SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE 2018 - 2

August 2018 at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany.

At the end of August 2018 I visited Spangdahlem Air Base to catch some 'Raptors' From Tyndall Air Base, US. The F-22's, Airmen and equipment arrived from the 95th Fighter Squadron, 325th Fighter Wing based at Tyndall Air Force Base.

The purpose of this visit was to train with other European-based aircraft as part of a Flying Training Deployment. The F-22's made several visits all over Europe for this particular training exercises.

Tyndall Air Force Base is located east of Panama City, Florida, US. This base was named in honor of WWII pilot 1st Lt. Frank Benjamin Tyndall.

Runways : 13R/31L : 3,049 m - 13L/31R : 2,784 m.

The Lockheed Martin F-22A "RAPTOR" is a fifth generation, single seat, twin engine, all weather stealth tactical fighter aircraft developed for the USAF. 

In total 187 operational aircraft are produced, in 2009 the program was cut from 750 towards 187 aircraft due to the high costs , lack of clear air to air missions and more important because of development of the F-35. The last F-22 was delivered in 2012.

Plans were made to design a two seater and a carrier borne variant but both were cancelled in 1996 and 1993.

Occupants Tyndall Air Force Base : 

325th Fighter Wing

First Air Force

53d Weapons Evaluation Group

Continental NORAD region

Air Force Civil Engineer Support Agency.

I noticed following regs during my visit : 

- Lockheed Martin F-22A Raptor - TYAF05 088 - 325 FW, 95 FS Tyndall,Florida

- Lockheed Martin F-22A Raptor - TYAF05 089 - 325 FW, 95 FS Tyndall,Florida

- Lockheed Martin F-22A Raptor - TYAF05 091 - 325 FW, 95 FS Tyndall,Florida

- Lockheed Martin F-22A Raptor - TYAF05 093 - 325 FW, 95 FS Tyndall,Florida

- Lockheed Martin F-22A Raptor - TYAF05 104 - 325 FW,9 5 FS Tyndall,Florida

source text : wikipedia

Below some pictures from locals and other visitors during the day.