FRISIAN FLAG 2017

Between March 27 and the 7th of April 2017 a large exercise was held at Leeuwarden Air Base in the Netherlands.

This exercise was called 'FRISIAN FLAG 2017'.

Exercise Frisian Flag is an advanced aerial training organized by 322 'TACTES' TACtical Training Evaluation and Standardization Squadron. This unit is responsible for the organization of Frisian Flag.Leeuwarden AB has hosted Frisian Flag since the exercise was created in 1992.

7 countries joined this massive exercise above the North Sea, Netherlands, Germany and Denmark. They are able to fly above an area that covers 210 by 320 kilometers (or 120 by 180 nautical miles).

Frisian Flag is based on similar exercises in the States like Red Flag. (successor to the previous 'COPE THUNDER' exercise series in the Western Pacific and Alaska). 

USAF started in the 70's with such exercises at Nellis Air Force Base.

Also known are 'Maple Flag' in Canada and 'Anatolian Eagle' in Turkey.

Participating aircraft from several countries airborne twice a day. The purpose of this exercise is preparing for any conflict in the world. Every nation speaks a different language and it is important that everyone speak in the same way during conflict situations. During the daily missions pilots receive a defensive role or attack role. 'Team Blue Air against Red Air'.

At the same time every pilot receive another mission based on the capacities/specifications of that particular pilot and aircraft. Missions flown during Frisian Flag include air defense missions, offensive missions, missions to protect other aircraft and missions carried out to eliminate static and dynamic targets on land or at sea.

Most of the participating aircrafts are multi-role combat aircrafts. Multi-role combat aircrafts are intended to perform different roles in combat. More roles can be added, such as aerial reconnaissance, forward air control and electronic warfare aircraft. Attack missions can include subtypes like air interdiction, suppression of enemy air defense and close air support. An example of a multi-role fighter is the General Dynamics F-16 'Fighting Falcon' used during Frisian Flag by different nations.

Also this year (3th year in a row) the Air National Guard (USAF) participate with F-15C 'Eagles'. The Air National Guard (ANG), also known as the Air Guard, is a federal military reserve force.Air National Guard are organized and federally recognized as 'federal military reserve forces' in each of the fifty US states, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the territories of Guam, US Virgin islands and District of Columbia of the United States. The 122 Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, comprised of approximately 300 Airmen from the Louisiana Air National Guard, and F-15's from both the Louisiana and Florida ANG deployed towards Leeuwarden Air Base. Those Eagles will stay for 6 months in Europe and will redeploy as part of a TSP package to regions throughout Europe. (TSP = Theater Security Package)

REMARK : pictures taken 3th & 4th of April 2017. 

The Royal Netherlands Air Force : 12x LOCKHEED MARTIN F-16AM/BM. (BLOCK 20 MLU)

Lockheed Martin (former General Dynamics) F-16 'Fighting Falcon' is designed as an air superiority / multirole fighter. (see also BAF / Portuguese Air Force)

Squadrons : 312 Sq. VOLKEL / 313 Sq. VOLKEL / 322 Sq. LEEUWARDEN

J-016 / J-020 / J-002 / J-628 / J-135 / J-509 / J-011 / J-632 / J-005 / J-021 / J-879 / J-136 / J-362 / J-630 / J-642 / J-144 / J-063 / J-009

Belgian Air Component : 7x LOCKHEED MARTIN F-16AM/BM. 

2 WING FLORENNES / 10 WING KLEINE BROGEL

FA-70 / FA-116 / FA-118 / FA-121 / FA-124 / FA-128 / FB-24 (BM*2-seat)

Armée de l'air Française : 5x DASSAULT MIRAGE 2000D.

Dassault developed Mirage 2000D, started from Mirage 2000N. This 2000D is the same version as Mirage 2000N but introduces support for conventionel attack missiles, as well as AASM weapons. Maximum speed 2,338 km/h (1,453 mph)

ETD04.003 Argonne / EC01.003 Navarre / EC02.003 Champagne / EC03.003 Ardennes

653/3-AU * 617/3-IS * 668/3-IG * 671/3-XK * 677/3-JT

Luftwaffe Deutschland : 10x EUROFIGHTER TYPHOON EF2000.

This is a twin-engine, canard-delta wing, multirole fighter. 

Maximum speed : MACH 2 (2,495 km/h or 1,550 mph) 

TLG 31 (Taktisches Luftwaffengeschwader 31 'Boelcke' based at Nörvenich)

31+39 / 31+30 / 31+36 / 31+40 / 30+98 / 31+34 / 30+52 / 31+31 / 31+29 / 31+33

Força Aérea Portuguesa : 5x LOCKHEED MARTIN F-16AM/BM.

Esquadra :  201 "Falcoes" /301 "Jaguares' BA5 Monte Real

15101 / 15104 / 15105 / 15110 / 15115

Air National Guard (ANG) (USAF) : 12x McDONNELL DOUGLAS (BOEING) F-15C/D.

Former McDonnell Douglas (today Boeing) F-15 'Striking Eagle' is an American all weather multirole strike fighter. F-15C (improved single seat) / F-15D (two-seat training version).

Maximum speed : high altitude : MACH 2.5+ (2,665+ km/h - 1,650+ mph)

Low altidude : Mach 1.2 (1.450 km/h - 900 mph)

Air National Guard (ANG)  

159FW/122 FS - Louisiana 'Bayou Militia'

85-0102/JZ * 81-0041/JZ * 81-0039/JZ * 83-0012/JZ * 83-0036/JZ * 83-0041/JZ

125FW/159 FS * Florida ANG 'Vipers'

 86-0155 * 86-0148 * 85-0096 * 86-0161 * 86-0162 * 80-0058(F-15D)

Note : 85-0102/JZ "The Bayou MIG killer" : 3 kills during Iraqi war. In 1991 one Iraqi MIG-23 'Flogger' & 2 Iraqi Sukhoi Su-22's 'Fitter' shot down by Capt. David Glen 'Logger' Rose. 

(marked with 3 green stars)

Royal Air Force (UK) : 6x PANAVIA TORNADO GR4.

The Tornado GR4 is a variable geometry, two seat, day or night, all weather attack aircraft, capable of delivering a wide variety of weapons. (GR4 is an improved version)

Maximum speed : Mach 2.2 (2,400 km/h - 1,490 mph) at 9,000 m! (30,000 ft)

1,482 km/h, 921 mph indicated airspeed near sea level

RAF Marham Wing

ZA369/003 * ZA472/031 * ZG779/136 * ZA459/025 * ZA554/046 * ZA447/019

Note : Eurofighter Typhoon fleet received same ground-attack capabilities of their Panavia Tornado GR4 fleet. Therefore phase out of the Tornado will start end of 2018.....