Lakenheath F15s & F35s

[Latinbear]

With the Easter holidays over, the F35s in town and some reasonable weather forecast I thought it was time for my first visit to Lakenheath to see the action. As proof that there is no monopoly on good ideas a local chap I got talking to told me that in the year he'd lived near the base he had never seen the viewing area as busy as it was on the day I chose to visit. Suffice to say parking was a challenge.

 

Having seen the Lightning 2 at RIAT I was keen to see it again. Without wishing to spark a debate on the aircraft's merits I can't decide whether I like it or not. It looks a bit small and ungainly and not really a fighter compared with the F15, F16, Typhoon etc. but I would like to gain a better understanding of what it can do and the technology embedded within its airframe and systems.

 

In the afternoon I popped over to Mildenhall to see if anything was happening but it was deader than a dead thing in the dead of night so I gave up and went home. As part of my exploration I wandered down to Folly's Road to find the chain link fence has been clad in green sheeting starting about three feet up to just below the top of the chain link fence. A local spotter told me it was a recent development and was motived by the Americans' concerns that the spotters are too close to the aircraft stands at that point. He was bemused as I was as to why the sheeting didn't begin at ground level so it seems rather pointless if the aim is to stop people looking in.

 

1. I took this and the and the next three shots perched on a six foot step ladder on the other side of the private road trying to get away from the infernally high chain link  fence and barbed wire topping. It really does get in the way!

 

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4. It won't win any prizes but I quite liked the silhouette .

 

5. This one and the next few was taken from the land next to the landing lights.

 

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8. We were treated to several go arounds.

 

9. I don't have an airband scanner so I don't know what the story is here. However, I'm guessing that the aircraft about to land had a problem because a couple of fire engines went tearing off down the runway after it once it had touched down. The escort then did several circuits before landing.

 

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16. The two aircraft ahead gives an idea of the spacing.

 

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22. This crew must have been on punishment duty. All it did was go round and round and round........and round.

 

23. This Herk took off earlier in the day. Its return caught me unawares.

 

Thanks for looking.

[Alpha Delta 210]

Looks like you picked a good day for the weather and action. Some great shots of a nice variety of types! (Still prefer the Eagle, though....)

[bentwaters81tfw]

Nice pics....BUT....if people keep standing under the approach like that, the military will CLOSE the viewing area. Standing under the approach is considered a security threat.

2 hours ago, Latinbear said:

 

 

 

Thanks for looking.

It came very close when the Raptors were here. The regular spotters who use the approved area keep cleaning up the FOD. PLEASE keep to the approved viewing area, or LOSE IT ALTOGETHER.

 

http://www.fightercontrol.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=49&t=145124

[Latinbear]

1 hour ago, bentwaters81tfw said:

Nice pics....BUT....if people keep standing under the approach like that, the military will CLOSE the viewing area. Standing under the approach is considered a security threat.

It came very close when the Raptors were here. The regular spotters who use the approved area keep cleaning up the FOD. PLEASE keep to the approved viewing area, or LOSE IT ALTOGETHER.

 

http://www.fightercontrol.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=49&t=145124

 

Thank you for the compliment re the pictures which is appreciated. I'm not sure whether your post is intended as general advice or admonishment. If it's the latter then as I state, this was my first visit so I think I can be excused for not knowing the form and there were plenty of people in the same area as me not all of whom were there for the first time I imagine. Had there been signs up saying "Please keep out because....." then I would have respected the instruction as there is as on the land adjacent to the viewing area. Perhaps there needs to be some form of discussion over the viewing area between the military and the enthusiasts because there simply isn't the space to accommodate the number of people/cars that I saw last Tuesday. Incidentally, my car was parked on the road leading to the viewing area and not on the A1065 which I would regard as a dangerous and inconsiderate place to park. Unless it is either closed or some form of control via ticketing is introduced then it will continue to be a problem when an event of interest such as the F35s occur.

 

As for littering there can be no excuse for this and the highways and byways of our green and pleasant land are a national embarrassment in my view.

[bentwaters81tfw]

It is general advice, as I know this will be read by many. I also appreciate the interest generated by the F-35. I make occasional trips myself, although I have yet to go this year. I would not think for a moment that someone like yourself with a true interest in aviation, and the dwindling opportunities to view military jets at close quarters, would knowingly leave FOD or cause our American friends concern. The posts on Fighter Control indicate steps are being taken to ensure the safety and convenience of all. There was instances a few months back of people shining laser pointers at F-15s landing at night.

The viewing area at Mildenhall was closed some years back for similar reasons, although there is John's Field, but that is monitored and controlled by the owner. Thankfully there is a good relationship between the bases and the regular spotters so they get unofficial info to act on before it gets unpleasant.

Happy spotting.

 

[Latinbear]

12 hours ago, bentwaters81tfw said:

It is general advice, as I know this will be read by many. I also appreciate the interest generated by the F-35. I make occasional trips myself, although I have yet to go this year. I would not think for a moment that someone like yourself with a true interest in aviation, and the dwindling opportunities to view military jets at close quarters, would knowingly leave FOD or cause our American friends concern. The posts on Fighter Control indicate steps are being taken to ensure the safety and convenience of all. There was instances a few months back of people shining laser pointers at F-15s landing at night.

The viewing area at Mildenhall was closed some years back for similar reasons, although there is John's Field, but that is monitored and controlled by the owner. Thankfully there is a good relationship between the bases and the regular spotters so they get unofficial info to act on before it gets unpleasant.

Happy spotting.

 

 

Your first reply happily accepted in the spirit in which it was intended.

 

 

[RidgeRunner]

While I'm not a regular at Lakenheath, or in fact any base nowadays, it is clear that if you push the boundaries too far something will give. If those individuals should not have been where they are shown then any and all actions taken by the security organisations should fall firmly on their shoulders. Nowadays it seems too easy to side-step rules and "chance it"  but as many in the 70s and 80s discovered the tolerance only goes so far. So, if you are one of those putting that slightly greater shot (to whatever extent)!ahead of security and the interests of your fellow enthusiasts then shame on you. 

 

I intend end to visit the Heath this year, my first since the mid-1980s. I hope the facilities enjoyed by many are still there for all.

 

Martin