NEWS 2004

Stampe Vertongen SV4B C-GSLN, better known to us as V-20 of the Belgian Air Force has been put up for sale by its owner Greg Yaneff.  Stampe V-20 entered service with the Belgian Air Force on 27 March 1951 and was auctioned at Koksijde in October 1971, going to the Canadian Armed Force Flying Club at Baden Söllingen in Germany.  Follow this link for more information and who knows a special New Year’s gift.

SN Airholding has said that the Belgian regulators have approved the merger of low-fare airline Virgin Express with full-fare peer SN Brussels Airlines.

The “Godfather” of Belgian aviation research, Guy Destrebecq has left us. Guy passed away after a very brave but unequal fight against his illness. Guy was “incontournable” when research on Belgian aviation was done. After each question asked, he turned up the next day with a tiny hand-written piece of paper containing a treasure trove of information on the subject. No Belgian aviation book was complete without Guy’s name mentioned; it was definitely a seal of quality for your work. Guy’s optimism and sharp humour always cheered up the mostly very serious and silent libraries where he did his research. Guy, we all wish you a safe last flight. (Click here for a picture of Guy)

From 1 January 2005 onward, Belgian airline SN Brussels Airlines will no longer use "paper" tickets for its European destinations. As a result the passengers will only need their identity card/passports. SN claims this will benefit the passengers since they can no longer lose, forget or get the ticket stolen. Moreover boarding will take less time: self check-in means 15 seconds and no queue at the desk.

Further to the news-item on the Helios IIA satellite, it has been announced that the Belgian Defence will have the right of use of Helios IIA for 18 minutes each day until 2012. This is the result of an investment of 2.5 % towards the costs of this French spy-satellite or in clear, 79 million Euros and an annual fee of 3 million Euros for exploitation costs. Equipped with infra-red cameras, Helios IIA can look through clouds and can be used at night. The satellite orbits earth 14 times in 24 hours.

VLM Airlines announces the further expansion of its network with the launch of a new route from Brussels to Southampton.  The business airline will operate two weekday flights and one on Sundays from Monday 10 January 2005.  The move strengthens VLM Airlines presence in the Belgium-UK market where it already operates six weekday flights from Antwerp and five flights from Brussels to London City.

An acquisition proposal concerning the installation of an additional auto-protection system for the Belgian Defence Lockheed C-130H Hercules transport aircraft has been withheld from proposal to the Council of Ministers “to make a last technical check on the proposed industrial compensations”. Since years Flemish politicians are complaining that the majority of the industrial compensations are systematically directed to the Walloon region of the country.

As already announced (news of 22/11), a first batch of unmodernized F-16s was transferred by road from the Weelde Storage Center to the Depot of Rocourt near Liège for definitive dismantling. Two more batches will leave Weelde on January and February 2005 involving a total of no less than 31 aircraft. All the useful parts stripped off the aircraft will soon be put up for sale on the second hand spare parts market.

Thomas Cook airline Airbus A320-214 (c/n 1787), registered OO-TCJ, has been observed wearing an appropriate Christmas fuselage decoration.

The European Commission, the 25-nations EU's regulator, has given its blessing on the take-over of 70% of the current Brussels International Zaventem airport operator, BIAC, by a subsidiary of the Australian group Macquarie, the Macquarie Airports Brussels SA (MABSA), at a cost of 735 million Euros. Half of that amount will go to the Belgian State and half to the current private shareholders. The Belgian State will keep a 30% stake and is said to hold on to its share.

The emerging Belgian airline, BEAP (Belgian Employees Aviation Promotion) has announced the postponement to 10 January 2005 of its first flight from Brussels to Lomé, Togo. Originally this first flight was planned for 23 December. This decision was taken after the indictment for blackmail and money laundering of the General Manager of the Dutch Exel Aviation Group, the company that should initially provide BEAP the aircraft and the requested licence to fly to Africa. (See news of 02/12)

Brussels South/Charleroi Airport (BSCA) welcomed its 2,000,000th passenger - M. François Magnée - of 2004. It is the first time that such a number of passengers is reached by the Charleroi airport. It also means that, according to European Union rules, the airport services must be opened to competition. Therefore, BSCA will no longer be able to offer a special handling rate to its main customer, the Irish budget airline Ryanair. New agreements should be negotiated soon.

The sixtieth anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge remembrance programme culminated at Bastogne by a solemn ceremony in presence of King Albert II and the Prime Minister at the Mardasson Memorial. Having taken off from Bierset airport, two Dakotas dropped 17 American paratroopers from Oklahoma and Indiana over the ceremony. One of the two aircraft involved was DC-3 "Fifi Kate" N-47FK / NF-L (c/n 9700). Although registered in the USA, this "Dak" has been based in England since 1995. She received her current Royal Air Force D-Day invasion markings in 2001.

Arianespace has successfully launched from its Kourou base (French Guiana) the Helios IIA new generation military surveillance satellite for the French, Belgian and Spanish MoD's. Placed in sun-synchronous orbit at an altitude of 700 km, Helios IIA is said to be able to spot objects as small as a textbook anywhere on Earth. Equipped with infrared sensors, it is expected to allow gathering information at night from space despite it will not be able to see through clouds - unlike satellites with radar technology. Thanks to a 2,5% Belgian participation in this 10-year, 1.8 billion Euro programme, the military specialists of the Evere based National Imagery Intelligence Center will have, for the first time, an independent access to self determined satellite pictures. A second "spy in the sky", already named Helios IIB, should be launched in 2007. Satellites of this type are expected to last at least five years.

On 19 July 1994, the Fuerza Aérea de Chile (FACh) purchased 25 stored Belgian AF Dassault Mirage 5Bs. Among those aircraft were 20 MirSIP upgraded Mirage 5s (15 M-5MAs and 5 M-5MDs) but also one unmodernized M-5BD and four reconnaissance M-5BRs. Locally designated “Elkan”, they were all delivered to the FACh at Cerro Moreno airbase between March 1995 and March 1996. The four recce M-5BRs were used to replace the obsolete Hawker Hunter FR.Mk 71 operated by the Air Group N° 8, with the lone Mirage 5 BD (725 ex BD-12) serving as trainer aircraft for the group until she crashed in 2001. Restored to display status this aircraft has been erected as gate-guardian at Cerro Moreno AB in 2002. In the meantime M-5BR n°722 (ex BR-25) joined - also restored after an accident? -  the Chilean National Air and Space Museum of Los Cerrillos at Santiago de Chile late 2001, where she's currently on display. Click here for a picture.
Another unidentified Elkan has been put on display as gate guardian at the Air War Academy of Las Condes on April 2003.

A Belgian ULTIMA 14/255 (B-76 (fuselage) / T-54 (wings)) target drone, in full Belgian military markings, was recently discovered hanging in a trade center at Breda in the Netherlands (Modern electronics/Perry Sport address: Ginnekenstraat 38 A/B - 4811 JH Breda). Why, how and when this drone arrived there is still unknown. Designed by Philip Avonds of Scale Jets, the ULTIMA 14/255 drones are in service with the 14 AAA Regiment of LANDCOMP at Lombardsijde. These 2 m. wingspan all composite radio controlled vehicles are primary used as targets for the Mistral's AA missiles firing campaigns. More details about the ULTIMA 14/255 at: http://users.skynet.be/cph01/index.htm or http://www.avonds.com/Target%20Drones.htm

The brushing of the Belgian law is slowly but surely going on. Among the outdated laws cancelled by the appropriate Parliament Commission is the one concerning the yearly registration of the homing pigeons by the military authorities. End of an era.

Thick Autumn fog on 13 and 14 December, delayed the transfer by air to the Weelde airbase of six F-16AMs (FA-58, FA-65, FA-66, FA-74, FA-76 & FA-88) which are to be placed in long term protective storage . All the aircraft landed at Weelde airbase on 15 December. This operation was supported by three 5th Squadron SF-260 Marchettis (ST-40, ST-44 and ST-47) picking up the Florennes based F-16s pilots and returning them home, while those of the nearby Kleine-Brogel airbase returned home more conventionally by car.

Techspace Aero is participating in the development of new technologies to reduce polluting emissions from aero engines in the framework of the "Antle" and "Atos" technological research projects. These two projects are led by Rolls-Royce and financed, in part, by the European Commission and the Walloon Region. Furthermore Techspace Aero has also signed a €700 million contract with General Electric for the design, development and construction of parts of the GEnx (General Electric Next Generation) engine that will equip the future Airbus A350 and the projected Boeing 7E7 (soon to be renamed B-787?).

Following a visit to Congo and Benin, the Ministry of Defence has announced that he is willing to support the deployment of a Beninian battalion of UN Peacekeepers in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2005. This support would include the loan of twelve Land Component Pandur 6x6 wheeled armoured vehicles and the airlift to Congo of the about 650 Beninian Army "blue helmets" by Belgian Air Component's aircraft. Furthermore Belgium will support the creation and training of the 2nd Congolese Army Brigade by South African instructors at Kamina, providing five instructors and transport aircraft between 7th February and 29th April 2005.

The Air and Land Components will conduct low level flying exercises over the Provinces of Luxembourg and Namur code named "Poppy Blue" between 13 and 17 December. The purpose of “Poppys” type of exercices is to train Air Component's F-16 pilots and Land Component's Forward Air Controllers (FAC) in working together. The FACs mission is to direct control air strikes on the front line. All the Poppy Blue targets and Low-level Flying Areas (LFA) are located south-east of Marche-en-Famenne. Two LFAs' will be used: the LFA 02 (located north-west of Bastogne), mainly between the 13th and the 15th December, and LFA 04 located between Beauraing - Vonêche - Wellin - Villers-sur-Lesse) on 16th and 17th December. About half of the flights will be conducted at low-level, the planes descending over the targets as low as 250 feet (80m).

Belgocontrol, the autonomous public company in charge of the safety of the air navigation in the Belgian civil airspace and at the Belgian public airports has presented its statistics for the month of October 2004. It has observed a global movements increase of 3,37% compared to October 2003. Surprisingly Brussels National Airport recorded a decrease of 3,27%. We have to go back to October 1995 to find inferior movements figures. The four regional airports registered together an 13,02% increase of their movements. Antwerpen, Charleroi and Liège registered an increase in the number of movements and Oostende a decrease of 1,98%.

VLM (short for 'Vlaamse Luchttransportmaatschappij') Airlines set an all time record by welcoming its 500.000th scheduled passenger for 2004 to its network. So far for 2004 the airline has achieved an increase of 31% in passenger numbers compared to the same period last year. VLM Airlines started operations in 1993 and is a independent European airline, based in the key business centre of Deurne Antwerp. With its fleet of 14 modern Fokker F-50 turboprop aircraft, VLM Airlines focuses on serving regional business centres through convenient fast-track airports.

Belgium and NATO signed a MoU on 8 December handing the responsibility for managing and carrying forward the construction of the new NATO Headquarters to the Belgian Government. The agreement paves the way for the start of the construction of the new Headquarters, which will be located across the street from the existing 1967 vintage Evere's buildings. The design for the new Headquarters, was selected through an international architectural design competition and announced on 23 January 2003. The new HQs will be erected between 2005 and 2013 on what was once the Haren-Evere Airport and is currently the Air Component base of Evere-North or King Albert I barracks. The future of some historical buildings of this site - as the Art Deco famous Avia Palace - is still uncertain.

Former Belgian F-104G Starfighter is displayed at the Air Victory Museum of Lumberton (NJ, USA) in Royal Netherlands AF guise. Starfighter FX-81 (c/n 9139) was manufactured by the SABCA Gosselies and served with the Belgian Air Force between February 1965 and April 1982. After decommissioning the aircraft was sold to Asco Industries NV/SA. and stripped off all her useful parts. The airframe was purchased on 1989 by the Air Victory Museum of Lumberton (New-Jersey - USA) and shipped to the United States where she was restored to represent an early 1960's F-104G of the Royal Netherlands Air Force (D-8090).

The Belgian based budget airline Virgin Express has reported a doubling of third-quarter net profit to 3.4 million Euros. These results were announced as the group prepares to join force with rival SN Brussels Airline in a merger expected to be finalized between March and June of next year. The agreement will (should?) halt rivalry between the groups, both of whom are based at Brussels' Zaventem Airport.

Air Polonia, the first true Polish budget airline which a.o. started flights between Warsaw, Katowice, Poznan and Brussels South Charleroi Airport (BSCA) last March, cancelled all its flights as from Sunday due to lack of liquidity. The suspension of the Air Polonia flights won't hit Charleroi Airport hard as most of these connections to Poland have already been taken over by the Central European low-fare airline Wizz Air. This last company has just received 25 million Euros in private equity funding from a consortium, which ensures adequate capitalisation for the next two to three years.

The Beringen communal authorities and the Danish company Borealis have recently expressed their concern about the regular presence of military aircraft in the airspace over the petrochemical production plants of Paal (Beringen) to the MoD. As two others registered Seveso-class plants share the same industrial complex, the MoD has now transformed the Paal-Beringen area into a No Fly Zone for military aircraft.

The Council of Ministers approved the conclusion of an open maintenance contract with Air Depot Kjeller of the Norwegian Defence Logistic Organisation for the Belgian Defence Seaking’s Rolls Royce Gnome H-1400-1 engines. Also approved was a contract of logistic support for the Air Component US-built systems and weapons sub-systems through the Foreign Military sales procedure. Moreover, in order to cover the unexpected costs of recent foreign operations, energy price, salaries etc. the Ministers authorized extra Defence expenses for 2004 that have to be compensated by a revision of some future expenses and structural savings.

A group of former Sabena workers, joined into the Belgian Employees Aviation Promotion or BEAP, hopes to be able to set up a new Brussels based airline before the end of the year. The intention is opening a new passenger¹s air bridge between Brussels and West-Africa. If everything goes on, the first flight to Lomé (Togo) should take place on 23 December. Further destination could be Bamako (Mali), Lomé becoming a regional hub for the new company. All the needed Air Operator¹s Certificate (AOC) and aircraft (two Boeings 767-300 and two Boeing 737-300) were announced as to be provided by the ExelAviationGroup Holland also presented as one of the airline's financial partners, but this has been since denied by the Dutch company. ExelAviation having only agreed to carry out one flight for BEAP later this month.

At the request of the United Nations World Health Organization (WHO) Belgium will provide an Air Component C-130 Hercules to transport pharmaceutical furniture¹s between Brindisi (Italy) and Abidjan (Ivory Coast).

Six MLU upgraded F-16AMs should arrive next week at the Weelde Storage Center to be placed in long term protective storage: three aircraft of 2 Wing (FA-58, FA-66 & FA-88) on Monday 13 December followed by three ships of 10 Wing (FA-65, FA-74 &  FA-76) on Tuesday 14th. Reserve or alternative dates include 15th, 16th and 17th December. The storage of these fighters is programmed in the framework of the last Defence White Paper update of December 2003 (Plan Directeur /Stuurplan 2003) reducing gradually the Air Component combat fleet from 90 to 60 F-16s until 2015. Air Component's MLU F-16s already on storage at Weelde are FA-60, FA-61, FA-73, FA-75, FA-78 and FA-90.

"To help a friend", a Belgium based individual put up for sale four MiG-27 Tumansky jet engines on eBay. Item number: 4506499854; Four MiG-27 Tumansky R29B-300 Jet Engines and Afterburners; Starting bid: US $200,000.00; Ended: Dec-01-04 20:34:45 PST; Quantity: 1 lot (4 items each); Cost per item: US $50,000.00 each (Not sold individually); History: 0 bids; Item location: Belgium. An almost common advertisement on the online auctions eBay homepage except the location of the seller and the items. This Belgium based seller presents himself as an intermediary for one of his friends, a trader having received these engines as payment on a deal with Russians. This auction closed without bidder.

SN Brussels airlines consolidates its European net by offering more flights to Bucharest, Porto and Barcelona through codesharing agreements. The flights to Bucharest are organised with TAROM operating Boeing 737 as of 1 December, the flights to Porto are organized with Portugalia and its Embraer ERJ 145 and those to Barcelona (Spain) with Iberia but flown by SNBA Avro RJ-85 and RJ-100 as of 5 December.

After nearly 30 years of service with the Belgian AF, Fouga CM-170R Magister MT-5 (c/n 262) and nine of her brothers in arms were put on storage at Koksijde airbase in 1979. They were all quickly sold to Israel Aircraft Industries' (IAI) and shipped to the Middle East. On 1989, eight of them, including the MT-5, were purchased by Aces High Ltd (UK) and transferred to the United States where they were put up for sale. The MT-5 (c/n 262) was purchased on 1990 by M. James Goodwin a US aircraft pilot. She was then restored to flying status in her full original Red Devils guise with the US registration: N216DM.

As from next summer the tour operator Thomas Cook Belgium starts a weekly flight between Brussels and Sri Lanka/Colombo that will be operated by the charter airlines Belgium Exel with a Boeing 767. Belgium Exel also operates since the 1st of November a weekly flight Brussels-Phuket (Thailand) and should also fly to Zanzibar and Kenya and will replace Condor and its Boeing 757, on the flights to Goa (India). Established early 2004 to operate the Thomas Cook long haul flights, Belgium Exel has currently one Zaventem based Boeing 767-300 (PH-AHY c/n 24848) this aircraft is maintained by Sabena Technics. Follow this link for pictures

The restoration to flying status of the Deurne Stampe & Vertongen museum's Fokker D.VIII (N111EV) US-built replica is in its final stage. The aircraft was successfully engine tested on 4th November and should be flying again in 2005. She's now in the colours of the Lt. Albert Van Cotthem Fokker n°17 military racer as seen at Wilrijk in 1920.

The four A109BA Hirundo helicopters and about 50 support personnel dedicated by Belgium to the Eufor should be deployed at Tuzla in northern Bosnia (instead of Mostar, as previously announced) around the 15th of January 2005. The homebase of this detachment should be the former US "Eagle Base" of Tuzla and its airport. The four helicopters will be transported to Bosnia by C-130 Hercules to avoid a hazardous winter ferry flight. This detachment of the Wing Heli will be the main Belgian contribution to the European peace force in Bosnia & Herzegovina (Eufor), in the framework of EU military operation Althea. On 2 December the Eufor will take over the mission of the NATO Stabilization Force (Sfor).

Ethiopian Airlines has decided to transfer all flying operations of its subsidiary Ethiopian Cargo from Oostende to Brussels Airport with effect on 1 January 2005. This represents a loss of 226 flights or about 20% of the current Oostende Airport freight activity. This is another setback for the management of this regional cargo airport following the banishment of the old Russian noisy freighters from the European sky on April 2002 and the refusal of its extension projects by the West-Flemish provincial Deputation last October.

Due to unrest in the Ivory Coast, SN Brussels Airlines cancelled its four weekly flights to Abidjan on 7th November. The eleven men Abidjan SNBA based personnel evacuated to Monrovia (Liberia) and were subsequently repatriated to Belgium. On 26 November, after an evaluation of the current political situation in Ivory Coast, SNBA made the decision to resume flights to Abidjan's Houphouët Boigny International Airport as of December 9^th. In a first phase two weekly flights will be offered and depending on the demand SNBA might increase this number of frequencies.

Since November 1st, the Air Component F-16 units have rotated their pilots trough RAF Waddington (Lincolnshire - UK) to practice DACT, a.o. with RAF/RN and French Armée de l'Air fighters, at the BAe Systems ACMI (Air Combat Manoeuvring Instrumentation) facilities. Simulated air combats took place over the North Sea ACMI Range (NSAR), a monitored 30-miles circular training airspace off the English east coast. A permanent batch of nine to twelve F-16AM/BM was provided by 2 Wing of Florennes. Among the aircraft observed by the local spotters were F-16AM:  FA-69, FA-76, FA-81, FA-88 (01-??/11 & 24-??/11), FA-100, FA-103, FA-108 (02-04/11 & 08-??/11), FA-120 (09-??/11), FA-126 (08/11), FA-130, FA-131 (25-26/11), FA-134 (24-26/11), FA-135 (02-04/11 & 08-??/11) FA-136; F-16BM: FB-17 (visitor 10 Wing 22-??/11), FB-18 (01-10/11), FB-20 (05/11), FB-21 (01-10/11). The underlined aircraft were based at Waddington for the whole ACMI period (01-26/11). This Autumn ACMI training period might well have been the last NSAR deployment for the Belgian F-16s. The advent of cheaper "rangeless" GPS-ACMI systems killing the interest of such specific facilities.

• Lieutenant-Colonels BEM D. Verdeyen and L. Gennart to be promoted Colonels BEM.
• Lieutenant-Colonels G. Van Caeter et B. Croes to be promoted Colonels.
• Lieutenant-Colonels BEM G. Suleau et P. Robyns de Schneidauer to be promoted Colonels BEM.
• Major K. Hillewaert to be promoted Lieutenant-Colonel of the Light Aviation.
• Major J. Van Hecke to be promoted Lieutenant-Colonel
• Majors BEM P. Mollet et P. Desair to be promoted Lieutenant-Colonels BEM.
• Major BEM J. Stukken to be promoted Lieutenant-Colonel BEM.
• Major Military Administrator M. Dermul to be promoted Lieutenant-Colonel Military Administrator.
• Major L. Camelbeke to be promoted Lieutenant-Colonel.
• Commandants E. Denis, P. Goffin et D. Di Giovanni, to be promoted Majors.
• Commandants V. Cochain, J. Van De Voorde, D. Naessens, J. Van De Walle, S. Hamels, L. Meys, K. Luyckx, V. Tibax et S. Krolicki, to be promoted Majors

In the Reserve:

• Majors res. J.-M. Blende, M. Coosemans, et M. Krings, to be promoted Lieutenant-Colonels res.
• Majors res. L. Jaucot, M. Anthony, and J.-L. Feuillien, to be promoted Lieutenant-Colonels res.

Some of the vintage Belgian Air Cadets gliders have already been sold and have therefore gained new civil IDs:

• PL-51 Ka 6CR sold 14/06/2004 civil as OO-YCJ ­ CofReg 5409 issued on 15/07/2004
• PL-59 Ka 6E   sold 14/06/2004 civil as OO-YCN ­ CofReg 5410 issued on 15/07/2004
• PL-62 ASK 13 sold 14/06/2004 civil as OO-YCU ­ CofReg 5411 issued on 15/07/2004
• PL-66 ASK 13 sold 18/10/2004 civil as OO-YBV ­ CofReg 5435 issued on 23/11/2004
• PL-57 K 8B  reserved registration OO-YFJ
• PL-58 K 8B  reserved registration OO-YOD

In order to obtain all the appropriate civil certifications, these gliders are first registered in the name of the Air Cadets of Belgium before the official property transfer to their new owners.

As every year the 10th Wing of Kleine Brogel has organized a large scale crash management exercise. The scenario of this years' edition was a collision between a landing C-130 Hercules and a truck transporting munitions. The exercise involved the Limburg emergency services (fire brigades, MUG ambulances, etc.) and Provincial Coordination Group, Medical Doctors of the Neder-Over-Heembeek military hospital as the Defence Crisis Staff of Evere. The main reported problem was a minor radio-communication incompatibility between the rather sophisticated "Astrid" civil communication system and its far less modern military equivalent. A C-130H Hercules (CH-03) of 20 Tactical Airlift Flight/15 Wing as well as a SAR Sea King helicopter of 40 Squadron participated at the exercise.

Between 25th November and 15th December the 80 Squadron is deploying its B-Hunter UAV's to the French airbase of Ventiseri-Solenzara on Corsica. After successful deployments last September and October at Koksijde and at Houffalize, this first - overseas - deployment mark a new operational step for this unit recently dedicated by the Belgian Defence to the Eurocorps. The personnel of the 80 Sqn will benefit of the hilly relief and Mediterranean's mild climatic conditions of the Island of Beauty to improve their qualifications and to gain some international experience. Most probably for Defence budget constraints (see Council of Ministers of 3rd December); the original deployment duration of about one month was reduced to just 20 days.

Four F-16s of the 350 Squadron of Florennes (FA-72, FA-112, FA-128 et FB-20) deployed for a three days visit to Payerne airbase in Switzerland where they practiced air defense training with their local counterparts, the Swiss Air Force F-18 Hornets.

SN Brussels Airlines (SNBA) was named "Best Short Haul Airline of the Year" at the Annual Travel Magazine Awards 2004. This top accolade is voted for by travel agents around Belgium. In winning the award SNBA beats all other airlines operating short routes into and out of Belgium, including all the major full-service operators. It took over this distinction from its current partner Virgin Express, winner of the 2002 and 2003 awards.

Technicians at the Weelde Deposit Centre have started dismantling several of the oldest Air Component F-16A/B's. Stored since the mid 90s, about 35 of these aircraft have never attracted any serious purchaser despite rumours of interest by some Central European and South American countries (even Pakistan). The aircraft are completely stripped off their useful parts and the remaining hulks are transported on trucks for their final destination, the Arsenal of Rocourt near Liège. This would liberate precious space for the previously announced storage of more MLU upgraded F-16s.

In the framework of the sixty anniversary of the liberation of Belgium in 1944 some 111 towns and districts have been - at last - recognized as victims of war and more particularly of friendly fire. Among them is Lokeren, its mayor receiving the honorary diploma of "City or District Victim of War 1940-1945" from King Albert II in a ceremony held at Brussels. On 11 May 1944 an Allied bombardment killed 85 inhabitants and destroyed a complete district of this Flemish town. A photo exhibition and various remembrance ceremonies were organized by the local associations to commemorate this tragic "collateral damage".

The village of Thynes in the district of Dinant commemorated the crash of two RAF Handley Page Halifax III bombers of 51 Sqn (NR129 MH-M) and 346 Sqn (NA557 H7-L) with the death of their 14 crews. Sixty years ago, on their way back home after a night bombing mission above Sterkrade-Oberhausen (Ruhr); the two aircraft suffered a mid-air-collision leading to their total loss by explosion. It was the 21st November 1944. Some relics (blades, engine parts etc.) of this forgotten as tragic event were recently exhumed by Dominique Lechat, a local aviation historian. A small memorial has been inaugurated in presence of several relatives and/or descendants of these Free French, British and Australian aviators.

Lockheed F-104G Starfighter FX-94 has been moved to the roundabout at the N73 road (Kiezel-Kleine Brogel) at the village of Peer. The aircraft was placed as a monument on this spot to accentuate the good relationship between the 10th Wing base at Kleine Brogel at the neighbouring village of Peer. On Friday 19th November the monument has been officially inaugurated despite the fact that, one day before, a car driver, most probably distracted by the F-104, drove into the roundabout ditch.

TUI Airlines Belgium has decided to expand its fleet with one Fokker 100 for intermediate distance flights. The aircraft will join the Zaventem based fleet of 6 aircraft composed of two B737-800: OO-VAC, OO-VAS; three B737-400: OO-TUA, OO-TUB, OO-TUI and one B767-300: OO-TUC (to be delivered very soon). Established on 13 November 2003, this fast growing holiday charter airline (Jetair, VIP Selection, Sunjets and Jet Only) has started its operations on 20 March 2004.

SN Brussels Airlines (SNBA) has ended the third quarter 2004 with a net profit of Euro 5 million but also had  to face the first wildcat strike in its history when some pilots demonstrated against  the new "leave" system by delaying or cancelling some of the morning flights. This company was founded on 2002 and in the heart of many Belgians has taken the place of the bankrupted national carrier Sabena, a company once (also) famous for its rather demonstrative social climate.

Between 18 November and 18 December Belgian Defence participates at the biennial multinational exercise RECAMP IV (Renforcement des Capacités Africaines de Maintien de la Paix) in Benin. This exercise involves nearly 1500 military personnel from 30 different nations. The Belgian participation includes an important medical staff (21 men), a handful of planning and logistical Officers as well as a Lockheed C-130H Hercules transport aircraft with a crew of five.

An F-16 post-crash management exercise with several - simulated - victims was organized at Hélécine near Beauvechain airbase. In presence of some Ministers and local authorities, this widely advertised exercise activated several military and civil services such as the local fire brigade, justice investigators etc. and a 40 Squadron SeaKing. The helicopters of the 24 hours Koksijde airbase alert section are also tasked with the search and rescue mission of crews and/or victims of military air crashes. A real F-16 wreck was used to create an ultimate touch of realism. Such exercises are regularly organized to test the intervention teams, evaluate the procedures and to improve the collaboration between the various services.

As mentioned in the last Parliamentary Defence Commission meeting report, the future of Brasschaat as an airbase is still under consideration and this in spite of some rumours and previous closure announcement of this historical military platform by 2006-2007. Brasschaat airfield is the birthplace of the Belgian military aviation and is still, for one or two years, the home base of what was once known as the School of Light Aviation. Nonetheless and for safety reasons, the MoD has decided to improve the base runway lighting system for a total amount of 100.000 Euros. Work should begin soon.

The Council of Minister has decided a three months extension (up to 15 February 2005) of the deployment of an Air Component's C-130H Hercules at Kabul (Operational since 15 August 2004). The Belgian-Portuguese detachment and its two Hercules freighters is an important element of the tactical transport means allocated to the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF). Reported highlight of this workhorse's job was the transport of the presidential election ballot boxes to the Afghan refugees’ camps in Iran and Pakistan on 9 October 2004. The current main task of the detachment is supplying the ISAF Provincial Reconstruction Teams in the northern part of the country.

The first modernized Dassault Falcon 20E, CM-02, arrived back home on 10 November, after several months of upgrading work at the Dassault Aviation plant at Le Bourget where she was observed  last  August with temporary French civil registration F-WQBN. In 2004 the two Air Component Falcon twinjets have undergone an extensive upgrade which was decided in November 2002. This programme includes renewal of the avionics, installation of new generation engines, a Satcom protected communication suite, new VIP interior as well as a new livery for a total reported amount of 15-20 millions Euros. Modernisation of the second aircraft, CM-01 should be completed by the end of the year with a return to operations foreseen in January 2005.

Former Belgian Air Force Sikorsky S-58 B-15/OT-ZKP now flying as D-HAUG of HPS Helicopter Leasing is active in a fake Luftwaffe colourscheme for a film shooting  from Niederrhein Airport. Follow this link for a picture of this helicopter: http://www.sgniederrhein.net/  (Thanks Benno)

Some three years after the bankruptcy of SABENA, the receiver Christian Van Buggenhout has put some Swiss lawyers in charge of introducing a claim against the SAir Group Swiss board members and Chief accountants at the Zurich penal court. Some investigations would have shown allegations of fraudulent bankruptcy, false balance sheets and swindle. Not to say that such a trial will be an ultimate challenge for the Swiss justice as most of the potential accused were or are members of the local establishment.

The Air Component C-130 Hercules, that has brought to Kinshasa the 24 Belgian military men in charge of organizing the follow up of the Belgian-Congolese Military Partnership Programme, will remain in the Republic of Congo until the 25th of November. Her main task will be the move of the 770 soldiers and 20 vehicles of the 3rd battalion/1st Brigade of the new Congolese Army from Kisangani to Bunia in the north-eastern Province of Ituri as well as shuttle flights to Kananga, Kamina and Kitona.

An Alouette III of the Belgian Marine Flight boarded on the Dutch Royal Navy logistical ship Hr.Ms. Zuiderkruis heading towards Ivory Coast. She had to support the Dutch and French forces deployed to this West African republic. But on Monday 15th, all their nationals having been evacuated and their Abidjan embassy closed until further notice, the Dutch government has cancelled the mission as result the return of the Hr.Ms. Zuiderkruis to her home harbour and of the Belgian Alouette to her homebase.

Deployed at Cotonu (Benin) on November 9th, upon request of the French authorities, the Air Component C-130 Hercules (CH-12) made a first rotation to Abidjan airport (Ivory Coast), on 11th November, where she transported drinking water and picked up expatriates scrambling to leave. In the meantime, a second Belgian C-130 (CH-09) left Melsbroek airbase for Cotonu with a special protection squad for the Belgian embassy at Abidjan. On her return journey, this second ship has brought back to Melsbroek no less than 67 European citizen (among 48 Belgians). The Hercules' were chosen in preference to the Airbus' because of their integrated self-protection system.

Placed under French military control, the Air Component C-130 Hercules (CH-12) that was deployed on November 9th at Cotonu (Benin) did a first rotation to Abidjan airport (Ivory Coast), where he transported drinking water and picked up expatriates scrambling to leave. In the meantime, a second Belgian C-130 (CH-09) left Melsbroek towards Cotonu. On Saturday 13th at 01h30 local, this second ship has brought back to Melsbroek no less than 67 European citizen (among 48 Belgians).

A delegation of the 23rd Fighter Squadron USAFE, based at Spangdahlem AB, participated the Veteran's Day ceremony at the Neuville-en-Condroz WWII Ardennes American Cemetery where several USAAF fallen members are buried.

Due to the restructuring of the Belgian Defence, the Air Component authorities have to put up for sale some 18 F-16MLU - the last of them being currently at SABCA for MLU works! - and 12 Agusta A109BA helicopters (Stored at the Zutendaal barracks)  Still unsold, since previous size reduction plans, are about 35 non-upgraded F-16A/B (stored at Weelde AB) and an undetermined number of vintage Alouette II airframes. Next on the list is the BN-2 Islander twin engine aircraft, which will be withdrawn from use by the end of the year.

Since early September and as follow on to the French-Belgian pilot-training agreement of last May, three Belgian  military pilot candidates have joined two of their French counterparts at the École de Transition Opérationelle at Cazaux (near Bordeaux) for a common Initial Operational Training (IOT) under control of Belgian Instructors and flying seven Alpha Jets 1B+ trainers ( (AT-13 & AT-30 since 28/06; AT-10, AT-14, AT-17 & AT-33 since 16/08; AT-01 since 20/10) now permanently deployed to France. They should be graduated by the end of this year.

At the end of November the Air Component F-16 units will practice live bombing over the Dutch Vliehors range (also known as Cornfield range) on the island of Vlieland. On this occasion a total of no less than 50 live MK82 (500 pounders) should be dropped. Planned dates are: Thursday 18/11 from 10.00 until 12.00 hours local. Tuesday 23/11 and Wednesday 24/11 from 15.00 until 17.00 hours. Monday 29/11 and Tuesday 30/11 from 14.30 until 17.00 hours

In the framework of the European Air Group Atares (air transport and air refuelling exchange or services) programme, Belgium and France have recently signed a bilateral agreement covering the use of the French Armée de l'Air K/C-135FR Stratotankers by the Air Component F-16s. Eight ERV 93 "Bretagne" boomers, already qualified for the "fix boom" air refuelling of the French E-3F AWACS, will start their training for fighter air refuelling with Belgian F-16s from 16 November onwards.

The German express parcel group DHL has decided to establish its international hub at the German city of Leipzig, in preference to the airport at Vatry in France. Originally, DHL planned to establish its main European hub at Zaventem airport, but due to a disagreement with the Belgian government on the imposed night-flights restriction, the company has now opted for the German airport which is situated in a scarcely populated area offering the possibility of unrestricted night time operations.

Belgium is pre-positioning a Lockheed C-130H Hercules transport at Cotonu in Benin in order to be prepared if evacuation of foreign citizens in neighbouring Côte d’Ivoire is judged necessary.  Some 450 Belgians live in Côte' d'Ivoire, principally at the capital Abidjan.

Air Polonia Boeing 737 (SP-KPL) carrying 157 passengers on the Warsaw (Poland) to Charleroi (Belgium) route (flight 4P046) had to make an emergency landing at Zaventem (Brussels) airport after a bomb threat.

Finally it is the Australian group Macquarie Airports who was authorised by the Belgian Government to acquired 70% of Biac (value 735 million Euro), the company managing Zaventem (Brussels) airport .

The Flemish Government has selected a consortium of 'AIM, Flying service, VLM, Bosal and Exmar' to continue negotiations in order to create a private-public association to manage the airport of Deurne.

In a ceremony at Koksijde airbase, Colonel Erwin De Decker has passed command of the base to Lieutenant-Colonel Rudy Theys. Rudy is best known for the very spirited F-16 solo-displays (as is Erwin De Decker of course) and as CO of 31 "Tiger" Squadron. As Commander of the Belgian-Dutch Deployable Air Task Force at Amendola (I.) he participated in the air operations over the Balkan and he totalises 4.000 flying hours, the majority on fast jets. Erwin De Decker confirmed that the Seaking helicopters are to be replaced in the 2009-2010 timeframe and that as of next year one of the machines will be retired. The primary Search & rescue mission can perfectly be fulfilled with 4 Seakings the Colonel said. 

In the coming months, SN Brussels Airlines will have to decide on its fleet renewal. Although no official decision has been made, projects seem to be already in an advanced stage. The current SNBA fleet consists of 6 BAe 146-200 (84 seats), 14 Avro RJ-85 (82 seats), 12 Avro RJ-100 (97 seats), 3 Airbus A 319 (132 seats) and 3 Airbus A 330-300 (264 seats). Very well placed for this lucrative market is the Brazilian company Embraer which is offering its new Embaer 170 and Embraer 190 regional jet aircraft.

SN Brussels Airlines and LOT Polish Airlines renew their codeshare partnership. As of this winter season, both airlines join forces on the Brussels ­ Warsaw route. Five daily flights are offered between the European Capital and the capital of the new EU Member state Poland

Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Guido Van Hecke, President of the Belgian Air Cadets association, accompanied by Gen. Maj. Michel Audrit, Commanding Officer of the Belgian Air Component and President of the Executive Committee of the Belgian Air Cadets, have presented the glider pilot's licence to 74 candidate Flight Cadets so-called "Aspirants" of the 2004 promotion. Read more here

In the near future SN Brussels Airlines will convert entirely to the new electronic ticketing system. On the annual conference of the IAB (Interactive Advertising Bureau), Rob Kuijpers, president of SNBA declared that the normal, paper ticket will then become €15 more expensive.

Ryanair has accepted to reimburse the 4 million Euros it received from the Walloon Region and considered illegal by the European Union. Until the publication of the appeal court’s decision the amount will be deposited on a blocked account

From early February 2005 onward, a Belgian Air Component Brigadier-General Danny Van Laethem will become head of the ISAF Air Task Force (Comd ATF) at the ISAF-HQ at Kabul. This posting will last 6 months and the General will be responsible for all air assets at the disposition of ISAF.

SN Brussels Airlines has integrated the operations of the airline Birdy into its activities. Up to now, Birdy flew the long-distance routes for SN. The more than 40 employees will now be on the payroll of SN and the three Airbus A 330-300 aircraft (OO-SFM, OO-SFO & OO-SFN) have been added to the growing fleet of the company that was created after Sabena's bankruptcy.

 A unique and ultimate opportunity to see an Italian Air Force Lockheed F-104S Starfighter in flight was offered by the 10th Wing at Kleine Brogel airbase. Two Starfighters were invited to the Limburg base in connection with the "roll-out" of restored Starfighter FX-94 which is to be put on display as a monument on a roundabout at the nearby village of Peer. Unfortunately only one F-104 arrived at Kleine Brogel the other machine having developped undercarriage problems.  

Two more Lockheed F-16AM fighters arrived at Weelde airbase to be placed in long term protective storage. Dirk Jansens was there to catch FA-61 and FA-73 on their arrival.

Between 25 and 28 October four Belgian F-16AM fighters of 349 Squadron will be based at the Southern- Swedish base of Ronneby-Blekinge some 180 km from Malmö. The Belgian fighters are to exercise with the Swedish Air Force Saab JAS Gripen in order to test the qualities of the modernised Falcons against this newest of the Swedish fighters. Both aircraft have the most up-to-date equipment to accomplish their air-superiority mission. At the same time this deployment provides the opportunity to the Belgian pilots to train over very scarcely populated areas.

The newest Fokker 50 for VLM Airlines arrived at Deurne airport still registered TF-JMU of its previous owner Flugfélag. This Fokker 50 with c/n 20264 (ex PH-DMB, OE-LFF) will be registered to VLM as OO-VLZ.

On 15 October Agusta A109BA H-14 which was stored at the Zutendaal depot has been transferred by road to the Royal Technical School at Saffraanberg. Although not confirmed for the moment, the helicopter is most probably to be used as instructional airframe at the school.

The refusal by the Belgian government to accept an increase in the number of night flights operated by MD-11 on its intercontinental routes to Brussels as well as the total number of night flights above the imposed 25,000 limit per year has convinced DHL that there was no room for expansion at Brussels. On 20 October DHL informed its personnel that the Brussels operation will be downgraded to a regional base for the company. Some 1,000 jobs might be lost by 2008, additionally some 200 jobs at EAT, the airline of DHL would be lost as well.

The Spanish construction group Ferrovial and the Australian Macquarie Airports are the only candidates left in the privatisation process of BIAC, the operator of Brussels national Airport. Investment bank ING will now start negotiations with both companies. The Belgian State wants to reduce its share in BIAC from 63.56 % to 30 %. The other private investors must still decide whether they are selling their share or consolidate it or sell it.

Sabena Flight Academy (SFA), the ex-Sabena Pilot Training Centre has been acquired as a management buy-out (MBO) by two managers of the company, Jacques Waldeyer and Kris Van Den Bergh. Besides training new pilots at Phoenix (USA), SFA also provides advanced training on flight simulators for commercial pilots. The change of ownership will not affect the personnel on post in Belgium nor the USA.

BAHAAT (Belgian Aviation History Association Archaeology Team) has again successfully unearthed an aircraft that crashed in Belgium during the Second World War.  The Me 109G-6 "10" crashed at Gottem in the Leie region and its pilot remained "missing" ever since.  Not only the aircraft was recovered but also the remains of pilot Lt. Paul Hönle allowing an official burial to be organised in accordance to the wish of Paul's brother still living in Germany. (Click here for more information on Lt. Paul Hönle's Me-109G-6 "10" recovery)

The American unit based at Kleine Brogel airbase since 1962 and tasked with the protection of the nuclear arsenal on that base (although the presence of which was never officially admitted) has changed its name. After a restructuring within the United States Air Force the unit is now called 701e Munitions Support Squadron (701 MUNSS). Previously the unit was designated 52e Munitions Support Squadron (52 MMS).

Sabena Technics has signed a contract with SN Brussels Airlines to provide 4C/5 year-checks on its fleet of Airbus A319. The checks on the 3 medium-haul aircraft of SN will be performed at the Sabena Technics facility in Brussels Airport between January and March 2005

The humanitarian mission in Sudan executed with a Belgian Defence Lockheed C-130H Hercules transport aircraft ended after two months of operation. On request by the United Nations (World Food Program and Humanitarian Coordinator) the C-130H left Belgium for the Sudanese capitol Khartoum on 15 August in order to organise a humanitarian air-bridge to the suffering region of Darfour. During these two months, the aircraft clocked 150 flying hours (6 of which by night), on behalf of different NGO's (World Food Program, World Health Organisation, UNICEF, ...) transporting 230 tonnes of equipment (vehicles, water-containers, water-pumps, telecom-equipment, generators, ...) and emergency help (food, medical equipment, mosquito nets, educational equipment, seeds, construction materials, ...). The aircraft was operating between Khartoum, Genina, Nyala and El Fasser.

On the annual day of the Air Force, Lt. General Marc Van Keirsbilck stated in his speech that Belgian Defence has to replace its combat- and transport aircraft by the year 2015 if it wants to keep on playing a role in the international scene. He praised his predecessors who modernised the F-16 fleet (Mid-Life Update/MLU) and the C-130H Hercules transports, making them fully operational until 2015. After that year the 11 C-130H Hercules transport are to be replaced by 7 Airbus A400M aircraft, but no decision has yet been taken on the replacement of the F-16AM fighter. On long term we have to fulfil the two fundamental roles in air-power; control of the airspace and armed forces projection (transport of/and providing troops). For that reason a fundamental reflection on the future defence effort is needed.

The Elsenborn based 80° Squadron UAV and 31 "Tiger" Squadron of Kleine Brogel are participating from 18 till 22 October in a combined exercise called “Hunter Claw 04, in the area between Bertrix and Neufchâteau.  The 80° Squadron which has recently been integrated in the Air Component will operate its UAV's (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) to assist F-16’s to prepare and assist the planning and execution of ground attacks. This cooperation improves the efficiency of the F-16 aircraft and reduces the risk for collateral damage during real operation.

A Boeing 747 of MK Airlines crashed on take-off from Halifax in Canada after the tail of the aircraft hit the runway. All seven crew members unfortunately died in this accident. At Oostende, where the MK Airlines freighter started off its journey after a 3 day delay for technical problems, there is growing concern about the airline and its aircraft. Recently the company has moved from Manston (U.K.) to Oostende and is considered as unsafe.  A group representing the neighbouring residents has demanded the grounding of MK Airlines but mobility Minister Landuyt has refused to go that far. (Follow this link to Airliners.net for pictures of the ill fated freighter)

The Local Police of the Brussels-West district was able to arrest three burglars with the assistance of a helicopter of the Federal Police. With the help of its sophisticated equipment the helicopter-crew could pinpoint the burglars on a roof trying to brake into a house to escape the police who had surrounded the area. The exact location was transmitted to the police agents on the ground who were able to caught the burglars a few minutes later.

The Belgian Government is prepared to lead the construction of a new complex to house the NATO headquarters at Brussels as NATO could not find an adequate administrator for the gigantic enterprise. Unfortunately the future of one of Belgium's most historic aeronautical buildings situated on the future NATO site is uncertain. The Avia-Palace was the second airport terminal (in Art Deco style) of the old Brussels-Haren airfield on the very spot where Sabena was born. Built in 1924 the building was transformed in 1933 into a café-hotel-restaurant named Avia-Palace. What will future bring? (click here to see the buildings involved)

Belgium will participate at the new "NATO Response Force" (NRF) by detaching amongst others six Lockheed F-16AM fighter bombers. Two years after its creation the NRF has reached its initial operational capability counting some 17.500 troops. By October 2006 the force will be fully operational with 24.000 men. Belgium participates at the force in periods of 6 months. For the NRF-3 (July -December 2004) this country participated with 6 F-16AM aircraft, a tripartite Mine Hunter vessel (CMT) and a specialised CBRN (chemical, biological, radioactive and nuclear) unit. NRF-4 (January-June 2005) will count 6 F-16AM's, one CMT and a medical unit in cooperation with the Netherlands and Germany.  NRF-5 will be limited to the 6 F-16AM's, the CMT and an aerial photo interpretation unit.

After a search of almost three years the guardian of bankrupt airline Sabena, Christian Van Buggenhout, found a buyer for the two remaining Airbus A321 aircraft (OO-SUA & OO-SUB). The transaction value is worth over 35 million Euros. Follow this link to Planepictures.net for pictures of both Airbuses'

The Yankee Air Museum at Willow Run Airport (MI, USA) suffered a disastrous fire that destroyed the historic hangar that housed the museum. The museum staff was able to move the historic B-17, C-47 and B-25 aircraft out of the building, thus saving the heart of the collection. In addition, all the historic aircraft on display outside of the main building were untouched by the fire. While many irreplaceable artifacts, photos and books were lost in the fire, the Volunteers at the museum are thankful that the aircraft collection remains largely intact. Only a small number of non-flyable aircraft that were in restoration inside the hangar were lost.

Four Belgians were killed when the light plane they were travelling in crashed Saturday in eastern France, local officials said. The aircraft left from the Belgian town of Oostende on a flight to a deluxe hotel in a chateau near the city of Dijon. The Piper PA 46 Malibu IT registered N20VP crashed in a wooded area about 15 km) from its destination, killing the two men and two women on board.

Ten Agusta A109 helicopters based at Bierset near Liège have been deployed to the Bavarian base of Grafenwöhr (100 km East of Nunrberg) until 15 October 2004. Missions performed locally by these combat helicopters include life weapon training (Antitank missiles, rockets and machine gun) and navigation flights by day and by night (using night-vision goggles). The 170 men strong detachment is also accompanied by logistical and technical personnel.

Belgium's contribution to the new EU-Force which will take over from NATO troops in Bosnia from mid-December onwards will consist of some 4 Agusta helicopters and 50 men logistical and technical personnel. However, the Council of Ministers still has to approve this detachment to what is called operation Althea. 

New Commander at Kleine Brogel Airbase. Next Friday 8 October 2004, Colonel Gerard Van Caelenberge will transfer command to Colonel Patrick Wouters during a ceremony organised at this Northern Belgian base.

Virgin Express and SN Brussels Airlines have signed a binding agreement in which it is stated that both companies will be managed by the same holding (SN Airholding). The agreement is subject of some conditions such as the approval of the competition authorities in Belgium and Germany. The deal will bring together the two leading operators at Zaventem airport as part of the growing consolidation of the European airline industry.  Sir Richard Branson's airline investment vehicle, Virgin Sky Investments Ltd. (VSIL), which currently holds an 89% stake in Virgin Express Holdings, is expected after the deal to hold a stake of about 29.9% in SN Airholdings.

As already announced last week it is now confirmed that two French Navy "Rafale M" will participate at this month's "Tactical Leadership Programme" ('TLP).  This is a major NATO organised exercise for fighter pilots based at Belgium's Florennes airbase. The Rafales will participate together with two "Super Etendard" fighters at the TLP held between 11 October and 5 November 2004. This is the first participation of the newest French fighter since being declared operational last June. The Rafales are from "Flotille 12F" normally based at Landivisiau (Bretagne, France) but already having been deployed aboard the French nuclear aircraft carrier "Charles De Gaulle" on two occasions for operations in the Afghanistan waters.

Belgian air-defence fighters have already been scrambled 20 times this year to intercept airliners which had technical problems or demonstrated a suspect behaviour. This is the result of a more vigilant follow up of air traffic control in the wake of the 9/11 events in the United States.  As recent as last Sunday (03/10/2004) two F-16AM fighters (FA-76 en FA-129) based at Kleine Brogel had to be scrambled around 14h30L to intercept an airliner on its way between Kuwait and the United Kingdom which did not react on instructions given by ground control.

Between 27 September and 1 October 2004 the Florennes based 2nd Wing deployed twelve F16’s MLU ('Mid-life update') together with its 450 men strong logistics detachment to Neubrandenburg, in Eastern Germany (Mecklenburg-Vorpommern). This deployment formed part of the operational evaluation of NATO's "Reaction Forces" which are optimised to be operational from a forward deployment base in very short notice. Inspectors of different NATO air forces evaluated the 2nd Wing detachment amongst others on their capabilities for mission planning, deployment capacity and Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear-threat protection (CBRN).  Before this successful evaluation, Belgian Defence F-16 units were already active as a "Reaction Force" during the NATO-operations over Kosovo in 1999.

Thanks to a new codeshare agreement with its Spanish partner, Iberia, SN Brussels Airlines will offer daily flights to Sevilla as from this winter season. In addition to the 4 direct flights already operated by SN to the heart of Andalusia, additional flights to Sevilla ­ via a smooth stopover in Madrid ­will also be available.

Between 4 and 8 October 2004 the Air- and Ground-Components of the Belgian Defence are organising a low-flying exercise called "Green Hill III" in the Belgian Ardennes region. The low flying will be concentrated over the province of Luxembourg and "ground targets" will be situated in the "Tenneville" and "Remagne" operational zones. The aim of this low flying exercise is to maintain proficiency in low flying for the pilots and for Forward Air Controllers (FAC) to guide combat aircraft to their designated targets.

Six NATO countries have committed themselves to providing permanent air cover over the Atlantic alliance's three ex-Soviet Baltic states until 2006. Britain has agreed to take the first six-month slot from October, followed by Norway, the Netherlands, Germany, the United States and Poland, said the official requesting anonymity. Currently Denmark is providing air surveillance over the skies of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia, which joined the alliance in March and which do not have their own fighter jets. Danish jets took over from Belgium in July. "NATO has set out a rotation schedule for the next six blocks," said the official, while adding that the planned coverage could be subject to change. Denmark has been due to hand over to Britain on October 1, but the British reportedly refused to send their fighters F-3 Tornado saying that the runway at the Zokniai airbase in northern Lithuania was too short for the planes. "The United Kingdom has agreed to take the next rotation next month," said the official.

Between 6 and 24 September 2004, the Elsenborn based 80° UAV Squadron equipped with the (IAI) Eagle B-Hunter Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV's) have flown over 35 hours over the Belgian territorial waters from their forward operating base at Koksijde. Besides training the UAV operators, the aim of the exercise was to develop and test procedures to identify and control ships polluting the Belgian coastal waters. At the same time these tests served to develop anti-drug smuggling actions and clandestine immigration control in coordination with the Maritime police.

BAHA's sister association, the Belgian Aviation History Association Archaeology Team (BAHAAT) has again successfully recovered a crashed aircraft of the Second World War This time the aircraft involved was a USAAF Lockheed P-38 Lightning flown by 2nd Lieutenant Robert S. Thomson and shot down 61 years ago over Stekene by  Feldwebel Gerd Wiegand of 4.Staffel, Jagdgeschwader 26 flying a Focke Wulf FW190A from his base at Florennes. To find out more on this exciting recovery click HERE

Around 18h30L two F-16AM fighters based at Kleine Brogel airbase (FA-77 & FA-97) were scrambled to intercept an airliner over French territory. The aircraft coming from Moscow and heading to a French airport had lost all radio-contact with ground control. Ten minutes later the fighters had visual contact with the airliner and soon after that radio contact was re-established resulting in the fighters braking off their interception. Armée de l'Air fighters were also scrambled to assist their Belgian colleagues.

Starting from 13 September 2004 a Belgian Defence Alouette III helicopter of the "Flight Marine" will be detached to a Dutch Navy vessel Hr. Ms Rotterdam. The Dutch vessel forms part of the "Belgian-Dutch Task group" which after a training period near the British coast, will steam to the Mediterranean in the framework of "Mediterranean Adventure 2004" which includes participation at the exercise "Destined Glory 2004". This is a major annual exercise organised by the NATO-headquarters for Southern-Europe based at Naples (I.).

On 21 September 2004, French Marine Rafale M Multi-role fighters visited the Belgian airbase of Florennes to arrange their participation in a future TLP (Tactical Leadership Programme) exercise. This marks the first occasion that operational Rafale fighters are deployed to Belgium.

Belgian Defence Seaking rescue helicopters had a very busy Sunday, having been scrambled on three occasions in one day. In the morning the Seaking was scrambled to assist a sailing-boat reported in difficulties. Two men were winched up and flown to Dover (U.K.) were they were arrested after it was found out that they actually had stolen the sailing ship.  Around 16h30L a helicopter was again called to assist a surfer in difficulties off the coast at Knokke. The mission was suspended when the local life-guard "Zodiac" picked up the unfortunate surfer. A third scramble was necessary around 21h30L when a kite-surfer hadn't returned to the beach after nightfall. He was soon discovered by the Seaking crew and after a medical check-up aboard the helicopter it was decided to fly the surfer to the first-aid crews on the beach at Oostende.

VLM Airlines, the largest carrier serving London’s City Airport, has expanded its fleet with the introduction of an additional two Fokker F50 aircraft (OO-VLL, c/n 20144 and OO-VLZ-to be delivered in November), taking the fleet total to 14 aircraft. Over the past 11 years VLM Airlines has been growing steadily with increased frequencies on a number of routes, including the London City – Antwerp service, and the introduction of a number of new destinations to its network. Both the Liverpool – London City route (introduced in February 2004) and the latest addition, Jersey – London City (June 2004) have been a tremendous success, spurring confidence to investigate further expansion opportunities.

On 14 and 15 September, 2 transport aircraft crews (one Belgian C-130H crew and one French, Evreux based C-160 Transall crew) will participate at a sea-survival exercise in the North Sea. The exercise is organised by the COLT (Centrum voor overleving en lichamelijke training) instruction centre and aims at training crews to survive in difficult conditions by using the limited resources provided by their surviving kit.

Dassault Mirage 5BA BA-26, now serving as gate-guardian at the King Albert I barracks at Haren is to be relocated in the Queen Elisabeth barracks in nearby Evere. The aircraft will be put on display adjacent to Lockheed F-104G Starfighter FX-23 (real identity FX-21) already on display for many years. The King Albert I barracks are to be evacuated to make room for new NATO buildings.

The Council of Ministers has agreed to extend with one month the humanitarian mission of a Lockheed C-130H Hercules in Sudan. This decision came as a reaction on the request by the United Nations (World Food Program and Humanitarian Coordinator)

In a meeting between defence representatives and the mayors of neighbouring villages of Kleine Brogel airbase, it was decided that starting from 21 December no night-flying missions will be planned after 21h00 in the evening. During the summer-holiday months the same rule will be applied.

Yesterday, 4 Belgian F-16 AM's returned to their home-base at Kleine Brogel from the German airbase at Schleswig, having attended the annual "Tiger Meet" between 30 August and 6 September 2004. For the second consecutive year N° 31 (Tiger) Squadron was able to capture the famous "Silver Tiger Award" (this year ex-aequo with the German 321 Squadron). As this is the seventh time that this award goes to Kleine Brogel no further proof is needed for the dedication and professionalism of the pilots and ground crews of this famous Belgian airbase.  

The Antonov 124-100 heavy transport aircraft owned by the Antonov Design Bureau (ADB) which was seized at Melsbroek airbase on 18 August is to remain firmly grounded for the time being as a result of a judgement by a Brussels court. When the huge aircraft arrived at Melsbroek to load some 80.000 kg of military equipment for NATO it was immediately seized as the Cypriot company TMR Energy still had an outstanding claim of $ 48.3 million resulting of a contract dispute dating from 1993. The Antonov Company went to the Brussels court to have its aircraft immediately released but the court decided that the complaint was unfounded.  

A third Glaser-Dirks DG-300 Elan glider was delivered to the Belgian Air Cadets. Constructed in 1989, the aircraft (c/n 3E329) was obtained second-hand and was previously registered in Austria as OE-5462. On Monday 6 September 2004 the glider's registration PL-32 was painted on the fuselage. It has also been confirmed that the Ka 8B gliders (PL-53, PL-54, PL-55, PL-56, PL-57 and PL-58) and the ASK 13 (PL-66) will be sold at the end of the glider-season in October 2004.

During the summer months of July and August, the Sea King helicopters of N° 40 Squadron at Koksijde had to be scrambled at 23 occasions. These actions raises the total number of interventions by Sea King helicopters since their introduction to 2163 in which no less than 1273 persons were saved. Belgian Defence maintains at Koksijde airbase one Sea King helicopter in 24 hours stand-by to be able to assist wherever needed in the shortest time. Besides three Agusta A109 from Bierset, three Sea King helicopters also assisted to evacuate some 17 severely burned persons during the dramatic gas-explosion at Gellingen.

Five Lockheed F-16AM fighters of 349 Squadron left Kleine Brogel airbase for the Turkish base of Konya to the South of Ankara. Ten pilots and a detachment of 40 men ground personnel will participate during the next twelve days at the major NATO exercise "NATO Air Meet 2004". This annual exercise which runs from 4 till 16 September will be located at Konya and Incirlik and will include participants of Belgium, The Netherlands, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, United Kingdom, Hungary, Italy, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Turkey and the United States while Estonia and Lithuania will participate as observers.

30 Aug 2004

Between 30 August and 3 September 2004 the Florennes based 2nd Wing will deploy 12 F-16 MLU fighters and a logistical detachment of about 450 specialists to Neubrandenburg, in the Eastern part of Germany (Mecklenburg-Vorpommern).  This deployment is organised in the framework of an evaluation of NATO's "Reaction Forces". These rapid reaction forces have to be able, in very short notice, to deploy to a foreign base and locally conduct operations in the air-defence roll.  Air operations as well as ground support will be evaluated by Belgian and foreign military personnel. In 1999, n°s 1 and 350 Squadrons were already active as a "Reaction Force" over Kosovo as part of the NATO operations.

Four F-16AM fighters of the Kleine Brogel based n° 31 Squadron left for Schleswig, Germany to participate at the NATO Tiger Meet 2004. Between 30 August and 6 September 2004, tail numbers FA-87(Tiger c/s), FA-98, FA-123 and FA-124 with their crews will fly and take part in other social activities together with other Tiger squadrons from all over the world.

Members of BAHA's Archaeology Team (BAHAAT) have unearthed a Focke Wulf FW190 D-9 at Waasmunster. The "long nose" Focke Wulf, "Weisse 3" of 9.Staffel, Jagdgeschwader 54 "Grünherz" participated in the massive New-Years day attack by the German Luftwaffe on all Benelux airbases (Unternehmen (Operation) Bodenplatte). In a surprise attack in the Waasmunster area the fighter was shot down by Pilot Officer Dromlewicz of the St-Denijs-Westrem based 122 (Polish) Wing. The German pilot, Feldwebel Paul Drutschmann luckily could jump by parachute and was taken prisoner. Due to the very marshy grounds in which the aircraft crashed a lot of very interesting items and the complete Junkers engine could be salvaged. (Click here for more info and pics)

On 24 December 1947, Boeing B-17G 44-83790 made an emergency landing on a frozen lake in Canada. The aircraft sunk when the lake thawed in the spring, but on 23 August it was brought to the surface and will be restored to flying capability.

A Belgian Lockheed C-130H Hercules transport aircraft detached to the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan has transported Afghan military personnel to the West of the country in which part violent combats were taking place.

AMS-Flight DG-505 Elan ORION 17/20 glider PL-42 which lost its tail in an accident at Oostmalle in July 2003 has been noted there superbly restored to flying condition and introducing blue tinted canopies. Click here for a recent picture of this aircraft. Grob G 103 Twin Astir II PL-87 on the other hand suffered a very heavy landing on 9 August last at Oostmalle and suffered structural damage around the main landing wheel.

Following a general evolution in the airline industry, SN Brussels Airlines will introduce an additional and temporary fuel surcharge on passenger tickets as from the 26 August 2004. This is in order to partially offset the negative effect of soaring jet fuel prices.

An Antonov Design Bureau owned An-124, has been seized by the Federal Police on demand of creditors after arriving at Melsbroek airbase. The aircraft was to charge Belgian military equipment with destination Afghanistan for the ISAF (International Security Assistance Force).  It was this NATO controlled force which chartered the Ukrainian freighter.

A very rare Brewster Buffalo has arrived at the National Museum of Naval Aviation after the American-made fighter was recovered from a lake in Russia where its pilot, a Finnish ace, was shot down in 1942. Former Marine Corps flight engineer Gary Villiard spent more than a decade searching for the airplane, recovering it from the lake, losing it to the Russian government, regaining it and then threading his way through a bureaucratic maze in the United States. To see pictures of the salvage in Russia follow this link: http://heninen.net/brewster/english.htm

According to the Belgian official  "Radio 2", an Agusta helicopter had to make an emergency landing at Brasschaat. During a training exercise the helicopter (believed to be H-36) had been caught by violent winds which destabilised the aircraft. The main rotor hit the ground and was severely damage. Fortunately nobody was hurt in this incident. The Agusta was to be retired at Zutendaal airbase

The Belgian Air Component's Lockheed C-130H Hercules (CH-01) tasked with flying humanitarian mission in the Darfour Region (Sudan) left today from Melsbroek airbase. This aircraft will transport material, personnel and food in the framework of the World Food programme.

Belgocontrol, the autonomous public company in charge of the safety of air navigation in the Belgian civil airspace and at the Belgian public airports, presented its results for the month of July 2004 with respect to the controlled movements at Brussels National Airport as well as at the regional airports and for overflights. In July 2004, Belgocontrol managed a total of 99,086 movements, which is almost a status quo of plus 0.36 % (+ 352 movements) compared to the same month of the previous year (98,734 movements). Major Belgian airport traffic fo July 2004 is as follows: Zaventem: 22,493 movements  (-1.7 %), Deurne: 8,555 (-4.98 %) , Gosselies: 8,250 (+ 21.15 %), Oostende: 7,737 (-13.77 %) and Bierset: 4,362 movements (+ 21.47%).

The Air Component has acquired a number of ex-Luftwaffe Alpha Jet wing-sets to increase its spare parts reserve. In order to be installed on the Belgian Alpha Jet "B's" the German "A" wing has to be modified slightly.

SN Brussels Airlines has decided to postpone until the end of the year its decision concerning the renewal of the actual fleet of Avro regional jets. SN Brussels Airlines operates a fleet of some 32 RJ85 and RJ 100 airliners. This delay is logical in the light of the merger between Virgin Express and SN Brussels Airlines which is now also expected by the end of this year.

Both Dassault DA20 Falcons’ of the Belgian Defence have been noted with Dassault Aviation at Le Bourget airport (F.) The two twinjets are undergoing an extensive upgrade programme including renewal of the avionics as well as the installation of new generation engines. CM-2 has received the temporarily French registration F-WQBN while CM-01 is still completely stripped of all its paint.

The Sudanese government has agreed that a Belgian Lockheed C-130H Hercules transport aircraft is to be deployed to the East African country to transport humanitarian aid to the victims of the Darfour crisis. Already on the 26th of June the Belgian Government had authorised this humanitarian mission but only now the Sudanese Government is willing to accept the aid. (See also below)

Belgian Defence is ready to deploy a Para-commando company (1 Para of Diest) to Afghanistan in the framework of the reinforcement of its participation in the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF). Belgian troops deployed to Afghanistan will then number 620. In addition to this, a Lockheed C-130H Hercules transport, crewed and maintained by some 20 men will also be stationed at Kabul in the framework of the Belgo-Portuguese detachment. The transport aircraft will fly tactical missions for ISAF from mid-August onward and this initially for a period of three months.

After the tragic gas explosion at Ghislenghien/Gellingen, Belgian Defence Minister André Flahaut, dispatched at least three Seakings, two medevac equipped Agusta A109BA's, as well as some Alouette II's and an Alouette III helicopter to the site of the catastrophe.

Ryanair is planning to restart its activities from Oostende airport. The Irish low cost airline has introduced an official request to start later this year direct flights to Rome and Girona in Italy from the coastal airport.

On 28 July 2004 between 15h00 and 19h00 the Russian Federation will make an observation flight over the Benelux and the United Kingdom. A Russian team flying an Antonov 30B (Black 04) will make aerial films and photographs of this part of Western Europe in the framework of the "Open Skies" agreement.

 Danny Coremans of DACO Publications announced the release of the next book in the range "Uncovering the...", titled "Uncovering the Northrop T-38A / AT-38 / T-38C Talon", which is the first one in a new range "Throttle & Stick" by Willy Peeters.This publication contains 80 pages with 250+ all colour pictures of the outside fuselage details, cockpits interiors, landing gear, maintenance and 1/72nd scale drawings (drawn by Willy Peeters). The price for this book is 19.75 euro (about US$ 25.00). See the website for the postage.

For the first time in its history, SN Brussels Airlines has developed this summer season a huge charter activity. During the weekends of July and August, up to 40 holiday flights are operated. In the course of the upcoming weekend for example, 16 aircraft of SN Brussels Airlines will fly holidaymakers to European sunny destinations.

The first post-war new construction Focke Wulf FW190 A8/N made its successful maiden flight from Manching/Gammelsdorf in the hands of Horst Philipp, test pilot for this remarkable initiative by Flug Werk GmbH in Germany. In the currently tested regimes, the aircraft behaved as predicted, just as the original. The months to come will be filled with an extensive test program, in order to further explore the flight envelope and fine-tune all systems. More information can be retrieved from the Flug Werk GmbH website under www.flugwerk.de. 

The Council of Ministers approved the following files:

- Negotiation-procedure for a multi-annual services contract for initial and recurring training on C-130H flight simulator for aircraft personnel.
- A contract concerning the support on "Depot Level" of the AACMI (Autonomous Air Combat Manoeuvring Instrumentation system) Flight Profile Recorder for F-16AM. (see also below).

Wizz Air, a new low budget airline company has started four weekly regular flights between Gosselies/Charleroi and the Hungarian capital of Budapest.

Luc Partonne, Director General of Bierset airport declared that he is willing to accept the DHL Company at his Liège location if environmental restrictions around the Zaventem airport are blocking expansion plans of the company. Bierset already houses the other express deliver company TNT. Partonne also confirmed that the Bierset runway is to be lengthened by some 413 meter (total length 3.7 km) in order to be able to accept all types of intercontinental aircraft.

The airport of Gosselies (BSCA) has received a very expensive revision of its tax-bill. Following the European Commission's decision to declare illegal all subventions granted to Ryanair, the Belgian fiscal services adjusted the tax-bill of the Gosselies airport management company by 10 million Euros.

The first pictures are available of the newly delivered single-seat gliders of the Belgian Air Cadets. The two  Glaser-Dirks DG-300 Elan gliders have been registered PL-30 and 31 and are operational at Oostmalle and Weelde respectively. The Belgian Air Cadets have budgetised two more DG-300's for this year. Since this year the gliders have been given a somewhat modified colour scheme. They all have "Belgian Air Cadets" stencilled on the fuselage and the familiar Air Cadets roundel has disappeared. The aircraft earmarked for withdrawal have their c/s not being altered. Click here for pictures of PL-30 and PL-31. 

The Council of Ministers has also approved the multi-annual agreement for the hire of electronic evaluation systems to monitor F-16 exercises over the North Sea. The contract will be concluded with BAE Systems (UK) the only company able to provide such services.  At the same time it was agreed that Belgium is to supply a C-130H Hercules transport aircraft for the period of 3 months (renewable once) as contribution to the ISAF (International Security Assistance Force) in Afghanistan.

A proposal, filed by Defence Minister André Flahaut, for Belgium to become member of the Weapons System Program (WSP) as well as for the signing of a multi-annual agreement of unlimited duration with the NATO Maintenance and Supply Agency (NAMSA) for the logistical support of the TOW missile equipping the Agusta A-109BA helicopters, has been approved by the Council of Ministers.

An Alouette III helicopter, normally based at Koksijde airbase, has concluded its anti-drugs campaign detachment in the Caribbean.  In the framework of the multinational anti-drug campaign, Belgium and The Netherlands are working together for the third time. In each case the Belgian Defence detached an Alouette III helicopter on board a Dutch frigate, in this case Hr.Ms. Van Galen.

BIAC has received a new environmental permit for 20 years to continue its management of Zaventem airport. The actual maximum level of 25.000 night movements has been maintained and will be subject to revision in function of the results of negotiations with DHL. This is a very controversial and illogical decision by the provincial deputation of Flemish Brabant in the light of the huge number of noise complains by the inhabitants of the surrounding cities and villages. Zaventem airport has been completely surrounded by habitations in the last 20 years.

Suriname International Victory Airline (SIVA-world), a new airline company, will soon offer twice-weekly flights between Suriname and Belgium, pending final regulatory approvals, SIVA-world managing director Siemboedat Ramautar said.

The Belgian Air Cadets recently have started to replace their vintage Ka 6 and ASK series of gliders by some new state of the art machines. As already mentioned elsewhere on this page Grob G 102 Astir CS Jeans (c/n 2104 ex D-7999) PL-74 arrived on 5 February 2004, followed on 23 April 2004 by as second aircraft of the same type, PL-75 (c/n 2002 ex D-7494). On 11 June the first Glaser-Dirks DG-300 Elan (c/n 3E140 ex PH-783) registered PL-30 arrived, followed one day later by a second example (c/n 3E071 ex D-3347) registered PL-31. On 10 June the following gliders were sold: PL-51 (Ka 6CR), PL-59 (Ka 6E) and PL-62 (ASK 13), the sale of PL-40 (ASK 21) is imminent. PL-42 (DG-505), which had an accident at Weelde last summer, has been repaired and is back in service since the beginning of July. The exact type designation for the DG-505 has been discovered to be AMS-Flight type: DG-505 Elan ORION 17/20.

Under the authority of Swedish Brigadier General Bengtsson from the European Union Military Staff the transition of the European Airlift Coordination Cell (EACC) to the European Airlift Centre took place at the Royal Netherlands Air Base Eindhoven on 5 July 2004. Member states of EACC are Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, Spain and the Netherlands, while Norway currently has the status of Associated Participant. The EACC was founded in 2001. It results from a 1999 Franco-German initiative, aiming at the formation of a future "European Air Transport Command". The goal of the EACC/EAC is to improve and optimise the effectiveness and efficiency of the utilisation of European Air Transport and Air-to-Air Refuelling (AAR) resources. The EACC is achieving this by successfully coordinating and optimising the use of airlift and tanker capacity for the benefit of its member Nations.   

Lt. Col. Richard Marchal, C.O. of the 80° Squadron UAV has confirmed that the Elsenborn base B-Hunter UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) ordered in 1998 has reached initial operational status. Only this week, the former 80° Artillery Battery unit, passed from the Land Component (former Belgian Army) to the Air Component (former Belgian Air Force) at the same time adopting the new designation 80° Squadron UAV.  

Notorious transport pilot Jean-Luc Feuillen retires from the Belgian Air Force (Comopsair). Click here to know more about his career.

Today Belgium concluded the three month operation "Baltic Air Policing" at the Lithuanian airbase of Zokniai near Siauliai.
Click here for a full feature on this event.   

The bankruptcy of Sobelair has been judged null and void by the court of commerce in Brussels. The charter company is now considered in state of liquidation in stead of being bankrupt. The planned public sale of materials and goods is to take place as planned. Everything possible will be sold, from the portable PC to perfume flasks, refrigerators, plates and spoons.

German airline Lufthansa and the European aircraft maker EADS plan to make a joint bid to provide NATO members with military transport aircraft, an EADS spokesman said. NATO was expected to tender for bids for the contract, worth an estimated one-billion-euro (1.2-billion-dollar), in the autumn. Lufthansa and EADS would set up a joint venture that would lease up to six Russian-built Antonov 124-100 aircraft for strategic long-distance transport. The fleet could also be extended to include the giant Airbus Beluga aircraft, the spokesman added.

The Council of Ministers has approved to dispatch a Lockheed C-130H Hercules transport aircraft on a humanitarian mission to Darfour (Western-Sudan). The Hercules of the Air Component will be deployed to Khartoum during the month of July to transport humanitarian aid to different NGO (Non-Governmental Organisations), according to Minister of Defence André Flahaut.

The Belgian Armed Forces are organising the annual "Defence Days" at the "King Albert" barracks at Marche-en Famenne and on a second location at nearby Hotton. All components of the armed forces will be presented in a dynamic way often allowing the public to participate in the action. Highlight of both days will be a demonstration of aeromobility in which ground troops, tanks, helicopters and F-16 fighters will be involved.

Between 13 and 24 June a group of five 493rd Fighter Squadron, 48th Fighter Group  9th Air Force veterans and relatives visited Belgium and in particular their former home-base of Sint-Truiden. Their unit operated from this base between October 1944 and March 1945. The veterans also visited their former airfield A-4 in Normandy, some American cemeteries, the Royal Technical School at Saffraanberg to conclude with a base visit of Kleine Brogel. 

On 28 June 2004, the first two modernised Belgian "Alpha-Jet" trainers are to leave Beauvechain airbase for Cazaux (Gironde, France) in the framework of an agreement to create a Franco-Belgian fighter-pilot school. The two aircraft and some accompanying technicians will help familiarise French ground-crews with the Belgian trainers which have slightly different equipment compared to the French Alpha Jets.

Belgian Minister of Defence, André Flahaut is studying the possibility to organise a humanitarian operation in Darfour. This Western Sudanese region has been hit very hard   by a civil war which already caused the death of an estimated 10.000 inhabitants. This proposed mission comes in response of an appeal for humanitarian aid by U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan and could consist of a Lockheed C-130H Hercules capable of dropping food supplies.

Two F-16AM fighters of Kleine Brogel based 10th Wing were scrambled to assist an airliner which had lost all radio-contact with ground control while flying over Belgian territory. Both fighters have made a visual identification of the aircraft after which radio-contact was re-established using the backup set of the plane. In military language, this type of alert interception is called "Alpha Scramble", which indicates that it is not one of the frequent training missions, but "the real thing".

The functioning framework of the European Defence Agency was approved by the Foreign ministers of the European Union on June 14th in Luxemburg. The Agency, planned to be operational before 2005, will notably aim at developing defence capacities, research, procurement and armament. The agency will be placed under the authority of a steering committee composed of the ministers of Defence. The High representative of the European Union will chair this authority.

The Dutch airport of Schiphol as well as the German company Fraport (which runs the airport of Frankfurt, Germany) have both made an offer for the Belgian airport of Zaventem (near Brussels). Both parties offer an estimated 400 to 500 million Euros to obtain some 70% of the shares in the state-owned operating-company BIAC. It is known that the Belgian government wants to keep 30% of its shares. Even more airport groups have expressed an interest in Zaventem Airport, including Charles de Gaulle (Paris), Copenhagen and Vienna as well as some British and Australian financial groups.

Two Belgian Air Component F-16AM fighter stationed at the Zokniai airfield in northwestern Lithuania as part of the NATO Baltic air-policing mission got their first taste of action when the planes were dispatched to intercept a suspicious aircraft approaching Estonian airspace. On the morning of June 2, radar operators in Lithuania detected a low-flying plane in Russian territory flying 160 kilometers north of Tallinn. The aircraft was identified as an IL-18, a cargo plane. After failed attempts to contact the pilots of the plane, which was flying without a registered security signal as required by international regulations, the decision was made to scramble two F-16s to make a visual identification of the aircraft.
Before entering NATO airspace, the IL-18, which was first produced in 1959 and later became the "workhorse" of the Soviet air forces, had been followed by Finnish F-18 fighters. As the Il-18 turned away the NATO planes were called back by Central Command.
As both fighters went supersonic over Riga many Balts, were aware that something unusual was going on. NATO officials did not rule out the possibility that the plane in question was on a spying mission aimed at testing the effectiveness of NATO's air-patrolling system.

On 16 and 17 June a Bulgarian "Open-Skies" inspection team will fly observation-missions over the Benelux with an Antonov An-30 aircraft. This is the fourth operational mission over our country executed in the framework of the "Open Skies" treaty signed in 1992 and effective since 1 January 2002. These observation flights are flown with unarmed aircraft in the airspace of some 30 countries in Europe and North America, from Vancouver (Canada) to Vladivostok (Russia). The missions are intended to establish mutual trust between the former cold-*war enemies.

Bruno De Wouters has just finished the restoration of Schleicher Ka.2b Rhönschwalbe OO-SZD to its former glory in Sabena colours. Click here to see the exclusive pictures. The glider is expected to be in the air very soon.

Since end of May 2004 the runway of Elsenborn airfield has been completely renewed. This was done as the old runway's inclination was a restrictive factor for safe operations with the B-Hunter UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) of the Belgian Armed Forces.  Operations are expected to resume very soon.

Belgian Ground Component's Alouette II A-46 has been transferred to Zutendaal airbase to be placed in protective storage.

Belgium's SN Brussels Airlines said it was moving back to normal schedules to Kinshasa after being forced to cancel two flights because of deadly violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

On 5 and 6 June 2004, several formations of F-16 fighters are taking part in the ceremonies organised to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Allied landings in Normandy. On Saturday 5 June 2004 two Belgian F-16's will make a flypast at Deauville near the Pont des Belges , were a Belgian-French ceremony takes place. On Sunday 6 June, a formation of 4 F-16AM's will participate in flypast organised by the French Armée de l'Air at Arromanches.  All Belgian aircraft will operate from the Northern-French base of Cambrai.

BAHA member Jean-Luc Beghin, world famous for his cockpit artwork, discovered some extraordinary colour pictures of German V-weapons displayed on the Antwerp Groenplaats in the summer of 1945.

More on this exposition can be found in Contact N° 5 on pages 21-24.

Belgian Military colour schemes for civil SIAI Marchetti's are definitely en vogue. Since a few months, two civilian owned SF.260 aircraft are flying in pseudo Belgian Air Force (Air Component) colours. In Lakeland/Florida, during the Sun 'n Fun Fly-in 2004, Bob Rongé discovered Siai Marchetti SF-260D N406FD (c/n 771) masquerading as ST-06/yellow c/s. Click here to see Bob's picture. Vincent Pirard discovered another civil Marchetti in Belgian c/s in Germany. The aircraft registered D-EDUR (c/n 110) (ex OO-HAP, F-BRUR, OO-RUR) has been crudely painted to represent the camouflaged ST-26 which is still operational at Beauvechain. Click here to see D-EDUR  

During the very successful 14th "Stampe Fly In" organised by the Stampe & Vertongen Museum at Deurne airport Fokker D.VIII N111EV which crashed 2 years ago at Schaffen Diest was displayed in the final stages of its restoration to flying condition. It is now painted in post WWI Belgian Aviation Militaire colours wearing Evere airshow presentation number 17.

Over a period of six months, Belgium is to double the number of troops deployed in Afghanistan. Minister of Defence, André Flahaut on a visit to Kabul in company of Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt also revealed that probable as of the month of June, a Lockheed C-130H Hercules transport aircraft is to be stationed at Afghan capital.

Hungarian low-cost airline Wizz Air will be operating from Charleroi (Gosselies) airport from 15 July onward. Starting on that date, Wizz Air will propose 4 weekly connections with an Airbus A320 to the Hungarian capital Budapest. Wizz Air is the fourth airline to use Charleroi after Air Service Plus (Pescara) and Air Polonia (Katowice and Warsaw) and of course Ryanair.

The French defence Minister Michèle Alliot-Marie has signed a "mutual declaration" which will lead to extended cooperation in the field of fighter pilot training between France and Belgium. The training which will start next august will be held at Cazeaux (S-W France).  Some of the modernised Belgian Alpha Jet trainers will be based at Cazeaux. According to Belgian sources the first two aircraft are expected at the base south of Bordeaux by the end of next June followed by some twenty Belgian ground crews. For the first course of four to six months four newly promoted pilots will be selected. The elementary training will, for the moment, still be organised on a national basis. Belgian defence Minister André Flahaut already signed the "mutual declaration" on 28 April. Former Alpha Jet operator Germany can be seen as a potential next candidate to join this programme in the near future.

A Ryanair plane carrying some 120 people from Belgium to Ireland was forced to make an emergency landing after turning back shortly after take-off, apparently because of a mechanical problem. The aircraft landed back at Charleroi airport some 10-15 minutes after taking off for Dublin. A tyre was seen to be burning when passengers got off the plane, operated by the Irish low-cost carrier. The passengers evacuated the plane using the emergency exit slides, while fire engines stood by on the tarmac.

The Council of Ministers approved the signature of a contract with the US Government for the modernising and upgrading of two existing F-16 MLU Flight Simulators.

Early April 2004 Belgian Lockheed F-16AM FA-60 has been damaged beyond repair in an accident at El Centro airbase (Southern California, USA). Upon landing the aircraft suffered a blown tire which severely damaged the undercarriage. The aircraft ran off the runway causing the nosewheel to collapse as well and damaging the aircraft even more. Fortunately the pilot didn't suffer any injuries. After examination the incident was found to be a "class A" accident (meaning a write off). The aircraft was earmarked to be placed in long-term storage at Weelde later this year. 

Last February, the Belgian Air Cadets have acquired a second hand Grob G102 Astir CS Jeans (c/n 2104 ex- D-7999 built in 1978) glider, which is now coded PL-74.  The new glider was operational at Weelde airbase during the Belgian Air Cadets' Easter camp.

At base aérienne 103 of Cambrai in France a double linking of Belgian and French fighter squadrons is celebrated between Kleine Brogel's 31 Squadron and Escadron de chasse 1/12 "Cambraisis" from one site and Florennes based 350 squadron with Escadron 2/12 "Picardie" from the other.

Early this week some 7 Belgian Defence Lockheed F-16 Fighters have been flown into Weelde airbase to be placed in long term storage. On 19 April two F-16AM's arrived from Florennes 2nd Wing: FA-75 and FA90 followed by a single F-16AM FA-78 from Kleine Brogel's 10th Wing. One day later two non MLU-upgraded F-16A's arrived from 2 Wing: FA-46 and FA-48 and on Wednesday 21st April two more FA-50 and FA-47 both coming from Florennes. FA-47 being the specially decorated 1st Squadron flagship.

Near-miss in Zaventem approach zone between a Swiss International Air Lines Airbus and an Ultra Light Aircraft. A Swiss Air Lines Airbus on approach to the Brussels Zaventem airport had a very close encounter (20 meters) with a non-identified ULM aircraft which was crossing the restricted approach zone. Belgocontrol which is responsible for the safety in the airspace around the airport said that the diminutive aircraft did not show up on their radars. If the Swiss pilots were surprised what would have been the reaction of the ULM flyer seeing and feeling the Airbus at such close a distance.    

ThalesRaytheonSystems develops SEROS Large-Scale Military ATC System for Belgium. SEROS II (Semmerzake Radar Operating System n° 2), Belgium¹s new military air traffic control system, was officially inaugurated on March 9, 2004. The system has been operating at the Semmerzake control center since October 2003, controlling military airspace over Belgium and Luxembourg (one of Europe¹s densest air traffic regions).

Since last week 8 Belgian F-16AM fighters are deployed to the US base of El Centro in Southern California. After this first exercise they will move to Canada to participate in the "Maple Flag" exercise organised at the Canadian base of Cold Lake with flying foreseen over the Alberta province. The F-16's left Florennes airbase on Tuesday 30 March in two waves and arrived at El Centro on 1 and 2 April after having made stops at the Azores and Bangor (Maine).  In El Centro the pilots of the 2 Wing of Florennes and the 10th Wing of Kleine Brogel will make a number of low-level night-flying missions.  The major " Maple Flag" exercise which is next on the programme for the Belgian flyers will be held between 2 May and 6 June and will include more than 100 aircraft from Canada, the USA, France Germany, Norway and Belgium.

Representatives from the 12 Advanced European Jet Pilot Training (AEJPT) Air Forces (Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland) met in Venegono (I.) with the European G5 industry consortium for a two-day final presentation of the AEJPT Eurotraining Feasibility Study. The Eurotraining Feasibility Study, had the objective to define possible solutions and their life cycle costs for an integrated Advanced European Jet Pilot Training (AEJPT) system. The Eurotraining project features the ambitious vision of a major step forward in the joint flying training of future fighter pilots in Europe while also strengthening European co-operation in defence and industry. The twelve European Air Forces will now enter into a comprehensive evaluation of the Study results which will eventually lead to the decision for the follow-on phases. 

Air Memphis the Egyptian air-cargo company had its flying licence revoked in Belgium after an Oostende bound 30 year old Boeing 707 crashed in an emergency landing at Cairo today. Air Memphis has already been banned out of The Netherlands, France and the U.K.  The crashed plane already visited Oostende airport 29 times in 2004 and even local spotters had warned the local authorities for possible problems with this ageing aircraft.

The four Belgian F-16 AM fighters that deployed to Lithuania on 29 March to protect the airspace of the Baltic countries after their adhesion to NATO have been declared operational as of today. Based at Zokniai near Siauliai the fighters first made some training and familiarisation flights over the area and are now ready to take on their role in NATO's operation "Air Policing Baltic States". The aircraft are serviced by some 60 man and are on a 15 minute Quick Reaction Alert. The aircraft are under direct command of the air operations centre of Kalkar (D.) and report to AIRNORTH headed by US general Robert Foglesong from his headquarters in Ramstein (D.). The Baltic republics (Lithuania, Estonia and Estonia) have no fighter aircraft and requested assistance to their new allies. The Belgian deployment is for three months with pilots and personnel drawn from Kleine Brogel's 349 and Florennes' 350 squadrons. (see also below)

NATO plans to ensure the protection of the skies over the Baltic states of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia after the three countries join the alliance at the end of the month. NATO fighter planes would be permanently deployed in Lithuania, with reserve airports in Latvia and Estonia: The plan would involve the deployment of four F-16 fighter jets in Lithuania on a rotational basis, probably among Denmark, Belgium and the Netherlands, along with air traffic control support from Norway on the ground.

A detachment of six Alpha Jet trainers of the 11th Squadron of the 1st Wing based at Beauvechain airbase will deploy to Armée the l'Air base of Cazaux in Southern-France. The French pilot-training base (also equipped with the Alpha Jet) will host the Belgian detachment until 26 March and some 4 student pilots will make some local training-flights. This location has been selected for the better weather conditions, less saturated airspace and its geographic situation which allows more training-flights in a shorter period. The low population density in the area around Cazaux also allows conducting a number of low-flying exercises thus minimizing the nuisance involved with such flights.  

In a "change-of-command" ceremony held at the 15 Transport Wing at Melsbroek, the base-co Colonel Rudy Geirnaert has past authority to Colonel Jacky Lippens. Colonel Rudy Geirnaert took command of Melsbroek airbase on 21 May 2001 and was particular liked by the personnel of this very operational base. During his command the number of missions of the 15th Wing has seen a considerable increase and transport aircraft of the wing were very active in Iraq, Afghanistan (ISAF), Benin and Congo. Colonel Geirnaert will take up Staff function at the ACOS Operations and Training.  The new Commander of the 15th transport Wing, Colonel Jackie Lippens, has started his carrier with the Belgian Air Force in 1973. Having flown successively on Marchetti, Magister, T-33A, F-104G Starfighter, F-16A and C-130H the Colonel was director of the A400M programme project.

On March 1st, the Bierset based Light Aviation group of the ex-Belgian Army (now Ground-Component) has been renamed "Helicopter Wing", in preparation of its transfer next June to the Air Component (the ex Belgian Air Force). What up to now was called helicopter battalions will be transformed into "Squadrons" to reflect the accepted structure of the air force. The "Helicopter Wing" will include 5 squadrons, three of which will have a multi-role function (combat, transport and medevac (Agusta A-109) while a fourth squadron (Agusta A-109) will act as an Operational Conversion Unit (OCU). A fifth squadron equipped with ageing Alouette II helicopters will be responsible for liaison flights. The total number of Agusta helicopters will be reduced from 44 to 32 aircraft; some have already been stored at Zutendaal airbase as already mentioned in this column.

Tour-operator Jetair's new airline company, TUI Airlines Belgium is to start the holiday season with 6 aircraft consisting of three Boeing 737-400's, two  737-800 and a single 767-300 for the longer range flights. During the summer months peak three more 737's could be added to the fleet which will be based at Zaventem airport.

Some 14 years after a US expedition recovered a Lockheed P-38F-1-LO Lightning from under 79m of solid ice, a European group of journalists, technicians and aerospace specialists has announced that they will try to recover more P-38's of the "Lost Squadron" in May 2005. The "Lost Squadron" is the name given to a group of two B-17 Flying Fortress bombers and 5 escorting P-38 Lightning fighters which on their way from the USA to England ran into extremely bad weather forcing all of the aircraft to belly land at the East Coast of Greenland. Now covered with some 80/100 meters of thick ice, the aircraft are known to be in surprisingly good condition, but the technical problems to recover the fighters remain immense.  Click here for more information.

From 24 February onwards the new Belgian airline "BelgiumExel" is operating from Brussels Zaventem airport. The new company forms part of the Exel Aviation Group (HollandExel (ex-Air Holland) and KLM-Exel), in its turn part of the Dutch Imca Group. BelgiumExel will operate the long-distance charter-flights to the Caribbean, Kenya and Zanzibar for tour operators Neckermann, Pegase and Thomas Cook.

Emergency services were scrambled at the Belgian airport of Charleroi when a Ryanair Boeing 737-800 jetliner coming from Shannon in Ireland reported it was experiencing problems with its nose-undercarriage. Motorways near to the airport were immediately closed and emergency fire teams mobilised. The plane landed and remained on its rear main-wheels for quite a long time before the nose of the plane was gently brought down. An examination of the front undercarriage did not reveal anything abnormal.

In the framework of the exercise "Pegasus 2004" a number of transport aircraft and helicopters from Germany, Belgium and France will operate in Belgian airspace between 16 an 25 February 2004. Participating aircraft will be based at Koksijde and Bierset, but for the time of the exercise and except for the weekends, the reserve-base of Saint-Hubert will also be activated. Low flying will be concentrated in the Saint-Hubert area and some night flying missions will be organised. Participating aircraft include a French Armée de l'Air C-130H Hercules as well as a C-160 Transall, besides two Cougar, two Gazelles and one Puma helicopter. Belgium will participate with numerous Agusta and Seaking helicopters, while in the second week the German Air Force will operate four UH-1D "Iroquois" helicopters.

In the framework of the Tactical Leadership Programme (TLP) a major Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) exercise was organised in the Belgian French and Luxemburg airspace with Florennes as home base.  Aircraft were allowed to fly as low as 500 feet (170 m) over some parts of the Belgian Ardennes and in certain zones helicopters made numerous field landings.

 As part of an exercise, the B-Hunter UAV's have been deployed between 12 and 16 January 2004 to three different operations zones. The detachment has successively been based at Bullange on the runway of the ULM Club Feuervögel, at the Thieux Laboru airfield and finally on the runway at Spa La Sauvenière. The principal aim of the exercise was to test the readiness of the different UAV crews.

The Royal Danish Air Force (RDAF) selected the team of Techspace Aero and Pratt & Whitney to provide a complete material management program in support of F100-PW-200 engines powering their F-16 fighters. Under a five-year contract with option for a period of five years, the Techspace Aero/Pratt & Whitney industry team will provide spare parts and their management to the RDAF.  

Today precisely 25 years ago the then Belgian Air Force received the first F-16A Fighting Falcon produced in Belgium. 

A huge British archive of World War II aerial reconnaissance photos, including pictures of the D-Day landings in Normandy is available on the Internet. Under the digitalization project, some 5 million Royal Air Force photos of Western Europe will be available to the public on the Web site. Be aware that you are not the only visitor to this site so that access is sometimes rather difficult.

A Belgian court declared charter airline Sobelair bankrupt, ending months of efforts by the struggling carrier to stay aloft. The former subsidiary of national airline Sabena -- which itself went bankrupt at the end of 2001 -- applied earlier this month for court protection from its creditors to give it time to draw up a recovery plan. But the Brussels commercial court refused the request, and is due to appoint an administrator to oversee the sale of the company's assets. Sobelair has a fleet of 12 aircraft and employs some 480 people. About 65 percent of its business is provided by Belgian travel agents Jetair, a subsidiary of Germany's TUI. Earlier this month TUI, the world's leading travel and tourism group, said it might be interested in acquiring parts of Sobelair.

Belgian Seaking helicopters of Koksijde based N° 40 Squadron have flown 87 rescue scrambles in 2003. Although the number of rescue missions was less than the previous year (-11), more persons were saved. During the very hot months of July and August, 26 scrambles were flown in which 10 people were winched up to safety.

Laurent Heyligen received pictures of one of the Hawker Sideley HS.748 which were donated to the Benin Government by the Belgian authorities. The aircraft is already wearing full Benin markings and is coded TY-21A. Unfortunately the Belgian Air Component serial tie up is not yet known. The second aircraft still remains in its basic Belgian military c/s without any markings besides a diminutive Benin flag on the tail.

About 10 kilometres south of Brussels, in the village of Genval, an aviation enthusiast adorned his cosy café-restaurant “Le Raidillon” (The Steep Road) with the tail section of Lockheed F-104G Starfighter FX-83 (s/n 9141). The aircraft joined the Belgian Air Force on January 6th 1965. It served with both the 1st and 10th Tactical Wings at the airbases of Beauvechain and Kleine-Brogel and was withdrawn from use on February 11th 1982. During its operational life, FX-83 was for some time one of the aircraft of the famous Belgian display duo The Slivers, the name of which was painted on the aircraft’s air intakes. The Starfighter's tail at present still carries the 10th Wing badge. (Info Jos Schoofs)