Squadron Exchanges 1974

This period a squadron exchange took place between the German Navy MFG2 based at Eggebek, operating the F-104G Starfighter and the Royal Air Force 11 Squadron at Binbrook flying the Lightning fighter jet. It was a two-way exchange. The Germans flew to the UK with 6 Starfighters.

This period a squadron exchange took place between the Dutch Air Force 323 Squadron based at Leeuwarden AB and the Danish Air Force 726 Eskadrille at Aalborg both operating the F-104G. It was a two-way exchange. There were two pre-exchange visits. One on March 4th, by Starfighters R-707 and R-755, and on March 7th when two-seater RT-654 came to Leeuwarden. During the exchange 4 Danish Starfighters were seen at Leeuwarden being R-343, R-698, R-703 and R-754. Dutch Starfighters seen at Aalborg were D-6652, D-8098, D-8105 and D-8319. On March 26th,  CF-104D 104660 arrived at Leeuwarden Air Base to bring some Danish open-face sandwiches for the appreciation evening party to the dutch hosts. The next day (March 27th) the CF-104D left again while the participating 4 single-seat Starfighter departed a day later (March 28th). Beneath some photos: R-343 on hold (Eddy ten Oever via Jerry Stok), R-645 landing (Willem Kanis via Jerry Stok), R-698 taxiing near the tower (Piet Glas via Jerry Stok), R-698 while landing at Leeuwarden (Gerrit Hiemstra,  R-703 while taxiing (Eddy ten Oever via Jerry Stok), R-753 while landing (Marinus Tabak via Jerry Stok), R-755 landing (Willem Kanis via Jerry Stok) and CF-104D RT-660 (Eddy ten Oever via Jerry Stok). Information thanks to Jerry Stok / Aviation Group Leeuwarden.

This month a squadron exchange took place between the Belgium Air Force 350 Squadron (1 Wing) based at Beauvechain AB, flying the F-104G and the Royal Air Force 29 Squadron based ad Wattisham and flying the Lightning fighter aircraft (final year). It is unknown if the exchange was one or two way but at least the Belgian Starfighters flew to the UK.

This month a shifted squadron exchange took place between the Belgium Air Force 349 Squadron (1 Wing) based at Beauvechain AB, flying the F-104G and the Italian Air Force 22 Gruppo based at Istrana AB flying the F-104S. During April 349 Squadron flew to Istrana while during June 22 Gruppo visited Beauvechain. Sadly we do not know which Belgian Starfighters were involved in the exchange.

This month Danish F-104G Starfighter squadron 726 Eskadrille had a squadron exchange with a USAFE squadron based at Ramstein AFB (86 TFW 526TFS) flying the F-4E Phantom. It was a 2-way exchange where an unknown number of Starfighters flew to Germany.

This month a squadron exchange took place between the German Air Force JBG32 (2nd Staffel) based at Lechfeld, operating the F-104G Starfighter, and the Royal Air Force 31 Squadron, flying the Phantom FGR.2 at Bruggen in Germany. It was a 2 way shifted exchange where German Starfighters were at Bruggen in May and the RAF Phantoms flew to Lechfeld lateron, the first weeks of July. JBG32 Starfighters seen at Bruggen included 21+02, 23+32, 24+06, 24+21, 24+97, 25+19, 25+32, 25+42, 25+46, 27+83 +2 others. Some support for the exchange was performed by DO-28 58+53 on May 8th. It was noted that the Starfighters departed Bruggen with 3 times a 4-ship on May 13th. Information thanks to Hans-Jürgen Breuer. Photo beneath was taken at Bruggen (thanks to Hubert Peitzmeier)

This month a squadron exchange took place between the German Air Force JG74 (2nd Staffel) based at Neuburg AB, operating the F-104G Starfighter, and a French Air Force Mirage IIIC squadron EC 1/5 based at Orange. It was 2 way exchange where 4 Mirages flew to Germany and 5 Starfighters to France. Beneath a picture taken at Neuburg of a mixed formation during the event.

This period a squadron exchange took place between the German Navy MFG2 based at Eggebek, operating the F-104G Starfighter, and the French Navy 11F squadron at Landivisiau flying the Etendard IV M. It was a 1-way exchange, only the French aircraft came to Eggebek.

The Sollingen based Canadian CF-104 Starfighters from 439 Squadron exchanged with the Royal Air Force 17 Squadron, flying the Phantom FGR.2 at Bruggen. It was a 2 way shifted exchange where the Phantoms flew to Sollingen in September. On May 24th the following aircraft arrived at Bruggen at 10:00 local time:  CF-104 104714, 104743, 104749, 104808, 104822, 104845, CF-104D 104653 and finally CT-133 133393.  Information thanks to Hans-Jürgen Breuer

This period a shifted squadron exchange took place between the Dutch Air Force 316 Squadron, flying the NF-5 fighter-bomber, based at Gilze-Rijen AB and the Canadian Armed Forces 421 Squadron of the 1st CAG, based at Baden-Sollingen AB, operating the CF-104 Starfighter. First on May 27th, the Canadian Starfighters flew to Holland. In August the 2nd part started where the Dutch NF-5 aircraft flew to Sollingen. The Canadian Starfighters seen at Gilze were CF-104's 104785, 104786, 104827, 104839, 104843, 104866, 104873, 104892 and CF-104D 104653 and 104661. During the exchange aircraft 104751 and 104865 replaced other aircraft. At least 104839 was replaced by 104865 (30/31st May). CF-104D 104653 arrived at Gilze Rijen at the final days and left with the others on June 11th, all back home. On the day of arrival four aircraft (104827, 104843, 104873 and 104785) flew to Leeuwarden AB for a fuelstop on their way to Gilze while CF-104D 104661 took a fuelstop at Soesterberg. The other aircraft flew via Jever for a fuelstop. The reason was the fact that Gilze Air Base experienced a situation so the aircraft could not land on the estimated time of arrival. The overall timing of the exchange was held to help clear based aircraft away from Baden-Sollingen to make space for the 1974 TWM between held between May 25 and 31. Beneath pictures showing first CF-104 104827 with Lloyd Campbell arriving at Gilze on May 27th, then a picture of CF-104D 104661 (by unknown photographer) and finally CF-104 104843 ready for departing at Leeuwarden Air Base (by Gerrit Hiemstra) to Gilze Air Base.

This year a squadron exchange took place between the French Air Force ER 33 flying the Mirage IIIR, based at Strasbourg, and the Italian Air Force 28 Gruppo (part of 3 Aerobrigata) based at Villafranca flying the RF-104G. It was a 1-way exchange where only Mirage aircraft were seen at Villafranca.

This month a shifted squadron exchange took place between the Belgium Air Force 349 Squadron (1 Wing) based at Beauvechain AB, flying the F-104G and the Italian Air Force 22 Gruppo based at Istrana AB flying the F-104S. During April 349 Squadron flew to Istrana while during June 22 Gruppo visited Beauvechain.

This month a squadron exchange took place between the Dutch Air Force 314 Squadron, flying the NF-5 fighter-bomber, based at Eindhoven AB and the Italian Air Force 155 Gruppo, based at Istrana flying the F-104S Starfighter. It was a  2 way exchange. Seen at Eindhoven were aircraft MM6787/51-33, MM6788/51-38, MM6793/51-40 and MM6795/51-42. Photo beneath shows MM6788 code 51-38 taken by Gerrit Boxem.

This period a squadron exchange took place between the Canadian Armed Forces 441 Squadron, based at Baden-Sollingen AB, operating the CF-104 Starfighter with the Royal Norwegian Air Force 338 Skvadron, flying the F-5 fighter, at Orland AB. It is unknown if this was a 1 or 2 way exchange but at least the Canadians flew to Norway with a fuelstop at Aalborg, Denmark up and down. Participating CF-104 Starfighters included aircraft 104713, 104805, 104807, 104826 and CF-104 104666. One of the Canadian pilots, Laurie Hawn, remembered: "The flying was great and we did some splash bombing for the first time.  That involved dropping practice bombs on a target being towed by a fast boat.  Normally, you have to estimate the effect of wind on where you put your pipper.  In splash bombing, you have to factor in the wind and the speed of the tow, which could have the effect of more wind or less wind depending on the direction of the tow.  We also did some Dissimilar Act Combat (DACT) with the F-5s.  We were both pretty small which made keeping sight a challenge.  At the end, we did a nine-ship diamond with five CF-104s and four F-5s".

This month a squadron exchange took place between the German Navy MFG1 operating the F-104G Starfighter at Schleswig Jagel, and the Belgium Air Force 8 Escadrille, based at Bierset AB flying the Mirage 5BA. It was a two-way exchange. Six Starfighters flew to Belgium and six Mirage 5 aircraft flew to Northern Germany.

This month a squadron exchange took place between the Turkish Air Force 4 AJU, based at Murted AB and the Italian Air Force 154 Gruppo, based at Ghedi, operating the F-104G Starfighter. It was a 2 way exchange. Italian Starfighters seen in Turkey were F-104Gs "6-02", "6-14", "6-18" and "6-21". (Sadly MM serials unknown). A little after this exchange started, the Cyprus crisis began. No more flights by Italian aircraft were allowed and the Turkish aircraft at Ghedi were recalled back to Murted.

This month the Hellenic Air Force 335 Mira, flying the F-104G Starfighter flying from Tanagra Air Base, had a squadron exchange with the Belgian Air Force Mirage 5, operating from Florennes with 2 Squadron. It is unknown if it was a one or two way exchange. It was reported by the Hellenic Air Force that 1 or 2 TF-104G Starfighter were at Florennes between June 12th-14th, likely a pre-visit for this exchange.

The German Air Force JBG36, based at Hopsten and flying the F-104G Starfighter exchanged with a USAFE F-4D Phantom 91st TFS/81 TFW based at Bentwaters this period. It is unknown if this was a one or two-way exchange. Seen at Bentwaters were aircraft  21+42, 23+88, 24+72, 26+18 (which was replaced by 26+17 on 30 July), 26+20 and 26+26. On July 31st Peter Foster was able to shoot pictures of some Hopsten aircraft 21+42, 23+88 and 26+20. See photos below.

This period a shifted two-way squadron exchange took place between RAF 3 Squadron, flying the Harrier and the Canadian Armed Forces 421 Squadron, based at Baden-Sollingen AB flying the CF-104. The Harriers flew first to Baden-Sollingen in July, while the Starfighters flew to RAF Wildenrath in August. Group picture thanks to the Canadian Starfighter Association. The exact period of both events are not clear yet but at least the Harriers were seen at Sollingen on July 10th.

This month a squadron exchange took place between the Italian Air Force 156 Gruppo (part of 36 Stormo), based at Gioia del Colle, operating the F-104S and Danish Air Force 730 Eskadrille, flying the F-100D at Skrydstrup. It was a 2 way exchange.

This month a squadron exchange took place between the German Air Force JBG33, based at Buchel, operating the F-104G Starfighter, and Danish Air Force 727 Eskadrille, flying the F-100D at Skrydstrup. It is unknown if this was a one or two-way exchange but at least the Danish F-100s were at Buchel. Information and photo's beneath (showing the arrival of the Danish pilots at Buchel) thanks to the PRO Taktisches Luftwaffengeschwader 33.

This month a squadron exchange took place between the Belgium Air Force 31 Smaldeel, based at Kleine Brogel AB, operating the F-104G Starfighter and the Italian Air Force 102 Gruppo (part of 5 Stormo), based at Rimini, operating the F-104S. It is unknown if it was a 1 or 2 way exchange but at least the Italian Starfighters flew to the home of 10 Wing in Belgium. The participating Italian F-104S Starfighters were MM6845/5-02, MM6841/5-06, MM6837/5-19 and MM6846/5-20.

This month a squadron exchange took place between the Dutch Air Force 312 Squadron, based at Volkel AB, operating the F-104G Starfighter, and the Royal Air Force 5 Squadron, based at Binbrook, flying the Lightning. It was a 2-way exchange. Duration was 1,5 week. Aircraft which flew to Binbrook were F-104Gs D-6668, D-6683, D-6700, D-8062, D-8256, D-8281, D-8312, D-8337 and two-seater D-5810. In total three Lightning F6 aircraft came to Volkel AB on August 28th and two more Lightning F6 and a twoseater T5 arrived on September 2nd at Volkel. All departed on September 6th.
Photo beneath show the Volkel aircraft ready for departure to Binbrook on August 28th. (Photo: traditiekamer Typhoon documentatiegroep Volkel). Other pictures showing D-6668 and D-8337 on the Binbrook flightline were found on Ebay.

This month a squadron exchange took place between the German Air Force JBG34 (1st Staffel) based at Memmingen, operating the F-104G Starfighter, and the Belgium Air Force 1 Squadron, flying the Mirage 5BA at Bierset. It was a 1 way exchange, Only the Mirages flew to Germany.

This year there was a squadron exchange between the Belgium Air Force 23 Smaldeel (10 Wing), operating the F-104G from Kleine Brogel and US Air Force 494 TFS/48 TFW based at Lakenheath, flying the F-4D Phantom. It was a one way exchange. The Belgium Starfighters visited Lakenheath only.

This month a squadron exchange took place between the Dutch Air Force 311 Squadron, based at Volkel AB, operating the F-104G Starfighter, and the French Air Force EC 2/30, based at Reims, flying the new Mirage F1. It was a 2-way exchange. The Dutch flew to France with 8 aircraft being F-104Gs D-6684, D-8047, D-8051, D-8114, D-8258, D-8259, D-8268, D-8300 and TF-104G D-5807. The French squadron came over with 4 Mirages added with two more Mirages arriving on October 11th and 14th.. Photo beneath, taken by Frans van den Berg, shows a formation of 4 Mirages and 1 Starfighter over Volkel Air Base.

This month, starting from 22 October, a squadron exchange took place between the Dutch Air Force 306 Squadron, based at Volkel AB, operating the RF-104G Starfighter, and the Danish Air Force 729 Eskadrille, based at Karup, flying the RF-35 Saab Draken. It was a 1-way exchange. Dutch Starfighters seen in Denmark were RF-104Gs D-8013, D-8052, D-8059, D-8065, D-8107 and D-8145. Two Drakens visited Volkel on 7 October (likely pre-visit). These were AR-105 and AR-118. The official books of 306 Squadron showed that the Dutch 104s left Volkel on October 23rd. Beneath a photo showing the arrival of the Dutch delegation at Karup (thanks to Marcel Te Slaa)

This month a squadron exchange took place between the Norwegian Air Force 331 Skv, based at Bodo AB, operating the F-104G Starfighter, and the USAFE 22 TFS/36 TFW, based at Bitburg AFB, flying the F-4E. It was a two-way exchange.

This month a squadron exchange took place between the Dutch Air Force 322 Squadron, based at Leeuwarden AB, operating the F-104G Starfighter, and the Italian Air Force 12 Gruppo, based at Gioia del Colle, flying the F-104S. It was a one-way event because the Leeuwarden Air Base runway was overhauled from mid till the 31st of October . So only a number of Dutch Starfighters flew to Italy.

This period a squadron exchange took place between the Royal Air Force 41 Squadron, based at RAF Coningsby operating the Phantom FGR.2 and the Italian Air Force 132 Gruppo (part of 3 Aerobrigata), based at Villafranca, operating the F-104G Starfighter. It is was a 2-way exchange. Starfighters seen at Coningsby were MM6511/3-43, MM6540/3-39, MM6576/3-44 and MM6588/3-47.

Somewhere this year a squadron exchange took place between the Hellenic Air Force 111 Pteriga (Wing) equipped with F-5A at homebase Nea Anchialos, and the Italian Air Force 9 Gruppo, based at Grosseto, operating the F-104S Starfighter. It is unknown if it was a 1 or 2-way exchange. Not much is known about this exchange anyhow. At least it should have taken place before half July because of the emerging Cyprus crisis that moment.

This year a squadron exchange took place between the Danish Air Force 723 Eskadrille based at Aalborg AB, flying the F-104G and the Italian Air Force 21 Gruppo based at Cameri flying the F-104S. It was a 2-way exchange.