That's a nice catch on the HARRIER 1 freq nightwatch. I've never run across that one in the past. Thank you.
I'm also told the first PITMAN crew (45/46) this morning had some words for us here on this thread. Sorry I missed it but 6 a.m. doesn't exist for me. I would have at least typed a reply had I been here.
CAP still up with PITMAN 53/54. Primary 260.9, the interflight for this pair is 140.375 and I guess the boom freq is still 228.9 but haven't heard them refuel yet to prove that one. HUNTRESS is coming in weak.
1658: PITMAN 54 just sent after a TOI by HUNTRESS...260.9....PITMAN 54 changes callsign to ALERT 1.
1659: PITMAN 53 goes to Guard Dog to get clearance to exit the CAP to chase the target. TOI is at 7000 feet. They are in the northern part of the CAP right now.
1700: PITMAN flight cleared down to only 16,000 feet....135.525/260.9
1701: PITMAN 54 asking for BRA to the target...gets it from HUNTRESS...260.9
1702: HARRIER is also on the freq with the PITMAN pair and HUNTRESS but I can't hear the helo...260.9
1702: PITMAN 53 asking permission to descend down to the deck...135.525
1703: PITMAN 54 has the TOI in his sights....260.9...mission is to headbutt the TOI.
1705: PITMAN 54 reports returning to the CAP...135.525...PITMAN 53 is now down low with the TOI.
At very low altitude I can hear PITMAN 53 and HUNTRESS on my Icom R8500 but can't hear either on a BC785 or BC780.
At first, I thought this may be a practice intercept with HARRIER as the TOI but it's looking like the real thing now. They are escorting the TOI to an airfield but I couldn't pick out the names. They are now just too low and far from my antenna to get good copy. I can hear them talking but that's about it.
1712: Looks like they've escorted the TOI to the airfield with HARRIER going to the ground...ALERT 1 (PITMAN 53) is asking if he should return to the CAP.
1717: PITMAN 53 relays for HARRIER that he wants to RTB...260.9
1717: The TOI was a Cessna 172 per PITMAN 53 and here's the info based on the target's tail number....
N-number : N1413V
Aircraft Serial Number : R1722187
Aircraft Manufacturer : CESSNA
Model : R172K
Engine Manufacturer : CONT MOTOR
Model : IO-360 SER
Aircraft Year : 1976
Owner Name : COND0R AERO CLUB INC
Owner Address : PO BOX 143
ZELIENOPLE, PA, 16063-0143
Type of Owner : Corporation
Registration Date : 02-Oct-1997
Airworthiness Certificate Type : Standard
Approved Operations : Normal
1718: PITMAN 53 back in the CAP...135.525
1718: HUNTRESS talking directly to HARRIER but I still can't hear the helo...260.9
I never heard anything on the 385.0 freq either. Anyone get copy on that freq?
1725: PITMAN 54 reports back in the CAP...260.9
1726: The KC-135 on station is TANKER 9...requesting to go to FL 240 as the base for AR in Guard Dog...260.9 He repeats that on 135.525
1728: The PITMAN pair goes back to
interflight preset V-10 which is the 140.375 freq. For some reason, I had V-10 on my list as 140.325 for the 77th FS but it's now corrected. They agree that intercept was pretty exciting. Said about the time he went to headbutt the target, it landed at a small airstrip. They're going for gas now. Oh...53 also mentioned that he was going to "light it up" (afterburner I guess) but since he was right over Camp David, he decided that wasn't a good idea.
1731: PITMAN 53/54 mention using the tanker for "red air" and the two fighters can do an intercept against him. Then they decide that's not such a good idea because word might get back.
(It just did...but they weren't really serious Colonel _____
)...140.375
1732: TANKER 9 and the fighters on 228.9 for a boom freq.
1739: PITMAN 53 completes his refueling...228.9
1743: HUNTRESS asking for an explanation from the PITMAN flight leader why they swapped positions and why both went down low after the target. He explains and it revolves around the slow speed of the target....260.9
1745: The PITMAN pair is about to start a practice intercept...one is north, one south in the CAP area. They are simulating a DARKSTAR AWACS controlled intercept....140.375
1800: PITMAN 53/54 still in practice TI/ACM activity...mention just one more hour left...140.375
So, we'll have the last pair for the evening coming in shortly before 1900 local. Works out just right for a four hour shift.
Time to grab some dinner...back later for the changeover to the next fighter pair.
Ref below: Thanks nightwatch. I'll look forward to hearing what our pilots had to say this morning. And thanks to the guys in the UK listening in there and reading here.
