Starfighter Squadron Exchanges - Rotations 1986-1990

Four Starfighters from the Italian Air Force Rimini based 23 Gruppo rotated with 332SKV at Rygge AB. It is unknown if also the Norwegians flew to Italy as well. Participating Italian Starfighters were MM6704/5-41, MM6775/5-30, MM6814/5-42 and MM6878 5-44.
It looks like the pre-exchange took place in April since on 9 April 1986 two Starfighters were seen at Schlesswig, likely on its way from or to Norway. These were MM6705/5-43 and MM6878/5-44.


F-104S MM6704 coded 5-41 flying formation with two F-16 aircraft.	An air-to-air photo showing F-104S 5-30, 5-42 and 5-44 together with F-16A serial 274.	An other shot of the F-104S 5-30, 5-42 and 5-44 together with F-16A serial 274.

This month the German Navy held one if its last squadron exchange with Starfighters involved by a rotation between the 2nd staffel of MFG2, based at Eggebek, and the Italian Air Force 20 gruppo based at Grosseto, flying the TF-104G and F-104G. It was a 2-way rotation. Two F-104G and two TF-104G aircraft flew to Italy while four one-seaters (no TFs) flew to Germany. (Two different periodes are stated being 16 till 25 June or 6 till 16 June.....who can confirm?)

This year the Belgium Air Force 1st Smaldeel, based at Bierset and flying the Mirage 5, was involved in a squadron exchange with the Italian Air Force 18 gruppo based at Trapani-Birgi, flying the F-104S. It is unknown if it was a 1 or 2-way rotation but at least the Italians flew to Belgium. Two known participants were aircraft MM6843/37-02 (big white codes) and MM6876/37-16 (new lightgrey small codes), seen at Bierset on 26 June.


MM6843 coded 37-02 seen at the ramp of Bierset on 26 June 1986 (Jean Marie Hanon)	MM6876 coded 37-16 shows his new 37 Stormo serial layout while taxying at Decimomannu. Note the 1st Smaldeel insigne zapp on the aft fuselage applied during the rotation. (Peter Mühlböck Collection)

Since MFG2 was almost retiring the F-104, the last Starfightert involved squadron rotation took place in July 1986 with Turkish Air Force squadron 161 Filo Bandirma. The 1st staffel of MFG2 went to Bandirma with two F-104G and two TF-104G aircraft while the Turkish flew Starfighters as well.

This month the US Air Force 38 TRS (26 TRW), flying the RF-4C Phantom from Zweibrucken, Germany, was involved in a squadron exchange with the Italian Air Force 132 gruppo based at Villafranca, flying the RF-104G and F-104G. It is unknown if it was a 1 or 2-way rotation but at least Italian recce Starfighters flew to Germany including Orpheus pod carrying MM6586/3-12.

Late August 1986

This month the Hellenic Air Force 336 Mira (116 Ptheriga), flying the F-104G, based at Araxos AB, was involved in a squadron exchange with the Italian Air Force 22 gruppo based at Istrana, flying the F-104S. It is unknown if it was a 1 or 2-way rotation but at least the Greek Starfighters flew to Italy. Aircraft seen in Italy on August 25th were F-104G 7087/FG-087, 7153/FG153, 7195/FG195 and TF-104G 5921/TF912.

Four Italian Starfighters from the Villafranca based 28 Gruppo rotated with German Air Force AG51 at Bremgarten flying the RF-4E Phantom. The participating Italian F-104's at Bremgarten were sadly never identified but were very likely RF-104G aircraft.
It is also unknown if the Germans flew to Italy as well.

This month the Dutch Air Force 306 squadron, flying the F-16, based at Volkel AB, was involved in a squadron exchange with the Italian Air Force 102 gruppo based at Rimini, flying the F-104S and F-104S/ASA. It was a 2-way rotation. Italian Starfighters seen at Volkel were MM6791/5-06 (S), MM6792/5-25 (S/ASA), MM6798/5-16 (S) and MM6848/5-26 (S). Two F-104S aircraft flew to Soesterberg Air Base already in February 22nd, 1986 which was a planned pre-visit for the rotation at Volkel AB.
During the rotation one of the F-104s (MM6798 serial 5-16) pulled so much G during one of the dogfights with F-16s that he had to stay on the ground for a while for intensive inspection. Afterall it was ok and the aircraft departed to Rimini lateron.


MM6791 taxying at Volkel	MM6792 on the Volkel flightline	MM6798 on the Volkel flightline	MM6848 on the Volkel flightline

This year the Spanish Air Force ALA21, was involved in a squadron exchange with the Italian Air Force 9 gruppo based at Grosseto, flying the F-104S. It is unknown if it was a 1 or 2-way rotation.

This year the Royal Air Force 43 squadron, based at Leuchars, UK, was involved in a squadron exchange with the Italian Air Force 21 gruppo based at Cameri, flying the F-104S. It is unknown if it was a 1 or 2-way rotation.

This period the Turkish Air Force 141 filo (4 AJU), based at Murted-Akinci AB, flying the F-104G, was involved in a squadron exchange with the Italian Air Force 23 gruppo based at Rimini, flying the F-104S. It is unknown if it was a 1 or 2-way rotation but at least the Turkish Starfighters flew to Italy. Participating Turkish aircraft were F-104G 8185/4-185, 8296/4-296 and TF-104G 5911/4-911 and 5918/4-918.

This period the Dutch Air Force 314 squadron, based at Eindhoven AB, flying the NF-5A and NF-5B, was involved in a squadron exchange with the Italian Air Force 10 gruppo based at Grazzanise, flying the F-104S. It is unknown if it was a 1 or 2-way rotation but at least the Italians came to Holland. On 22 April 1987 a TF-104G, MM54235/4-31 together with MM6762/9-42 and MM6708/9-51 landed for a pre-visit. They flew via EBBL and spend the night at Eindhoven.
Participating aircraft during the rotation were MM6817/9-45, MM6936/9-31, MM6737/9-33 and MM6719/9-50. Transport was executed by aircraft MM62119/46-21 and MM62109/46-96.


MM6737 code 9-33 at Eindhoven Air Base. (Hans van Zeeland)	MM6936 code 9-31 at Eindhoven Air Base. (Hans van Zeeland)

Four Italian Starfighters from Gioia del Colle based 12 Gruppo rotated with Royal Air Force 92sq at Wildenrath. The four Starfighters involved were MM6822/36-01, MM6703/36-05, MM6824/36-12 and MM6875/36-22. Earlier on, on 28 June Starfighters MM6807/36-11 and MM6818/36-14 stayed the night over for a pre-visit to Wildenrath. They returned back to Italy the 29th. It is unknown if the English jets also flew to Italy as well.

This month the Hellenic Air Force 335 Mira (116 Ptheriga), based at Araxos AB, flying the F-104G, rotated with the Italian Air Force 21 gruppo based at Cameri, flying the F-104S. It is unknown if it was a 1 or 2-way rotation but it is very likely that the Greek Starfighters flew to Italy because on 21 June two aircraft flew over for a pre-exchange being F-104Gs 63-12710/FG-710 and 6662/FG-6662.

In total four Italian Starfighters from 28 gruppo based at Villafranca AB, flying the RF-104G rotated with German Air Force AG52 at Leck AB flying the RF-4E Phantom.
Sadly the participating aircraft which went to Leck are unknown as well as the date the aircraft returned back home to Italy. Also we have no information if the Germans went to Italy as well.

This month the Royal Air Force 2 squadron, based at Laarbruch, Germany, rotated with the Italian Air Force 132 gruppo based at Villafranca, flying the (R)F-104G. It is unknown if it was a 1 or 2-way rotation but at least the Italian Starfighters flew to Italy. Participating aircraft were MM6529/3-01, MM6540/3-03, MM6590/3-11, MM6535/3-16 and transport was taken care by MM61999/46-13.

This year the French Air Force EC 3/12, rotated with the Italian Air Force 9 gruppo based at Grosseto, flying the F-104S. It is unknown if it was a 1 or 2-way rotation.

This year the Spanish Air Force ALA14, rotated with the Italian Air Force 22 gruppo based at Istrana AB, flying the F-104S. It is unknown if it was a 1 or 2-way rotation.

This year the Turkish Air Force 191 filo (9 AJU), based at Balikesir AB, flying the F-104G and F-104S aircraft, might have rotated with the Italian Air Force 156 gruppo based at Gioia del Colle, flying the F-104S. It is unknown if it was a 1 or 2-way rotation and also unknown if it was a rotation. It is very likely a deployment for exercise Dragon Hammer. Who can confirm??

This month the German Air Force JG71, based at Wittmund AB, flying the F-4F Phantom, rotated with the Italian Air Force 9 gruppo based at Grosseto, flying the F-104S. It is unknown if it was a 1 or 2-way rotation but at least four (unidentified) Italian Starfighters flew to Germany.

In total four Italian Starfighters from 18 gruppo based at Trapani-Birgi AB rotated with Belgium Air Force 350 Smaldeel at Bevekom/Beauvechain AB (1 Wing) flying the F-16 Falcon. Participating aircraft in Belgium were MM6760/37-01, MM6749/37-15, MM6846/37-16 and MM6909/37-23. It is unknown if also the Belgium F-16s flew to Italy.


MM6760 coded 37-01 seen here at Bevekom on 3 May 1988. (Riccardo Vestuto)	MM6909 coded 37-23 seen here at Bevekom on 3 May 1988. (Riccardo Vestuto)

This month the Turkish Air Force 162 filo (6 AJU), based at Bandirma AB, flying the F-104G, rotated with the Italian Air Force 21 gruppo based at Cameri, flying the F-104S. It is unknown if it was a 1 or 2-way rotation but at least 6 Turkish Starfighters flew to Italy being F-104G 7017/6-107, 7032/6-032, 8339/6-339 and TF-104G 5722/6-722, 5741/6-741, 5945/6-945. Turkish transport was flown by C-160D Transall with serial 12-028. Photos beneath were taken by Giuseppe Tonelotto while arriving at Cameri on 22 May 1988.


7017 code 6-017	7032 code 6-032	8339 code 6-339	5722 code 6-722


	5741 code 6-741	5945 code 6-945

This month the German Air Force JBG49, based at Furstenfeldbruck, flying the Alpha Jet, rotated with the Italian Air Force 20 gruppo based at Grosseto, flying the TF-104G. It was a 2-way rotation although not on the same time. On 26 April 1988 three TF-104Gs MM54233/4-30, MM54254/4-36 and MM45258/4-40 arrived at Furstenfeldbruck for a pre-visit. They stayed the night at Fursty. Participating TF-104G during the rotation itself were MM54235/4-31 (from 7-16 June), MM54250/4-33 (from 10-16 June), MM54254/4-36 (from 7-16 June), MM54258/4-40 (from 9-16 June) and MM54260/4-41 (on 7 and 8 June). Transport was taken care for by MM62102/46-20 on June 7th and MM61998/46-21 on June 8th. The Alpha Jets from JBG49 were in Grosseto a few weeks earlier. During filming air to air TF-104G MM54229/4-38 on May 31st. Sadly pilot and camera man were killed.

In total four Italian Starfighters from 22 gruppo based at Istrana AB rotated with Royal Air Force 111 squadron at Leuchars flying the FG1 Phantom fighter jets. The participating Starfighters, which flew via EDAB, were MM6879/51-03, MM6716/51-06, MM6876/51-07 and MM6819/51-20. All aircraft departed from Istrana on July 11th.In total four FG1 Phantoms flew to Italy as well on the 11th.

This month the Royal Air Force 15 squadron, based at Laarbruch, rotated with the Italian Air Force 102 gruppo based at Rimini, flying the F-104S. It is unknown if it was a 1 or 2-way rotation but at least the Italian Starfighters flew to Germany. Participating aircraft seen at Laarbruch were MM6796/5-15, MM6833/5-11, MM6910/5-04 and MM6944/5-03. Transport was flown by MM62001/46-15. One month earlier 2 aircraft paid a pre-visit to Laarbruch. These were MM6788/5-02 and MM6796/5-15 which landed May 30th and departed again on June 1st.
Aircraft MM6833/5-11 received a typical 15 squadron zapp "XV" on its lower rudder area.

This period the Royal Air Force 43 squadron, based at Leuchars, rotated with the Italian Air Force 10 gruppo based at Grazzanise, flying the F-104S. It is unknown if it was a 1 or 2-way rotation but at least the Italian Starfighters flew to Germany. Participating aircraft seen at Leuchars included MM6727/9-40, MM6878/9-41, MM6762/9-42, and MM6769/9-52. On 29 July two other F-104S aircraft arrived as replacement for two of these four aircraft. These were MM6737/9-33 and MM6719/9-50.

In total four Italian Starfighters from 28 gruppo based at Villafrance AB rotated with German Air Force JBG41 at Husum flying the Alpha Jet. It is unknown if it was a 1 or 2 way rotation but at least the following aircraft were seen in Germany : MM6634/3-33, MM6563/3-43, MM6635/3-30 and MM6651/3-47.

This year the Danish Air Force 726 Eskader, based at Aalborg, rotated with the Italian Air Force 23 gruppo based at Rimini, flying the F-104S. It is unknown if it was a 1 or 2-way rotation but at least the Italians were seen in Denmark. One of the aircraft at Aalborg was F-104S/ASA serial MM6787 code 5-42 which was seen on August 24th.

This year the Spanish Air Force ALA21 rotated with the Italian Air Force 12 gruppo based at Gioia del Colle, flying the F-104S. It is unknown if it was a 1 or 2-way rotation.

This month the German Air Force JG74, based at Neuburg, flying the F-4F Phantom, rotated with the Italian Air Force 18 gruppo based at Trapani-Birgi, flying the F-104S/ASA. It was a 2-way rotation. The Italian Starfighters which flew to Neuburg were MM6909/37-23, MM6840/37-25, MM6921/37-27 and an unknown Starfighter with code "37-35". Since the code "37-35" was never used until the end of 18Gruppo it is unlikely that this aircraft was available. We have feelings that only 3 aircraft flew to Neuburg and that 37-25 was mis-read once as 37-35. It is also possible that the fourth aircraft was MM6946/37-10 which was seen lateron (even in March 1990 at Deci) with JG74 squadron markings on the intake.

This year the Royal Air Force 31 squadron at Bruggen rotated with the Italian Air Force 21 gruppo based at Cameri, flying the F-104S/ASA. It is unknown if it was a 1 or 2-way rotation but the Italians flew with three Starfighters to Germany being MM6802/53-04, MM6702/53-12 and MM6714/53-20, all seen for example on 23 May 1989. Pre-visit took place on April 6th when two Starfighters landed at Bruggen and stayed the night. These were MM6735/53-07 and MM6714/53-20.

This year the Royal Air Force 27 squadron at Marham rotated with the Italian Air Force 28 gruppo based at Villafranca, flying the (R)F-104G. It is unknown if it was a 1 or 2-way rotation but at least four Italian Starfighters flew to the UK being MM6545/3-32, MM6535/3-40, MM6563/3-43 and MM6631/3-47. Pre-visit was on April 4th when two Starfighters flew to Marham being MM6535/3-40 and MM6631/3-47.

F-104G MM6631 code 3-47 taxying at Marham during the exchange.
Photo was taken in June 1989..

This month the Dutch Air Force 313 squadron, based at Twenthe AB, flying the F-16 rotated with the Italian Air Force 12 gruppo based at Gioia del Colle, flying the F-104S and F-104S/ASA. It was a 2 way rotation. Some Dutch as well as Italian aircraft got a lot of zapps prior their return home. Aircraft seen at Twenthe AB were MM6806/36-12 (S/ASA), MM6826/36-01 (S/ASA), MM6850/36-02 (S/ASA) and MM6875/36-22 (S). Transport was flown by MM61991/46-06 on 15 and 16 June. All Starfighters flew to Holland via Cameri AB where they landed June 6th.
Aircraft MM6804/36-06 (S/ASA) and MM6806/36-12 (S/ASA) visited Twenthe AB on May 2nd for a pre-visit and returned back to Italy the day after. They used callsign "I 6804KR".

This year the Royal Air Force 237 OCU at Lossiemouth rotated with the Italian Air Force 20 gruppo based at Grosseto, flying the TF-104G. It is unknown if it was a 1 or 2-way rotation but at least the Italians flew to the UK. Seen were TF-104G MM54226/4-26, MM54251/4-34 and MM54253/4-35. All aircraft returned via Airbase "EGUL". During this period also two Italian F-104G Starfighters flew their missions at Lossiemouth being MM6513/3-06 and MM6533/3-35.

MM54253 code 4-35 is seen here ready for its flght home from Lossiemouth on 22 June 1989.

This year the Belgium Air Force 23 smaldeel, based at Kleine Brogel, flying the F-16, rotated with the Italian Air Force 23 gruppo based at Rimini, flying the F-104S/ASA. It is unknown if it was a 1 or 2-way rotation but at least four Italian Starfighters flew to Belgium of which only 3 could be identified as MM6740/5-32, MM6776/5-37 and MM6778/5-44.

This year the Royal Air Force 208 squadron at Lossiemouth rotated with the Italian Air Force 102 gruppo based at Rimini, flying the F-104S/ASA. It is unknown if it was a 1 or 2-way rotation but at least a number of Starfighters flew to the UK being MM6886/5-02, MM6794/5-12, MM6821/5-16 and MM6833/5-11. Transport was flown by MM61998/46-12. Aircraft flew to the UK via Bitburg and aircraft MM6833 still had the blue 25 years anniversary special colorscheme.
Pre-visit took place on 18 April when MM6796/5-15 (zapped with "XV") and MM6784/5-21 flew to the UK via Norvenich.

This year the Royal Air Force 111 squadron at Leuchars rotated with the Italian Air Force 9 gruppo based at Grosseto, flying the F-104S. It is unknown if it was a 1 or 2-way rotation. At least the Italian Starfighters flew to the UK being MM6800/4-1, MM6772/4-2, MM6827/4-5 and MM6808/4-10. They flew via Airbase "EDAB". Pre-visit was on 31 July when aircraft MM6763/4-11 and MM6800/4-1 and flew back to Grosseto via Norvenich on August 2nd and reaching Grosseto August 3rd.

This year the German Navy MFG1, based at Schleswig Jagel, flying the Tornado, rotated with the Italian Air Force 132 gruppo based at Rimini, flying the (R)F-104G. It is unknown if it was a 1 or 2-way rotation but at least the Italian Starfighters flew to Germany being MM6558/3-02, MM6593/3-05, MM6514/3-10 and MM6567/3-16 which were all seen on August 22nd and 29th.

This year the Turkish Air Force 6 AJU, based at Bandirma AB, flying the F-104G rotated with the Dutch Air Force 306 squadron based at Volkel AB, flying the F-16. It was a 1 way rotation. Only the Dutch F-16s flew to Turkey.

This year the Hellenic Air Force 335 mira, based at Araxos AB, flying the F-104G rotated with the Dutch Air Force 312 squadron based at Volkel AB, flying the F-16. It was a 1 way rotation. Only the Dutch F-16s flew to Greece.

This year the Hellenic Air Force 116 Ptheriga, based at Araxos AB, flying the F-104G rotated with the Italian Air Force 14 gruppo. It is unknown if it was a 1 or 2-way rotation.

This year the Danish Air Force 730 Eskader rotated with the Italian Air Force 22 gruppo based at Istrana, flying the F-104S/ASA. It is unknown if it was a 1 or 2-way rotation.

This month the Royal Air Force 19 squadron, based at Wildenrath, rotated with the Italian Air Force 9 gruppo based at Rimini, flying the F-104S. It is unknown if it was a 1 or 2-way rotation but at least Italian Starfighters have been noticed at Wildenrath. Seen were TF-104G MM54235/4-31 and F-104S/ASA MM6729/4-02, MM6763/4-11 and MM6828/4-6 and support by MM61993/46-07. Aircraft 4-31 and 4-11 landed on April 18th and 4-02 and 4-6 landed one day later.
A number of weeks earlier, on 23 February 1990, a pre-visit was made by F-104S/ASA MM6733/4-22 and MM6763/4-11. Strange that the aircraft MM6729 carried serial "4-02" in stead of "4-2". A few months later this aircraft was lost.


MM54235 code 4-31 is seen here at Wildenrath during the exchange.	MM54235 code 4-31 during a take off from Wildenrath Air Base. (Hans van Zeeland)	MM6828 code 4-6 during a take off from Wildenrath Air Base. (Hans van Zeeland)	MM6763 code 4-11 during a take off from Wildenrath Air Base. (Hans van Zeeland)

This month the Turkish Air Force 181 filo, based at Diyarbakir, flying the CF-104, rotated with the Italian Air Force 102 gruppo based at Rimini, flying the F-104S/ASA. It is unknown if it was a 1 or 2-way rotation but at least Turkish Starfighters have been noticed at Rimini. Aircraft seen at Rimini were F-104G 8164/8-164, 8262/8-262, 8284/8-284, 8287/8-287, 8290/8-290, 8346/8-346 and TF-104G 5741/8-741, 5905/8-905.

This year the Danish Air Force 725/729 Eskader, based at Karup, flying the normal and recce version of the (R)F-35 Saab Draken, rotated with the Italian Air Force 28 gruppo based at Villafranca, flying the (R)F-104G. It was a two-way rotation where four Starfighters were seen in Denmark.

This year the Spanish Air Force ALA11 rotated with the Italian Air Force 10 gruppo based at Grazzanise, flying the F-104S/ASA. It is unknown if it was a 1 or 2-way rotation.

This year the Hellenic Air Force 341 Mira rotated with the Italian Air Force 12 gruppo based at Gioia del Colle, flying the F-104S/ASA. It is unknown if it was a 1 or 2-way rotation.

This year the German Air Force JBG35, based at Pferdsfeld, flying the F-4F Phantom rotated with the Italian Air Force 18 gruppo based at Trapani-Birgi, flying the F-104S/ASA. It is unknown if it was a 1 or 2-way rotation.

This year the Hellenic Air Force 347 Mira rotated with the Italian Air Force 22 gruppo based at Istrana AB, flying the F-104S/ASA. It is unknown if it was a 1 or 2-way rotation.