Page 15 - AirForces Monthly - Issue 381 (December 2019)

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THE LUFTWAFFE’S Transall landmark for
Lufttransportgeschwader 63
(LTG 63, Air Transport Wing
painted C-160D to celebrate Lufttransportgeschwader 63
63) has prepared a specially
400,000 flight hours for the
type with the wing stationed
at Hohn in northern Germany.
The milestone was achieved
on August 26 and celebrations
took place at the base on
September 18. Transall 50+72
was decorated with special
markings for the event. The
first Transall touched down at
Hohn on June 13, 1968 and LTG
63 will continue operations
with the type until the end of
2021. The wing operates ten
Transalls; two of these are
deployed to Niamey in Mali,
of which one is in a medical
evacuation configuration. Marcus Fülber
Rare Spanish customs

Aviocar on show
FOR THE first and perhaps ‘72-63’ and T.12B-71 ‘72-
the last time, one of the C212 71’, all displaying the new
Aviocars operated by the registration system adopted
Ejército del Aire (Spanish by the air force. Ala 72 is the
Air Force) on behalf of last Spanish unit operating
the Servicio de Vigilancia the veteran CASA before
Aduanera (SVA, Customs its impending retirement,
Surveillance Service) using the type mainly for
participated in the National paratrooper training and light
Day parade over Madrid transport. In addition, a few
on October 12. Aviocar customs aircraft are operated
TR.12D-81 ‘72-24’ was part of by the unit for coastal patrol
Aviocar TR.12D-81 ‘72-24’ at Getafe on October 11. It was one of 76 military aircraft to participate a four-ship Ala 72 formation, and are easily distinguishable
in the National Day parade over Madrid alongside the SVA’s civilian-registered AS365N3 also comprising transports by their white, blue and
Dauphins. Roberto Yáñez T.12B-62 ‘72-62’, T.12B-63 grey livery. Roberto Yáñez
SIAI-MARCHETTI S208M as a lieutenant with the Italian

MM62007 ‘60-43’ heads a Air Force, Ferrarin, together 60° Stormo remembers epic flight
line-up of specially marked with his colleague Guido
aircraft of the Aeronautica Masiero, completed the 4,970-
Militare’s (Italian Air Force’s) mile (8,000km) flight from
60° Stormo (60th Wing), Rome to Tokyo in 109 flying
based at the historic Guidonia hours between February 14
air base, on the outskirts and May 31, 1920. The two
of Rome. The unit’s work pilots flew Ansaldo SVA 9
includes providing air two-seat biplanes, each
experience flights during carrying his own engineer. For
Corsi di Cultura Aeronautica the two-week deployment to
(aeronautical culture courses) Thiene, beginning on October
for high-school students. 17, the five S208Ms received
During the final session of celebratory stickers on the
the year five S208Ms were tailfins to commemorate next
deployed to the airfield at year’s centenary of the flight.
Thiene, near Vicenza in the These feature the face and
Veneto region, the birthplace signature of Ferrarin on a
of the pioneering aviator background of the Italian and
Arturo Ferrarin. While serving Japanese national colours. Daniele Mattiuzzo
In Brief

French Navy to acquire Falcon 50 used in this role. The Secretary of the US Air helicopters. Six Black Hawks quotation (RfQ) for the HX
Advanced Hawkeye Black Hawks Force Barbara Barrett has are due to replace the three fighter programme on October
The French defence ministry cleared for Croatia selected Luke Air Force Base, Hips and three AS365N3+ 31. The defence ministry sent
has confirmed plans to The US State Department Arizona, as the candidate Dauphins mainly used for the revised call for tenders
replace its three E-2C has approved the sale of two to host the Belgian F-35A search and rescue. A letter to Dassault Aviation (Rafale),
airborne early warning and UH-60M utility helicopters Foreign Military Sales Formal of offer and acceptance Eurofighter (Typhoon), Boeing
control aircraft with a similar to Croatia, adding to the pair Training Unit, for up to seven is expected to be signed (F/A-18E/F), Lockheed Martin
number of E-2Ds. An order already set to be donated by years, starting in 2023. A by the end of next year, (F-35A) and Saab (Gripen
for the Advanced Hawkeyes the US government next year. site survey will be competed leading to initial deliveries E/F) and confirmed a price
is expected next year, as is Announced on October 30, at the base later this year. by the end of 2024. cap of €10bn (US$11.15bn).
a contract for seven Falcon the potential Foreign Military Lithuania selects UH-60M Revised RfQ for HX Responses are to be
2000LXS Albatros maritime Sale is worth US$115m. Lithuania’s defence ministry fighter programme submitted by January 31,
surveillance aircraft to Belgian Lightning II has chosen the UH-60M to The Finnish Defence Forces leading to a final decision
replace the Guardian and training at Luke AFB replace its Soviet-era Mi-8 issued a revised request for on the platform in 2021.

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