Squadron Exchanges 1976

This month a squadron exchange took place between the German Navy MFG2, based at Eggebek and the French Navy 11F squadron, based at Landivisiau. It was a 2-way exchange. In total six Starfighters flew to France and six Etendards flew to Northern Germany. Two of the aircraft seen at Landivisiau were 26+82 and 26+75 which both received an 11F badge on its fin as can be seen on the photos beneath taken by Helmut Baumann in 1976.

The Belgium Air Force 349 Squadron (1 Wing) based at Beauvechain exchanged with nr 43 Squadron, operating the Phantom FG.1 at Leuchars. Four Phantoms flew to Belgium and also a number of Belgium F-104s went to England. Aircraft seen at Leuchars were FX20 (slivers), FX25 (slivers) and FX58. Photos beneath show a nice mixed formation over the UK (thanks to Marc Baetsle) and the FX25 being prepared for a mission from Leuchars (thanks to Pierre Schaffrath).

This period a squadron exchange took place between the Royal Air Force 6 Squadron, flying the Jaguar aircraft, based at RAF Coltishall and the German Navy MFG1, based at Schleswig Jagel. It was a 2-way exchange. In total 6 Starfighters flew to the UK and 6 Jaguars flew to Germany.

This period a squadron exchange took place between the Dutch Air Force 323 Squadron based at Leeuwarden, and the Italian Air Force 10 Gruppo based at Grazzanise flying the F-104S. It was a 2-way exchange . Dutch Starfighters seen at Grazzanise were F-104G D-8053, D-8110, D-8082, D-8293, D-8304, D8308 (323sq) and TF-104G D-5702 (TCA markings). At Leeuwarden four Italian Starfighters could be found being MM6823/9-43, MM6825/9-42, MM6826/9-44 and MM6878/9-40. All Dutch Starfighters received nice white 10 Gruppo badges on their tails. beneath a number of photos taken at Grazzanise (visitor platform) and Leeuwarden AB. The D-8053, D-8304 and D-8308 at Grazzanise thanks to Klaas Folkersma and MM6825 code 9-42, MM6826 code 9-44 by Gerrit Hiemstra and finally MM6878 code 9-40 by Gerrit Bouma. At least the two-seater D-5702 arrived already back at Leeuwarden on May 19th. Both photos of MM6826 and MM6878 were taken on the arrival date May 11th. Also two interesting photos can be found thanks to Paul Gross showing (photo 1) the line up of Dutch Starfighters at Grazzanise and (photo 2) 9-42 and 9-43 together with two Dutch Starfighters over the agriculture area in Friesland county near Leeuwarden Air Base. Then a photo showing D-8053 taxying on the Grazzanise taxy strip and three photos taken at Leeuwarden (thanks to Rob Loonstra) showing aircraft 9-42, 9-43 and 9-44.

This year a squadron exchange was organised between Danish Air Force 723 Eskadrille, based at Aalborg, flying the F-104G and the French Air Force EC 2/3 , based at Nancy flying the Mirage IIIE. It was a 2 way exchange. Photos beneath were taken at Aalborg during the arrival of the Mirage aircraft, taken by Danish F-104 pilot Peter Otto Andersen.

This year a shifted squadron exchange took place between the Canadian 421 Squadron, based at Baden-Söllingen, flying the CF-104 and the Royal Air Force 17 Squadron, based at Bruggen, Germany, flying the Jaguar GR.1 aircraft. First eight Jaguars arrived at Söllingen from May 18th and stayed till May 27th, later on June 8th the CF-104s flew to Bruggen AB for their shift and flew back to Söllingen on June 16th. On June 8th a total of 8th Starfighters arrived at 14:00h local (104822, 104839, 104862, 104891, 104899, 104835, 104893 and finally a dual 104656 leading the formation). All aircraft carried fresh 421 squadron markings. Also two CT-133 aircraft arrived with crew being 133393 and 133069. During the stay at Bruggen there were some aircraft exchanges. On June 11th a CF-104D 104661 arrived (441 squadron markings) and also left again that same day together with two CF-104s 104822 and 104839. A day later, June 12th, three aircraft arrived being CF-104D 104653 (no markings) and CF-104s 104795 and 104840 (both 421 squadron markings). The two single seat Starfighters replaced the two aircraft which left the 11th. On June 14th CT-133 (133450) preformed a crew ferry just as a day later performed by CT-133 133542. On June 16th the exchange finished at 11:00h local time when the final 8 aircraft (in a 8-ship formation) left Bruggen for Söllingen. These were aircraft 104653, 104795, 104835, 104840, 104862, 104891, 104893 and 104899. Also CT-133 133069 was seen this day to perform a crew ferry. Note: It is unknown when CF-104D 104656 left Bruggen but it was at least last noted June 9th. (Information thanks to Hans-Juergen Breuer). Attached a picture thanks to Henry Chapman showing the celebration of the exchange, unsure if this is Söllingen or Bruggen.

This month a squadron exchange took place between the German Navy MFG2, based at Eggebek and the Norwegian Air Force 334 Skv, based at Bodo flying the CF-104. It was a 2-way exchange. In total six Starfighters flew to Norway and five CF-104s flew to Germany including CF-104D 104633. Seen at Bodo were RF-104Gs 21+25 and 21+29 (which received a yellow paintbrushed xx nr of flyinghours zapp at Bodo AB on its tail).
The biggest newspaper in Norway called VG (Verdens Gang) from June 1976 spent an article on this event (see attached, thanks to Tom Svendsen) They mentioned that this was the first time that a German squadron was allowed to stay for many days in Bodø due to political reasons. Previously only day visits were allowed. The photo shows that the German sqn leader Volker Liche was welcomed by German ground crew with a funny action using a red carpet, champagne and a parasol waiting for him.

This month a squadron exchange took place between the German Air Force WS10, based at Jever and the Belgium Air Force 350 Squadron (1 Wing) based at Beauvechain both flying the (T)F-104G Starfighter. It was a two-way exchange. The German Starfighters at Beauvechain were TF-104Gs 27+09 and 27+26 and F-104Gs 24+28 and 24+43. The four Belgium Starfighters in Jever were not identified yet but it is known that 8 Belgium pilots participated in Jever. Beneath a photo by Jean Luc Beghin via Serge Bonfond and also a photo via Col. Jean Buzin taken from a formation flight. Both were taken on June 23rd 1976, the day before departure.

This month there was a squadron exchange between the Canadian Air Force 439 Squadron based at Baden-Söllingen, flying the CF-104 and the USAFE 78TFS based at Woodbridge flying the F-4D Phantom. It is unknown if this was a one or two-way exchange but at least the Canadian Starfighters were seen in the UK.

This period a squadron exchange took place between the German Navy MFG1, based at Schleswig Jagel and the Canadian 441 Squadron, based at Baden-Sollingen flying the CF-104. It was a shifted exchange. In total six Starfighters flew to Baden Sollingen and flew between 22 June and 1 July 1976. Sadly no serials are known sofar.

This month a squadron exchange took place between the Italian Air Force 18 Gruppo (part of 3 Aerobrigata), based at Villafranca and the USAFE 1 TRS/10 TRW, based at Alconbury, UK flying the RF-4C. It was a 2-way exchange. The following F-104G aircraft were seen at Alconbury: MM6514/3-08, MM6545/3-06, MM6565/3-11 and MM6586/3-03. Beneath a picture of aircraft MM6565 at Alconbury (Klaas Folkersma collection) and a picture taken at Villafranca, showing the four participating Phantoms, thanks to F-104 pilot Mauro Degoli.

This month a squadron exchange took place between the Royal Air Force 29 Squadron, based at Coningsby, flying the Phantom FGR.2 and the Dutch Air Force 322 Squadron, based at Leeuwarden flying the air defense version of the F-104G. It was a 2-way exchange where four Phantoms flew to Holland and six F-104G aircraft to the UK. Starfighters returning back in Holland from the UK on July 29th were D-8082, D-8093, D-8109, D-8272, D-8297, D-8319, D-In Holland lots of DACT (Dissimilar Air Combat Training) missions were flown. The Starfighter pilots had a hard time against the more agile F-4s. The tradition to burn a piano at the 29 Squadron premises ended almost in a disaster. Photo beneath show 3 of the 6 aircraft returning back at Leeuwarden on July 29th, thanks to Karel Juckers. Attached a picture taken by someone at Coningsby showing the D-8082 on the flightline. Pilot Gerhard Westerdijk took a film during one of the missions around the Scottish environment. See here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8l1K3ZArnE

The Belgium Air Force 31 Squadron (10 Wing) based at Kleine Brogel exchanged with one of the F-4D squadrons from 48TFW at Lakenheath. It was a shifted exchange but both in this month. Beneath a picture showing 31 Squadron pilot Pedro Buyse at Lakenheath. (Thanks to Luc Delestinne).

This period a squadron exchange took place between the German Navy MFG1, based at Schleswig Jagel and the Canadian 441 Squadron, based at Baden-Sollingen flying the CF-104. It was a shifted exchange. In total six Starfighters flew to Baden Sollingen and flew between 22 June and 1 July 1976, the Canadians came to Schleswig with six CF-104s lateron. They stayed at Schleswig between 3 and 12 August 1976. Canadian Starfighters were 104705(?), 104761, 104805, 104806, 104815 and 104845.

This month a squadron exchange took place between the Belgium Air Force 42 Escadrille, based at Florennes, flying the Mirage 5BR and the Italian Air Force 28 Gruppo (part of 3 Aerobrigata), based at Villafranca flying the RF-104G. It was a 2 way exchange.

This period a squadron exchange took place between the Norwegian 331 Skv, operating the F-104G at Bodo and the Royal Air Force 23 Squadron, based at Wattisham flying the Phantom FGR.2. It was a two way exchange. Starfighters seen at Wattisham were 238, 239, 240 and 626. Beneath the three aircraft which flew missions on the 1st of September being 238, 239 and 626 (thanks to Adam Meijer). It was a shifted exchange where the Phantoms stayed at Bodo before the Norwegians stayed in the UK. Transport to Bodo was provided by RAF Short Belfast Hector XR365.

This month a squadron exchange took place between the Dutch Air Force 306 Squadron, based at Volkel, flying the RF-104G and the Danish Air Force 729 Eskadrille, based at Karup, flying the Saab RF35 Draken. It was a 2 way exchange where four Drakens flew to Holland. On September 20th an extra Draken came along. The Dutch aircraft flying to Karup were RF-104Gs D-8013, D-8112, D-8131, D-8273 and TF-104G D-5803. The pre-exchange toke place on August 30th, when a two-seater Draken Sk35XD came to Volkel. Photo beneath shows a Draken-Starfighter formation flight over Volkel in September 1976. (Photo: Frans van den Berk)

This month a squadron exchange took place between the German Air Force JBG34, based at Memmingen flying the F-104G and the Dutch Air Force 315 Squadron, based at Twenthe flying the NF-5 fighter. It is unknown if it was a 1 or 2-way exchange but the 104s were seen for sure at Twenthe AB being F-104G 22+39, 22+44, 22+47, 22+63, 22+90, 24+57 and TF-104G 27+22. Photos beneath taken at Twenthe thanks to Harry Koning and Jos van Nes.

This year there was a squadron exchange between the Belgium Air Force 23 Smaldeel (10 Wing), operating the F-104G from Kleine Brogel and Canadian Air Force 439 Squadron based at Baden-Söllingen, flying the CF-104. It was a one-way exchange. Only the Belgium Starfighters visited the Canadians in Germany.
Note: Also earlier in 1976, there was a deployment to Kleine Brogel by the Canadian Starfighters for a pre-TWM work up training. This should not to be confused with the mentioned Squadron Exchange...

This period a squadron exchange took place between the German Air Force JBG33, based at Buchel flying the F-104G and the Dutch Air Force 312 Squadron, based at Volkel  flying the F-104G as well. It was a 2-way exchange. Seen at Volkel AB were aircraft 20+62, 20+64, 22+03 and 25+52 and TF-104G 28+18. All belonged to the 2nd Staffel (blue badges). Aircraft 25+52 had a red badge, so this was used on loan probably. Dutch Starfighters which flew to Buchel AB were F-104G D-6695, D-8051, D-8245, D-8312 together with TF-104G D-5805. Beneath photos taken by Frans van den Berk of F-104G 25+52 with red JBG33 badges on its tail while landing at Volkel, a photo showing this 25+52 together with 20+64 and finally TF-104G 28+18 landing (two times). One year later this TF-104G was lost in a crash. Another photo shows the Germans and Dutch personnel at Volkel Air Base just after arrival of the visitors. This photo was received, thanks to the PRO Taktisches Luftwaffengeschwader 33. Also photos of a relic given to 312sq at Buchel for the good cooperation. (Thanks to Rob Loonstra)

This year a squadron exchange took place between the Danish Air Force 726 Eskadrille, based at Aalborg, flying the CF-104 and 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 exchange.

This year a squadron exchange took place between the German Air Force AG52, based at Leck, flying the RF-4E Phantom and the Italian Air Force 132 Gruppo (part of 3 Aerobrigata), based at Villafranca flying the F-104G. It was a 2 way exchange.