Sticky Thread for MilAir

[TinEar]

Every once in awhile I hear a transmission on 385.90 (CRAB Ops, MD-ANG, Martin State Airport) at night and have never been able to figure out who was transmitting since there are no aircraft flying at the time from that unit. It's normally just a single transmission. Tonight I finally caught part of it. It's the base Security Police being patched onto the freq from their 163.4875 home freq. It's a little difficult to understand since the SPs broadcast in digital mode on their own freq and the patch garbles it a bit. Anyway, it was a broadcast to all units but I didn't catch the gist of what the speaker was saying. It was just before 11 pm. I'll check it again in the future to see if I can catch the entire statement.

 

[Dank]

Rather ironic after you mentioned that tankers are gnerally quite.

QUOTE=TinEar]They were just chatting away on the tanker interplane freq 139.875 for an hour or so a little bit earlier.[/QUOTE]

 

[TinEar]

Yeah...isn't it. The two crews just went on and on about trivial stuff. Guess they were bored flying circles up there. Very little of it was operational traffic - just two guys chatting.

Notice there has been lots of activity in the GIANT KILLER areas this morning. And about 1155 a flight of A-10s came home to Martin State. BayWatch (Pax River) also has activity going.

NOTE: Monitor 354.8 to get the aircraft as they enter the BayWatch Pax River area. That's also the best place to catch callsigns as they make their initial entry to the area. There are actually four so-called "Advisory" freqs for aircraft checking into the area. In order of use per my experience they are 354.8/270.8/119.275/369.9.

At 1201 just had an E3B (I think his callsign is DARKSTAR) announce on GK's 249.8 freq that he's done with the present bunch of fighters in the area and won't be working again until 1430 (local). That's a good tip to monitor then for a fresh group of fighters.

NOTE: I don't believe I mentioned that a couple of days ago there was a flight of F-16s from the NJ-ANG using callsign BICEP doing their training on freq 139.625. I mention it only because that freq has normally been associated with the VA-ANG and was not on my NJ list. They were in the Pax River area and mentioned being over Vienna (MD) while using that freq, cleared out of there on BayWatch's 354.8 and headed back to Atlantic City still using the 139.625 freq.

Couple of flights just took off...first a flight of A-10s from Martin State using callsign AXEMAN were off the deck at 1358 (347.2/142.3).
Then a flight of F-16s from Atlantic City using callsign BICEP up on the hour (138.3) and pretty much stayed on 138.3 for their ops. Flight of two.
And a COLT flight of A-10s took off at 1403 from Martin State (347.2). Both flights are doing ground attack training at low level so comms are weak but readable.
The A-10s are going to enter the BayWatch (Pax River) area...and just did on 354.8 at 1410. They are using squadron tac freq 142.3 for operations.
And the F-16s from the VA-ANG in Richmond just joined the party on 141.875 at 1411. They change to GIANT KILLER on freq 249.8 letting him know they'll be using callsigns SLAM and BASH. SLAM will change to freq 391.2 for ops. BASH will be 292.3 for ops. SLAM is a flight of 3 F-16s. BASH is a flight of 3 F-16s.
The E3B from Tinker AFB OK that I thought was DARKSTAR is really DRAGNET. He contacted GK on 249.8 to inquire the whereabouts of the SLAM flight.
By approximagtely 1500, the NJ guys have gone home as have the first SLAM and BASH flights from Richmond.
AXEMAN and COLT flights still buzzing about the area.

Just before ending this report, there are fighters at the Kiowa Range on 237.2 and a flight of F-15s (WOLF) just entering GK's area.
END OF REPORT

 

[Mark]

Excellent log Tin as good weather seems to bring everyone flying out this week.

>At 1201 just had an E3B (I think his callsign is DARKSTAR) announce on GK's 249.8 freq that he's done with the present bunch of fighters in the area and won't be working again until 1430 (local). That's a good tip to monitor then for a fresh group of fighters.<

That E-3B is SENTRY 60 based in Dover this week as had him depart Dover around 10 am and he stated he would be back in about 8 hours.
Guess when GK has busy week scheduled it is easier for E-3 to rtb Dover for the night rather than all the way back to Tinker AFB OK.Looks like tommorow will be another busy day.

Mark

 

[TinEar]

Starting about 2000...
We've got some really interesting air intercept activity going on tonight in the Pax River area on BayWatch's 354.8 frequency. Groups of SALTY DOG aircraft, among them 410 and 310 in one flight and 422 and 322 in another.
SALTY DOGs are from the Strike Aircraft Test Squadron at Pax River. They are probably F-18s in this batch. Terminolgy (Naval air) has been strikingly different from the typical Air Force aircraft we hear. And, just as quickly, they're done by 2030.

2045: CRAB 51 (C-130J, MD-ANG, Martin State) doing touch-and-go with Phillips AAF on 126.15--probably several of them as CRAB 56 did last night. At 2050, CRAB 51 tells Phillips he'll be back in about 45 minutes...didn't say where he was going.
2126: CRAB 51 back with Phillips...says he's going to make a dry pass. And so he does his dry pass and then says he'll be back around in 30 minutes. And at 2200 he comes by yet again, makes his pass and says he'll be back later.

 

[Mark]

By the way Tin got my Sept issue of MT today and good feature article by Ron Perron on Pax River.Excellent job by Ron and covers various test squadrons,callsigns,types,freqs etc. Must reading for Maryland area Milcomers and new comers alike.
Ron really helped me out years ago when i first got into Milcoms and we are lucky to have him in the Maryland area.Still learning from him...LOL

Mark

 

[TinEar]

Sounds great Mark. Any way to possibly scan that article and email it? I also give credit to Ron for supplying me with a lot of information. He has always been great about sharing whatever he knows.

 

[Mark]

It is a 5 page article but will see what i can do. Maybe Ron has dig copy.

BTW was just on Air Nav com and they have flagged changes to various runway appchs at Martin State.Not sure what changes are but I did add Potomac appch 282.275 from runway lists.Not sure if that is new or changes were elsewhere like map etc.

Mark

 

[TinEar]

No, that 282.275 freq is not new. It has been around for a long time. In my message above on he 20th, I mentioned a RAVEN flight from Martin State worked TRACON on 282.275, 291.625 and then Harrisburg 281.525. I'll take a peek and see if anything grabs me as new on that Airnav page.
I took a look at the Monitoring Times web page and they mention an article this month by Ron concerning the Northrup Gruman facility at BWI but nothing about Pax River.

[Edit] No...I don't see anything new at the Martin State Airnav page other than the "Additional Remarks" sections seems to have a little different info but nothing new I see for freqs, runways, approaches.

 

[Mark]

OK thanks Tin as I wish Air Nav they were more specific on flagged changes as they could be anything.

BTW CRAB 51 back to Phillips loud and clear tonite 126.150.Getting both ground and air tonite up here so must be clear skies.He was down at Dover AFB doing appches on 132.4250
Trooper 1 just mentioned seeing a shootng Star.

Mark

 

[TinEar]

So that's where CRAB 51 was going each time he finished his touch and go or pass over Phillips.

 

[TinEar]

Just after 1000 when I turned the scanners on, I heard a SPORT flight of three A-10s taking off from Martin State. They reported off at 1004. They use that callsign when travelling. Somewhere above in the past few days, I mentioned a conversation that sounded like some of the pilots/aircraft were going to be moving. This may be it. They are chatting on 142.3 as they are going wherever they're headed to. By about 1025 I can no long hear them - too far out.

1020: Have a couple of tankers chatting on the interplane 139.875 freq.
Also have a flight of BASH F-16s from VA-ANG Richmond working in GK's area. Squadron freqs 141.6 (Command Post) and 141.875 are being used along with 238.1 to enter GIANT KILLER's area.
Since 1030 or so I've been hearing a flight of two F-16s from NJ-ANG Atlantic City talking on 138.3. At 1046, they enterthe Pax River (BayWatch) area on 270.8. Callsign DEVIL. They are lining up to attack a boat (or boats) in the bay. And at 1052 they tell BayWatch (but they call him "Patuxent Advisory") they'll be direct Atlantic City when done although they are still lining up for another attack.

1100 and the DEVIL flight does an "oops" and realizes they are out of time at the range. They announce to BayWatch they'll be heading north on a VFR course. (270.8)(138.3 squadron chat) Both fighters Code 1 as they clear the range.
Unknown flight enters Kiowa Range on 237.2. (Turns out to be COLT A-10s MD-ANG and are working with range controllers BALKY and VENOM) They do bomb drops on a train, on SAM sites, on vehicles and finally use their 30 "mike-mike" guns to attack various ground targets. At 1131 the COLTs finish their work at Kiowa, thank the controllers and depart.
Unknown flight in GK area on 391.2....mic open and can hear wx report in the background (computer voice).
1112 can hear Northrup Gruman test flight acft on the ground at BWI getting ready for yet another long flight as they are wont to do. (Look for 123.2/123.225 to be active) 1117 they are airborne 123.225.
1125 SALTY DOG 120 (Strike Acft Test Sqdn-Pax River) contacting GK on 249.8 to enter zone.
1133 have tankers from the 756th Air Refueling Squadron at Andrews active on 351.2

NOTE: Today is the day the BRAC Commission meets to finalize plans for base closings and realignments that affect our area. This morning the vote was taken on closing Walter Reed hospital and combining it with Bethesda. 5630 jobs will move as a result. The closure passed. Lots of other organizations in our area may be affected. Air Force changes are coming in afternoon votes of the commission. These will take the C-130J Martin State aircraft and move them to other bases - if passed. It will also move more A-10s to Martin State. Of course, Congress and the President still must sign off - or not - on the plan.

1141 COLT flight (two A-10s) contact Raven Ops on 347.2 to announce they are 10 minutes out. One of the A-10s is Code 2 due to a hung BDU. Flight leader announces it's no danger and they will proceed towards home. 1147 they go to 297.2 (Martin Tower) for landing.
1142 finds F-15s from Langley in the GK area. 249.8, then 391.2 for ops and squadron tac 315.85 active. PECOS is the callsign.
1154 More F-15s from Langley to GK on 249.8, then to 346.6 for ops. Callsign MAI TAI. Later they move to 391.2 for the fight. The KNOCK IT OFF! command comes shortly after noon. At least for the first fight it does.

1219 sees 3 more F-15s MAI TAI callsign enter GK on 249.8
1236 SALTY DOG 120 tells GK on 249.8 he'll RTB in 10 minutes.
The rest of the 1200 hour stays fairly quiet other than the transports going from and coming to Andrews on 378.1 and 141.55. Army 01052 among the "comers" at 1247 announcing he's 20-25 minutes out. Seems he doesn't like his parking spot...sigh....

1305 SALTY DOG 322 says he's going to RTB - detached from 110 (didn't know he was attached). 270.8

1411 Flight of A-10s off the Martin State deck. Callsign COLT. 347.2 Not sure where they're going.....later, think I'm hearing them with BayWatch 270.8, then 256.5 for ops.
1425 Flight of F-16s up from VA-ANG Richmond 141.825....probably to GK 249.8
1428 Flight of two F-16s up from NJ-ANG Atlantic City 138.3. They arrive at Pax River, enter with BayWatch on 354.8 at 1441. Callsign BICEP. During the flight, the flight leader tells them to switch to Victor-11. That turns out to be 138.875. At 1456 there is reference to either a DEVIL flight or he's referring to DEVIL Ops back at Atlantic City. I think it's the latter.
1430 Navy 691 into Pax River area for 40 minutes, then back to Pax River NAS. 354.8
1437 Northrup Gruman pair (sometimes calling themselves DRAGON 1 & 2) are still flying around the area running through various tests which they have committed to "cards." They report the start and finish of each "card."
1450 sees a SLAM flight from VA-ANG Richmond airborne on 141.875.

NOTE: The F-16s NJ-ANG are beginning to confuse me with their freqs. The have made changes just recently. A couple of days ago, their Victor-7 freq was 138.125. Today it's Victor-1 and this is where they're contacting SOF back in Atlantic City and, by the way, calling him KINGPIN. (That equates to the SOF callsigns SENATE or WATERGATE used by the DC-ANG) Victor-11 confirmed as 138.875. 138.3 may or may not be Victor-18. They also came up briefly on 141.825 which may be the ref to V-18 heard above and which has been strictly a VA-ANG freq in the past. (Can confirm V-18 is 138.30 when they use it later in their exercise.)

1502: Flight of 3 F-16s, callsign SLAM, VA-ANG, enter GK's area on 249.8. They will change to 312.3 for ops and are using 141.875 for tac chat.
1512: HUNTRESS (NORAD) on 228.9 calls OMAHA 03 (Customs) for contact and tells him to switch to 224.0
Omaha 03 acknowledges this but I never hear him on 224.0.

NOTE: At 1518 BICEP F-16 has a close call in the Pax River area. He wants it acknowledged and wants the ground commander's initials for his report.

The BICEP flight immediately goes back to work with their ground attack work. Their ops remain on 138.125. At 1524 they tell BayWatch they must head for the tanker. They'll check back in when done there. Never did hear them with a tanker - in fact, it sounds like they went home for gas.
1535 Fighter flight enters GK area on 238.1 and switches to 391.2 for ops. Callsign missed.
1535 COLT flight on the way home..contact on 347.2
1535 SLAM flights says they need to head west for gas. Didn't specify tanker or home to Richmond. Later heard on 142.175 and 141.875.
1537 SALTY DOG 422 in BayWatch area 354.8
1538 TESTER 1 with BayWatch 270.8 says he's now supersonic.
1542 another flight of 3 enters GK on 249.8 and again missed callsign. Going deaf from all these radios.
1544 COLTS on 297.2 with Martin State tower for landing.
1545 have a copter working on Aberdeen Range freq 248.4. He's very low and weak. Maybe checking for fires after firing range use. They have a lot of those there and it's why Talkgroup 1744 on the Aberdeen Proving Grounds TRS stays busy. Heard the Range Operations talkgroup 80 working late into the night last night setting up targets for today.
1552...The magic 4 o'clock hour approaches and fighter traffic gets magically light as they all head for home, debriefings and dinner.
One last group is on 391.2 and announce "fight's on" at 1555.
1558 Trooper 17 (yes, 17) checks in with Phillips AAF on 126.15 to report over Port Deposit on his way to Martin State, will follow Route 95 south.
END OF REPORT...Over and out...wiped out.

 

[Mark]

Currently getting the Air Force Thunderbirds chatting A/A on 143.850.Probably working off Atlantic City for their show next week and Massachusetts this weekend.Heard them count off 6 aircraft total.

 

[TinEar]

Locked a scanner on that freq right after your post Mark but never did hear them.

 

[FIREBOX2914]

TinEar I have a PRO95 and ive tried plugging all the Freaquencies in you list but get errors saying invalid freq. Any suggestions/Help?

 

[n3bxv]

1845
<351.2> DeeCee 44 and 45? chatting and calling Tiger Ops

1900
<123.225 > Northrup Grumman Test Aircraft Active

 

[TinEar]

TinEar I have a PRO95 and ive tried plugging all the Freaquencies in you list but get errors saying invalid freq. Any suggestions/Help?

Get another scanner. The PRO-95 does not have the capability for the 225-400 mHz MilAir band which is why you're getting error messages. That's really a shame for a relatively new scanner. Even the PRO-96 doesn't have it. On the 96 it can be opened with software but it still is not tuned for that band within the radio so it's hit and miss. I have no idea why they omit this important band.

 

[Mark]

Locked a scanner on that freq right after your post Mark but never did hear them.

Rgr Tin I lost them very shortly after that.Sounded like they were rtb back to Massachusetts as they were chatting about something in Mass.
A/C boardwalk show flyby is next weds I believe,a rare midweek show by the Birds.
May be temted to knock off work and check out.

Mark

 

[TinEar]

2010: SALTY DOG 106 operating in the Pax River area with BayWatch on 354.8. Says he'll be in the area for 90 minutes
2025: DEECEE 43 (KC-135, 756th ARS, Andrews) with TIGER Ops on 351.20
Apparently, DEECEE43 was going to do some refueling in an area with other tankers (48 & 49) but they think there are too many aircraft in too small a space.
2041 DEECEE43 says he's heading home since he's not needed. (With hurt feelings)

 

[TinEar]

The following list is courtesy of Mike (ka3jjz). He took all the freqs I've reported above over the past three weeks along with those reported by Mark and put them all in frequency order along with the user that we've reported. This is an excellent list for anyone new to MilAir in this area. Keep in mind that all aircraft freqs are in AM mode.Thank you Mike.

121.300,Martin State tower VHF
121.500,Intercepts
123.200,Northrup Grumman BWI
123.225,Northrup Grumman BWI
126.150,Phillips AAF
126.200,Weide AAF
126.200,Webster tower
127.275,DC ANG
134.100,Dover AFB
138.050,NJ ANG
138.200,NJ ANG
138.300,NJ + Pa ANG
138.425,NJ ANG
139.150,Huntress DC ANG known to use
139.625,Va ANG
139.875,McGuire tankers interplane
139.900,DC ANG SOF
139.950,New?
141.550,Andrews AFB
141.600,Va ANG squadron
141.825,Va ANG
141.875,Va ANG
142.175,Va ANG
142.300,A10s Martin State
142.550,Va ANG
143.150,Bully' DC ANG
143.250,Pa ANG
143.800,A10s Martin State
228.900,Huntress
229.400,Weide AAF
233.525,A/A F15 Ma ANG
234.600,Giant Killer
237.200,Kiowa range
238.050,Pax River Baywatch
238.100,Giant Killer
246.800,MD ANG Choppers
249.800,Giant Killer
255.000,Giant Killer
255.000,Giant Killer
256.500,Pax River Baywatch
260.900,Huntress
264.550,Pax River Baywatch
270.800,Pax River
276.500,A/R Tanker 'Com 1'
282.425,Customs DHS
283.100,Willow Grove Range new
289.300,Va ANG Richmond CP
291.150,Pax River Baywatch
292.200,Mussel helos
292.300,Giant Killer
292.300,Langley F15s A/A
297.200,Martin State tower UHF
305.200,Pax River Baywatch
312.300,Giant Killer
315.850,Langley F15s
319.400,Dover AFB +McGuire
321.700,Boeing test flight Wilmington
324.000,Huntress
341.750,Bandsaw Kilo E3Bs secure
346.600,Giant Killer
347.200,Martin State Raven ops
349.400,McGuire
350.000,Giant Killer
350.900,Pax River
351.200,A/R Tanker 756th ARS Andrews
354.800,Pax River Baywatch
358.000,Webster tower
358.850,Langley F15s A/A
363.900,Giant Killer
363.900,Langley F15s squad tac
364.200,Bandsaw Kilo E3Bs de Tinker AFB
373.100,Giant Killer
378.100,Andrews AFB
385.900,Martin State Crab ops
389.100,Giant Killer
391.200,Giant Killer