RAF Lakenheath 11 to 13 August 2021

Finally free of lockdowns, travel restrictions and fully vaccinated it was time to get back to Lakenheath again and a highly enjoyable visit resulted.

Not mega busy but there was enough going on and there were a few "off the script" occurances which kept things interesting. Plus it was great to catch up with everyone (and find a new VERY tasty takeaway in the village called Kims Bulgogi that I'll definitely be visiting again!). It suddenly seemed like the last 18 months had gone in a flash but it certainly hadn't!

Next trip planned for September (when it SHOULD have been Sanicole but we took an executive decision that it would be far more sensible to wait for next year). At least that translates into a week at Lakenheath instead (and maybe even time for a trip up to Coningsby hopefully).

Anyway, the all important time stamps to save you looking through too many boring bits:-

0:00:01 - Starting on Wednesday 11th with some afternoon F-15 recoveries and a visiting MacDill KC-35 tanker which was doing some air refuelling work with the 48th wing. Two KC-35s were actually on base, the one not flying had some rather nice nose art
0:05:53 Into Thursday 12th and we see 493rds heritage tail 010 being towed across the runway for (i presume) maintenance work. Then several 493 and 492 models launch for their morning sorties. One of each squadron actually heading to RAF Valley for the day to take part in that stations family event
0:23:06 Returning arrivals from the morning sorties. Made more interesting
at 0:24:48 when a Mildenhall tanker does a low approach (was basically playing for time waiting for quiet hours to end at Mildenhall so it could land back there)
0:25:50 a few dinnertime 493 take offs seen from down the end of the runway (new angle but i got bit to death!) and a look over to the Macdill visitors
0:33:15 the dinnertime shift arrives back with a few low approaches for good measure
0:35:14 Another oddball and taking many by surprise (with a truck full of weapons waiting at the gate getting in the way too!) was a C-5 Galaxy turning up out of the blue. See, it's always eventful down here!
0:37:26 Some afternoon departures from 492 squadron and the MacDill tanker heading out to work with them too
0:42:34 Onto Friday 13th with 493 jets first out of the box, including heritage tail 010
0:44:33 as 010 takes off you will see its left landing gear fails to retract. The next takeoff noticies this and a subsequent In flight emergency is called
0:46:03 several jets very sportingly moved over to the northside enabling a nice close up of a couple of them, 492 are now in the mix
0:52:48 the last two 493 jets treat us to unrestricted takeoffs, one of which I just about manage to catch! the last 492 planes depart afterwards
0:56:43 with the blue flashy light welcoming committee present , heritage 010 lands safely using the approach end cable then is recovered to its hanger. Maybe some more maintenance time!
1:00:17 the rest of the mornings flights return with a few low approaches to keep us entertained
1:06:09 an arriving KC-35 into Mildenhall on an unusual approach track finishes the visit off nicely

Видео RAF Lakenheath 11 to 13 August 2021 канала Chris Birkett's adventures in video