8 June 2009 – Trapani AFB
The occasion today is really special: not one, but 2 Air Force pilots, together, reach the 1000 flight hours on the F 16. Both are in service to the 37th of Trapani, one at the 10th Group and the other at 18 °.
For the occasion were prepared 2 Special Color which will be celebrated this event. The Ryanair flight that takes us from Bergamo to Trapani takes off on time and after less than 2 hours, in anticipo, we have our feet on the ground in Sicily. The weather is fabulous: clear skies and hot at the right point. Today will be a great day.
While we wait for the bus that will take us in the military feel some take-off. Poco male, beccheremo them to return.
The day is organized as one Spotter Day and all those present have great experience of how to behave in a military airport. The treatment that we reserve the personnel of the 37th is of great benefit: free movement between the parked aircraft with the covenant not to obstruct those on the move and do not create dangerous situations. So we behave. In addition to various F 16 sono in base anche un paio di Eurofighter del 36° Stormo impegnati in esercitazioni con AIM-9L Sidewinder “live” sotto le ali. We can follow the taxiing distance really very short and operations spolettamento occur at Canon.
Here go the Falcon that we have heard before take off. They too are plenty canonized. Quickly we approach the highlight of the day: pilots start their cars while the celebrated turn away in a van to move into a shelter on the other side of the track, where are kept the 2 Special Color.
The departures follow each other tight. The photographers are on the track and the F 16 pass us over the heads with a very low share. For the past take off the Star of the day.
Che dire……STUPENDI !!!! Very different but both beautiful. They wear the colors of their respective groups and stand out against the blue sky in a superlative. After a passage in the formation planes are separated and begin a whirlwind of steps with turns and climbs dizzying tiratissime.
Eventually they are landing and we carry to a parking area to photograph taxiing. Even in this situation, we are very close and the excitement is high.
Eventually, after the celebration of the rite, decide to really give everything. Specialists position us millimeter aircraft in favor of sun, prima uno e poi l’altro, and so finally we throw.
At the end of the day we take the plane with a lump in my throat. We met many friends and spent an unforgettable day. So we would need one every year.
To you photos
