23° Gruppo Spotterdays

The 23rd Gighter Group celebrate his 90th anniversary with an absolute prime show in Italy, a SPOTTERDAY!

23° Gruppo

The June 20th on the Cervia airport, the 23rd Group of the Aeronautica Militare Italiana, part of the 5th Wing, celebrate his 90th year with the fans organizing a spotter-day, a first in Italy. That permit us to assist at the arrival of the air-crew that take part at the party of the following Sunday, the official 90th anniversary party day. We were hosted along the flying line, from there we could see all the flying activities of the group and of the visitors, and also a spectacular static show. Within the public area it was also possible to buy some gadgets, like the splendid squadron print of the brand new special color of the 23rd Fighter Group or some other patches of the Group and Wing.

 F-16 ADF mm7251

Around the 8.30 a.m. the gates were open and even if there was a huge number of spotters, thanks to an amazing organization, the influx ofthe public was without problems. Around the 10.30a.m. the flying activity began, the first arrival was a Tornado IDS of the 36th Wing 156th Group, also known as "Lynx", still based at Gioia del Colle. Some times later the first F-16 engine turned on, preparing for the first mission of the group. The formation was composed by the following aircraft: mm7262, mm7252 and last but not least the mm7251. A special note is indeed needed for the last aircraft that for the anniversary wears an amazing livery rappresentating the Veltro (symbol of the 23rd Fighter Group) and an octopus (symbol of the 70th Fighters Flight).

Immediatly after a couple of F-16 simulated a scramble take off with also the drill, the pilot run to the shelter and the quickly take-off. The QRA it's the mainly things of the air-defense, speciality of the house, even before the F-104, but only from the January 1st 2004 with the F-16 ADF. Once in fliyng the two aircraft simulated a dogfight above the airfield. Some times later the special color of the 102nd group OCU of the 6th wing showed for a low speed pass, then it aligned at the runway for the landing. After that it reached the flying line and joined with the other Tornado. Surprising everyone, some time after, a Typhoon of the 36th Wing 12th Group. made a very low pass! Also present were an F-16B of the 37th wing from Trapani. It was then the time for the first foreign visitors, a couple of Mirage F-1M from ALA 14 from Albacete, Spain. They also worthily introduced themselves with some different passes and then they land and go to park with some problem. Mirage F1
It was then the turn of the training, infact there was a couple of Belgium AlphaJet with a mixed French and Belgian crew from Cazaux of the 3rd Esc. of the ETO 02.008, and a Hungarian L-39 special color from the 59° TFW of Kecskemét. After those it was time for an AMX ACOL of the 51st Wing of Istrana. After that a couple of Danish F-16MLU straight from Skrydstrup, presenting to the pubblic with a nice break to prepare for landing. Another arrive of the day was a Tornado ECR of the 50th Wing 155th Group from Piacenza that passed over the pubblic for an amazing FullAB break. Just before the only short break of the day a couple of British Hawk from 100th Sqd 135th EAW from RAF Leeming, and one of them was a special color and a MB-339 from 61st Wing from Lecce-Galatina.

To complete the day two USAF F-16CG of the 510th FS , 31st FW from the Aviano base, that made a couple of low pass and an HH-3F of 15th Wing, 83rd SAR Group from Rimini that for the occasion was coming straight from Istrana where it was held the Squalo 2008 SAR exercise.

When the flying activities ended, the 5th Wing offer to the pubblic un last pearl, opening the flying line to the spotters, permitting the pubblic to capture in their camereas all the visitors , and also the local vipers.

 Mirage F1

To conclude this report I would like to thanks all the women and men of the 5th Wing and of the 23rd Fighter Group for the hospitality and also to made possible this amazing day! I would also wish that the 23rd Group could continue his glorius activity for a long time.
Photo Gallery
The Flying activities
Tornado IDS 36-30
The first visitor of the day.		 Tornado IDS 36-30
At the parking!		 Tornado IDS 36-30
Check for the Tornado 36-30.		 Tornado IDS 36-30
The pilots of the Tornado.
 F-16 A-ADF mm7262
The first F-16 lined up.
F-16 A-ADF mm7262
Full AB for the F-16. 		F-16 A-ADF mm7251
First public take off for the Special Color.		 F-16 A-ADF mm7251
And immediatly an hard break!		 F-16 A-ADF mm7251
The Special Color belly.
 F-16 A-ADF mm7251
The Special Color keeping the turn.
F-16 A-ADF mm7251
Almost done.		 F-16 A-ADF mm7259
Scramble! Scramble!		 F-16 A-ADF mm7259
taxing for the quick take-off!
 F-16 A-ADF mm7259
Close-up fo the F-16ADF mm7259.		 F-16 A-ADF mm7259
Another shot!
F-16 A-ADF mm7259
Backlight... 		F-16 A-ADF mm7239
The other Scramble aircraft! 		F-16 A-ADF mm7259
On the runway for the take-off!		 F-16 A-ADF mm7239
Followed by the wingman! 		Tornado IDS 6-33
The Special Color of the 102nd Group.
Tornado IDS 6-33
Smocky landing!		 Tornado IDS 6-33
Full stop!		 Tornado IDS 6-33
taxing for the parking!		 Tornado IDS 6-33
Frontal view. 		Tornado IDS 6-33
The other side of the Special Color.
Tornado IDS 6-33
Same aircraft but differen angle!		 Tornado IDS 6-33
Close-Up of the Special Color.		 Tornado IDS 6-33
It's time to leave!		 EFA 36-02
The 36th wing EFA arrival. 		EFA 36-02
Close-Up of the Typhoon.
EFA 36-02
An help for the park! 		EFA 36-02
A little more to the Right ... 		EFA 36-02
Ok, come on!		 EFA 36-02
Cockpit Close-Up!		 EFA 36-02
Engine off...
EFA 36-02
Ok we can descend... 		EFA 36-02
Dammm! What a nice pass I've done.... 		F-16 A-ADF
23rd Group formation. 		F-16 A-ADF mm7259
Fast pass... 		F-16 A-ADF mm7252
Hard break fot this F-16....
F-16 A-ADF mm7252
Even with a bit of vapor.		 F-16 B-ADF mm7269
Trapani F-16B.		 Mirage F1 14-20
Gear-down pass for this Mirage...		 Mirage F1 14-20
Another angle, same aircraft....		 Mirage F1 14-20
Almost align....
F-16 A-ADF
Coming back from the mission.		 F-16 A-ADF
To the parking area.		 A-JET AT-21
Also this Alpha-Jet taxing to the parking area. 		A-JET AT-21
Close-Up for the Alpha-Jet. 		Mirage F1 14-20
High speed pass...
Mirage F1 14-20
Same pass, another angle....		 Mirage F1 14-05
Mirage Turning. 		Mirage F1 14-05
Leaving the aerodrome!		 A-JET AT-21 Alpha-Jet profile. F-16 A-ADF
Another F-16 returning from the mission.
L-39 135
The Hungarian L-39 taxing. 		F-16 A-ADF
One more angle of the F-16 just landed.		 F-16 A-ADF
Pilot Close-Up.		 Mirage F1 14-05
One more Mirage high speed pass. 		L-39 135
Side view of the L-39.
L-39 135
Close-Up of the cockpit. 		L-39 135
One more view of the L-39.		 Mirage F1 14-20
Frontal view of the Mirage.		 Mirage F1
Both Mirage taxing. 		Mirage F1 14-20
Side view of the Mirage.
Mirage F1 14-05
The second Mirage.		 Mirage F1 14-20
Nose Close-Up.		 Mirage F1 14-20
Another Close-Up.		 Mirage F1 14-05
The other Mirage parking		 Mirage F1 14-05
Pilots Close-Up...
Mirage F1 14-05
Another angle...		 Mirage F1
Ops, wrong parking.		 Mirage F1
Some manouvring...		 Mirage F1 14-05
Frontal view of the Mirage...		 Mirage F1 14-05
The other side of the Mirage...
Mirage F1 14-05
Back view of the Mirage.		 Mirage F1 14-20
Canopy open...		 AMX 51-66
Good break... 		F-16 A-ADF mm7259
Like this one... 		AMX 51-66
To the park!
AMX 51-66
Close-Up of the AMX. 		F-16 A-ADF mm7259
Straight to the park...
 F-16 A-ADF mm7239
Followed by the wingman... 		F-16 A-ADF mm7239
Side view... 		F-16 Danesi
The Danish arrival...
F-16 Danesi
Another angle of the Danish... 		Pilota
A Cervia Pilot.		 F-16 A-MLU E-180
Almost landed.		 Tornado ECR 50-47
Tornado ECR low pass. 		Tornado ECR 50-47
Another angle...
Tornado ECR 50-47
FullAB turning.		 Tornado ECR 50-47
More and more hard...		 Tornado ECR 50-47
Anoyther angle of the Tornado...		 F-16 A-MLU E-180
The Danish singleseater taxing... 		F-16 A-MLU E-180
Side view...
F-16 B-MLU ET-199
Frontal view of the twinseater.		 F-16 B-MLU ET-199
Side view...		 F-16 A-MLU E-180
Close-Up of the signle-seater...		 F-16 A-MLU E-180
Where can I park....? 		F-16 A-MLU E-180
The F-16 and the Tornado...
F-16 A-MLU E-180
Close-Up of the aircraft....		 F-16 A-MLU E-180
Close-Up of the pilot.		 F-16 A-MLU E-180
Canopy opening.		 F-16 A-MLU E-180
Canopy open. 		F-16 A-MLU E-180
It's warm...
Tornado ECR 50-47
Frontal view of the tonka.		 Tornado ECR 50-47
Side view of the same aircraft...		 Tornado ECR 50-47
Close-Up of the nose... 		Tornado ECR 50-47
Manouvring.... 		Hawk XX285
The Special Color Hawk landed....
Hawk XX284
The break of the other Hawk... 		Pilota
The Danish singleseater Pilot... 		Hawk XX285
Taxing for the Hawk....		 Pilota
Other Danish pilot... 		Hawk XX285
Side view of the special color Hawk....
Pilota
The two Danish Pilot....		 MB-339A-MLU 61-64
Har breaking of the MB339....		 MB-339A-MLU 61-64
Other angle of the 339...		 Hawk XX284
Side view for the second Hawk... 		Hawk XX284
Oops, wrong parking...
MB-339A-MLU 61-64
Side view of the MB339. 		HH-3F 15-31
Pass of the HH-3F. 		F-16 CG 89-2018/89-2047
Formation pass for the two USAF F-16. 		F-16 CG 89-2047
Hi-Speed pass of the first F-16...		 F-16 CG 89-2018
Followed by the second....
F-16 CG 89-2018
Full Stop for the F-16CG USAF... 		F-16 CG 89-2047
Close-Up of the nose of the F-16...		 F-16 CG 89-2047
Perfect parking....		 F-16 CG 89-2047
Close-Up of the F-16 Pilot. 		F-16 CG 89-2047
Last checks post-volo...
F-16 CG 89-2047
Another angle....		 F-16 CG 89-2047
Canopy opening.... 		F-16 CG 89-2047
What a pubblic!		 F-16 CG 89-2047
Canopy open.		 F-16 CG 89-2047
Let's do some pictures....
F-16 CG 89-2047
Smile.... 		F-16 CG 89-2047
Pilot Close-Up...		 F-16 CG 89-2047
Finally free...		 F-16 CG 89-2047
The USAF Pilot.... 		HH-3F 15-31
The HH-3F taxing...
HH-3F 15-31
Close-Up of the chopper...		 HH-3F 15-31
Frontal view of the heli.		 HH-3F 15-31
Parking.		 F-16 CG 89-2018
The second USAF Pilot. 		Pilota
The EFA Pilot...
F-16 B-ADF mm7269
Turning Take-Off of the F-16B from Trapani		 F-16 B-ADF mm7269
Another angle...		 F-16 B-ADF mm7269
Back view of the F-16B Full-AB.		    
La Statica
F-104 5-30
The splenidid F-104 just repainted. 		F-16 A-ADF mm7251
The Pilot of the Special Color. 		Special Color
The Italian Special Color...		 F-16 A-ADF mm7251
Side view of the special color.		 F-16 A-ADF mm7251
Close-Up of the Special Color.
F-16 A-ADF mm7251
The tail of the Special Color. 		F-16 A-ADF mm7251
Close-Up with the canopy open. 		23° Gruppo
The Special Color and the MV Augusta. 		23° Gruppo
Frontal view... 		23° Gruppo
Different view but same scene.
23° Gruppo
Side viewof the 23rd Group 		F-16 A-ADF mm7259
Side view of the Cervia F-16.... 		F-16 A-ADF mm7259
Back view of the same F-16.... 		Linea di Volo
The flying line...amazing... 		F-16 A-ADF mm7239
One more Cervia F-16...
F-16 CG 89-2018
An Aviano's F-16CG.		 F-16 CG 89-2018
One more view of the F-16...		 F-16 CG 89-2018
Close-Up of the nose...		 F-16 B-MLU ET-199
The danish F-16B-MLU...		 Mirage F1 14-05
Close-Up of the Spanish MirageF1.
Mirage F1 14-05
Full frame Mirage...		 A-JET AT-23
One of the two Alpha-Jet....		 A-JET AT-23
One more view of the same aircraft...		 Mirage F1 14-05
Frontal view of the Mirage.		 Tornado ECR 50-47
The Tornado ECR.
Tornado ECR 50-47
The aggresive shark mouth of the Tornado.		 Hawk XX284
The British Hawk....		 Tornado IDS 6-33
The special color of the 102nd...		 EFA 36-02
The 36th Wing's Efa...		 EFA 36-02
Front view of the Typhoon...
F-16 A-MLU E-180
The Danish singleseater...		 Tornado IDS 36-30
The 36th Wing's Tornado...		 F-16 CG 89-2047
The other USAF F-16...		 Mirage F1 14-20
The second spain Mirage F1... 		L-39 135
The Hungarian Special Color...
L-39 135
One more view...		 L-39 135
Frontal view of the special color.		 A-JET AT-21
The second Alpha-Jet... 		AMX 51-66
The AMX ACOL of the 51st Wing...		 Hawk XX285
The British Special Color...
Linea di Volo
The flying line....		 Linea di Volo
One more shot of the flying line... 		Linea di Volo
One more sector of the flying line... 		F-16 A-ADF mm7251
The Special Color.... 		F-16 A-ADF mm7251
Just a little back view....
F-16 A-ADF mm7251
Almost a tail view....		 F-16 A-ADF mm7251
Close-Up.		 HH-3F 15-31
The nose of the HH-3F...		    

 

Log della Giornata.

Callsign Type of Aircraft Serials Code Group Wing Airport Notes
Veltro 01 A F-16A-ADF mm7262   23rd Fighter Group 5th Wing Cervia, Italy  
Veltro 01 B F-16A-ADF mm7252   23rd Fighter Group 5th Wing Cervia, Italy  
Veltro 01 C F-16A-ADF mm7251   23rd Fighter Group 5th Wing Cervia, Italy Veltro special color
Veltro 02 A F-16A-ADF mm7259   23rd Fighter Group 5th Wing Cervia, Italy  
Veltro 02 B F-16A-ADF mm7239   23rd Fighter Group 5th Wing Cervia, Italy  
Lince xx Tornado IDS mm7078 36-30 156th Group CBOC/S 36th Wing Gioia del Colle, Italy  
Luce xx Tornado IDS mm7080 6-33 102nd Group OCU 6th Wing Ghedi, Italy Walzer special color
Strale 02 EF-2000 mm7273 36-02 12th Group CIO 36th Wing Gioia del Colle, Italy  
Brandy 02 F-16B-bk10 mm7279     37th Wing Trapani, Italy  
AME1406 Mirage F1M C.14-38 14-20   ALA 14 Albacete, Spain  
AME1406 Mirage F1M C.14-10 14-05   ALA 14 Albacete, Spain  
FAF xx Alpha JetB+ AT-21   3rd Esc. ETO 02.008 Cazaux , France  
FAF xx Alpha JetB+ AT-23   3rd Esc ETO 02.008 Cazaux , France  
Titan 03 L-39ZO 135   2nd Vadászrepülö Század 59th Tactical Fighter Wing Kecskemét, Hungary Shark Special color
Grappa 04 AMX-ACOL mm7169 51-66 132nd Gruppo CBR 51st Wing Istrana, Italy  
DAF 3620 F-16A-MLU E-180 ex 78-0180 727th Esk   Skrydstrup, Denmark  
DAF 3620 F-16B-MLU ET-199 ex 78-0199 727th Esk   Skrydstrup, Denmark  
Pante 01 Tornado ECR mm7059 50-47 155th Gruppo ETS 50th Wing Piacenza, Italy  
RFR7400 HawkT1A XX285   100th Sqd 135th EAW RAF Leeming, Great Britain Special color 90th RAF
RFR7401 HawkT1A XX284   100th Sqd 135th EAW RAF Leeming, Great Britain  
Verde 08 MB-339A-MLU mm54514 61-64 213rd Gruppo SBV 61st Wing Lecce-Galatina, Italy  
Lord 01 HH-3F mm81343 15-31 85th Gruppo SAR 15th Wing Rimini, Italy  
Claw 11 F-16CM 89-2018   510th FS 31st FW Aviano AFB, Italy  
Claw 12 F-16CM 89-2047   510th FS 31st FW Aviano AFB, Italy  
Wrecks and Relics...
  F-104S-ASA-M mm6940 5-30 23rd Fighter Group 5th Wing Cervia, Italy Recently repaired
  F-86K mm53-8291 5-52 23rd Fighter Group 5th Wing Cervia, Italy Gate Guardian


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