Latest Articles
JASDF RF-4 Phantom II
JASDF RF-4E 47-6905 and 57-6907 The 9th of March 2020 saw the end of an era as the JASDF RF-4 Phantom II aircraft were retired at Hyakuri Air Base after nigh on 46 years service since 47-6901 was delivered in 1974. Six of the JASDF RF-4 Phantom II aircraft flew twice, in pairs, on their "phinal" day of service from Hyakuri, the six aircraft being: RF-4Es 47-6901, 47-6903, 57-6907, 57-6909 and RF-4EJs 67-6380 & 07-6433. Fittingly 47-6901 was the first RF-4E and 07-6433 the last RF-4EJ delivered to the JASDF. 501 JASDF RF-4EJ 77-6397 JASDF 501 TRS RF-4E 57-6907 JASDF [...]
Cypriot Air Command – The Cyprus Air Force
Located just over six miles (10km) southeast of its namesake city, Paphos International Airport in Cyprus has the distinction of not only being the country's second largest airport, but the home to the entire flying element of the Cypriot Air Command. Located on the site’s northside, the military facility is called Andreas Papandreou Air Base. Commanded by Col Marios Florides, the Cypriot Air Force is the armed air wing of the Cypriot National Guard (Ethnikí Frourá). Made up of two squadrons; 450 Moira Elikopteron (M.E/P) and 460 Moira Erevnas Diasosis (MED), an attack helicopter and search/rescue squadron respectively. With 20 [...]
JASDF Iruma – Kawasaki C-1
The Japanese Air Self Defence Force (JASDF) is in a period of transition as it replaces its older aircraft with a new more modern, efficient and capable air force. One of the unsung stalwarts of the Japanese transport fleet - and celebrating 45 years of service in 2019 - is the Kawasaki C-1, which will be replaced in the coming years by the Kawasaki C-2. The drawdown of C-1 airframes has been underway since 2014, and at the time of writing, just under half of the 31 aircraft built by Kawasaki are still active. Back in the early 1960s, the [...]
Belgian Sea King Retirement
March 21, 2019 was a memorable day in the calendar for both 40 Squadron and the Belgian Air Component, as it marked the retirement of the Westland Sea King Mk 48 helicopters after 43 years of loyal service providing the Search and Rescue (SAR) capability to the people of Belgium. The baton has now formally been handed over to the NHIndustries NH90 NFH (NATO Frigate Helicopter) which first entered service with the Belgian Air Component on August 1, 2013. During the past six months, Mark Empson has visited Koksijde airbase; home to 40 Squadron on a number of occasions spending [...]
JMSDF Atsugi – Kawasaki P-1
The Japanese territorial waters cover a vast area around the Japanese islands. For example, Okinawa in the South to Chitose in the North is a distance of around 1400 miles in a direct line. To oversee and protect those waters the Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force (JMSDF) has utilised a fleet of around 100 Lockheed P-3 Orions since 1984. However, since 2013 the JMSDF has started to replace these ageing aircraft with its own indigenous built modern aircraft – the Kawasaki P-1 Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA).
Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 40 (VRC-40) ‘Rawhides’
“Here we go, here we go, here we go!” - No, not the chant from fans at a football match, but the cries emanating from the two loadmasters of VRC-40 ‘Rawhides’ sat at the rear of our C-2A Greyhound, as they warn us we are just seconds from ‘trapping’ on board the deck of the nuclear powered American aircraft carrier – the USS Dwight D Eisenhower (CVN-69). Even with a sedate approach speed of around 105mph the Carrier on-Board Delivery, or COD as it is better known, comes to an abrupt halt in just 2 seconds. Sitting backwards and with [...]
