All change at GAR
GAR has evolved much since it’s inception in 2009, and as the site approaches its eighth year, it is evolving once again.
Exercises and Deployments – Red Flag 16-4
The Fiscal Year 2016 series of Red Flag exercises recently came to a close. Rob Edgcumbe provides an update on who was involved in the final exercise.
Airshow Review – Wonsan Air Festival, North Korea
When he first visited the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) in 2012, Paul Filmer landed at a couple of military bases while visiting outlying cities on his adventures, but was emphatically advised to not shoot any military aircraft or personnel, or even raise a camera in their direction. Now he takes his second visit to North Korea to report on a historic event.
Military Aviation – RAF Chinook Squadron Centenaries
RAF Odiham, Wednesday 14 September 2016 was notable for three of the four RAF Chinook squadrons as six months of complex planning came to fruition with a formation-training sortie conducted to commemorate the 100th anniversaries of 18(B), 27 and 28 Squadrons Royal Air Force. Tom Gibbons was at the home of the UK Chinook Force for GAR.
Military Aviation News – 64th Aggressor Squadron
The 64th Aggressor Squadron (AGRS) at Nellis AFB, Nevada, recently repainted one of their F-16C Fighting Falcons in a new colour scheme – well, new to the F-16. It had previously been seen on the aggressor F-15 Eagles, of the 65th AGRS, until their retirement in 2015.
Military Exercise – Red Flag 16-3
Red Flag 16-3, the third of 2016 after 16-1 and 16-2, took place at Nellis AFB, Nevada between 11 and 29 July. Chris Wood headed back to Nevada to report.
Military Aviation – Farewell to the ‘Junglie’: Sea King HC4 retirement retrospective
The legendary Sea King HC4 retired from Royal Navy service earlier this year. Andy Aitchison looks back at the service history of the venerable ‘Junglie’.
Airshow Review – RNAS Yeovilton Air Day 2016
RNAS Yeovilton once again opened its doors to the public in July, delivering a full and varied line-up of outstanding quality. Shaun Schofield reports for GAR from his local show.
Military Exercise – Hawgsmoke 2016
Every two years, the USAF A-10 units come together to compete in an exercise evaluating the core skills of Warthog driving. This year the exercise was held at Davis Monthan AFB in Tucson, Arizona and Rob Edgcumbe was there for GAR to see which unit was the master of Hawgsmoke.
Military exercise – Anatolian Eagle 2016
Now in its sixteenth year, the latest iteration of Turkey’s Anatolian Eagle exercise recently wrapped up at Konya Air Base in the Central Anatolia Region of Turkey. Chris Wood and Kevin Jackson report.
Aviation Event Review – Cold War Jets Open Day May 2016
Bank Holidays in Leicestershire are synonymous with two things; average weather, naturally, and jet noise! Shaun Schofield ventured to a largely grey Bruntingthorpe for the first Cold War Jets Open Day of the year.
Airshow Review – Abingdon Air & Country Show 2016
The annual Abingdon Air and Country Show traditionally heralds the beginning of the UK airshow season, bringing to an end the long off-season. Greg Marsh reports for GAR.
Military Exercise – Ex ARIES TOR 2016
Over the second weekend of May, hundreds of young adventurers descended on Dartmoor, embarking on the annual Ten Tors Challenge. As ever, the Armed Forces supported the event en masse, with the Royal Navy deploying its newest Commando Helicopter for the first time. Shaun Schofield reports from a windswept Okehampton Camp.
Military Exercise – Frisian Flag 2016
“Welcome to Fighter Town Leeuwarden” – with these words Colonel Denny ‘Trash’ Traas – Base Commander, Leeuwarden Air Base, The Netherlands, welcomed media representatives to Exercise Frisian Flag 2016 held between 11 and 22 April. Tom Gibbons was there for GAR, with additional photography from Kevin Wills.
Aviation Event – Solar Impulse Leaves California
The Solar Impulse project recently completed a monumental flight from Hawaii to California, as recently reported on GAR. The aircraft has now departed for its next stop in Arizona. Rob Edgcumbe provides an update on the mission with additional images from Hayman Tam.
Aviation Event – Solar Impulse Completes Pacific Crossing
Feats of exploration are not something that get a huge amount of attention these days. Whether it is because they don’t happen very often or because they don’t overcome the noise of modern life is not clear. One project has done a great job of sharing themselves with the world while also bringing a message about renewable technologies. Solar Impulse landed in California on the 9th leg of their round the world voyage. Rob Edgcumbe saw the arrival and visited with them. Hayman Tam provides additional images.
Aviation Event – Aerial Firefighting International 2016
Controlling wildfires is a concern for many countries around the world. Operators and manufacturers of aerial firefighting equipment recently came together in Sacramento California for a conference discussing the latest industry developments. Rob Edgcumbe attended for GAR with Hayman Tam providing additional photographic coverage.
Aviation Nostalgia – London Heathrow Airport 1988
Paul Filmer’s archive series continues with a selection of images from Heathrow Airport in 1988.
Military Exercise – Red Flag 16-2
With only a short gap after Red Flag 16-1, the year’s second Red Flag exercise, Red Flag 16-2, kicked off at Nellis AFB, Nevada on 29 February. Chris Wood travels back to Nevada to report for GAR.
Modern Military Aviation – 771 Naval Air Squadron disbands
771 Naval Air Squadron disbanded on 22 March 2016, formally marking the end of Royal Navy Search and Rescue operations in the UK. Joan le Poole and Sander Meijering visited RNAS Culdrose to speak to and fly with the squadron during its final weeks as an active unit.
Historic Aviation Nostalgia – Blackbushe 1978-1984
Paul Filmer’s trip down memory lane continues as he looks back at the many vintage aircraft that visited Blackbushe in the 1970s and 1980s.
Military Aviation Nostalgia – RAF Brize Norton 1981-1986
Paul Filmer raids his archives once again, this time delving into the 1980s slides to bring us a look at RAF Brize Norton three decades ago.
Military Exercise – Red Flag 16-1
2016’s Red Flag series of exercises kicked off at Nellis AFB, Nevada on 25 January with Red Flag 16-1, the first of four exercises planned for Fiscal Year 2016. Chris Wood and Rob Edgcumbe report from Nevada.
Military Aviation – NAF El Centro: The Jewel in the Desert
Naval Air Facility El Centro (NAF El Centro/NAFEC/NJK/KNJK) hosts a number of American and foreign squadrons throughout the year. Alan Kenny visited during November and December.
From the Cockpit – Yakovlev Yak-3M (G-OLEG): Gentle learning slopes
Yakovlev Yak-3M D-FLAK was acquired by Will Greenwood in early 2015. 12 months on, with a display season under his belt and the Yak now registered in the UK as G-OLEG, Will looks back at the trials and tribulations of his first year as a warbird owner and pilot.
Airshow Review – Malta International Air Show 2015
The 23rd Malta International Air Show was held over the weekend of 23 and 24 September 2015 and once again was a great success, with a large static park comprising many varied and exotic types rarely seen at most European air shows. Kevin Wills writes.
Aviation Profile – Mike Gerzanics, Test Pilot
Mike Gerzanics’ aviation career has been varied if nothing else. Be it piloting the F-111, test flying F-16s or flying airliners for Southwest, his experiences have been far from average. Rob Edgcumbe sat down with Mike to discuss his ongoing aviation life.
Modern Military Aviation – Modernising the Luftwaffe’s Sikorsky CH-53s
The Luftwaffe’s venerable Sikorsky CH-53 fleet has gone through a number of upgrades in recent years, ensuring the continuation of its service with the German Armed Forces. Hartmut Feldmann writes.
Aviation feature – The End of an Era | Bill Ramsey on Avro Vulcan XH558’s retirement
Bill Ramsey reflects on the emotional rollercoaster of Avro Vulcan XH558’s final flights prior to its retirement in October 2015.
Historic Aviation In Focus – The Collings Foundation’s Curtiss P-40B Warhawk 41-13297
Curtiss P-40B-CU Warhawk 41-13297 is a Pearl Harbour survivor operated by the Collings Foundation in the USA. Huw Hopkins and Elliott Marsh chart the history of this unique pursuit fighter.