Sticky Thread for MilAir

[TinEar]

From the timing of the posts above, it appears the last Eglin ARROW F-15 flight was from 0200-0600. Then, a SPIDER F-16 flight from the ND-ANG Fargo that is deployed to Langley took over from 0600-1000 and finally the GASKET F-16s from the MI-ANG at Selfridge took over until the scheduled CAP end at around 1300. I guess they figured the Eglin fighters had had enough after almost three days of duty - or, more likely, the weather turned bad at Eglin as it often does and they couldn't get off the deck.

 

[ScanManQSL]

Something I would like to add. Bush's helicopters were flying over my house today here in Rockville at 13:05ish. Your timeline makes since of the scheduled CAP to end at around 1300.

 

[TinEar]

1146: U/I pair of fighters working tac «142.525». Just general chat. They sound like F-16s. At one point they said to change to 282.2 (ZDC-Casanova) but I heard nothing there. They are still active as of 1209. Sounded like this was just a flight through the area.
1147: Navy 7W115 20 minutes out and arriving Andrews to pickup pax. «141.55»

1200: ACE 01 (C-21, ACC Langley Commander's aircraft, tail #40098) reports 15 minutes out from Andrews and good maintenance status. Will dropoff a D/V 3 plus 2 Duty Pax and 2 Space A pax. Releasing 4 seats outbound and will depart at 1915Z. (Callsign database shows this commander's plane has used tail #40116 in the past.) «378.1»
1206: PACER 38 reports departure from Andrews was at 1600Z. «378.1»
1236: PACER 98 reports airborne from Andrews at 1630Z «378.1»
1244: PACER 98 arriving Dover with Tower on «126.35»
1246: REACH 101T reports airborne from Andrews at this time. «378.1» (I even heard the ground station acknowledge his transmission. I generaly hear ground on the 141.55 freq but this is first time for 378.1. Perhaps this is due to the increased transmitter power they are using.)
1251: JOSA 299 (C-21 40095) arriving Andrews in 20 minutes, is A-1 and dropping off 1 Space A pax. He's picking up an S-4 plus 3 and departing at 1900Z. Needs 3,000 pounds of fuel. «378.1»
1253: DEEJAY 11 flight (F-15) from Langley into Giant Killer's area on «233.7»

1308: JOSA 149 reports airborne at 07 past the hour. «141.55»
1315: UGLY 1, flight of two A-10s from the PA-ANG at Willow Grove checking in with Philadelphia TRACON on «317.55»
1317: Also have a FLYER 1 (A-10 Willow Grove) with Philly TRACON «317.55» At 8,000 feet. (Two ship flight)
1320: UGLY 1 flight handed off to ZDC-Kenton «354.15» where they check in at 8,000.
1322: FLYER 1 flight handed off to ZDC-Kenton «354.15» where he checks in at 8,000 feet.
1329: UGLY reports he's cut back the power and doing about 170 knots to let the FLYER flight catch up «354.15»
1329: UGLY 1 flight handed off to Pax Approach on «305.2» where they check in and cancel IFR. Handed off to BayWatch on «270.8» where they say they are waiting for the FLYER flight.
1331: COBRA 31 flight from Langley with Norfolk TRACON «370.925»
1333: The FLYER/UGLY flight is using «141.8» for tac.
1337: FLYER flight handed off from ZDC to Pax Approach on «305.2» requesting descent to 7,000 because of weather. Flight is handed off to BayWatch «270.8» a couple of minutes later where FLYER 1 requests a separate squawk for his wingman in case they split up later. He also reports his flight will be working with UGLY 1. He says when they finish it will be IFR back to Navy Willow Grove. He also wants to know if the two flights can use this freq for their ops but is sent to «256.5» where both flights meet up to begin their work.

1400: UGLY/FLYER flight still operating in the Pax River Range area around Vienna MD. «256.5» They are operating at very low flight levels. No sooner said that when they decide to get together and finish up.
1403: UGLY with ZDC-Kenton «354.15» for the trip back to Willow Grove.
1405: FLYER flight with Pax Approach «305.2» checking out of area. Requesting 3,000 feet due to weather.
1405: FLYER checks in with ZDC-Kenton «354.15»...then goes back to «305.2»
1408: UGLY 1 flight handed off to Dover Approach on «257.875» where they check in and start descending to 5,000 feet.
1410: FLYER flight handed off to Dover Approach «257.875» and checks in there.
1411: From FLYER 1 to Dover: "Did I hear you say you've got a B-2 in the pattern there? (Pause).."Oh okay, I won't get excited then." (Guess he heard wrong.) «257.875»
1415: UGLY flight handed off to Philly TRACON on «269.25» where they check in and report direct Medina.
1419: UGLY flight handed off to «319.15» where they check in at 5,000. At 1422, they are handed off to «291.7» (Not sure yet of the identity of these last two freqs...have to do some checking.)
1423: FLYER 1 to Philly on «269.25»
1425: FLYER 1 flight handed to Philly TRACON on «319.15» checking in at 4,000 feet. (That IDs this freq.)
1427: FLYER 1 flight handed to «291.7» where they check in at 4,000 feet. (This freq is in the database as Philadelphia Approach but the 319.15 is not although they definitely called Philadelphia when they checked in there.)
And 291.7 is the last freq I hear either flight on.

1525: JOSA 299 airborne from Andrews...late takeoff due to pax not showing up until 15 after the hour. «378.1»
1549: MACE 91 (F-18C VFA-27, CVW-5 NAS North Island CA) calling Andrews Navy Ops on «386.8»
That's the only ID I have for MACE callsign associated with the Navy.
1552: Sounds like a pair of F-16s arriving Andrews on «139.9» No callsigns heard for the aircraft or for SOF if these are DC-ANG fighters. Not hearing any other tac freqs active...yet. Wherever they currently are, they are in light rain.
1556: MACE 91 is with Reagan TRACON on «322.3» approaching Andrews.
1557: MACE 91 over to Andrews Tower on «349.0» for landing....three miles out, gear down, full stop landing reported at 1559.

 

[TinEar]

Shortly after 1900 picked up some Navy fighters working air combat missions. Callsigns DOG and an airborne controller HONKY TONK. Freq is «365.7».
There are at least two DOG fighters in the group and they are no doubt F/A-18 Hornets based on ID within the traffic. These guys are either very high or very close...the signals are very loud and clear. I believe they are in the Pax area. One of them started to say something about over Pax and then caught himself and stopped.
DOGS and HONKY TONK appear to be finished with their mission at 1950. Trying to find them on their way home. (Nope...couldn't find them after they left 365.7. It was suggested to me they may be flying off the aircraft carrier Eisenhower.)

1926: BATON 55 (EC-130J 193rd SOG, PA ANG Harrisburg) calling Giant Killer on «255.0» which probably puts him in the W-105/107 areas. He reports his altitude as 21,000 feet.
1940: OPEC 28 (KC-10A McGuire) with McGuire Command Post «319.4». Arriving in 20 minutes, A-1...says his receiver had a problem and cancelled the refueling mission.
1951: NIGHTHAWK 5 (CH-53E HMX-1, MCAF Quantico, VA Presidential Det.) with Andrews Tower «118.4»

(Ref below): Mark, possibly 279.575 for that freq? That's the primary Andrews radar freq they all use when doing a flyby at Arlington or anywhere in the D.C. area.

 

[Mark]

On tape this morning 0925 local heard DRAGO 51 flt of 4 A-10's Willow Grove setting up and departing Arlington flyby.
Heard them holding at Nottingham then lost them when sounded like they said push 395.75.Not sure on that freq..
Them heard on return to Philly area on Philly appch 317.550 then at 4k push 323.100 which is popular freq for flybys at stadium events in Philly.Finally with WG GCA 266.800 at
1040 local.

 

[TinEar]

MilAir activity all over the place this morning but no time to log other than a couple of items....

On 234.6 - which is normally a HUNTRESS freq - is a flight of aircraft in air combat maneuvers. Callsign is JAKE which could be from several locations. There doesn't seem to be anything in relation to HUNTRESS though. First heard at 1039 and still very active as of 1052.

On FSS freq 255.4, at 1051, heard a couple of fighters trying to contact a FSS to get weather before they go low and enter the "Evans MOA." That's a new one to me. They didn't seem to get a reply from a ground station but were answered by an aircraft IDing as NG71 who gave them the weather they needed. They also tried to get a Washington Center freq for contact once they came out of their low level flight route at point J. They didn't repeat the freq so no indication where they might be within ZDC.
A Google search for "Evans MOA" turned up nothing.

 

[dparana]

TinEar,
Perhaps they meant the "Evers MOA", it's kind of on the central border of West Virginia and Virgina. It's within the ZDC area and there is a training route (IR-715) that has a point "J" near the location of that MOA.

Reply to below: No problem, glad to be of service. On a side note, you mentioned Steel 71 on a post from last Thursday. While waiting in the Pittsburgh airport for my flight home from another Florida trip, I caught Steel 71 doing a touch and go before going around and landing. Small world.
Dave

 

[TinEar]

I'd be willing to bet you're exactly right Dave. Thanks. You saved me the trouble of pouring over the maps which I was going to do this evening.

 

[TinEar]

Langley F-22A flights working Giant Killer's area in the 0900 hour followed by F-15s in the 1000 hour.

1045: COBRA 21 flight reports RTB to Langley via HEELS to GK on «238.1»
1047: U/I aircraft working tac «142.8»
1054: SALTY DOG 121 into Patuxent on Approach «305.2» and then BayWatch «354.8»
1055: RECAP 33 flight from Langley entering GK's area on «238.1» to work for the next 30 minutes. It's a flight of at least three F-22A aircraft. They were working tac freq «228.45» and changed it to «257.075». (I've been getting interference on the 228.45 freq the past few days and maybe they are too which might be the reason for the change.)

1103: BUGSY flight of F-22As from Langley into GK's area on «238.1» and will be MARSA with the RECAP flight.
BUGSY identified as F-22A as of 1/23/06 and RECAP as of 2/10/06.
NOTE: Many of the Langley F-22A aircraft will be rotating out to Hill AFB Utah for modifications. The first of them is already out there. One of the mods concerns night aerial refueling.
1112: SALTY DOG 121 leaving Pax area and heading for Navy Oceana. «354.8»
1116: SALTY DOG 121 out of Pax on «305.2» heading Norfolk and Navy Oceana. «305.2»
1121: DC 41 (KC-135 Andrews) reports he was airborne at 1510Z «351.2»
1122: SALTY DOG 121 with Norfolk TRACON «370.925» descending to 6,000 feet.
1125: DEEJAY 42 flight (F-22A Langley) with Norfolk TRACON «370.925» and then over to GK on »238.1»
1129: DEVIL flight F-16s NJ-ANG on tac «138.425»
1130: DEVIL flight with GK on «255.0» (probably for work in W-105/106/107 areas based on freq to enter Giant Killer's area.)
1132: BUGSY, flight of two F-22As, RTB Langley via HEELS «238.1»

1202: WARPIG 1 calling Raven Ops «143.8» No reply so changes to «347.2». Believe this is WARDOG feeling humorous. Flight of two.
1209: WARPIG 1 preparing to land at MTN with Tower on «297.2» asking about pattern altitude at MTN making him sound like an outsider so maybe it is really WARPIG and not a WARDOG comic.
1221: CRAB 51 (C-130J MD-ANG Martin State) with Pax Approach on «127.95» for landing or touch and go.
1225: Have a U/I transport arriving Martin State and working with Raven Ops on «347.2» talking about his upload and needing 25,000 pounds of fuel.
1230: The transport going into MTN is ????-03. Couldn't catch his callsign. Raven Ops says he's checking on the upload. They also discussed an altimeter problem aboard the aircraft but he says it's now working okay at lower altitudes. «347.2»
1233: MOVER 41 (KC-10A 2nd/32nd ARS,MCGUIRE AFB) calling McGuire Metro «239.8»
1235: ?FAST? 71 with ZDC-Hagerstown «227.125» at FL 270 and then ZNY-Harrisburg «270.3» (Transmitter sound is fighter aircraft). From there, it's handed off to ZNY-Philipsburg «306.2» and I still can't copy his callsign.
1241: Langley tac «228.45» active with F-22A aircraft.
1241: BUGSY flight of F-22A aircraft with GK on «238.1»
1243: ?FAST 71? handed off to ZNY-Milton «269.1» where he checks in at FL 270. (If the callsign is really FAST, it's probably an F-16 from the NY-ANG at Syracuse - and he's heading the right way for that.)
1243: Fighter tac freq «139.625» active...aircraft reporting Code 1 and 15 minutes out.
1249: RECAP 33 (flight of F-22A) with GK on «238.1» into the work area at FL 230. With Norfolk TRACON «370.925» just prior.
1253: DEEJAY 42 flight (F-22A) with GK on «238.1» for work in W-72 area.
1255: Langley tac «257.075» active with F-22A activity.

1302: SALTY DOG 201 with BayWatch on «354.8»

Time to do some planting...back later.

 

[dparana]

Good afternoon all,

I have one headed your way. At about 17:00 caught JOSA 608 contacting RENEGADE (did not hear them) on 260.90. They reported about 170 Miles out from Andrews and will contact them when they are 50 miles out.

Dave

 

[freqhopping]

Sounds like they're testing the laser warning system with JOSA-608.

 

[TinEar]

I was digging in the dirt and missed it Dave. It's interesting though that the JOSA aircraft was working with RENEGADE who is most often heard with the Customs aircraft on 282.425 along with THOR, CRAB SHACK and the rest of the ground crew controlling intercepts of ADIZ violators.

 

[TinEar]

1141: DRAGO 51 flight on the usual «279.575» for memorial flyby.
1147: Have Navy fighters at Pax with BayWatch on «354.8» and on their tac freq «365.7». DOG 1 and 2 F/A-18s working. Also heard reference to a YANKEE callsign which could be a KC-130 tanker from NY.
1148: Presidential fleet air-to-air active «136.725». Sounds like they just took off a few minutes earlier.
1155-59: REACH 9005 to Pope Command Post «381.3». Reports 25 minutes out, A-1 with 13 pax on board.

1201: One of the SAM aircraft mentions they are running 20 minutes early. The other says they'll be in the blocks at 2050(Z). No indication given of the destination. «136.725»
1204: One of the Navy aircraft on «365.7» is using YIKES as a mission callsign. (I like their sense of humor.) A couple of days ago the DOG fighters on this freq were working with a HONKY TONK callsign that was probably also just a mission call rather than a fixed callsign.
1208: DRAGO 51 reporting "traffic in sight" which is his first transmission since 1141. «279.575». It seems to be a single ship flight which could account for his lack of chatter.
1212: DRAGO 51 wants to descend from 5,000 to 3,000 to prepare for his flyby...he says his TOT (time on target) is scheduled for 1625Z (1225 local) and he'll be departing Nottingham at 1620Z. «279.575». ( He also just identified himself as "DRAGO 51 Heavy.")
1216: DRAGO 51 reports after flying over the target, he'll turn to a course of 320 and climb back up to 3,000 feet. «279.575»
1218: DRAGO 51, while on «279.575», told to switch to «124.0» and does. (124.0 is the VHF side of the pair with 279.575.)
1221: DRAGO 51 reports 210 knots is his speed. «124.0»
1223: Navy fighters end their air combat maneuvers on «365.7» and go over to BayWatch on «354.8» to exit the area and RTB. The aircraft that were DOG 1 and 2 become SALTY DOG 324 and 325 when they change to BayWatch.
1223: DRAGO 51 starts to identify himself as DC 41 which lets us know this is a KC-135 from the 756th ARS at Andrews. «124.0»
1225: DRAGO 51 Heavy crosses the target and reports turning to 320 and climbing to 3000 feet. «124.0». Also reports he's heading for the TACAN at runway 19R at Andrews.
1228: VAQ-209 at Andrews active on squadron freq «280.2»
1228: DRAGO 51 in the pattern at Andrews with Approach on «119.3»
1228: DC 51 also in the pattern at Andrews «119.3»
1231: DRAGO 51 Heavy with Andrews Tower «118.4» for landing.
1231: COBRA 30 (EA-6B, VAQ-209 Andrews) with Reagan TRACON «269.0» approaching Andrews for landing.
1234: DC 51 landing with Andrews Tower «118.4» DRAGO 51 also still going around the field. (DRAGO 51 and DC 51 are two distinct voices and not the same aircraft. DRAGO 51 we know is DC 41 from his mis-ID above.)
1237: Navy 997 with Andrews Approach «119.3»
1238: F-16 flight from Andrews airborne with Reagan TRACON «348.725» and on tac «143.6» climbing out. Callsign ANGRY 11. Flight of two.
1238: Navy 997 landing with Tower «118.4»
1238: DRAGO 51 still in the pattern at Andrews «119.3». Looks like he's just getting in some training doing low level approaches.
1244: ANGRY flight checks into BayWatch area on «354.8» and says they'll be working with RAVAGE flight.
1255: Have another F-16 flight up from Andrews on tac «139.15» Flight of two. Callsign BULLY.

1302: And another F-16 flight from Andrews on tac «143.15» RAVAGE, flight of two.
1305: RAVAGE 31 F-16s on TRACON «348.725» climbing out and then over to ZDC-Calvert «281.4». Then it's over to Pax Approach on «305.2»
1307: Warren Grove Range active «283.1» Believe this is the BULLY flight.
1308: BULLY mention weather at Warren Grove «139.15» and changing to U-12 which is the 283.1 freq.
Looks like BULLY is going off on their own while the ANGRY and RAVAGE flights are working ground attack exercise at the Pax River Range.
1310: RAVAGE and ANGRY flights move over to «355.8». This is the discrete freq they requested from BayWatch earlier when checking in.
1311: BULLY 21 flight checks in with Warren Grove Range «283.1»
1313: DOG flight of Naval fighters back up on «365.7» DOG 1 and 2.
1321: ANGRY flight done at Pax and reports mission results to SOF on «139.9» Mentions that they can't land because of Condition Red at Andrews and they'll hold over Nottingham. They are talking to MAD DOG at Andrews. (Have no idea who that is. Possible change from SENATE and/or WATERGATE?) ANGRY goes back to tac 143.6 and reports this to his wingman but this time says it's "Alarm Red" at the base.
1327: ANGRY talking again to MAD DOG on SOF freq «139.9» where they talk about fuel remainders while holding over Nottingham.
1330: ANGRY flight to Reagan TRACON «270.275» and then to Tower on «349.0» to land. (That was a short hold at Nottingham for whatever that Alarm/Condition Red was.)
1333: The RAVAGE flight is still at Pax on 355.8 and 143.15...BULLY still at Warren Grove 283.1 and 139.15.
1343: YANKEE 31 flight with ZDC-Casino «285.4» (He asks for a "victor" freq to use for a minute...does, and then comes back to this freq....and still there at 1349.)
1344: ANGRY 11 with Reagan TRACON «270.275» coming home. (It must have been just ANGRY 12 landing earlier.
1345: BULLY 21 flight calling MAD DOG on SOF «139.9» They report 28 miles to the northeast of Nottingham. He also asks if MAD DOG is still taking flight reports....and then gives it. Both Code 1, 20 minutes out. Back to V-6 on «139.15»
1350: BULLY 21 flight with Reagan TRACON «270.275» heading for Nottingham at 5,000 feet.
1351: YANKEE 31 descending from 12 to 9,000 «285.4» Says he's going to R-5002 (Warren Grove Range) and asks for the ZNY freq to use coming off the range. (Didn't repeat it .) Considering his mission, the YANKEE callsign could be a flight of A-10s from the CT-ANG at Bradley CT.

1402: ANGRY 11 and the BULLY 21 flight are still buzzing around the Nottingham area with TRACON 270.275 and Tower 349.0. Looks like they are finally getting ready to land. Something about the cable/barrier on the runway is causing them to hold. The RAVAGE flight is reporting mission results to SOF on «139.9» and also coming home.
1405: PAT 46 calling Leesburg Radio several times on FSS freq «255.4». Finally makes contact at 1408 and requests weather for Davison Army Airfield.
1409: RAVAGE 31 reminds TRACON he's a two ship flight in non-standard two mile trail...looking for straight in approach to Andrews. «270.275»
1412: RAVAGE flight landing «349.0» (And I guess the other F-16 flights did the same....was chasing down Crab Ops transmissions on 385.9 and wasn't paying attention to the fighters for a few minutes.)
1418: BOLAR 70 (C-5A Dover) with Dover Command Post for arrival «349.4»
1423: CRAB 51 (C-130J MD-ANG Martin State) landing at MTN with Tower on «121.3» (This is the aircraft that was calling Crab Ops on 385.9 about 15 minutes ago. He never got a reply.)
1426: Don't normally log MUSSEL copters but since this is different....have MUSSEL 06 (1st Helo Squadron, Andrews) with Martin State Tower on «121.3» reporting inbound to MTN and currently over Ft. McHenry.
1430: MUSSEL 06 reports 5 miles west of MTN...will do a low approach for runway 15 and then will head out route 13 to the Key Bridge. «121.3»
1431: JOSA 147 reports airborne from Andrews at 1830Z «141.55»
1438: MUSSEL 06 on the departure leg from MTN «121.3» He then calls Potomac Approach - but still on 121.3 - to report he's taking route 13 to the Key Bridge...and is promptly sent to 119.0 to make his report.
1452: MUSSEL 06 to Mussell Ops to report back in the area over the Bay Bridge «292.2». Requests to leave freq to check ATIS.
1454: MUSSEL 02 to DCA Helo Control «120.75» to report off Andrews.

1500: That's enough for now. Back to the yardwork.

 

[JackTV]

F-16's up

Got some F-16's up
139.15
143.6
283.1
143.15
BULLY flight

 

[ka3jjz]

TinEar Wrote:
(124.0 is the VHF side of the pair with 279.575.)

I'll paste that into the Wiki.

While I'm here, let me ask a favor of the regulars - eorange and I are working on overhauling the military monitoring wiki (among the upcoming changes is to split the wiki into 2 parts - one for the sites and mailing lists, the other equipment) and he's running a quick survey of what folks are using for their monitoring, and how well it works. It's subjective, to be sure, but it's intended to give a newcomer some idea of what works, not just that one scanner or another happens to cover the milair bands. The survey is in the Military Monitoring forum.

73s and thanx...Mike

 

[JackTV]

Mike,
Is there a way to re-do the military wiki perhaps this way...
Make one BIG list that involves everything Mil Air that is active in our area.
VHF LOW - 30-50 MHZ
VHF AIR - 118-136 MHZ
VHF AIR - 138-146 MHZ
UHF AIR - 225-400 MHZ
Perhaps showing these freqs in numerical order....
Lowest freq to highest freq.And maybe a brief discription of who is on that freq.
That way we can all add to the list.

Just a thought,
Jack

 

[JackTV]

Equipment I am using is as follows:
2-Pro 2042's
1- Pro 2006
1- BC785D
1- DPD productions 225-400 LPA
1- Diamond discone
(both antennas are mounted on a 30 ft Rohn 20G tower using 100ft of LMR 400 coax)
1- Stridesburg 4 port multicoupler
1- Fm trap filter
1- Intermod filter
1- TV CH.2 filter

Jack

 

[ka3jjz]

Mike,
Is there a way to re-do the military wiki perhaps this way...
Make one BIG list that involves everything Mil Air that is active in our area.
VHF LOW - 30-50 MHZ
VHF AIR - 118-136 MHZ
VHF AIR - 138-146 MHZ
UHF AIR - 225-400 MHZ
Perhaps showing these freqs in numerical order....
Lowest freq to highest freq.And maybe a brief discription of who is on that freq.
That way we can all add to the list.

Just a thought,
Jack

Well, if you'd like to present a single big list, go for it - then link it into the current Wiki page. Right now, it's set up to show frequencies by site or user - but there's nothing stopping you from making such a page. All you need do is register (free), then read up on the basic editing commands from the Quick Guide that's linked on the main page (that's the very first page you get when you enter the Wiki site from hitting the 'Wiki' link on the blue bar).

When you register, you can also add frequencies to the existing pages. That's totally up to you. 73s Mike

 

[scansomd]

143.15 Active

1530 - DC ANG active near Patuxent River MD

 

[TinEar]

1643: BULLY and ANGRY flights of F-16s up from Andrews. Tac 139.15 BULLY and 143.6 ANGRY, along with SOF freq 139.9 all active.
1647: ANGRY 21/22 flight checks out of Pax River area with BayWatch on 270.8 and switches to SOF on 139.9 where they call MAD DOG with mission results. Flight leader then calls SENATE to ask if he got the in-flight report.
1649: BULLY 71/72 flight with BayWatch on 270.8 also. They are reporting lightning strikes around "CP Charlie" area at the Pax range over on tac 139.15.
1652: ANGRY 21 flight to Reagan TRACON on 270.275 to approach the field and runway 19R. On tac 143.60 they mention doing some pattern work to burn down gas before landing.
1655: BULLY flight also decides the rain and lightning at Pax are not condusive to their mission so will quit. «139.15»
1656: BULLY 71 flight to MAD DOG on 139.9 to report weather cells and lightning in their mission area. Will hold over Nottingham (OTT) to burn off fuel.
1657: Since BULLY is using 139.9, the ANGRY flight contacts SOF on tac 143.6. They say they'll go around the field a couple of times to burn gas.

1701: ANGRY flight switches to U-19 on 335.5 for Andrews low level approach.
1703: ANGRY 21 calls SENATE and MAD DOG on 139.9. Holding at Nottingham at 20,000 feet.
1703: ANGRY flight changes to V-7 143.15 and mentions a RAVAGE flight holding on the ground...not sure of the purpose for this but then they go right back to 143.6.
1706: BULLY 71 flight leader to MAD DOG on 139.9 to ask about storms in the area and if they should hold where they are or press closer to Andrews to hold. Low man still has 6500 pounds of fuel on board. BULLY 71 can't hear MAD DOG but 72 has him loud and clear so flight leader clears him to do the communicating. They mention holding near Patuxent but wants to know exactly where the thunderstorms are. They get the info and then 71 calls SENATE for info and find out there is a thunderstorm over Andrews at this time with visibility of one mile. 71 says they'll hold around Patuxent but SENATE tells them there's a thunderstorm over Patuxent also. 71 and 72 still have 6200 and 6400 pounds of fuel aboard. They're "sauntering" around the area dodging thunderstorms.
1713: BULLY 71 sends 72 to U-9 281.8 at Pax to ask about the storms. He does and gets the report saying they're currently in the area of lightest rain.
1714: ANGRY 21 flight says they have 40 minutes of loiter time before having to divert «143.6»
For the next several minutes the BULLY flight is switching around to various freqs at Pax River and to FSS to check for the thunderstorm areas. ANGRY flight is still checking in with Andrews Approach 335.5.
1723: Both BULLY 71 and 72 are experiencing equipment problems (ECS) and are contacting SENATE on 139.9 before going through their checklist to see if they can correct the problem. Flight leader asks 72 if he's smelling anything and tells him to lift his visor to determine if he sees/smells any smoke.
1727: ANGRY flight to Andrews Tower for landing on 349.0...8 miles out.
1727: BULLY 72 getting an equipment hot light. ECS problems...both aircraft having the same problem. They are with SENATE about heading for Andrews if possible to land. BULLY 72 is also calling JUSTICE on 139.9. 72 says both he and 71 are heading for a landing...they are down to 4500 pounds of fuel apiece (but contradict that later - they have more)...will start RTB now.
1731: Both BULLY aircraft are turning various pieces of equipment off and going through their checklist. BULLY 71 reports his equipment hot light has gone off but 72 is still getting his light. 71 asks SENATE if they should declare an emergency. 72 says he doesn't need an emergency condition, 71 concurs but wants SOF confirmation. «139.9»
1735: BULLY flight to TRACON 270.275 to approach field at 5,000 feet. BULLY 71 will land first followed by 72.
1739: BULLY 71 says he has a cycling equipment hot light on and off...72 reports he has a solid light. «139.9» SENATE clears them to land but will have to hold on the ground.
1741: BULLY 72 says his equipment hot light is extinguished. «139.9»
Meanwhile, the ANGRY flight landed without incident so these guys should have no trouble either.
1742: BULLY 71 switches to Tower freq 349.0 and is cleared to land on 19R.
1742: BULLY 72 gets final instructions on «270.275» and switches to U-4 also «349.0» where he's also cleared to land on runway 19R.
1745: BULLY 71 on 3 mile final, gear down for full stop landing 19R «349.0»
1745: BULLY 72 reports on glide slope, gear down for full stop. «349.9»
1745: BULLY 71 reports breaking out of the clouds at 300 feet with good visibility. «139.9»
1747: The BULLY flight saga is done...both apparently touch down without incident.

1749: REACH 5002 with Dover Command Post on «349.4» says he has some weather issues right now and wants to know if he can be cleared to go to Wright-Patterson instead.
1755: REACH 5002 asking about that clearance from Dover...apparently Dover has nothing for him yet and REACH asks him to please make it as quickly as possible. «349.4»
1758: REACH 5002 tells Dover that Washington Center helped him out and is diverting him around the showers and so he's going to try to make it into Dover after all. Says he should be in the blocks in about 30 minutes and that if he should have to divert, he'll change it to somewhere closer like McGuire. «349.4»

1804: Washington Center comes up on Guard freq «121.5» to contact a Continental flight (1081) and tells him they're looking for him on 126.87(5). (ZDC-Brooke). All is well...he checks in there as required.
1808: U/I aircraft with Andrews PTD «122.85» talking about bad weather all the way from Boston to the Carolinas. (I can't remember the last time I heard the VHF PTD freq used.)
NOTE: Had he Presidential fleet taking off from Andrews yesterday «136.725» around noon mentioning an almost five hour flight. The destination was California. The news item mentioned a four day visit. The CAP is up in the San Francisco area today on 271.0 primary with BIGFOOT.