F 15's (right place right time)

[Bootsy]

while i was out and about. i thought i'd pop down to the viewing area at RAF lakenheath which is used by the USAF.to see if i could see a take off or landing.what i saw was 30 F15's taxiing into position ready for take off.and i watch every single one in about 2 hours.a very happy afternoon in the right place at the right time
heres a few images i've worked on so far.c&c welcome

[Donald]

Excellent set, Paul. Really captures the atmosphere.

Is that them leaving on an operational mission?

[Bootsy]

i believe it was just a training mission.and if you believe whats printed in the local press.it was training mission for the Olympics.
thanks

[rpcrowe]

i believe it was just a training mission.and if you believe whats printed in the local press.it was training mission for the Olympics.
thanks

My God! Do they plan to bomb the Olympics That would be spectacular but a bit dangerous!

[Dave Humphries]

I am envious, but not deaf

Classic shots, very well presented Paul.

Good work,

[Colin Southern]

"Control to lead Eagle; Got some chappie in the viewing area with something long and it's pointed right towards you guys. Not sure if it's an bazooka or lens ... just thought you might like to take care of it either way"

[Bootsy]

"Control to lead Eagle; Got some chappie in the viewing area with something long and it's pointed right towards you guys. Not sure if it's an bazooka or lens ... just thought you might like to take care of it either way"

lol i was one of about 8 or 9 photographers there.and i was using a 70-200.and a very nice man who i'd been talking to.ask if i wanted to get a bit closer by having a go with his Nikon D3 (i think) with a 400mm.that was quite a eye opener

[Bootsy]

My God! Do they plan to bomb the Olympics That would be spectacular but a bit dangerous!

lol no help protect it i hope

[Colin Southern]

lol no help protect it i hope

Reminds me of an old joke ...
AIRSPACE VIOLATION PROTOCOL

In addition to communicating with the local Air Traffic Control facility, all aircraft in the Persian Gulf AOR are required to give the Iranian Air Defense Radar (military) a ten minute 'heads up' if they will be transiting Iranian airspace. This is a common procedure for commercial aircraft and involves giving them your call sign, transponder code, type aircraft, and points of origin and destination. I just flew with a guy who overheard this conversation on the VHF Guard (emergency) frequency 121.5 MHz while flying from Europe to Dubai. It's too good not to pass along. The conversation went something like this...

Air Defense Radar: 'Unknown aircraft at (location unknown), you are in Iranian airspace. Identify yourself.'

Aircraft: 'This is a United States aircraft. I am in Iraqi airspace.'

Air Defense Radar: 'You are in Iranian airspace. If you do not depart our airspace we will launch interceptor aircraft!'

Aircraft: 'This is a United States Marine Corps F-15 fighter. Send 'em up, I'll wait!'

Air Defense Radar: (no response ... total silence)

[arith]

Was the f15 pilots wearing riding boots and stetsons; it was weird but they did when I was at Coningsby. One didn't stop by and ask if you would like to sit on his knee....no that was a disaster movie spoof.

Anyway I suppose they are all great guys and even the girls and would never shoot civilians, not like those pesky ruskies or chinese or koreans who are all going to sit back and watch their oil supply go up in smoke.

Ya can't make it up.