Ben Gurion Intl Airport (LLBG) (MIL) 2017

[Starman]

Very welcome visitor today is FAC B737 1209 "Cronos" perhaps related to the test flight of an unidentified Kfir yesterday. Apparently one two-seater is on rebuild, another is being converted from a C-7, with two more singles in final stages (for ATAC?).

[AK01]

Perhaps not related, but do you have by any chance also a FACh C130 serial 991 overthere?
It was plotting earlier this week over the med and seemed to have descended into your area.
Pieter

[Starman]

Not seen it today, but haven´t been out to the ramp, will have a look later.

[AK01]

Just noted that another one FACh990 was heading east over the Med last night. Last plot was Tel Aviv.
So the FACh991 during the night of the 21st/ 22nd and the FACh991 during the night of the 22nd/23rd.
Perhaps for picking up the Kfirs?
Pieter,

[Starman]

OK, some Spanish translation issues here, the FAC to whom I refer was Colombia who are getting some Kfirs, allegedly. As the Croats, Argies, Swiss and no doubt as host of others are reportedly after Kfirs, I doubt there will be enough for the Fuerza Aerea de Chile as well. Are we talking about the two new KC-130Rs 160014 & 160628, do we know which is which? Neither was at Ben G this evening but they could be going to IAI at Nevatim for upgrades similar to those performed on the RMAF examples. Also, FACh Herks have been known to visit Ovda to collect stuff in the past, but what do I know.

[AK01]

OK, some Spanish translation issues here, the FAC to whom I refer was Colombia who are getting some Kfirs, allegedly. As the Croats, Argies, Swiss and no doubt as host of others are reportedly after Kfirs, I doubt there will be enough for the Fuerza Aerea de Chile as well. Are we talking about the two new KC-130Rs 160014 & 160628, do we know which is which? Neither was at Ben G this evening but they could be going to IAI at Nevatim for upgrades similar to those performed on the RMAF examples. Also, FACh Herks have been known to visit Ovda to collect stuff in the past, but what do I know.

Oops my mistake, sorry for that, both are indeed Chile AF C130's. I have no tieup for any of them.
I can see FACH991 is now (21.45Z) showing West of Beja departing from Palma de Mallorca. FACh990 allready went west yesterday.

[Starman]

Another Moose-fest* this week for the "postponed" VPOTUS visit, the megastar 00220 (McChord) plus 77178 (McGuire) and 00215 (437) were here Sun/Mon 17/18Dec, but then, after dropping their stuff off the visit was "postponed" - whether this was a Priti postponement "Mr Pence was only visiting family friends" or a John Hoynes postponement "Mr Pence has a sore ..... throat" is unknown. Either way, three totally unremarkable Moose are on their way in as we speak, 60001 and 44136 from Incirlik (not arrived by the time I left) and one from RS the 77172 (Travis) c/s RCH369.
* Moose-fest "modern Israeli holiday when the spotters get excited, planes land, we graph them, we eat roast Moose".

[AndyMarden]

Obviously the Moose-fest over-excited you as you logged 00220 twice with different units

[Starman]

Indeed, corrected. In my excitement I forget the two AMI C-130Js this week, MM62181/46.46 on Sunday and the equally dull MM62194/46.60 yesterday. Not sure but possibly due to the delivery of the 2nd G550 (anyone can verify this?)

[Starman]

Good morning from Ramstein East (fake news).
The VPOTUS party is back in full swing with a prial of Moose here this morning ahead of "Six´s" visit this afternoon,
55140 from March, 99206 from the 437th and the quite demur 99210 all the way from McChord AFB WA. Tick!

And if 27000 feet away still counts as Ben Gurion movements, a "shehecheyanu"* today (in my year of watching) as KC-10A 60031/Gold91 just went OTT heading West (nothing in tow). Whilst French KC135FRs and Italian B767 tankers are regulars on J10, this is the first USAF Tanker I´ve spotted (*from a Hebrew blessing kind of means revival of life).

His lordship arrived Sunday afternoon in C-32A 90004 and by this morning a 4th C-17 had arrived, 33124/437th

A particularly pleasing postscript to the VPOTUS party is the appearance today, Thursday 25th, of the perfectly proportioned 33127 of the 62nd AW. Peachy!

[Borispole]

A few more recent LLBG mil moves:

21-Feb 05-4613 C40C

14-Mar 07-7184 C17A 437AW

19-Mar 08-3173 C130J 317AW plus another unidentified, answers on a postcard.....