completed their last refueling before heading home. 228.9
1831: Next PITMAN pair is coming to the area on tac 143.8 (preset V-8)...PITMAN 31/32
1831: PITMAN 31/32 with ZDC-Irons 360.85 and then ZDC-Montebello 284.7 at 1834
1837: PITMAN 31/32 to Guard Dog on 288.35 and request Victor freq...get 135.525 and go there.
1838: PITMAN 31/32 check in with HUNTRESS on 260.9 at FL 230...asks for TANKER 01's IFF.
1839: PITMAN 31 asks Guard Dog on 135.525 for a separate squawk for PITMAN 32...gets 4671....then asks for clearance to enter Guard Dog CAP.
1842: PITMAN 31 tells 25 they're established in the CAP at FL 230...25 says he and 26 are at FL 210 and 220, tanker at 240. PITMAN 31 makes contact with TANKER 01 on primary 260.9 and heads for the fuel tank.
1843: PITMAN 31 tells Guard Dog that he and 32 and switching to their discrete VHF freq...he tells 32 to go to Victor-9 and they come up on 141.75....then TANKER 01 sends PITMAN 31 to boom freq 228.9. There...they have all their freqs in order now.
1846: PITMAN 31 is going to take 2,000 pounds from the tanker and says then 32 will take a full load. «228.9»
1848: Tail numbers are 94-040 for PITMAN 31 and 91-353 for PITMAN 32 as given to TANKER 01 on 228.9.
1849: PITMAN 31 takes his two grand from the tanker, goes back to HUNTRESS on 260.9 to announce he's established in the CAP.
1850: PITMAN 25/26 are cleared out of the CAP by HUNTRESS...25 reports Code 1 with 11,000 pounds of fuel, 26 is Code 1 with 10,000 pounds of fuel....they go to Guard Dog on 135.525 for clearance back to Shaw. Cleared direct Shaw.
1852: PITMAN 32 done refueling and reports to the CAP on 260.9
1853: PITMAN 25/26 change to Guard Dog 288.35...blocking FL 210-220...asks for FL to leave CAP and are told 240.
1853: PITMAN 25/26 establish Victor comms on 139.925 again for chat on the way home. PITMAN 31/32 are staying with 141.75.
1855: PITMAN 25/26 are handed to ZDC-Linden 319.1 where they check in at FL 240 direct Shaw and are immediately handed to ZDC-Montebello 284.7 where they check in at FL 240.
1857: PITMAN 25/26 chat about first impressions and it not being very exciting (read: boring as hell) for this CAP...25 says he did two shifts in New York and had 2 intercepts there. 139.925
Victor Presets for the 77th FS:
V8--143.8
V9--141.75
V10-140.375
V11-141.675
V12-139.925

1908: PITMAN 25/26 handed off to ZDC-Gordonsville 351.9 where they check in at FL 240
1909: PITMAN 31/32 talking about the new Air Force memorial and being able to see it on the targeting pod...32 asks where it is. 31 tells him just south of the Pentagon. 141.75
1916: PITMAN 31 says they've only got 3 hours, 45 minutes left. 32 says he's running out of things to do. Yes indeed...it's boring up there. «141.75»

PITMAN 25/26 now well on their way home....31/32 refueled and established in the CAP for the next four hours. TANKER 01 doing extended duty though. Back later.

1938: TANKER 02 coming to the area with Guard Dog on 135.525 at FL 250.
1940: TANKER 02 reports on station at FL 250 to HUNTRESS on 260.9 and TANKER 01 is told he can RTB.
[TANKER 02 sounds very weak...his signal is strong but his modulation is set very low.]
1940: TANKER 01 to Guard Dog on 135.525 to pick up his clearance back to Pittsburgh at FL 240
1944: TANKER 01 handed off to ZDC-Hagerstown 134.15 where he checks in at FL 240
1953: PITMAN 31 says he's going to the boom freq while on 260.9...he goes to 228.9, calls three times, gets no joy...meanwhile TANKER 02 comes up on 260.9 to ask for the boom freq. They finally get together on 228.9....exchange squawks as 31/6211 and 02/5350...31 has 5,000 pounds remaining as he slides toward the tanker. 32 still has 7900 pounds in his tanks. As 31 heads to the boom, 02 is still confused and keeps answering 31 on 260.9 rather than 228.9...finally realizes his mistake and comes back to the correct freq. Finishes refueling at 2004 after taking on 6,000 pounds and goes back to HUNTRESS on 260.9. TANKER 02 asked for 31's unit but was on 260.9 when asking so never got an answer....but we know what it is.

2009: PITMAN 31 tells HUNTRESS he's got a bad Link 16 transmit, can Link 16 receive only. «260.9» Proves it by asking 32 if he can see him on the link...he can't. «141.75» 32 suggests he play with the reset...says he's had the same thing in the past. 31 tells 32 to go to the tanker when he gets down to 5,500 pounds remaining. 32 wants to know if they should change their Mode 4 since it's past midnight (Zulu). 31 asks HUNTRESS and is awaiting an answer.
By the way, so far in this CAP, the ZDC-Swann controller is not the Guard Dog controller as we've heard often in the past. Not sure who has the duty.

The end. More log later...maybe.

 

[freqhopping]

NBC 4 just showed that a Navy helicopter crashed in St. Mary's County. No serious injuries.

I setup my BC250D to record and hopefully catch the flyby practice this morning. I just got around to listening to it. No T-Birds, but I did get DRAGO-51 stating his route as cleared to what sounded like 'sizzle' (SISLE and CISUL are the closest matches) via, LDN (Linden,VA), HNN (Henderson,WV), CVG (Cincinatti), then as filed. SISLE is in southwest Wyoming. CISUL is 20 miles west of Green Bay. I have no idea.

 

[TinEar]

2243: PITMAN 31/32 have taken their last fuel. Indicating the CAP will be suspended for overnight hours as of 2300. «260.9»
2243. TANKER 02 released and goes to Guard Dog on 135.525 to get his clearance home. Says he wants direct GSB (Seymour Johnson AFB NC).
2255: PITMAN 31/32 get in formation and change to Guard Dog on 135.525 to start working their clearance back to SSC (Shaw AFB SC). Cleared back at FL 240.

2300: HUNTRESS clears PITMAN 31/32 to RTB. They switch to Guard Dog 135.525 for clearance and are handed off to ZDC-Brooke 327.0 where they check in at FL 240. They also confirm V-9 141.75 for chat on the way home.
2306: PITMAN 31/32 handed off to ZDC-Blackstone 235.625 where they check in at FL 240.

 

[ka3jjz]

and it sounds like the ZDC ARTCC controller is now on Guard Dog - I recognize the voice. Coming in a little weak but clear. From what I've read, this isn't unusual to have the sector take over the Guard Dog in the late night hours.

As a side note re CAP - I've been doing a little research on the Vt.ANG and seeing what we could glean from other logs. Bill Jasset over on Milcom sometimes has Vt.logs - 138.0, 138.525 and 138.625 - all used in our area in the past during their fly thrus, also appear in his logs. So they look like possibilities, since they've been around for so long. I also have some older listings of the 158th here...

http://www.scancapecod.us/wiki/index.php/Vermont_Military

73s Mike

 

[dehm]

Practice flyover

Looks like we'll have a Guard Dog CAP to listen to this weekend.

I will probably head downtown to watch and listen to the fly-by on Saturday. Probably find a spot on the DC side along the river.

From ABC7, "Another practice flyover was planned for 11:15 a.m. Friday, with an "aerial parade" of 14 Air Force aircraft from different generations". Too bad I'll be at work, AM reception is nearly nil.

A friend of mine actually saw this in the Chevy Chase, MD area. How do they work that in in the middle of Friday?@

sigh

jay

 

[dehm]

Sat Oct 14 2006 Loggies

1306z/ PACER 21
..118.4 < 119.3

1309z/ APACHE 4153P (VFR)
119.3 < 121.0

Requests arrival freq. from the south. 119.3 was the response. He's going to St. Mary's for some touch n goes and gonna head back VFR into the ADIZ to ?Martin State?

 

[TinEar]

0930: And the CAP restarted sometime early this morning. PITMAN 25 is one of the players but his wingman has been using PITMAN 21 rather than 26 so don't know if it's a mistake or not. (turns out it was...it's 25/26) Primary freq is still 260.9 with HUNTRESS who is loud and clear this morning.
0937: PITMAN 31 flight is coming into the area to take the duty in the CAP. 360.85/135.525/288.35/260.9 as they made their way in.
If the first shift this morning was the normal four hours, it means the CAP must have restarted at 0600 with the new pair coming in near 1000.
0942: Refueler this morning is TANKER 03...PITMAN 31/32 are heading for gas now and switching to boom freq 228.9.
0944: PITMAN 31/32 are using V-10 140.375 for tac air-to-air indicating it's still the 77th FS from Shaw with the duty.
0949: Rather than going to Guard Dog freq, PITMAN 25 is asking HUNTRESS to start working their clearance back to Shaw. «260.9»
0955: PITMAN 31 calls HUNTRESS on 228.9 to say AR is complete....HUNTRESS sends them to 260.9...HUNTRESS heard on both freqs but booming on 228.9
0956: PITMAN 25 reports Code 1 with 9600 pounds of fuel remaining, 26 is Code 1 with 7500 pounds remaining in his tanks. «260.9»
0957: PITMAN 25 to Guard Dog on 135.525 to pick up clearance home...get direct Nottingham (OTT), direct Shaw (SSC)
0958: PITMAN 25 tells 26 to go to UNiform 1 freq while on 260.9 (can't find it yet but it was probably 301.6 Squadron Ops)
0959: PITMAN 25/26 change to 288.35 with Guard Dog after requesting Uniform freq.
0959: TANKER 03 wants to go home so asks about TANKER 04 and whether they have to wait for him to arrive. 260.9

1000: PITMAN 25/26 using 143.8 for air-to-air but say it's scratchy and switch to V-9 which should be 141.75....and then come right back to V-8 or 143.8.
1003: PITMAN 25/26 handed off to ZDC-Calvert 281.4 where they check in at FL 250.
1008: PITMAN 25/26 handed off to ZDC-Irons 360.85..they read back the freq as 360.25 but realize the mistake and come up on the right freq. Check in now at FL 220.
1011: PITMAN 25/26 handed off to ZDC-Blackstone 235.625 and check in there at FL 220. (Took three tries to get a reply.)
1014: TANKER 03 tells HUNTRESS that 04 will be here in 30 minutes and they can wait with no problem....then TANKER 04 pops in to say he's only 19 minutes out....03 is concerned with his fuel remainder.
1017: TANKER 03 cleared by HUNTRESS to RTB. 260.9 (HUNTRESS must have changed antenna locations. He was loud and clear and now is unheard.
1018: TANKER 03 to Guard Dog to pick up clearance...mentions Providence...then Baltimore and right turn but doesn't mention his home base. 135.525
1023: TANKER 03 handed off to ZDC-Brooke 126.875 so he's headed south....told to expediate to FL 290.
1029: TANKER 03 handed off to ZDC-Blackstone 127.75 I believe but am not following him.
1029: Meanwhile PITMAN 31 has been sent after a target....he finds him and says it's a single engine, type unknown. 260.9
1030: TANKER 04 reports entering Guard Dog CAP at "angels 24" (FL 240) to HUNTRESS on 260.9
1031: PITMAN 31 given the "skip it" command by HUNTRESS. 260.9
1031: TANKER 04 wants to know when his first refueling will be from the chicks. 260.9
PITMAN 31 tells 32 he can go for a boom check if he wishes. 31 decides he'll go to the tanker.
1036: PITMAN 31/TANKER 04 accomplish radio comms but on 260.9 rather than the assigned boom freq 228.9
1039: PITMAN 31/TANKER 04 remaining on 260.9 for AR....31 gives his tail number as 94-044...disconnects once and then goes back on the boom for more fuel...disconnects for the second time at 1043 with a full tank.

0930-0945: There also seems to be a pair of F-16s from Andrews in the air working tac freq 143.6...sound close enough to be around the Pax area. Currently, they are in ACM activity. Believe I heard callsign WILD in there somewhere.
0950: Also have tac freq 143.75 active...possibly A-10s from Willow Grove or T-Birds practicing for the Air Force Memorial event in D.C.

1009: WILD flight to SOF on 139.9 to report 15 minutes out...and then go back to V-5 on 143.6
1010: I've also got tac freq 138.2 active with U/I players...it's a flight of two.
1013: RAVEN 1 flight (A-10 MD-ANG Martin State Airport) with Raven Ops on 143.8
1016: WILD flight with ADW Tower 349.0 for landing.
1035: Tac freq 143.75 still active but no callsigns have been heard to put an ID on the activity.
1044: The 138.2 tac freq still active too.

1045: New fighters and tanker on station now in the CAP, have refueled and all is quiet for now so will end the log until later.

 

[bigred10]

1035: Tac freq 143.75 still active but no callsigns have been heard to put an ID on the activity.

These were A-10's from WG. Had them loud and clear this morning on RTB (reference to flying over NE Philly airport). I believe they were using Mad Hog as a callsign.

Also had Killer 12 (A-10) arrive just before noon. I believe he was from the MD ANG? Reference on one of the PA ANG maintenance freqs about Baltimore and needing to leave at his scheduled time.

 

[TinEar]

These were A-10's from WG. Had them loud and clear this morning on RTB (reference to flying over NE Philly airport). I believe they were using Mad Hog as a callsign.

Also had Killer 12 (A-10) arrive just before noon. I believe he was from the MD ANG? Reference on one of the PA ANG maintenance freqs about Baltimore and needing to leave at his scheduled time.

Kind of thought the 143.75 were A-10s...just didn't hear enough of it with all the other things happening to be sure.

Not sure who KILLER is but it shouldn't be MD-ANG. However, there were a couple of RAVEN flights of A-10s from the MD-ANG up today. There were so many flights that came into the area today with various callsigns that were part of the Air Force Memorial flyby in D.C. that it was difficult to keep up with them. Once they got here, they were all DRAGO flights...had DRAGO 11-21-31-41-51-61-71 flights and DRAGO 02 was identified as the "mission controller on the ground." Some came in and switched to the usual 279.575 used by Potomac TRACON for flybys but were all shifted to the VHF side of the pair on 124.0. All were cleared to depart shortly before 1400 but were forced to hold in various positions around Nottingham until they could be sorted out. At the same time, there were PITMAN flights coming and going for the CAP, a RAVEN flight that went to the Pax area to work, a WILD flight of F-16s from Andrews and an out-of-state (probably Bradley or Barnes A-10s) working tac 138.5 and on the Warren Grove Range 283.1 --- all at the same time. Oh, and can't forget the UGLY 1 flight of three from Willow Grove (on tac 142.25) that's up on the ZNY freqs and then to ZDC-Swann requesting direct Richmond and from there to ZDC-Calvert still reporting direct Richmond and from there to ZDC-Irons at 16,000 feet and on to ZDC-Dominion 377.1...and COBRA aircraft from VAQ-209 that are unhappy about having to hold around Andrews for an hour or more before being allowed to land which I suppose is due to airspace restrictions caused by the flyby. Can't forget there are also aircraft working on HUNTRESS freqs 288.4 and 327.9.

(And that UGLY flight is yakking up a storm on their tac freq talking about all kinds of things that we won't transcribe to prove the point from the other thread. They're out of range of their home base so feel free to talk about who got Article 15s and what for. Mentioning the screwups in their unit. Some of these guys never learn but swear they pay attention to Operational Security.)

Couple of notes on the DRAGOs....DRAGO 61 says his callsign will be TEXON 01 on ATC freqs and he spells it. Don't know who they are or where they're from so can't add it to the database. Most pronounced DRAGO the right way as DRAY-goh but a couple had it as DRAG-oh (like in the word "drag") Also have the DRAGO 51 flight going back to Whiteman which makes them the bombers (51 and 52). The DRAGO 31 flight is cleared to Wilmington but DRAGO 32 going to Andrews Tower 118.4. DRAGO 31 is a flight of four of which three are going to Andrews and the F-22 is the one going up to Wilmington. DRAGO 41 is going to Andrews. DRAGO 71 flight going to Andrews and is with ADW Tower on 118.4. DRAGO 51, one of the bomber pilots is a female. She and 52 are crossing the ZDC area on their way to Whiteman.

And just heard at 1411 that someone wants to refuel with DRAGO 75 on 254.2...believe it's a DC KC-135 from Andrews (confirmed...DC 62 is the KC-135) that's providing the fuel. Says they'll be around area W-107. Not sure why they're using this freq but hey...!

 

[dehm]

T-Birds up NOW (14:55 EDT / 18:55 Zulu)

141.85 - A/A (Brief words that could not be understood even with the best DSP) =)
143.85 - A/A (ACTIVE) -- At this time, 15:37 EDT / 19:37 Zulu I hear no activity but I thought I heard them mention that they were going back to Norfolk..


They just made 6+ passes over my house in Bethesda, MD in formation at low altitude. It was amazing. I got my own private show..
They must have been getting back in formation while making their rounds back to Arlington.

jay

 

[Mark]

DRAGO 51 just completed flyover at KILG Wilmington with Philly 269.250 then
switch to 335.600 Modena then ZNY Penn 270.300 climbing to 23k.
Headed home I believe direct KSZL Whiteman
T-BIRDS up on 143.850 at 1509 local
1521 DRAGO 75 Raptor on way into KILG from Sea Isle 285.400
DRAGO 31 with KILG tower 126.000 says gonna do 3 passes.
1540 DRAGO 75 F-22 with Philly dep 119.750 direct Andrews switch to 124.550
Mark

 

[dehm]

10/14/2006 Logs

10/14/2006 Logs
----------------------------
1306z/ PACER 21
118.4 < 119.3

1309z/ APACHE 4153P (VFR)
119.3 < 121.0

1610z/ COBRA 10; flying at low alt. Checked in at 4k ft.
118.95 [PCT/DEP] < 124.65 < 134.7 [PCT/APP] <

1747z/ PITMAN 31; req clearance to leave CAP - RTB to SHAW PITMAN 31/32 flt of 2 @ 1753z leaving CAP
135.525 < 133.9/((UHF-SIDE))

1819z/ ARMY 23328
133.9 < 127.275 < 119.75 [PCT/APP] < ..


jay

 

[freqhopping]

Just got back from D.C. I watched from Ohio Dr right across the river from the Pentagon. I'll add some pics in little bit. I didn't hear much comms during the 'parade'. But plenty with the Thunderbirds. They came out of nowhere when they finally showed up.

The parade traveled from southeast to northwest, passing over the Pentagon. It began with a biplane that had been floating in the area southwest of DCA for a while. Then what looked to be a Mustang and Thunderbolt together, next came a B-24 Liberator and a B-17, then a C-47 by itself, a C-17 solo, B-2 solo, and finally the group of 4, an F-86 Sabre, F-15, F-4 and F-22. Once clear of the area the B-2 started to climb and you could really hear the engines. Later I saw the B-2 and four fighters approaching ADW from the south. I think DRAGO-32 was the B-2. The WWII bombers just kept heading north.

After the Thunderbirds made their two passes the leader was talking to a guy on the ground who told them they were right on point, the timing was slightly off but the music was able accomodate for that. Looked great from where I was.

I saw the presidential helicopters several times. When I first got there two of them landed near the Capitol. Later a little before I left they were flying around at Bolling. But as I was leaving, getting on I-66, three of them flew overhead heading north on Helicopter Route-1. I think it may have been the president. On one of the DOD systems I heard someone saying a 'package' would be leaving and taking the I-395 HOV, probably back to LZ I think. The timing works. I heard some encrypted traffic on 136.725 also. UPDATE- The nightly newcast just confirmed that Bush was there.

Some pics will look strange because I was taking them through binoculars.

When I got there:

Just before I left: