About Ben Montgomery

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So far Ben Montgomery has created 33 blog entries.

Aircraft Carrier Operations – USS Dwight D Eisenhower

Deployed in support of Operation INHERENT RESOLVE since June 2016, the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Dwight D Eisenhower, or “The Mighty Ike”, has been conducting daily strike missions against so-called “Islamic State” in both Syria and Iraq, from both the Arabian Gulf with US Navy 5th Fleet and more recently from the Mediterranean Sea with [...]

By | December 20th, 2016|Operational Reports|0 Comments

USS Dwight D Eisenhower – Operation Inherent Resolve

Weighing in at a cool 95,000 tonnes, the Nimitz class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Dwight D Eisenhower (CVN 69) is the second of ten such vessels that form the cornerstone of United States Naval Aviation. The Nimitz-class carriers are the largest and most powerful warships in the world, and are constantly in demand across a [...]

By | December 19th, 2016|Operational Reports|0 Comments

Luchtmachtdagen 2016

After a year of absence in 2015, the annual Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF) Luchtmachtdagen returned this year to Vliegerbasis Leeuwarden, in the North of the Netherlands. Whilst the theme of the show was once again Operatie Luchtsteun (which literally translates to Operation Air Support) it was clear that for this year at least the [...]

By | July 1st, 2016|Airshow Reports, Event Reports|2 Comments

The Air to Air Photography Experience

  Look at the front cover of most aviation magazines, and the majority of the time the cover photograph will be an air-to-air image of some sort. Whilst photographing aircraft from the air is still predominantly the domain of experienced, professional photographers, the last few years have seen a shift in accessibility with groups and [...]

By | May 6th, 2016|Event Reports|0 Comments

HMX-1 Presidential Helicopters at RAF Mildenhall

It’s all but impossible to miss news of a United States Presidential visit to the United Kingdom, or indeed to any country – the event is always marked with significant pomp and circumstance, as befits the reception of a foreign Head of State. What normally does go unnoticed is the huge level of logistical support [...]

By | April 22nd, 2016|News|0 Comments

Bruntingthorpe Treble Tanker Nightshoot

Being a fan of transport and tanker aircraft, attending a nightshoot at Bruntingthorpe with three of the resident ex-Royal Air Force examples was certainly not a hard decision to make. Ben Montgomery travelled up to deepest darkest Leicestershire for an evening of spotlights, tripods and Cold War heavy metal. The context and background of this [...]

By | March 18th, 2016|Event Reports, Nightshoots|0 Comments

RAF Special Paint Schemes 2015

The Royal Air Force are quite often criticised for the lack of “special scheme” celebratory or commemorative aircraft they produce compared to other air arms, but it’s fair to say that 2015 seems to buck the trend. As time marches on towards the 100th anniversary of the RAF, many squadrons are already celebrating their respective centenaries [...]

By | September 13th, 2015|Operational Reports|2 Comments

RNAS Culdrose Air Day 2015

When it comes to travelling to an airshow within the UK, RNAS Culdrose ranks as one of those with the highest potential mileage for most people. However, based on the 2015 event, it also ranks as one of those with the most pleasant visitor experience – both for the general public and the aviation enthusiast [...]

By | August 10th, 2015|Airshow Reports, Event Reports|0 Comments

Royal International Air Tattoo 2015

The Royal International Air Tattoo, better known as RIAT, has set its place as the pinnacle of the British airshow scene, especially given its long history of providing first looks at new types, debut displays by new operators and large set pieces to commemorate key aviation anniversaries. The 2015 edition of RIAT was to be [...]

By | July 28th, 2015|Airshow Reports, Event Reports|2 Comments

352nd Special Operations Wing Stands Up

The 7th Special Operations Squadron, which forms part of the 352nd Special Operations Wing, based at RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk has been undergoing several changes over the past 12 months, in line with an increase in capabilities and duties for the 352ndSOW as a whole. Duncan Monk and Ben Montgomery summarise the changes and realignment [...]

By | June 1st, 2015|News|0 Comments