Squadron Exchanges 1971

It was believed that Belgium Air Force 10 Wing from Kleine Brogel AB had a squadron exchange with the Italian Air Force 154 Gruppo (6 Stormo) from Ghedi AB. It is not sure if this was a 2-way exchange but at least the Italians came to Belgium where a number of aircraft were seen on 23 February 1971 being MM6550/6-08, and unknown MM serial with code 6-22. It has not yet been confirmed, since it could also have been a cross-country mission in stead of a squadron exchange. Who can confirm?

The Belgium Air Force 349 Squadron (1 Wing) based at Beauvechain AB exchanged with 726 Eskadrille at Aalborg AFB, Denmark. It is unknown if the Danish aircraft flew to Belgium but at least the Belgium F-104s went to Denmark. (Note: Some believe it took place later that year (28 August till 7 September), who can confirm?, was it a shifted exchange and did the Belgium F-104s flew to Denmark later that year?)

This month there was a exchange between the Danish Air Force 723 Eskadrille and the Dutch Air Force 311 Squadron, both operating the F-104G Starfighter. It was a two way exchange. The Dutch Starfighters arrived back at Volkel one day later (April 4th) then the Danish Starfighters flew back to Denmark. Danish aircraft seen at Volkel AB were R-347, R-753, R-755 and R-756.

This month there was a exchange between the Turkish Air Force 4 Wing, based at Murted AB and the German Navy squadron MFG1 from Schleswig-Jagel. It was a one-way exchange where the Germans flew to Turkey with 6 Starfighters.

This month six Turkish F-100 Super Sabre aircraft (5 single seaters and one F-100F two-seater) have been seen operating from Hopsten Air Base in Germany. They arrived at Hopsten via a fuelstop at Cervia, Italy. It is very likely that this was a squadron exchange with the Hopsten based JBG36, flying the F-104G Starfighter, but it also could be because of a deployment (exercise?).
We are looking for evidence.

Belgium Air Force 23 Smaldeel (10 Wing) from Kleine Brogel AB, operating the F-104G, had a squadron exchange with 421 Squadron of the Canadian Air Force at Baden-Soellingen flying the CF-104. It was a one-way exchange, only the Belgium Starfighters visited the Canadians in Germany.

This year a exchange took place between the Dutch Air Force 312 Squadron flying the F-104G fighter bomber aircraft at Volkel Air Base and the French Air Force EC2-5 and EC1-5 both flying the Mirage IIIC based at Orange AB. It was a two-way exchange. On April 19th a MD-312 Flamant came to Volkel for the pre-visit. In May a total of four Mirages from EC 2-5 were seen in Holland and six Starfighters flew to France to visit sister Mirage squadron EC 1-5. The French Mirages flew back home on May 14th, the Dutch Starfighters arrived back on May 19th. Transport was provided by a French Noratlas.
Pictures beneath show a formation of two Mirage III and Dutch F-104's flying a formation over Southern Holland (Thanks to Theo Claassen and Traditiekamer Typhoon via Jeroen Jonkers).

This month there was a exchange between the Royal Air Force 29 Squadron, flying the Lightning fighter aircraft from airbase Wattisham, and the Dutch Air Force 322 Squadron from Leeuwarden AB. It was a 2 way exchange. The five participating Dutch aircraft at Wattisham were D-8049, D-8058, D-8104, D-8308 and D-8311. Photos beneath show the Dutch pilots after arrival in the UK while offering wooden shoes to the RAF squadron leader. He tried them immediately while pilots Toon van der Heiden (left) and Harry Besterveld received beer. Toon is seen here wearing wooden shoes as well. The other photo shows the Lightnings arriving at Leeuwarden Air Base (only 3 participated?). (Photos thanks to 322sq).

This month there was a exchange between the Italian Air Force 21 Gruppo, based at Cameri AB and the Dutch Air Force 323 Squadron based at Leeuwarden AB. A number of Italian F-104G aircraft were seen at Leeuwarden. It is unknown if the Dutch aircraft also flew to Italy. Italian Starfighters seen in Holland were MM6547/53-12, MM6563/53-07, MM6571/53-11 and MM6609/53-06. Aircraft MM6563/53-07 and MM6571/53-11 flew to Leeuwarden AB for a pre-visit on June 3rd. During the stay in Italy the Dutch stayed only two days at Cameri. The rest of the days they spent at Rimini and San Remo. In Holland the squadron presented a big "spaghetti" meal for the Italians but this turn out in a small disaster. It did not appear to be Spaghetti but "Bami" in stead!! The photos beneath show three Italian aircraft while landing during the exchange at Leeuwarden (Photo by Gerrit Hiemstra) and Major Benneker welcomes the Italian Commander after arrival. (Photo 323 Squadron collection)

Norwegian Air Force 331 Skv at Bodo AB, flying the F-104G Starfighter exchanged with the Italian Air Force 9 Gruppo based at Grosseto. It was a 2 way exchange. Participating Italian aircraft were F-104S MM6728/4-3, MM6727/4-5,  MM6722/4-7 and MM6731/4-11. (thanks to Birger Larsen)

This period the RAF 111 Squadron exchanged with JG71 based at Wittmundhafen flying the F-104G. It was a 1 way exchange where only four Lightning aircraft flew to Germany together with a Canberra T17 from 360 Squadron based at Cottesmore. This aircraft was used during training missions to act as a hostile ECM aircraft. The photo beneath (thanks to JG71 archives) shows F-104G 23+56 which was clearly zapped by 111 Squadron ground personnel at Wittmundhafen.

This year the Italian Air Force 21 Gruppo based at Cameri AB exchanged with the Royal Air Force 19 Squadron flying the Lightning F.2A at Gutersloh, Germany. It looks like it was a 2-way exchange where in total 6 Lightnings and 7 pilots flew to Cameri, . By that time 21 Gruppo was converting to S, so they still used a mix of G and S aircraft. It was confirmed that 21 Gruppo participated in two exchanges this year. First with 323 Squadron in June and then with 19 Squadron in July. Inside a report it was stated that also the Italians flew to Gutersloh with 6 Starfighters.

This year the Danish Air Force 727 Eskadrille based at Karup, flying the F-100D Super Sabre exchanged with the Italian Air Force 28 Gruppo (part of 3 Aerobrigata) at Villafranca flying the RF-104G. It is unknown if it was a 1 or 2 way exchange.

This month the Canadian Starfighters from 421 Squadron based at Baden-Soellingen had a two-way exchange with RAF 23 Squadron from Leuchars, Scotland, flying the Lightning. Beneath a picture taken during the arrival of the four Lightnings in Germany (Canadian Starfighter Association). Pictures of the CF-104 flight line were taken on August 23rd (via Karel Juckers).

This month the Belgium Air Force 350 Squadron (1 Wing) based at Beauvechain AB and operating the F-104G Starfighter, exchanged with the Italian Air Force 22 Gruppo at Istrana operating the F-104S. It was a 2 way exchange. Photo beneath show Italian pilots (The first pilot from the left Capt. Antonio Poma who sadly died on 20 October 1971 with the aircraft F-104S - MM6724 code 51-21, together with Ten. Gianpaolo Mussolin, a Belgian lady, Capt. Saviola, a Belgian pilot, and Ten. Gianesin) having diner at Jean Luc Beghin residense. According the participants the exchange was held in a warm atmosphere. (Photo: Jean Luc Beghin).

The Baden-Soellingen based Canadian Starfighters from 441 Squadron flew to Great Britain for a squadron exchange with RAF 43 Squadron based at Leuchars and flying the F-4 Phantom FG1. It is unknown if the Phantoms also came to Germany but in total six CF-104s flew to Leuchars being CF-104D 104666, and CF-104s 104739, 104761, 104788, 104835 and 104895. The picture beneath shows aircraft 104835 next to CF-104D 104666 at Leuchars and was taken on August 23rd.

This month there was a exchange between the Italian Air Force 5 Stormo 102 Gruppo, based at Rimini AB, still flying the F-104G and the Dutch Air Force 306 Squadron based at Volkel AB. It was a two-way exchange spread over two periods after each other. Italian aircraft seen at Volkel were F-104G MM6524/5-09 and MM6533/5-06 only. Six Dutch Starfighters in Rimini were RF-104Gs D-8013, D-8059, D-8107, D-8119, D-8129 and D-8138 (from October 5th till 14th). Also one TF-104G (D-5806 from CAV) was available at Rimini from October 8th till its departure on October 11th. It also came back at Rimini on October 13th. This exchange had two pre-visits. First of all RF-104G D-8125 together with TF-104G D-5807 stayed the night at Rimini from August 10th till 11th. and then a second pre-exchange visit took place on September 21st when TF-104G D-5808 flew to Rimini AB. The 306 Squadron logbook shows that the Dutch personell flew with two F-27 Friendships to Rimini on the 5th of October and flew back with an Italian AF C-119 ten days later including a fuelstop at Reims AB. The MM6533/5-06 was seen lateron at Rimini with 306 Squadron badges on its tail. It is very likely that the other aircraft had been zapped as well.

This month there was a exchange between the Royal Air Force 29 Squadron, flying the Lightning fighter aircraft from airbase Wattisham, and the German Air Force JG74 (very likely 1 Staffel) from Neuburg AB flying the F-104G. It was a 1 way exchange. Only three Lightning aircraft flew to Neuburg together with Shorts Belfast transport aircraft. Who can confirm that this exchange was indeed with the 1st Staffel of JG74? (741 sq)

This period there was a exchange between the Royal Hellenic Air Force 335 Mira, based at Tanagra AB and flying the F-104 Starfighter, and the German Navy squadron MFG2 based at Eggebek AB. It was a one-way exchange where the German Starfighters flew to Greece with 6 Starfighters. The 22nd November they flew via Luxemburg, France, Italy (fuel stop at Grosseto) arriving in Greece around 6PM. Transport was accomplished by a Transall cargo aircraft.
Read German story about this exchange here: http://flightschwein.wordpress.com/2014/08/15/staffelaustausch-zur-tiefflug-und-waffenausbildung/

This year the Italian Air Force 10 Gruppo based at Grazzanise AB exchanged with the Danish Air Force 726 Eskadrille at Aalborg. It is unknown if it was a 1 or 2 way exchange. Both operated the F-104 Starfighter.

This year the Italian Air Force 154 Gruppo based at Ghedi AB exchanged with the German Air Force JBG33 at Buchel. It is unknown if it was a 1 or 2 way exchange, but at least the Italians were seen at Buchel with a number of Starfighters. This exchange has still to be confirmed.

This year the German Air Force JBG34 based at Memmingen, flying the F-104G Starfighter, exchanged with the Norwegian Air Force 334 SKV. at Bodo flying the F-5A. It is unknown if this was a one or two way exchange but at least the F-5s visited Memmingen.