Real World Changes to MAIW packages

[TheFoufure]

Was the P-3C Orion from Sweden a MAIW package? I don't remember.

Because on Jun 30th Sweden will retire the P-3C from active service.
https://scramble.nl/military-news/goodb ... -p-3-orion

Sweden never had P-3's. Is't Norway

Norway P-3's are not from a MAIW Pack, but from Ray Parker repaints, here : https://rayparker-repaints.jimdofree.co ... 2720962809

Goodbye to RNoAF P-3 Orion

On 30 June 2023, the Luftforsvaret (RNoAF, Royal Norwegian Air Force) will officially withdraw the Lockheed P-3C Orion from active service. On this date, (one of) the last operational aircraft will make its final flight.

The retirement of the Orion fleet will be marked by a ceremony at Andøya Air Station, where the aircraft were based. This ceremony will serve a double purpose as it also marks the decommissioning of the Andøya Air Station in northern Norway.

The unit, 333 skvadron For Konge og Fedreland (For the king and fatherland), still has two active Orions. On 3 and 4 June 2023, P-3C with serial 3299 Ulabrand, made its final public appearance overflying the Sola Airshow. On its way to and from the airshow, the aircraft made a flypast over Rygge Air Station.

So, after 54 years of service, the era of the Orion in Norwegian service will come to an end. The RNoAF replaced the Orion with the Boeing P-8A Poseidon, of which the fifth and last aircraft was delivered on 27 May 2022. Norway ordered five P-8A Maritime Multimission Aircraft (MMA) in a USD 1,2 billion Foreign Military Sale (FMS) contract in March 2017. The MMAs were purchased as a replacement for the Orions as well as the two Dassault Falcon 20ECM surveillance aircraft.

On 18 March 2023, Scramble Magazine first reported that Argentina was in negotiations with the Norwegian government for the possible purchase of three or four Lockheed P-3 Orion maritime patrol aircraft. According to our knowlede, a final contract has not been signed yet.

Overview of the RNoAF P-3 Orion fleet:

P-3B Orion
156599/KK-L (c/n 5301), delivered jan69, reregistered 599 on 01sep72, sold to Spain as P.3-9
156600/KK-M (c/n 5302), delivered jan69, reregistered 600 on 01sep72, sold to Spain as P.3-10
156601/KK-N (c/n 5303), delivered feb69, reregistered 601 on 01sep72, sold to Spain as P.3-11
156602/KK-O (c/n 5304), delivered feb69, reregistered 602 on 01sep72, sold to Spain as P.3-12
156603/KK-P (c/n 5305), delivered mar69, reregistered 603 on 01sep72, modified to P-3N in 1991 and registered 6603
576 (c/n 5257), ex US Navy BuNo 154576, delivered jan80, modified to P-3N in 1991 and registered 4576
583 (c/n 5264), ex US Navy BuNo 154573, delivered mar80, sold to Spain as P.3-8
P-3C Orion
3296 (c/n 5817), delivered dec89, reported wfu by early 2021
3297 (c/n 5818), delivered jul89
3298 (c/n 5819), delivered aug89, wfu and flown to 309th AMARG, Tucson (AZ) mar23
3299 (c/n 5820), delivered feb90
P-3N Orion
4576 (ex 576), wfu 11nov21, flown to 309th AMARG, Tucson (AZ) sep22
6603 (ex 603), wfu by aug21, stored at Andøya, to become a gate guard

Photo by Frederik Edvardsen Photography

Source : https://scramble.nl/military-news/goodb ... -p-3-orion

[TheFoufure]

AI Lockheed Martin C-130 Hercules - RAF (For FSX/P3D and for FS9)

https://militaryaiworks.com/download-ha ... p3dv4-jyai

https://militaryaiworks.com/download-ha ... r-fs9-jyai

You can remove RAF C-130 Hercules

RAF says farewell to the Mighty Hercules

On 19 December 1966, the very first Hercules C1 transport aircraft for the British Royal Air Force (RAF) arrived at Marshall’s of Cambridge. This actually was the second aircraft built, serial XV177, and it was subsequently delivered to 242 Operational Conversion Unit (242OCU) at RAF Thorney Island.

After over fifty-six years of distinguished service, the era of the Hercules within the RAF will come to an end on 30 June 2023. On this date, the last operational squadron to fly this plane will also be disbanded. This is 47 squadron, which was first established on 1 March 1916, and which has been equipped with Hercules aircraft since 25 February 1968.

A lot has happened in this period, from regular support to British and other NATO forces during the Cold War era, to humanitarian aid missions in for example Africa and war time missions ranging from the Falklands War (1982) until Operation Shader which currently is still on going and where the last operational Hercules mission was flown on 4 June 2023.

Initially the Ministry of Defence (MoD) purchased sixty-six C-130K aircraft, which were delivered between December 1966 and May 1968. A large portion of the fleet was retired when twenty-five C-130J aircraft were purchased as replacement.

The new C-130Js were delivered between 1998 and 2000, again to Marshall’s at Cambridge. The first C-130J was delivered to the RAF for operational service on 21 November 1999. Despite this, a limited number of C-130Ks soldiered on, mainly for Special Forces Support Missions, until 28 October 2013.

In March 2021 it was announced that also the C-130J Hercules would be retired. Their role was to be taken over by twenty-two Airbus A400M aircraft, of which the last one was delivered on 22 May 2023. Over time, the C-130J fleet has been gradually reduced in size with only five aircraft still in operational service by the start of June 2023: ZH867, ZH868, ZH870, ZH871 and ZH889.

Of the C-130J Super Hercules, two were lost while in service: ZH873 on 25 August 2017 and ZH876 on 12 February 2007. All others were retired to Marshall’s at Cambridge for storage pending a decision on their future. Seven of them have already been sold and delivered to other countries: four to Bangladesh (ZH881, ZH882 ZH884 and ZH887), two to Bahrain (ZH880 and ZH886) and one to the United States (ZH885, which became the new “Fat Albert” with the famous US Navy Demonstration Squadron “Blue Angels”).

A fitting farewell flypast is planned on 14 June 2023. Three aircraft will overfly all four nations of the United Kingdom, including twenty-three locations which in some way are historically tied to this iconic aircraft:

10:00 hrs Departure from RAF Brize Norton
10:25 hrs National Memorial Arboretum Alrewas
10:34 hrs RAF Cosford
11:22 hrs RAF Valley
11:48 hrs FS Aldergrove
12:51 hrs RAF Lossiemouth – escorted by RAF Typhoon
14:08 hrs RAF Leeming
14:10 hrs RAF Topcliffe
14:23 hrs Beverley
14:35 hrs RAF Waddington
14:38 hrs RAF College Cranwell
14:58 hrs Cambridge Airport
15:15 hrs Colchester Garrison
16:22 hrs MoD Boscombe Down
16:25 hrs West Down Camp, Salisbury Plain
16:32 hrs MoD Lyneham
16:36 hrs Royal Wootton Bassett
16:39 hrs Defence Academy of the United Kingdom, Shrivenham
16:43 hrs Dalton Barracks, Abingdon
16:51 hrs RAF Halton
16:55 hrs RAF High Wycombe
17:05 hrs Landing at RAF Brize Norton

Photo by Mike Schoenmaker (Scramble Archive)

Source : Scramble.nl (https://www.scramble.nl/military-news/r ... y-hercules)

[TimC340]

Not yet. June 30th is the last day of service, when the last four aircraft will be moved to Marshall's for refurbishment and onward sale.

[TimC340]

For those interested, the RAF is today doing a farewell tour of the UK. It's already been airborne for 4:40, so I'm a bit late with the info, but search FR24 for ZH870/Omen1 and you should find the three-ship formation. It's over South Lincolnshire heading south right now.

[Joseph29]

The 190th Fighter Squadron based at Gowen Field Air National Guard Base near Boise will be transitioning to the F-16C/D Fighting Falcon. The A-10's that are currently based there will start to be retired in 2026.

https://scramble.nl/military-news/idaho ... -get-f-16s

PS: The AI A-10's are/were part of the MAIW west coast ANG package.

[Victory103]

MAIW Florida Orions Package v1.0

Remove all P-3C Orions as VP-30 flew last aircraft to AMARG Boneyard. NAS Jax based USNR VP-62 "sundowned" the P-3 last year and has transitioned to the P-8 Poseidon.

[fab84000]

French MRTT 068, F-UJCQ, he arrived at Istres AB with a Bretagne logo on tail
https://www.facebook.com/baseaerienne12 ... T28PvbKYal

[Joseph29]

The last operational mission by the USAF JSTARS E-8C was on September 21st 2023.

https://scramble.nl/military-news/usaf- ... s-swansong

[Victory103]

The last operational mission by the USAF JSTARS E-8C was on September 21st 2023.

https://scramble.nl/military-news/usaf- ... s-swansong

Tracking the tails of these and E-3s as they head to AMARG. Soon moving the cool JYAI C-2 Greyhounds as they sunset the type replaced by the even better JYAI V-22s!

[Victory103]

MAIW MCAS Miramar
F-18 training squadron VMFAT-101 Sharpshooters deactivated 30SEP23. Aircraft will move to a training detachment under VMFA-323 Death Rattlers also at MCAS Miramar, CA (KNKX). Remaining USMC F-18 squadrons are now a mix of C/D models.

[Joseph29]

The last operational KC-10 mission was flown on October 4th.

https://scramble.nl/military-news/usaf- ... rationally

Not an official package, but John You did make the models and all active paints.

[John Young]

I made the KC-10A model and paints for McGuire, Travis, Onega, Tanker 10 and Royal Netherlands Air Force.

John

[Joseph29]

The 163rd Fighter Squadron (Indiana Air National Guard) will be switching back to the F-16 (currently fly A-10's). The transition started on October 2oth when two F-16's arrived at Fort Wayne.

https://scramble.nl/military-news/secon ... lacksnakes

[Victory103]

The 163rd Fighter Squadron (Indiana Air National Guard) will be switching back to the F-16 (currently fly A-10's). The transition started on October 2oth when two F-16's arrived at Fort Wayne.

https://scramble.nl/military-news/secon ... lacksnakes

Too bad we never had an older MAIW package before they flew the Hawgs, just plug the F-16s back in. Both those tails came from the original Hill AFB package, transferred to Holloman AFB.

[TheFoufure]

MAIW MCAS Beaufort

VMFA-115 Silver Eagles deactived

On 9 November 2023, Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 115 Silver Eagles ('VE-xx') was officially deactived. The squadron, operating the classic F/A-18C and F/A-18D Hornet at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort (SC), will transition to the F-35C Lightning II.

For this transition, the Silver Eagles will relocate to Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point (NC), where they will become part of Marine Aircraft Group (MAG) 14. Transition to the F-35C is scheduled for 2027.

Marine Fighting Squadron (VMF) 115 was organised on 1 July 1943 at Marine Corps Air Station Santa Barbara (CA) as a F4U Corsair squadron. Late 2001, the unit received their first F/A-18A Hornets and one year later, October 2002, the squadron deployed with Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 3 aboard the USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75). VMFA-115 was deactivated in accordance with Force Design 2030 after 80 years of service.

USMC Hornet units that have already transitioned to the F-35 Lightning are: VMFA-122 The Flying Leathernecks, VMFA-225 Vikings to the F-35B, and VMFA-251 Thunderbolts, VMFA-314 Black Knights to the F-35C.

The following Marine Fighter Attack and Marine Marine All Weather Fighter Attack Squadrons still operate the Hornet:

MCAS Beaufort (NC)
VMFA(AW)-224 Flying Bengals ('WK-xx') operating F/A-18C/D
VMFA-312 Checkerboards ('DR-2xx') operating F/A-18C/D
VMFA(AW)-533 Hawks ('ED-xx) operating F/A-18C/D
Fort Worth NAS JRB/Carswell Field (TX)
VMFA-112 Cowboys ('MA-xx') operating F/A-18C
MCAS Miramar (CA)
VMFA-232 Red Devils ('WT-xx') operating F/A-18C/D
VMFA-323 Death Rattlers ('WS-4xx') operating F/A-18C/D


Credit photo: USMC by Lance Cpl. Kyle Baskin

Source : Scramble.nl

[TheFoufure]

Repaint Various Aircraft - Japanese Coast Guard

(available here : https://militaryaiworks.com/download-ha ... oast-guard )

You can remove following aircraft : Japan Coast Guard DHC-8-315Q MPA aircraft (JA722A, 656)

Collision at Tokyo-Haneda Airport

Not a good start to the New Year, as on 2 January 2024 Japan Airlines flight JL516, operated by Airbus A350-941 JA13XJ (538), collided with a Japan Coast Guard DHC-8-315Q MPA aircraft (JA722A, 656) on runway 34R at Tokyo-Haneda Airport, Japan.

The flight from Sapporo-New Chitose was landing on runway 34R when the accident happened.
Video footage (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TlmSC3tkZ_c) shows that the nose gear of the A350 collapsed after the collision with the Coast Guard Bombardier. A fire erupted and continued while the Airbus was evacuated on the runway.

According to a Japan Airlines spokesperson, there were 367 passengers and twelve crew members onboard JL516, who evacuated safely despite some difficulties. The fire continued to spread and completely consumed the Airbus.

The Japan Coast Guard DHC-8-300MPA (Maritime Patrol Aircraft) was also engulfed in flames. The pilot escaped, with serious injuries, but sadly the other five crew members did not survive. The Dash 8 was on its way to transport supplies to Niigata Air Base in response to the Noto Peninsula earthquake.

Listen to actual communications between Haneda Air Traffic Control and other aircraft around the airport.

This marks the first hull loss of an Airbus A350...


Photo: Michel van der Voort

Source : Scramble.nl

[gapeters]

https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/349622

B-1B MSN 45 85-0085 crashed and all members ejected yesterday near or on the Ellsworth AFB.

Greg

[TheFoufure]

https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/349622

B-1B MSN 45 85-0085 crashed and all members ejected yesterday near or on the Ellsworth AFB.

Greg

MAIW Ellsworth AFB

( Available here : https://militaryaiworks.com/download-ha ... sworth-afb )

As mentionned above, you can remove aircraft 85-0085 (entry : MAIW_NBAI_B1B_EL_37_0085 in the aircraft.cfg)

Tigers B-1B bomber crashes at Ellsworth AFB

On 4 January 2024, EL coded Rockwell B-1B Lancer 85-0085 crashlanded near the runway of Ellsworth AFB (SD).

At this moment, information of the Lancer crash is scarce but first reports are that the crew of four successfully bailed out. The B-1B, part of the 28th Bomb Wing, crashed at approximately 17:50 hrs LT while attempting to land on Ellsworth.

At the time of the accident, the Lancer was on a training mission and visibility was poor with freezing temperatures and low clouds. The alleged 37th Bomb Squadron 'Tigers' Lancer, with serial number 85-0085, was given by multiple aircraft enthusiasts on the Scramble Messageboard.

US 37th BS crash Ellsworth credit SR Planespotter 640As of the beginning of 2024, the USAF has still 45 B-1B combat coded bombers in its inventory.





Credit photo of 85-0085 during better times while landing at Nellis AFB (NV): venom_13 (On Flickr) / Aftermath photo at Ellsworth: Via @SR_Planespotter (On X)

Source : Scramble.nl

[TheFoufure]

Netherlands Air Force AI Apaches And Chinooks

All AH-64D from RNLAF are retired. They Will be remplaced by AH-64E.

Pack of AH-64D is here : https://www.flightsim.com/files/file/14 ... -chinooks/

301 Squadron says goodbye to AH-64DN

On Thursday 11 January 2024, the Koninklijke Luchtmacht (KLu, Royal Netherlands Air Force) made the final flight with the AH-64DN Apache at Gilze-Rijen air base.

After almost 25 years of operations, 301 Squadron Per Sapientam Efficiens et Immortalis, said goodbye to the Apache D attack helicopter. AH-64DN Q-26, flying with call sign HAWK01, made some low passes and demonstrated the flare system.

In the coming months the final AH-64DN Apaches will be dismantled and shipped to the US where parts of the helicopter are used in the new AH-64E models.

The KLu operated a fleet of 30 Apache D models. The first helicopters arrived at Gilze-Rijen in July 1999. Two AH-64DNs were lost on 29 August 2004 (Q-20) respectively 17 March 2015 (Q-15), and eight were used with the Netherlands Apache Training Detachement (NATD) at Fort Hood (TX) which was renamed as Fort Cavazos on 9 May 2023.

The KLu has ordered 28 AH-64E Apache Guardian helicopters. Eight will be used with 302 Squadron at Robert Gray AAF/Fort Cavazos (TX) and twenty with 301 Squadron at Gilze-Rijen.


Credit photo: Q-26 in sunnier conditions than on 11 January 2024 (Hans Heemskerk, Scramble Archive)

[TheFoufure]

MAIW Beale AFB

Available here : https://militaryaiworks.com/download-ha ... -beale-afb


You can remove the TU-2S 80-1065.

First TU-2S Dragon Lady bows out. The beginning of the end

On 11 January 2024, BB coded Lockheed (Martin) dual seat TU-2S 80-1065 Dragon Lady made her final flight at Beale AFB (CA).

This particular TU-2S trainer, belonging to the 1st Reconnaissance Squadron/9th Reconnaissance Wing, was part of the Elephant Walk at Beale on 4 January 2024. On that day, six U-2S Dragon Ladies from the 99th Reconnaissance Squadron, two TU-2S Dragon Lady trainers and nine T-38A Talons from the 1st Reconnaissance Squadron and and two KC-135R Stratotankers from the 314th Air Refueling Squadron/940th Air Refueling Wing performed an Elephant Walk at Beale.

While "1065" is the first to be divested off, the story about getting rid of the USAF U-2 fleet has been going around for years. Scramble Mgazine assesses that it remains to be seen whether this will happen in the short term.

On 8 March 2020, Scramble Magazine first wrote about the U-2 carrying out missions well beyond 2025. During May and June 2023, the Dragon Lady performed exceptionally while participating as an asset during the capstone event of the USAF Weapons School 23-A cycle at Nellis AFB (NV). The Weapons School, also known as the Weapons Instructor Course (WIC), trains leaders, pilots, weapons officers, weapons instructors, advanced instructors, and Intelligence officers with advanced training within their respective specialties. This is where the U-2 comes into "Play". With their unparalleled capabilities, they are tasked to provide time-sensitive, critical Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR).

The Weapons School graduates 150 students in each class. To earn the prestigious 'Graduate' patch, students need to perform (plan, brief, execute and debrief) in the capstone event, a Large Force Exercise (LFE) known as the Weapons School Integration (WSINT) phase, in which each student provides an asset from their home unit. The collaboration of these assets, including U-2s, are used to create scenarios for WSINT simulating current and future threat arenas.

Leading a combination of airpower capabilities during WSINT allows students to demonstrate multi-domain command and control through their ability to lead and instruct while integrating multiple weapons systems. While the USAF Looks to fill intelligence gaps from Space, and aircraft, like the E-8 Joint Stars, have been retired, the U-2 can carry out the tasks to make integrated exercises a success.

With some 30 U-2 aircraft left, Lockheed Martin claims the airframes have the ability to fly until at least 2050. This seems a bit far stretched. Although the USAF originally planned, in its Fiscal Year 2024, to phase out the Dragon Lady during 2025/2026, no firm decisions have been made yet. The world is not getting any calmer.
Multiple U-2s are still deployed around the world. While Dragon Ladies are still updated and modernised by Lockheed Martin at Palmdale (CA) it could surely fly a little longer than 2030.

Recently it became known that Beale AFB will host a big Air Show on 7 and 8 June 2025. While the U-2 is certainly on its way out, it is expected that multiple Dragon Ladies can be seen during those days.






Credit photos: USAF

Source : Scramble.nl

Beale retires TU-2S #1065, the Dragon Lady that served for 40 years, completed 11,450 sorties and 24,042 flight hours



On Jan. 11, 2024, Beale Air Force Base (AFB) said goodbye to TU-2S Dragon Lady tail number 1065 as she completed her final “fini” flight.

1065 arrived at Beale in 1983 and served the base faithfully for about 40 years, completing 11,450 sorties and 24,042 flight hours! After such an amazing run time here at Beale, it is time for her to retire. Pilots Metro and Mongo did the honors of taking her out for her last time before the Team Beale came to say, “Goodbye, and Hail Dragons!”



The U-2S
The U-2S is a single-seat, single-engine, high-altitude/near space reconnaissance and surveillance aircraft providing signals, imagery, and electronic measurements and signature intelligence, or MASINT. Long and narrow wings give the U-2 glider-like characteristics and allow it to quickly lift heavy sensor payloads to unmatched altitudes, keeping them there for extended periods of time. The U-2 is capable of gathering a variety of imagery, including multi-spectral electro-optic, infrared, and synthetic aperture radar products which can be stored or sent to ground exploitation centers. In addition, it also supports high-resolution, broad-area synoptic coverage provided by the optical bar camera producing traditional film products which are developed and analyzed after landing.


U-2 background
Built in complete secrecy by Kelly Johnson and the Lockheed Skunk Works, the original U-2A first flew in August 1955. Early flights over the Soviet Union in the late 1950s provided the president and other US decision makers with key intelligence on Soviet military capability. In October 1962, the U-2 photographed the buildup of Soviet offensive nuclear missiles in Cuba, touching off the Cuban Missile Crisis. In more recent times, the U-2 has provided intelligence during operations in Korea, the Balkans, Afghanistan, and Iraq. When requested, the U-2 also provides peacetime reconnaissance in support of disaster relief from floods, earthquakes, and forest fires as well as search and rescue operations.

The U-2R, first flown in 1967, was 40 percent larger and more capable than the original aircraft. A tactical reconnaissance version, the TR-1A, first flew in August 1981 and was structurally identical to the U-2R. The last U-2 and TR-1 aircraft were delivered in October 1989; in 1992 all TR-1s and U-2s were designated as U-2Rs. Since 1994, $1.7 billion has been invested to modernize the U-2 airframe and sensors. These upgrades also included the transition to the GE F118-101 engine which resulted in the re-designation of all Air Force U-2 aircraft to the U-2S.

U-2s are home based at the 9th Reconnaissance Wing, Beale Air Force Base, California, but are rotated to operational detachments worldwide. U-2 pilots are trained at Beale using two-seat aircraft designated as TU-2S before deploying for operational missions.

Source : https://theaviationgeekclub.com/