Large numbers of motor bikers gathered for the first time since five years at Melsbroek Airbase on May 30th to participate in the 12th edition of the Indian Day motor rally. Notwithstanding the long interruption, more than 2,000 shiny motorbikes found their way to the large platform that is normally occupied by large transport aircraft.

 The Indian Day is organised by volunteers of the 15th Wing in support of a number of charitable causes, among which the International Multiple Sclerosis Organisation in the MS clinic in Melsbroek, SOS Children Villages in Kisangani in Congo and, of course, FONAVIBEL. After the rally, a number of young MS patients were offered a ride on a bike. Their faces were as shiny as the bikes they were riding on.

Shiny bikes and fast jets.

Heavy metal.

 Spanish Air Force Lockheed C-130H Hercules T.10-10/31-07 (c/n 4841) of Zaragosa based Ala 31 was present at Melsbroek Airbase in the framework of the Open Skies Treaty of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). The OSCE Open Skies Treaty entered into force in January 2002 and aims at establishing a regime of unarmed aerial observation flights over the entire territory of its 34 signatories. It is designed to enhance mutual understanding and confidence by giving all participants the possibility to obtain information on military or other activities of concern to them. The BENELUX, Canada, France, Greece, Italy, Norway, Portugal and Spain are all Hercules operating signatories of the treaty and jointly use a converted C-130 fuel tank with sensors for their observation flights. The pod is stored and maintained at Melsbroek Airbase and is seen here being carried on the port wing of the aircraft.

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© Jos Schoofs (June 2009)

Last updated 03/06/09 13:22   Daniel Brackx

daniel.brackx@telenet.be