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Post by Ykato on Feb 12, 2011 11:31:27 GMT 12
Iowa Air National Guard headed to Australia The Iowa Air National Guard is sending about 125 airmen to Australia for a three-week long training mission known as "Sentry Down Under" with the Royal Australian Air Force. The Guard's contingent will include members of the 132nd Fighter Wing in Des Moines and the 185th Air Refueling Wing of Sioux City. The aircraft will include F-16 fighter jets and KC-135 air refueling tanker aircraft, said Col. Gregory Hapgood, Jr., the Iowa National Guard's public affairs officer. The Iowans will begin leaving on Sunday and will be at RAAF Base Williamtown in New South Wales. The United States and Australian militaries have a long history of interacting together, but this is the first time the Iowa National Guard has had the opportunity to participate in this coalition exercise, Hapgood said. www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-ap-ia-iowaguard-austral,0,2756206.story News Video on this Story Located Here: www.kcci.com/news/26814148/detail.html |
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Post by corsair67 on Feb 12, 2011 13:06:26 GMT 12
Good to see this kind of thing happening, and I hope that it becomes a much more regular occurance in the future.
The Oregon ANG were the last National Guard unit to train with the RAAF at Williamtown, and that was back in 2008 or 2009, if my memory serves me correctly?
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Post by mcmaster on Feb 12, 2011 15:04:55 GMT 12
Yes Chairman Kaga Corsair67 memory serves you correctly, was 2008 ;D
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jaybee
Squadron Leader
Posts: 122
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Post by jaybee on Feb 13, 2011 7:14:02 GMT 12
The timing means that the Iowa ANG F-16s will be in Aussie about the same time as the Avalon airshow. Wonder if they will supply the F-16s promised for Avalon?
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Post by corsair67 on Feb 13, 2011 12:36:17 GMT 12
The timing means that the Iowa ANG F-16s will be in Aussie about the same time as the Avalon airshow. Wonder if they will supply the F-16s promised for Avalon? Maybe. Here's what they look like -  |
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Post by ZacYates on Feb 13, 2011 19:38:21 GMT 12
Pretty exciting stuff for Aussie spotters! I may not be such a big fan of the Falcon but I would love to see US fast movers all the same :-)
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Post by Ykato on Feb 15, 2011 10:00:09 GMT 12
Forum Posts from Jetspotters.com Re: USAF Attendence Avalon: I can only confirm what ACC is planning to send to the Australian Air Show. We are sending two B-1s for flyovers and static display, assuming we can coordinate what we need for airlift. PACAF is looking at sending (but I can't really speak for them) their F-16 Demo Team, and two F-22s, a C-17, a KC-135 and a B-52 for static displays. AMC is looking to send a C-130J for static display. That's all I'm aware of, and as I said, I can't confirm PACAF and AMC's plans. www.jetspotter.com/forum/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=11962&start=105 |
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Post by baz62 on Feb 15, 2011 15:14:32 GMT 12
Should nip over the Tasman and do a low pass over the Beehive. Then we can go to the Govenment "Now what would you have done if they intended to drop a bomb on you? Use harsh language?" Bring back the combat wing fools!
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Post by strikemaster on Feb 15, 2011 22:09:39 GMT 12
Oh Baz, they could throw stones.  Looks like Avalon is ramping up nicely. Pity the F-16's are oop north. |
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Post by Ykato on Feb 16, 2011 16:44:27 GMT 12
The timing means that the Iowa ANG F-16s will be in Aussie about the same time as the Avalon airshow. Wonder if they will supply the F-16s promised for Avalon? Looks like The MH-60Rs for avalon are coming from here: The USS Shoup Ships Flight: The ship's next port of call is expected to be Melbourne where her two helicopters will take part in Avalon International Air Show early next month au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/wa/8842958/its-ship-shoup-in-fremantle |
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Post by beagle on Feb 17, 2011 20:41:56 GMT 12
Pretty exciting stuff for Aussie spotters! I may not be such a big fan of the Falcon but I would love to see US fast movers all the same :-) If Helen hadn't got in all those years back, then you would have been seeing them pretty regular with kiwi roundels on them. |
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Post by corsair67 on Feb 17, 2011 22:58:26 GMT 12
And they'd be getting their mid-life update by now, wouldn't they - if they'd entered RNZAF service?
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Post by Dave Homewood on Feb 17, 2011 23:09:02 GMT 12
No. They'd have been sold/lease termianted due to budget cuts. The RNZAF can't afford the little it has now. Do you really think they'd have paid for upgrades on aircraft not needed in a benign environment? |
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Post by corsair67 on Feb 18, 2011 0:14:25 GMT 12
No. They'd have been sold/lease termianted due to budget cuts. The RNZAF can't afford the little it has now. Do you really think they'd have paid for upgrades on aircraft not needed in a benign environment? Dave, don't be silly; as if that would have happened.....  ;D |
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Post by Ykato on Feb 18, 2011 21:48:20 GMT 12
Apparently the Iowa F-16s Arrived Williamtown Approx 6.45pm & 7.40pm NZ time this evening in two groups.
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Post by mcmaster on Feb 22, 2011 11:28:43 GMT 12
Exercise has started at Willy, few shots and videos available on the ANG website. Apparently, first job was to get the US guys up to speed on local road rules. www.132fw.ang.af.mil/ First flight ANG F16 with 2 OCU Hornet  Some ex RNZAF A4 guys here might be familiar with the revetments area the ANG a/c are parked |
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Post by dumpynose on Feb 22, 2011 11:43:57 GMT 12
It promises to go very well.
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;D