TACTICAL WEAPON MEET 2017

Florennes Air Base - 1st Squadron 'STINGERS'

source logo & related link : https://www.1sqn.be

Thursday 15th of June 2017, Spottersday Tactical Weaponmeet at Florennes Air Base, Belgium.

From 7th until 16th of June a big exercise was held on the Florennes Air Base.

The largest exercise ever organised since the departure of the Tactical Leadership Program (TLP) in 2009.

And yes, it was probably the best event for spotters held in 2017.....

5 foreign countries attended this exercise :

RAF : Bae HAWK T.1A (CK) / 100 Squadron based at RAF LEEMING (with 100th anniversary paint 100 squadron) & Bae HAWK T.1A (CB) - QinetiQ / based at Mod BOSCOMBE DOWN - testing site
Italian Air Force : EUROFIGHTER F-2000A 'TYPHOON / 4°Stormo, AMi 904° GEA based at Grosetto
Hellenic Air Force (HAF) : McDonnell Douglas F-4E AUP PHANTOM II / 338 Mira - 117th Combat Wing based at Andravida & Lockheed C-130H (752), 356 MTM112 PM based at Elefsis
Spanish Air Force : EUROFIGHTER EF2000 'TYPHOON' / Eda 111 Esc/113 Esc/Ala11 based at Sevilla, Moron
Polish Air Force : MIKOYAN MIG-29A / SP1.elt/23.BLT based at Minsk/Mazowiecki & Lockheed C-130 E (1502), SP 14 eltr/33.BLTr based at Powidz

Also a lot of guests visited the airbase in Florennes.

Luftwaffe

BAF : Special paints from Kleine Brogel
BAF : Agusta A109HA (H45) FAB 17 SMALDEEL MRH (1Wg) based at Beauvechain
BAF : Alpha Jet 1B+ $ (AT-29 with special livery to commemorate 25 years of Alpha Jet operations and 10 years of advanced Jet), FAB 11 Sm (1 Wg) based at Cazaux, France (ET 02.008)
BAF : SIAI Marchetti SF260D (ST04 & ST48) based at Beauvechain.
And the biggest surprise : French Air Force : 2 Mirage 2000-5F / AA GC 01.002 Cigognes based at Luxeuil Air Base

Including the special paint : honour to 'Capitaine Georges Guynemer' who died at the battlefield in Poelkapelle, Belgium in 1917 marking 100 years.

Design by Regis Rocca.

The tactical weapon meet was also organised because of the centenary of the 1st squadron 'Stingers'.

The emblem of this squadron is the 'Scottish Thistle'. (see pictures below special paint Belgian Air Force)

Like mentioned 2017 marks the 100th anniversary of the 'Thistles',

FA-132 received the special tail paint, design was made by Didier Wolff.

This particular aircraft pays tribute to all the men and women that proudly carried the thistle and the motto "Nemo me impune lacessit" (dutch translation : niemand tergt mij zonder gevaar) (english translation : nobody attacks me with impunity)

Special thanks towards BAF, Florennes Air Base and all pilots involved.

Spectacular banks, several fly by's, nice formations, well organised made this one of the best spotters days ever attended.

$ = aircraft with special marks

FA-132 with 100th anniversary of the 'THISTLES' livery.

below pictures includes RAF : Bae HAWK T.1A (CK) / 100 Squadron based at RAF LEEMING (with 100th anniversary paint 100 squadron) - XX285 &Bae HAWK T.1A (CB) - QinetiQ / based at Mod BOSCOMBE DOWN - testing site - XX346

below pictures includes Italian Air Force : EUROFIGHTER F-2000A 'TYPHOON / 4°Stormo, AMi 904° GEA based at Grosetto - MM7323 (4-6) & MM7304 (4-21)

below picturs includes Hellenic Air Force (HAF) : McDonnell Douglas F-4E AUP PHANTOM II / 338 Mira - 117th Combat Wing based at Andravida (01512 & 01534) & Lockheed C-130H (752), 356 MTM112 PM based at Elefsis

below pictures includes Spanish Air Force : EUROFIGHTER EF2000 'TYPHOON' / Eda 111 Esc/113 Esc/Ala11 based at Sevilla, Moron / C.16-33 (11-12) & C.16-51 (11-17) & C.16-63 (11-28)

below pictures includes Polish Air Force : MIKOYAN MIG-29A / SP1.elt/23.BLT based at Minsk/Mazowiecki & Lockheed C-130 E (1502), SP 14 eltr/33.BLTr based at Powidz / 40 & 89

---SPECIAL GUESTS---

French Air Force : 2 Mirage 2000-5F / AA GC 01.002 Cigognes based at Luxeuil Air Base / 43 (2-EJ) with honour to 'Capitaine Georges Guynemer' 100 years livery & 57 (2-ET)