NATO 25th Anniversary of the AWACS
On 17th June 2007 Jetwash Aviation Photo's visited Geilenkirchen Air Base in Germany for the 25th anniversary of the Boeing E-3A Sentry in NATO service. A small static display was on show from various NATO members to commemorate the event.
The AWACS (Airborne Warning And Control System) unit was formed in January 1980, with the first aircraft being delivered in 1982. The aircraft utilised by the unit consist of three Boeing 707 TCA's (also known as CT-49A) and seventeen E-3A Sentrys. Eighteen E-3's were originally delivered but one was written off on 14th July 1996.
AWACS Boeing E-3A Sentry LX-N90443 looking superb in the morning sun with its anniversary scheme.
MM7006 Tornado IDS from 154 Gruppo / 6 Stormo Italian Air Force based at Ghedi
Spanish Air Force CASA 295 from Ala.35 based at Getafe
Royal Norwegian AF F-16AM from 338 Sqn
Hungarian Air Force SAAB Gripen from the 1 Squadron/59 Tactical Fighter Wing based at Kecskemet.
The Hungarians also brought a twin stick aircraft with them to display.
German Air Force Eurofighter 2000B from JG.73 based at Laage
4122 a recently delivered Hellenic Air Force C-27J Spartan based at Elefsis near Athens
2427 a Cougar from the French Armee de Terre fitted with a Horizon radar pod fitted
AG.51 Tornado IDS from the German Air Force at Schleswig-Jagel in northern Germany
Miroslawiec based 8 ELT Sukhoi 22UM-3K Polish Air Force
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Unfortunately ex-WARPAC aircraft are not too familiar sights in European skys any longer as the majority of
them either have been or are being replaced by Western types such as F-16's and Gripens.
60+03 German Navy P-3C CUP Orion from MFG-3 at Nordholz.
These ex-Dutch Navy aircraft are replacing the venerable Breguet Atlantic's previously utilised by MFG-3
Another 338 Sqn F-16AM from Norway