It all started with a very well run 4Aviation trip to Thailand, one of my bucket list countries and actually one of the two of that list I could tick off this year.
This pic below is from a Royal Thai AF F-16A flying its demo at Korat during Children;'s Day 2013.
Next came a trip to the USA, again courtesy of 4Aviation which included my first ever trip to Red Flag at Nellis AFB, Nevada. Especially the Agressors had my special attention.
The other Flag exercise I attended was Frisian Flag at Leeuwarden. It spelled the farewell of the Mirage F.1 at least in this annual KLu drill.
More sedate in nature but at cycling distance from my home is the Oostwold Airshow.
The annual (or at least up until recently annual) Royal netherlands Air Force Open Days had many interesting acts in the flying programme at Volkel. One of the more unusual even when they were still in service is Sweden's SAAB Viggen. This one of course being in civilian hands now.
Again thanks to 4Aviation, I was at Konya to witness Anatolian Eagle.
Another farewell. At Wittmund the German Luftwaffe said goodbye to the mighty Phantom. I would like to remember the F-4 like this, pulling g's and smoke!
At the end of the summer there was the long and hot airshow at Kecskemet, Hungary. My main driver to go was the presence of the Russian Knights!
A few weeks later there was the German Navy's 100th anniversary at Nordholz. The Marine displayed a.o. this former Dutch Navy Orion.
Autumn came with another exercise, Saudi Green Shield at Coningsby bringing Typhoons and Tornados to the UK.
We're nearing the end now, but first to Albacete in Spain and the TLP.
And finally, the awesome CRUZEX Flight 2013 exercise at Natal, Brazil. My second "bucket list country" of the year. Another farewell, this time to the Brazilian Mirage 2000.
Thanks for looking!
Hans.
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