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Saturday 8 March 2014

Lakenheath 4th March, 2014

My first visit to RAF Lakenheath for some ten years was triggered by the good fortune of being in Suffolk and learning that some Royal Danish Air Force F-16s were due to fuel stop at the base on their way home from Portugal.

I arrived just after 1pm. News of the Falcons had obviously spread, with a huge turn out of spotters, meaning that all the parking spaces were taken near the forest entrance, so I stopped in the equally busy viewing area.

The viewing area offers a good view of the action, Unfortunately, it is the wrong side for photos, and for arriving aircraft you are shooting into the sun. Things are better on the ground though, and I didn't have long to wait long until 86-0160 lead out three colleagues:-
Things were pretty busy, with plenty of local aircraft coming and going, with both Eagles and Strike Eagles about:-

Unfortunately the F-16s never turned up, choosing instead to delay their return to Denmark by 24 hours, so the highlight was Pave Hawk 89-26209
I stayed at the airport for a very enjoyable three hours - here is the log

84-0027 McDonnell Douglas F-15C-38-MC Eagle
86-0154 McDonnell Douglas F-15C-41-MC Eagle
86-0160 McDonnell Douglas F-15C-41-MC Eagle
86-0174 McDonnell Douglas F-15C-42-MC Eagle
86-0175 McDonnell Douglas F-15C-42-MC Eagle
86-0176 McDonnell Douglas F-15C-42-MC Eagle
89-26209 Sikorsky HH-60G Blackhawk
91-0300 McDonnell Douglas F-15E Eagle
91-0301 McDonnell Douglas F-15E-51-MC Eagle
91-0303 McDonnell Douglas F-15E-51-MC Eagle
91-0307 McDonnell Douglas F-15E-51-MC Eagle
91-0318 McDonnell Douglas F-15E Eagle
91-0321 McDonnell Douglas F-15E-52-MC Eagle
91-0326 McDonnell Douglas F-15E Eagle
91-0327 McDonnell Douglas F-15E Eagle
98-0134 McDonnell Douglas F-15E Eagle