Sticky Thread for MilAir III

[freqhopping]

Listening to the Andrews TRS right now, sounds like they had a pretty big exercise going on today and still ongoing. Heard some talk of KIAs and medevacs, M8 (chemical detection) paper. Lot of activity for the weekend.

It's probably a Guardian CBRN exercise. I did hear someone using "Guardian" as a callsign.

1947- BLACKJACKs "Fights on". 139.7
1955- WILD pilot is filling out some forms, sounds like he may be heading up later. Maint is working to get aircraft 408 crew-ready.

2025- Got an E-6B 20 minutes out. 310.15
2031- ?????-57 (the E-6B) descending with ZDC-Calvert and REACH-9544 Heavy with ADW tower.
2120- ROMAN-41 with Richmond App 307.2
2137- ROMAN-41 with Norfolk App 353.7

 

[BM82557]

Activity 10/12/2008

0943 local - for the past 10 minutes tanker if freq 139.875 has been active with 2 unid ac with training activities, "time for the unqualified guy" and such. Been awhile since I've heard tankers on a Sunday.

 

[freqhopping]

They're beginning the training exercise at Andrews again. Alarm is sounding for MOPP-4 condition.

1344- BULLY-21/22 heading into ADW. 335.5
1349- WILD-21 also heading home, 10k for 4k. 317.425

2033- E-6B talking to Shadow Ops. Inbound I think. 310.15
2037- OXJAW-67 has the field in sight. ZDC-Calvert 133.9
2041- Switching to tower and going VFR.

2105- BULLY-41 calling Pax Advisory. 305.2 Can hear him weak and scratchy with the SOF too. 139.9
2109- BULLY-41 will be working for the next 30 minutes. 343.65
2146- BULLYs want an IFR tunnel to go home. 343.65 Needs a freq. "That's a nice frequency, but I need a UHF frequency" very sternly. :lol:

 

[trainman111]

10:04 ROMAN 75 climb and maintain FL230 contact Washington Center. <266.8>
10:05 ROMAN 17 radar contact climb and maintain FL 230. <266.8>
10:06 ROMAN 55 radar contact, climb and maintain FL230, contact Norfolk Approach on 327.8. <266.8> (Note: Interesting that the controller called 327.8 Norfolk Approach because I have that listed as a Washington Center frequency.)

There wasn another F/A-18 before these three but I didn't catch it.

12:01 ROMAN 01 on the approach for Rwy 5R. <266.8>
12:02 ROMAN 01 turn right heading 050 descend and maintain 5,000. <266.8>
12:03 ROMAN 01 descending out of 13,000 for 5, 000 has Oceana in sight. <266.8>
12:04 ROMAN 01 3 miles out for landing Rwy 5R. <360.2>
12:07 ROMAN 01 cleared to land Rwy 5R. <360.2>
12:10 ROMAN 01 request taxi to parking. <336.4>
12:10 taxiing to parking via taxiways A L. <336.4>

 

[jetcrafter]

FENDY 45 headed South

Guys,

at 1906z FENDY 45 was contacting FSS Flightwatch on 133.925 up here in
Maine and he was looking for the weather in Savannah (KSAV) at 2130z.

Happy monitoring to all!

 

[CitationJet]

10.06-07.2008

Hi,

Just now getting the time to type up the rest of last week's logs...

10.06.2008

1108Z 119.850 PT APP - NAVY 7C 299 (UC-12B NAS Oceana NFD shuttle) - 6600'-6000'-4000'-2000' for the GPS 32 @ Davison AAF.
1118Z 119.850 PT APP - ARMY 23128 (C-12C 84-23128) - 6000'-4000' on the app. to Davison AAF rwy 32.
1121Z 126.300 Davison AAF TWR - NAVY 7C 299 (UC-12B NAS Oceana NFD shuttle) - lands rwy 32 taxis to Hotspot 1 and req. IFR clnc back to LFI.
1122Z 139.400 Davison AAF Ops "DAVEY OPS" - ARMY 23128 (C-12C 84-23128) - five mins. out with a code dropoff.

1412Z 139.700 PT HUNTRESS - BLACKJACK 1 (HH-65B/C CGAS Washington) - off base airborne for training for 1.5 hours.
1415Z 281.400 ZDC-Calvert - BULLY 1 (F-16/CD 121st FS DC ANG) - @ 15000' req. Pax App freq. into their airspace.
1418Z 354.800 BayWatch - BULLY 1 (F-16/CD 121st FS DC ANG) - req. 16000'-3500' for a operational check.

10.07.2008

1816Z 249.800 Giant Killer - SALTY DOG 423 (F/A-18D 164040 VX-23) - req. S track eastbound.
1819Z 378.100 GRIFFIN CP Andrews - VENUS 24 (C-20B 86-0204 89th AW) - dep. msg. off Andrews.
1823Z 365.700 Pax USN AR - DOG 11/12 (F/A-18E VFA-143) w/UNID tanker on the test track.
1828Z 302.550 NAS Patuxent Base Ops - JOSA 967 - arr. msg 20 mins. out.
1835Z 296.900 27th FS 33 AUX - BULL 1/2 (F-22A 27th FS) - up w/ACM.
1840Z 349.400 REACH 384T clg McGuire CP here then finally gets them on correct freq. 319.400 with an arr. msg.
1855Z 128.350 PT APP - BOXER 99 (201st AS DC ANG) - for the NDB app. to rwy 1L @ Andrews.
1859Z 118.950 PT DEP - NAVY 7C 793 (UC-12B NAS Oceana NFD shuttle) - the usual.

1910Z 128.350 PT APP - EVAC 21112 (C-17A 02-1112 183rd AS MS ANG) - 5400'-3000' 1L @ Andrews.
1910Z 118.400 Andrews AFB TWR - VENUS 43 - 3000' QSY PT DEP 125.650 to 5000'.
1914Z 142.750 VENUS Control 89th AW - VENUS 43 - dep. msg.
1923Z 119.850 PT APP - EXECUTIVE ONE FOXTROT - 10000' @ BAL dir Andrews.
1930Z 128.350 PT APP - SAM 60403 (C-20C 86-0403 99th AS) - for rwy 1L @ Andrews.

2019Z 119.850 PT APP - PAT 255 - to 5000' w/Davison AAF TWR 126.300 @ 2028Z for landing rwy 14.
2037Z 251.600 PT APP - Warrior 4325V - @ 3000' clg Potomac. Hmmm., what's a Pa-28 doing with UHF?
2039Z 249.800 Giant Killer - KANG 22 (F-22A 1st FW) - five mins. before RTB.
2042Z 270.800 BayWatch - TESTER 04 (F/A-18B 161360 USNTPS) - up on the freq.

2104Z 118.400 Andrews AFB TWR - VENUS 24 (C-20B 86-0204) - NDB app. to rwy 1L.
2114Z 125.650 PT DEP - FREEDOM 08 (UH-72A 07-2008 Felker AAF) - @ 5000'.
2128Z 119.850 PT APP - RAIDER 17 (KC-130J VMGR-352 vis. conf.) - dir Andrews 8000'-6000'.

2235Z 119.850 PT APP - TROUT 99 (EKC-135R 63-7980 412th TW) - descending to 6000'.

 

[CitationJet]

10.09.2008

10.09.2008

1045Z 125.650 PT DEP - REACH 394T - 4000'-3000' for rwy 1L @ Andrews.

1120Z 125.650 PT DEP - TROUT 99 (EKC-135R 63-7980 412th TW) - deps Andrews 7000'-11000' dir PALEO QSY PT DEP 124.500.
1122Z 118.950 PT DEP - ARMY 01052 (UC-35C 00-1052 PATD Andrews) - to FL210 QSY ZDC-Montebello 121.675.
1137Z 119.850 PT APP - NAVY 7W 217 (UC-12B NAS JRB Willow Grove) - @ 10000' for the PAR rwy 33 @ MTN to 5000' QSY PT DEP 125.650.
1147Z 126.300 Davison AAF TWR - PAT 1203 (C-12T OSACOM VA RFC Davison) - deps rwy 32 QSY PT DEP 118.950 1000'-2000' dir GRUBY to 5000' QSY PT APP 126.400.
1155Z 119.850 PT APP - REACH 4128 (C-17A 04-4128 305th AMW) - 10700'-4000'-3000' dir Andrews for rwy 1L.

1204Z 133.550 ZDC-Linden - SAM 3454 - 13000'-17000'.

1310Z 119.850 PT APP - PAT 7104 (UC-35A 97-0104 OSACOM VA RFC Davison) - inbound for DAA rwy 32 app.

1345Z 235.625 ZDC-Blackstone - FAST 61 (F-16C/D 138th FS NY ANG - last flights?) - QSY ZDC-Gordonsville 351.900 then ZDC-Potomac 307.025 then ZNY-Harrisburg 270.300 req. dir Elmira gets CFB QSY ?30.62?.

1437Z 378.100 GRIFFIN CP Andrews - PACER 55 (C-21A 457th AS) - dep time off Andrews.

1546Z 335.500 PT APP - MACE 91 (F-16CJ/DJ 157th FS SC ANG) - inbound for the ILS rwy 19L @ Andrews.
1552Z 335.500 PT APP - MACE 91 (F-16CJ/DJ 157th FS SC ANG) - req. direct initial to rwy 19L.

1635Z 349.400 Dover AFB CP - REACH 853 - inbound w/arr. msg.

1751Z 297.000 PIKESIDE 167th AS WV ANG OPS - DECOY 99 (C-5A 167th AS WV ANG) - arr. msg mentioning cracked windscreen, gas crew change.
1755Z 349.00 Andrews AFB TWR - BULLY 1 (F-16C/D 121st FS DC ANG) - inbound for landing rwy 19R.

1848Z 378.100 GRIFFIN CP Andrews - PACER 55 (C-21A 457th AS) - arr. msg A1 20 mins. out req. call C-21A Squadron for crew pickup.

 

[BM82557]

396 performance after upgrade to Version 3

I upgraded my 396 from firmware version 1.13.07 to version 3.00.00 on 10/10. Haven't had any negative experiences just positive:

First greatly improved audio quality in all modes and apparently improved sensitivity. Hadn't picked up Dulles tower from my location before the upgrade but can hear it on vhf now. I couldn't hear it on the 9th but have been hearing it regularly starting on the 10th. Assuming the firmware makes the difference but thought I'd ask if anyone knows if there have been hardware changes to Dulles tower that might account for my improved reception?

On another note, thanks for the info Tony I appreciate it.

Brian

 

[BM82557]

Activity 10/13/2008

1704 local -- Elkins radio with NAVY JU909 (unheard), asking location & altitude - 243.0 (Elkins really booming in at my location)

 

[freqhopping]

First greatly improved audio quality in all modes and apparently improved sensitivity. Hadn't picked up Dulles tower from my location before the upgrade but can hear it on vhf now. I couldn't hear it on the 9th but have been hearing it regularly starting on the 10th. Assuming the firmware makes the difference but thought I'd ask if anyone knows if there have been hardware changes to Dulles tower that might account for my improved reception?

I'd attribute it to the current atmospheric conditions. I've been receiving a lot to the east and south of me that I don't normally hear. 150+miles for 400 and 800mhz signals.

 

[mdmonitor]

Logs, 13 Oct

ACY-Atlantic City NJ
ADW- Andrews AFB MD
BW- Bay Watch-NAS PAX Area Advisory Control
DOV- Dover AFB DE
GK- Giantkiller (FACSFAC, Virginia Capes)
MTN-Martin State Airport, Baltimore
NGTF-Northrop-Grumman Test Facility, Baltimore
NXX- Willow Grove JRB PA
PAX-NAS Patuxent River MD
WRI-McGuire AFB NJ
ZBW-Boston ARTCC
ZDC- Washington ARTCC
ZNY- New York ARTCC

1. VHF/UHF: ((Times are EDT))

0920- Navy HP 451 (SH-60, HSL-44, Mayport FL)-w/DOV approach (132.425).
0926- Navy AX 995 (C-130T # 164995, VR-53, ADW)-patterns at ADW (118.4)
1204- Navy 692 (C-20D # 163692, VR-1 ADW)-patterns at DOV (132.425).

2. HF: ((Times UTC, Freqs KHz))

06911.5 KYAASF (US National Guard Aviation Support Facility, Frankfort KY): 1145 USB/ALE sounding.

07650.0 T1Z137 (1-137th Avn, Ohio ArNG Rickenbacker ANGB, OH): 1310 USB/ALE sounding.

07361.5 INDOPS (Indiana ArNG Ops, Shelbyville IN): 1325 USB/ALE sounding.

07361.5 T12 (12th Avn, Davison AAF VA): 1332 USB/ALE sounding. Also sounding on 06985.0 USB

Ron (mdmonitor1@verizon.net)
Baltimore MD (390747N 763711W)
VHF/UHF: BC-895XLT/RS Pro-2045
Diamond D-130J discone
HF: Icom R75 & Sangean ATS 909
45-ft EF-SWL & 70-ft random wire

 

[CitationJet]

10.10.2008

Hi,

Catching up again with last Friday's logs.

IAD = Washington/Dulles IAP
PT = Potomac TRACON
ZDC = Washington Center ARTCC

10.10.2008

1130Z 126.300 Davison AAF TWR - PAT 1201 (C-12T OSACOM VA RFC shuttle) - deps rwy 32 QSY PT DEP 118.950 @ 1200' then cleared to 5000'.

1236Z 127.050 Quantico ARR - NAVY 7W 632 (UC-12B NAS JRB Willow Grove) - off Stafford/Regional (RMN) rwy 15 1300' cleared to 3000'.

1808Z 119.300 PT APP - VENUS 22 (C-20B 86-0202 99th AS) - 3000'-1500' ILS 1L @ Andrews.
1809Z 335.500 PT APP - RAID 11 (?) - to 4000' full stop rwy 1R.
1848Z 121.675 ZDC-Montebello - SAM 91 (C-32A 98-0001 1st AS) - 13300'-FL210.
1857Z 118.950 PT DEP - PAT 2401 (C-12T OSACOM VA RFC shuttle) - to 5000'.
1858Z 118.675 PT A/D - JOSA 627 (C-21A JOSAC) - 16000'-15000' vects. to rwy 1L @ Andrews.

1906Z 127.050 Quantico ARR - PAT 633 - RMN inbound.
1923Z 118.950 PT DEP - PAT 799 - off Davison AAF 2000'-5000'.

2001Z 351.200 LIBERATOR 459th ARW CP - DC 97 (KC-135R 459th ARW AFRC) - arr. msg 20 mins. out.
2005Z 119.850 PT APP - COAST GUARD 102 (C-143A 02 CGAS Washington) - to 10000'.
2010Z 118.675 PT A/D - DC 97 (KC-135R 459th ARW AFRC) - 15000'-13000' rdr vects. to AML dir Andrews.
2012Z 118.400 Andrews AFB TWR - JOSA 239 (C-21A JOSAC).
2048Z 349.400 REACH 9006 clg McGuire AFB CP here, then switches to correct 319.400 for arr. msg.
2050Z 118.950 PT DEP - PAT 2403 (C-12T OSACOM VA RFC shuttle) - QSY PT APP 126.400.
2056Z 378.100 GRIFFIN CP Andrews - REACH 383T - dep. msg off Andrews. Also up on PT DEP 118.950 at the same time.

 

[Mark]

Just had these 2 choppers flying together buzz my house Southbound 1440 local.
One looks like Marine Cobra and the other a Huey and all with light grey color scheme.
Marine Choppers?
See what you think..

 

[freqhopping]

Marine Choppers?

Definitely. Anyone get an ID for an H-60 westbound helo route 7 around 1430? I think it was probably a PAT flight.

1627- LOBO-899 inbound 119.3
1636- VENUS-22 119.3
1642- ???-11 Flight of three looking to go direct to Langley. 370.925

 

[mdmonitor]

Just had these 2 choppers flying together buzz my house Southbound 1440 local.
One looks like Marine Cobra and the other a Huey and all with light grey color scheme.
Marine Choppers?
See what you think..

Mark,

Nice pics.. Definitely USMC birds. Look very similar to pics I've seen of the AH-1W and UH-1Y upgrade versions being worked on and tested at Pax River.

 

[Waltz41]

Just had these 2 choppers flying together buzz my house Southbound 1440 local.
One looks like Marine Cobra and the other a Huey and all with light grey color scheme.
Marine Choppers?
See what you think..

Look alot like COYOTE flights, from Johnstown of HMLA-775 Det. A. They frequently visit Willow Grove on occassion. There are obviously other Huey/Cobra units out there, but they are close enough.....

 

[Mark]

Look alot like COYOTE flights, from Johnstown of HMLA-775 Det. A. They frequently visit Willow Grove on occassion. There are obviously other Huey/Cobra units out there, but they are close enough.....

Thanks Waltz,Sure looks like that type.I figured they might have been out of Pa coming South like that.
Don't get many USMC Cobra sightings around here except occasional one out at Aberdeen APG area so was a nice treat.
Ticks me off that I had my long camera lens out in the car and missed some close-ups as these guys surpised me quickly..
Tip: always keep a camera at the ready!

Mark

 

[freqhopping]

Fighters getting active offshore. Had a hit on GJ 249.8 immediately followed by 389.1 NJ ANG which is the first time hearing that one.

Looks like we have some major ducting going on, hearing the TRACON controller on 290.275 and picking a JNCR TRS site that is non-existent in all but odd conditions.

2100- E-6B 410 with maint. They'll be up doing some touch and go's. Going to drop off the back end guys too and do some more. 310.15

 

[Mark]

Fighters getting active offshore. Had a hit on GJ 249.8 immediately followed by 389.1 NJ ANG which is the first time hearing that one.

Also hearing GK 249.800 and heard tanker freq push 346.600,A new one for me.
1935 local Navy 7W-743 UC-12 #161511 leaving Dover after local patterns down there, northbound Philly appch 119.750. A Willow Grove aircraft.
2050 FORCE 80 KC-10 #87-0123 arriving McGuire 30 min out.

Mark

 

[HM1529]

Look alot like COYOTE flights, from Johnstown of HMLA-775 Det. A. They frequently visit Willow Grove on occassion. There are obviously other Huey/Cobra units out there, but they are close enough.....

I heard (for several minutes) and then saw, in the distance thru the trees, a UH-1 that looked to be USMC gray. He was headed east toward Willow Grove a little before 5 PM this evening. I didn't have the scanner handy at the time, so I was not able to monitor any ATC contact with Willow Grove.

Closed to 6 PM, I caught Guard helo 90211 working Willow Grove Tower on 340.2. He switched over to GCA on 299.6 to do some approach work. Not sure where he went after that...he was getting lower in altitude while working GCA and I eventually lost him.

Not sure what he was or where he was from. Using Baugher and Scramble, I'm guessing maybe 90-00211, a CH-47D from the 5-159th AVN. Anybody know better?

The only helos I usually catch using UHF at Willow Grove are the USMC CH-53E's