Squadron Exchanges 1986

This month there was a two-way exchange between the Italian Air Force Rimini based 23 Gruppo and the Norwegian 332SKV at Rygge AB. Participating Italian Starfighters were MM6775/5-30, MM6814/5-42 and MM6878 5-44. The fourth aircraft is still unknown.
Beneath some formation photos showing various Italian Starfighters together with Norwegian F-16s over Norway. The third photo was taken over the Mount Etna (volcano) in Italy showing "host" Starfighter MM6704/5-41 leading two Norwegian F-16s. Photos thanks to Riccardo Vestuto and Tom Svendsen. Also a photo showing the arrival of the four Norwegian F-16s at Rimini.

This year the Spanish Air Force 212 Escuadron (ALA 21), flying the SF-5A from Moron, 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 squadron exchange but at least the SF-5A flew to Grosseto.

This month the German Navy held one if its last squadron exchange with Starfighters involved by a squadron exchange between the 2nd staffel of MFG2, based at Eggebek but operating from Schleswig Jagel, and the Italian Air Force 20 Gruppo based at Grosseto, flying the TF-104G and F-104G. It was a 2-way squadron exchange but both not at the same time. First two Navy F-104G and two TF-104G aircraft flew to Italy (6 till 16 June period) while later that month four Italian one-seaters (no TFs) flew to Germany (16 till 25 June period). Pictures beneath were taken during formation photo shoot over the sea near Grosseto, Italy. It is likely that indeed the Italians operated with MFG2 at Schleswig Jagel.

This month the German Navy held one if its last squadron exchange with Starfighters involved by a squadron exchange 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 squadron exchange but both not at the same time. First two Navy F-104G and two TF-104G aircraft flew to Italy (6 till 16 June period) while later that month four Italian one-seaters (no TFs) flew to Germany (16 till 25 June period).

This period the Belgium Air Force 1 Escadrille, based at Bierset and flying the Mirage 5BA, was involved in a squadron exchange with the Italian Air Force 18 Gruppo based at Trapani-Birgi, flying the F-104S. It was a 2-way squadron exchange. The four participating Starfighters were MM6843/37-02, MM6919/37-04, MM6876/37-16 (new lightgrey small codes) and finally MM6802. The MM6802 had just arrived with 18 Gruppo and did not yet have a squadron code applied. This was the first exchange of 18 Gruppo after it was reformed during 1984. The Mirages received some zapps by the Italians and of course also the Starfighters were zapped by the Belgians! Pre-exchange took place in May 1986 by MM6835/37-15 and MM6876/37-16.
Beneath, first row, pictures showing the MM6876/37-16 (with 1sq zapp on its tail) by Jean-Claude Wayet, a photo showing MM6843/37-02 on the flightline of Bierset on June 26th (by Jean Marie Hanon) and a photo showing MM6876 (taken after the exercise at Decimonannu) showing the Zapp which was applied on the aft fuselage during the exchange (Photo Peter Mühlböck). Second row shows aircraft formations over Belgium territory thanks to Luc Mercier. The final third row shows some nice formation pictures taken over Sicily, Italy thanks to Luc Mercier. Pictures of Starfighters MM6919/37-04, codeless MM6802 and also both pre-exchange pictures showing MM6835/37-15 and MM6876/37-16 on the final row, have been received from Dirk Lamarque.

Since MFG2 was almost retiring the F-104, the last Starfighter involved squadron squadron exchange took place in July 1986 with Turkish Air Force squadron 161 Filo Bandirma, flying the F-104G. The 1st staffel of MFG2 went to Bandirma with RF-104G 21+19, F-104G 26+78 and two TF-104G aircraft 27+81 and 28+25. According Axel Ostermann, the Turkish squadron left them completely alone during their stay except for one short familiarization flight in the beginning. The very nice air-to-air photos beneath (thanks to Axel Ostermann) show the Turkish 5722/6-722 during the mentioned familiarization flight while the other show the German aircraft flying over the Turkish countryside. Note the Turkish flags on their tails which they received lateron at Bandirma. It was a one-way exchange, only the Germans flew to Turkey.

This period the Italian 10 Gruppo based at Grazzanise Air Base (9 Stormo), flying the F-104S Starfighter exchanged with the RAF 43 Squadron based at Leuchars and operating the Phantom FG.1 aircraft. It was a two-way exchange where 4 Starfighters flew to Leuchars being MM6727/9-40, MM6932/9-41, MM6762/9-42 and MM6730/9-52. At the end of the exchange two more Starfighters joined the group in the UK being MM6737/9-33 and MM6719/9-50. It looks like aircraft MM6727/9-40 and MM6932/9-42 made a pre-visit at Leuchars on June 27th because both were noticed on a fuel-stop at Ramstein Air Base.

This month the USAFE 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 F-104G. It was a 2-way squadron exchange. Sadly, on August 4th, one of the participating aircraft, MM6586/3-12, carrying an Orpheus pod, crashed near Bernbach (near Bad Herrenalb), in Germany during the exchange, gladly the pilot Capt. Antonio Corselli ejected safely. The other 3 participating aircraft were F-104Gs MM6518 code 3-10, MM6567 code 3-02 and MM6608 code 3-15 seen for example on August 7th 1986. Picture beneath was shared by Maurizio Noé.

This month JBG34 (2nd Staffel), flying the F-104G at Memmingen AB, exchanged with the Hellenic Air Force 345 MIRA, flying the A-7H at Souda. It was very likely a one-way event where at least 6 Starfighter (including one lizard painted TF-104G, likely 27+77 and F-104G aircraft 21+56 and 26+44) flew to Greece for a 10 days stay. Beneath pictures showing Greek and German pilots in front of the German two-seater at Souda, thanks to Toni Engel and Dimitris Adamopoulos. The zapp picture was provided by Hubert Peitzmeier.

This month the Hellenic Air Force 336 Mira, 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 squadron exchange 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 5912/TF912. Beneath pictures showing aircraft 7153 landing at Istrana on August 25th (by Sergio Gava) and 7195 landing on August 22nd (by Adriano Agnoli). Also a group pictures, taken at Araxos, thanks to Maria Anastopoulou.

Four Italian Starfighters from the Villafranca based 28 Gruppo exchanged with German Air Force AG51 at Bremgarten flying the RF-4E Phantom. It was a two-way squadron exchange. Only 1 participating Italian F-104’s at Bremgarten could be identified being RF-104G MM6651 code 3-47 as seen beneath. The formation pictures were provided by Maurizio Noé. Also a picture was added showing a special drawing made for the occasion (thanks to the AG51 website).

This month the Royal Air Force 43 Squadron, based at Leuchars, UK, flying the Phantom FG.1, was involved in a squadron exchange with the Italian Air Force 21 Gruppo based at Cameri, flying the F-104S. It was a 2-way squadron exchange.

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 squadron exchange. 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 squadron exchange at Volkel AB. During the squadron exchange 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. Beneath photos of the four participating Italian Starfighters taken at Volkel. All taken by Michael de Boer except aircraft 5-06 which was taken by Rene Kolle. Also two (square) photos taken by Klaas Bakker at Rimini showing the good atmosphere between both squadrons. One other picture was taken by Bart Sweers showing 5-25 and 5-26 entering the  runway for a new mission and finally a nice formation photo taken over Rimini area (thanks to late Ton van der Zeeuw and Michael de Boer) showing guest aircraft mm6742 code 5-20 and mm6759 code 5-24 together with a Dutch RF-16A.