F-16MLU QRA Quick Reaction Alert
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Dutch
Aviation MEDIA 2010
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A
new article for the independent leading Italian aviation magazine 'Aeronautica
& Difesa' |
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QRA
Quick Reaction Alert - 24 / 7 |
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Images
from 'Fighter-town' AFB Leeuwarden, F-16 between windmill and Kandahar |
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The
F-16's from 'Leeuwarden Fightertown' can be refuelled to be airborne for
very long time |
Follow
our impressions of Frysian Flag, and this impression of and intercepting a
Russian Tupolev 95 spyplane |
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Every
now and then such a Tu-95 'visits' our area. Warned by the allies and
spotted in the moment F-16 fighters |
take-off
from Leeuwarden or Volkel Airbase to intercept. It's seen like a serious
game. However the 'Bear' (NATO |
nickname)
will have to obey in case of serious threat. Not expected in this kind of
visits, but when neccessary the |
F-16's
are 'licensed to kill' . So the 'game' is not without any danger after
all..... |
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At
the Google map you can see the airbase North-West of Leeuwarden, North of
Holland |
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If
neccessary the F-16's can be ready like this, seconds to mount and hit the
runway ... |
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and as said, not only day-over but also at night. |
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Roaring
engine, afterburner and off they go !! |
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F-16
in a shelter at Kandahar, mostly they fly in two-ship missions |
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In
The Netherlands they sometimes almost hit the roofs, that is.... visually |
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Though,
also the USAF sometimes flies from Leeuwarden with exercise 'Frysian Flag'
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and the fence is high... or the plane low ;-)) |
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Fourship
QRA ready to fly in exercise 'Frysian Flag' |
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Some
other F-16AM Fighting Falcons from Leeuwarden Airbase... |
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...
Fightertown Holland where pilots fly in 'wooden clumps' (as the story goes.......) |
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The
KDC-10 in a refuelling action with 322 Squadron F-16's |
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The
end of the future of the F-16 is lying ahead... |
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...
it was spoken about an end-life update for these planes ... |
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...
and still they're very capable, as the pilots are ! Hop in, close the
canopy and hit the clouds ! |
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With
AWACS all data can be transmitted, and even groundtroops can be informed
real-time ! |
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Still
the Sidewinders are on the F-16 wings, but most likely the successor will
be the JSF |
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Until
politics made their final choice, the F-16's will split the clouds for
some time still |
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Without
details, some armament and equipment the F-16 can carry |
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And
while planes get older, a new generation pilots stands up between the
squadrons ! |
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...
and as you know, the Dutch never loose their sense of humor, even if it
takes the national colors ! |
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We
say goodbye with the old Hunter, and mascotte Polly Grey of 322 Squadron |
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Please
do read our story about QRA below ? |
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Click the green button for the article in Englishi |
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