Officials say Joint Strike Fighter program is on track

by Master Sgt. Amaani Lyle, Air Force Public Affairs Agency

WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- The Joint Strike Fighter Program Office deputy director expressed confidence in the progress of the JSF program at an Air Force Association breakfast program here July 27.
The upgrades and acquisitions, particularly the completion of the new Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., training facility, helps to advance the fifth-generation F-35 Lightning II program, said Maj. Gen. C.D. Moore.

"The F-35 is at the nexus of concurrency where we are building production aircraft, conducting developmental tests, and starting to build a cadre of future Joint Strike Fighter maintainers and pilots," Moore said. "We're approaching the point where we (are) flight testing and delivering aircraft simultaneously ... with two at Eglin and four more in the works ... three of which at Ft. Worth, (Texas) are finished and ready to go."

He also discussed the sizeable training center located at Eglin AFB.

"The 33rd Fighter Wing ... has amazing capability that's been put in place and a 250,000-square-foot pilot and maintenance training facility," Moore said, adding that its size equates to about six football fields.

Moore described plans for Pilot Training Center-1, a future facility where the services and their international partners will be able to train and interact. The location of the center has not been determined.

The general reported that F-35 flight science testing is making good progress at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md., and Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. The program is building mission avionics confidence with Block 1 software. Also, AF-6 and AF-7 conventional takeoff and landing aircraft are completing maturity flights to strengthen and verify the training syllabus that will be used at Eglin AFB.

Building momentum and maintaining affordability will ensure the JSF program's longevity into 2035 and beyond, he said.

"Flight test production roll outs are helping us build confidence in this plan and the weapons system," Moore said. "Now it's just a matter of getting into a good battle rhythm in terms of production rate."

The Joint Strike Fighter Program Office is the Department of Defense's agency responsible for developing and acquiring the F-35A/B/C, the next generation strike aircraft weapon systems for the Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and many allied nations.

The AFA Air Force breakfast program is a monthly series that provides a venue for senior Air Force and Department of Defense leaders to communicate directly with the public and press.

Moderating Moore's question and answer session was retired Lt. Gen. Michael Dunn, AFA's current president and chief executive officer.

Mode-S/ADS-B Intercepts 29 July 2011 - Brasstown

Here is another round of Mode-S/ADS-B intercepts logged from here on the radio ranch in WNC.

AC1E21 N880DA --- 2011-07-29 22:18:58 MD-88 US DYNAMIC JETLEASE
AE13B2 04-3732 --- 2011-07-29 21:29:10 T-6A United States USAF | 71FTW [KEND]
A5D4AA N475LC --- 2011-07-29 21:23:51 Gulfstream IV United States L-3 Info Systems
AE11CA 03-3704 --- 2011-07-29 21:16:35 T-6A United States USAF
ADFD04 95-0056 --- 2011-07-29 21:03:54 T-1A United States 48thFTS
AE01ED 97-3021 --- 2011-07-29 21:01:29 T-6A United States USAF | 14FTW | 41FTS [KCBM]
AE1400 05-3777 --- 2011-07-29 20:54:57 T-6a United States USAF | 71FTW [KEND]
AE1196 03-3113 RCH3113 2011-07-29 20:49:50 C-17A United States MS ANG | 172AW | 183AS [KJAN]
AE1196 03-3113 RCH3113 2011-07-29 20:38:49 C-17A United States MS ANG | 172AW | 183AS [KJAN]
ADFD7B 91-0511 --- 2011-07-29 19:59:03 C-26D United States MA ARNG | OSACOM DET-12 [KFMH]
AC1E21 N880DA --- 2011-07-29 19:36:39 MD-88 US DYNAMIC JETLEASE
ADFCE6 94-0135 --- 2011-07-29 19:10:51 T-1A United States USAF
ADFD02 95-0054 --- 2011-07-29 19:06:50 T-1A United States 48thFTS
ADFD04 95-0056 --- 2011-07-29 17:50:13 T-1A United States 48thFTS
AE037A 63-7993 SLUFF41 2011-07-29 17:28:24 KC-135R United States OH ANG | 121ARW [KLCK]
AE1441 05-8152 HOBBY52 2011-07-29 17:27:55 C-130J-30 United States AFRC | 403AW | 815AS [KBIX]
AE10BA 01-0191 VOLT14 2011-07-29 16:55:44 C-17A United States USAF | 437AW [KCHS]
AE037A 63-7993 SLUFF41 2011-07-29 16:53:10 KC-135R United States OH ANG | 121ARW [KLCK]
AE01C8 64-14846 HOOVR46 2011-07-29 16:04:15 RC-135V United States USAF | 55WG | 38RS [KOFF]
AC1117 N877HS --- 2011-07-29 15:36:00 PA-28R-201 United States ---
AE148A 92-3289 PEACH66 2011-07-29 15:07:44 E-8C United States GA ANG | 116ACW [KWRB]
ADFE7D 92-3284 VIKNG84 2011-07-29 14:45:47 C-130H United States AFRC | 934AW | 96AS [KMSP]
AE03FD 823132 --- 2011-07-29 14:36:02 C-12C United States USN | TPS [KNHK]
AE27A9 93-01319 --- 2011-07-29 14:29:53 C-23B United States ---
AE148A 92-3289 PEACH66 2011-07-29 14:09:59 E-8C United States GA ANG | 116ACW [KWRB]
A5D4AA N475LC --- 2011-07-29 13:42:23 Gulfstream IV United States L-3 Info Systems
AE0173 84-0118 COUGR53 2011-07-29 11:31:37 C-21A United States USAF | 375AW | 458AS [KBLV]
AE0173 84-0118 COUGR53 2011-07-29 11:20:41 C-21A United States USAF | 375AW | 458AS [KBLV]
AE1488 86-0416 PEACH61 2011-07-29 02:13:07 TE-8a United States 330thCTS
A2A692 N270AX OAE488 2011-07-29 01:09:54 DC-10 United States OmniAirInternational
AE1488 86-0416 PEACH61 2011-07-29 00:53:25 TE-8a United States 330thCTS
ADFD02 95-0054 --- 2011-07-29 00:16:59 T-1A United States 48thFTS

Mode-S/ADS-B Intercepts 28 July 2011 - Brasstown

Here is another round of Mode-S/ADS-B intercepts logged from here on the radio ranch in WNC.

AE1488 86-0416 PEACH61 2011-07-29 02:13:07 TE-8a United States 330th CTS
A2A692 N270AX OAE488 2011-07-29 01:09:54 DC-10 United States Omni Air International
AE1488 86-0416 PEACH61 2011-07-29 00:53:25 TE-8a United States 330th CTS
ADFD02 95-0054 --- 2011-07-29 00:16:59 T-1A United States 48th FTS
A6FAA1 N549PA --- 2011-07-28 23:58:59 LEARJET 35 United States PHOENINX AIR
ADFD03 95-0055 --- 2011-07-28 21:09:21 T-1A United States 48th FTS
AE093A 00-1051 --- 2011-07-28 21:04:43 UC-35B United States USARC | B/2-228 AVN (TA) [KMGE]
AE02DC 89-1184 --- 2011-07-28 20:48:32 C-130H United States TN ANG | 118AW | 105AS [KBNA]
AE148A 92-3289 PEACH33 2011-07-28 19:22:15 E-8C United States GA ANG | 116ACW [KWRB]
ADFCF8 95-0044 --- 2011-07-28 19:04:57 T-1A United States USAF
AE03CC 163591 --- 2011-07-28 18:34:11 KC-130T United States USMCR | VMGR-452 [KSWF]
A6A065 N526NA RYN7526 2011-07-28 17:57:45 Boeing 757-236 United States Ryan Intl Airlines
AE0698 165153 --- 2011-07-28 16:47:58 C-20G United States USNR | VR-48 [KADW]
AE0698 165153 --- 2011-07-28 16:37:22 C-20G United States USNR | VR-48 [KADW]
AE0371 59-1483 TAZZ72 2011-07-28 16:36:34 KC-135R United States OH ANG | 121ARW [KLCK]
AE0265 57-1436 SODA81 2011-07-28 16:35:46 KC-135R United States TN ANG | 134ARW | 151ARS [KTYS]
AE03CC 163591 --- 2011-07-28 16:34:33 KC-130T United States USMCR | VMGR-452 [KSWF]
C2B5A3 130613 LAC5667 2011-07-28 16:21:07 CC-130J-30 Canada CFC | 8WG [CYTR]
A97B00 N71PG --- 2011-07-28 16:12:19 Lear 36A United States Phoenix Air Group [KVPC]
AE0371 59-1483 TAZZ72 2011-07-28 15:54:19 KC-135R United States OH ANG | 121ARW [KLCK]
AE03D3 164442 --- 2011-07-28 15:50:08 KC-130T United States USMCR | VMGR-452 [KSWF]
AE148A 92-3289 PEACH33 2011-07-28 15:16:35 E-8C United States GA ANG | 116ACW [KWRB]
AE10BA 01-0191 VOLT34 2011-07-28 14:53:42 C-17A United States USAF | 437AW [KCHS]
AE0488 62-3577 BACKY91 2011-07-28 14:44:32 KC-135 United States AFRC | 916ARW | 77ARS [KGSB]
AE0488 62-3577 BACKY91 2011-07-28 14:32:05 KC-135 United States AFRC | 916ARW | 77ARS [KGSB]
A69529 N523MC --- 2011-07-28 14:28:03 Boeing 747-2D7B United States Atlas Air
AE0265 57-1436 SODA81 2011-07-28 14:09:35 KC-135R United States TN ANG | 134ARW | 151ARS [KTYS]
AE042A 62-3545 TURBO81 2011-07-28 05:11:48 KC-135R United States USAF | 22ARW [KIAB]
AE121A 65-0973 KING 2011-07-28 04:10:05 HC-130P United States AFRC/347RQW/71RQS
AE121A 65-0973 --- 2011-07-28 03:04:53 HC-130P United States AFRC/347RQW/71RQS
AE042A 62-3545 TURBO81 2011-07-28 02:38:28 KC-135R United States USAF | 22ARW [KIAB]
AE04EE 63-8041 MASH83 2011-07-28 01:12:03 KC-135R United States AFRC | 434ARW | 72ARS [KGUS]

SAFE SKIES 2011 demonstrates true collaboration

by Tech. Sgt. Charles Vaughn
144th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

7/27/2011 - MIRGOROD AIR BASE, Ukraine (AFNS) -- Airmen from the 144th Fighter Wing at Fresno Air National Guard Base, Calif., are partnered with Ukrainian and Polish airmen at Mirgorod Air Base, Ukraine, through the National Guard State Partnership Program. Through this program, they have developed a strong tie to this former soviet bloc-country that is being displayed during SAFE SKIES 2011.

SAFE SKIES 2011 is a 2-week multinational flying event where members of the California and the Alabama Air National Guard help prepare airmen from Ukraine and Poland to better protect their airspace during EURO 2012, the upcoming European soccer championship games. ANG F-16 Fighting Falcons are playing a major role in this preparation by flying air sovereignty missions with both the Polish and Ukrainian air forces.

Officials from the California ANG have been planning this event since 2009.

"Our partnership has laid the foundation for this event, and this engagement is providing Ukraine an amazing opportunity to learn more about air sovereignty operations as they prepare for the EURO 2012," said Lt. Col. Robert Swertfager, the SAFE SKIES project officer and a member of the 144th FW.

During SAFE SKIES 2011 more than 60 air sovereignty air intercepts are scheduled. Members of the Western Air Defense Sector, who traveled to Mirgorod AB, provide support and work with their Ukrainian and Polish partners. Ukrainian SU-27s, Mig-29s and Polish F-16s intercept ANG aircraft during these air sovereignty events. The ANG F-16s act like distressed or hijacked aircraft, creating a potential airborne threat over the Ukrainian or Polish populace. Scenerios like these will require Ukrainian and Polish air force support and will force the partners to test their alter-response mechanisms, which will better prepare them for real airborne threats.

"We learned so much from the events of September 11, 2001," said Lt. Col. Kirk Toomey, the SAFE SKIES operations project officer and alert commander at the 144th FW. "We want to share from our experiences and better enable them to protect their citizens from any terrorist threats. Protecting the EURO spectators is similar to us protecting the football fans watching the Super Bowl."

During this event, the ANG pilots also will work with Polish airmen to test any communication limitations specific to air-sovereignty operations.

"The collaboration with Poland is also a very important aspect of this event," Toomey said. "Working with Poland is similar to the U.S. working with Canada. Understanding each others' tactics is critical to the collaboration required in air sovereignty missions.

"This state partnership initiative sets the foundation for future training with Ukraine," he said. "The lessons learned during this engagement will provide us with valuable information for deploying Fresno fighter aircraft and personnel in the future."

The two week event concludes July 28 with a friendship dinner.

"It's a time for us to reflect on the interactions that have taken place during SAFE SKIES 2011 and an opportunity to look forward to future partnership events," Swertfager said.

Mode-S/ADS-B Intercepts 27 July 2011 - Brasstown

Here is another round of Mode-S/ADS-B intercepts logged from here on the radio ranch in WNC.

AE02E5 81-0630 COBB30 2011-07-27 23:37:28 C-130H United States AFRC | 94AW | 700AS [KMGE]
ADFED4 85-1266 --- 2011-07-27 23:04:05 C-12U United States VARFC
AE0179 84-0140/84-0134 SWIFT 83 2011-07-27 23:01:31 C-21A United States USAF | 375AW | 458AS [KBLV]
AE0179 84-0140/84-0134 SWIFT 83 2011-07-27 22:48:09 C-21A United States USAF | 375AW | 458AS [KBLV]
AE0471 57-1451 SODA91 2011-07-27 22:47:14 KC-135R United States TN ANG | 134ARW | 151ARS [KTYS]
AE03E0 164993 --- 2011-07-27 21:23:39 C-130T United States USNR | VR-64 [KWRI]
AE093C 00-1053 --- 2011-07-27 21:11:07 UC-35a1 United States US Army | OSACOM PATD [KADW]
AE148D 93-1097/96-0042 PEACH33 2011-07-27 19:28:56 E-8C United States GA ANG | 116ACW [KWRB]
ADFCFC 95-0048 --- 2011-07-27 19:01:37 T-1A United States 48th FTS
AE01C7 64-14845 HOOVR45 2011-07-27 18:07:07 RC-135V United States USAF | 55WG | 38RS [KOFF]
AE037E 63-8887 PIRAT33 2011-07-27 17:45:25 KC-135R United States USAF | 6AMW |
AE037E 63-8887 PIRAT33 2011-07-27 17:25:40 KC-135R United States USAF | 6AMW |
AE037E 63-8887 PIRAT33 2011-07-27 16:51:24 KC-135R United States USAF | 6AMW |
AE037E 63-8887 PIRAT33 2011-07-27 16:40:47 KC-135R United States USAF | 6AMW |
AE037E 63-8887 PIRAT33 2011-07-27 16:10:25 KC-135R United States USAF | 6AMW |
AE037E 63-8887 PIRAT33 2011-07-27 15:58:29 KC-135R United States USAF | 6AMW |
AE04F9 99-0404 S000 2011-07-27 14:59:54 C-37A United States USAF | 89AW | 99AS [KADW]
ADFCEC 94-0141 --- 2011-07-27 14:59:25 T-1A United States USAF
AE2F9B 168069 --- 2011-07-27 14:54:27 KC-130J United States USMC | VMGR-352 [KNKX]
AE148D 93-1097/96-0042 PEACH33 2011-07-27 14:36:13 E-8C United States GA ANG | 116ACW [KWRB]
ADFC94 92-0339 --- 2011-07-27 14:27:19 T-1A United States USAF | 12FTW | 99FTS [KRND]
ADFEEB 160047 LOBO 327 2011-07-27 13:52:25 C-9B United States USMC | VMR-1 [KNKT]
A2C272 N277WA WOA9643 2011-07-27 13:16:33 MD-11F United States World Airways
ADFEE2 159113 VVJU737 2011-07-27 02:54:49 C-9B United States USNR | VR-61 [KNUW]
AE1488 86-0416 PEACH88 2011-07-27 02:16:07 TE-8a United States 330th CTS
AE1488 86-0416 PEACH88 2011-07-27 00:54:54 TE-8a United States 330th CTS

Milcom Blog Logs - 26 Jul 2011 - BTown NC

I monitored the USAF Civil Air Patrol Regional and National HF ALE nets yesterday and will share the raw owlogs from both my sessions in this post. The new HF structure for this quasi-military organzation is starting to become a lot clearer now, especially after their Constant Watch exercise earlier this month.

STARTED Jul-26-2011 15:11 Eastern Standard Time

[20:38:20][FRQ 03385000][SND][ ][TIS][043MERCAP ][AL0] BER 30 SN 07

[20:29:35][FRQ 04477000][SND][ ][TIS][AVS ][AL0] BER 15 SN 06
[16:52:18][FRQ 04477000][SND][ ][TIS][043MERCAP ][AL0] BER 30 SN 10

[16:03:37][FRQ 04502000][SND][ ][TIS][0098GACAP ][AL0] BER 30 SN 10

[19:30:32][FRQ 04585000][SND][ ][TIS][0044SCCAP ][AL0] BER 28 SN 07
[19:27:12][FRQ 04585000][SND][ ][TIS][0004WVCAP ][AL0] BER 30 SN 08

[21:08:14][FRQ 04630000][SND][ ][TWS][0008MSCAP ][AL0] BER 27 SN 08

[20:42:25][FRQ 04633000][SND][ ][TIS][043MERCAP ][AL0] BER 27 SN 09
[15:39:28][FRQ 04633000][SND][ ][TIS][0044SCCAP ][AL0] BER 30 SN 10

[20:53:36][FRQ 05006000][SND][ ][TIS][043MERCAP ][AL0] BER 30 SN 10
[20:25:42][FRQ 05006000][SND][ ][TIS][AVS ][AL0] BER 29 SN 12
[18:59:49][FRQ 05006000][SND][ ][TIS][043MERCAP ][AL0] BER 27 SN 09
[18:31:56][FRQ 05006000][SND][ ][TIS][AVS ][AL0] BER 26 SN 08
[17:05:54][FRQ 05006000][SND][ ][TIS][043MERCAP ][AL0] BER 22 SN 10
[16:25:47][FRQ 05006000][SND][ ][TIS][202SERCAP ][AL0] BER 29 SN 08

[21:28:50][FRQ 06806000][SND][ ][TIS][002NHQCAP ][AL0] BER 30 SN 10
[20:56:48][FRQ 06806000][SND][ ][TIS][RIC ][AL0] BER 29 SN 08
[20:45:31][FRQ 06806000][SND][ ][TIS][043MERCAP ][AL0] BER 30 SN 11
[20:08:32][FRQ 06806000][SND][ ][TIS][100NCRCAP ][AL0] BER 28 SN 09
[19:35:04][FRQ 06806000][SND][ ][TIS][002NHQCAP ][AL0] BER 30 SN 10
[19:32:45][FRQ 06806000][SND][ ][TIS][0004WVCAP ][AL0] BER 28 SN 08
[18:33:57][FRQ 06806000][SND][ ][TIS][AVS ][AL0] BER 30 SN 11
[18:16:36][FRQ 06806000][SND][ ][TWS][OFF ][AL0] BER 24 SN 08

[20:04:29][FRQ 07341000][SND][ ][TIS][100NCRCAP ][AL0] BER 29 SN 10

[20:57:20][FRQ 07602000][SND][ ][TIS][RIC ][AL0] BER 16 SN 06
[20:57:18][FRQ 07602000][SND][ ][TIS][RIC ][AL0] BER 28 SN 09
[19:56:42][FRQ 07602000][SND][ ][TIS][004RMRCAP ][AL0] BER 27 SN 10
[17:53:08][FRQ 07602000][SND][ ][TIS][002NHQCAP ][AL0] BER 29 SN 10
[16:42:37][FRQ 07602000][SND][ ][TIS][AVS ][AL0] BER 30 SN 11
[16:09:11][FRQ 07602000][SND][ ][TIS][004RMRCAP ][AL0] BER 26 SN 11
[15:59:18][FRQ 07602000][SND][ ][TIS][002NHQCAP ][AL0] BER 30 SN 09
[15:53:36][FRQ 07602000][SND][ ][TIS][004RMRCAP ][AL0] BER 26 SN 09
[15:33:14][FRQ 07602000][SND][ ][TIS][RIC ][AL0] BER 25 SN 10
[15:19:39][FRQ 07602000][SND][ ][TIS][0700MOCAP ][AL0] BER 30 SN 10

[21:24:08][FRQ 07630000][SND][ ][TIS][0281INCAP ][AL0] BER 20 SN 06
[20:09:30][FRQ 07630000][SND][ ][TIS][0545MICAP ][AL0] BER 28 SN 09
[19:22:18][FRQ 07630000][SND][ ][TIS][0898MICAP ][AL0] BER 30 SN 11
[17:36:54][FRQ 07630000][SND][ ][TIS][0281INCAP ][AL0] BER 26 SN 07
[16:22:13][FRQ 07630000][SND][ ][TIS][0545MICAP ][AL0] BER 29 SN 07

[21:31:13][FRQ 07656000][SND][ ][TIS][0010PACAP ][AL0] BER 25 SN 09
[20:41:02][FRQ 07656000][SND][ ][TIS][2525NYCAP ][AL0] BER 30 SN 11
[19:36:18][FRQ 07656000][SND][ ][TIS][0021CTCAP ][AL0] BER 27 SN 11
[19:30:46][FRQ 07656000][SND][ ][TIS][1000NJCAP ][AL0] BER 27 SN 07
[18:47:24][FRQ 07656000][SND][ ][TIS][2525NYCAP ][AL0] BER 29 SN 09

[20:44:10][FRQ 07665000][SND][ ][TIS][043MERCAP ][AL0] BER 30 SN 11
[20:23:43][FRQ 07665000][SND][ ][TIS][0900NCCAP ][AL0] BER 30 SN 10
[18:54:45][FRQ 07665000][SND][ ][TIS][0011DCCAP ][AL0] BER 25 SN 10
[18:30:05][FRQ 07665000][SND][ ][TIS][0900NCCAP ][AL0] BER 30 SN 11
[18:16:52][FRQ 07665000][SND][ ][TIS][0040WVCAP ][AL0] BER 30 SN 11
[16:36:27][FRQ 07665000][SND][ ][TIS][0900NCCAP ][AL0] BER 30 SN 10

[20:08:44][FRQ 07704000][SND][ ][TIS][202SERCAP ][AL0] BER 26 SN 10
[19:56:49][FRQ 07704000][SND][ ][TIS][0004MSCAP ][AL0] BER 29 SN 10
[18:14:55][FRQ 07704000][SND][ ][TIS][202SERCAP ][AL0] BER 29 SN 09
[16:20:58][FRQ 07704000][SND][ ][TIS][202SERCAP ][AL0] BER 27 SN 09

[20:57:53][FRQ 08012000][SND][ ][TIS][RIC ][AL0] BER 30 SN 10
[20:47:34][FRQ 08012000][SND][ ][TIS][043MERCAP ][AL0] BER 30 SN 08
[19:04:52][FRQ 08012000][SND][ ][TIS][0700MOCAP ][AL0] BER 22 SN 07
[18:36:48][FRQ 08012000][SND][ ][TIS][AVS ][AL0] BER 30 SN 11
[15:34:08][FRQ 08012000][SND][ ][TIS][RIC ][AL0] BER 27 SN 08

[20:58:25][FRQ 09047000][SND][ ][TIS][RIC ][AL0] BER 30 SN 10
[20:20:30][FRQ 09047000][SND][ ][TIS][042RMRCAP ][AL0] BER 25 SN 06
[16:43:24][FRQ 09047000][SND][ ][TIS][AVS ][AL0] BER 29 SN 08
[16:09:54][FRQ 09047000][SND][ ][TIS][004RMRCAP ][AL0] BER 27 SN 10
[15:54:21][FRQ 09047000][SND][ ][TIS][004RMRCAP ][AL0] BER 29 SN 12
[15:45:54][FRQ 09047000][SND][ ][TIS][002NHQCAP ][AL0] BER 30 SN 10

[20:18:18][FRQ 09082000][SND][ ][TIS][0145VACAP ][AL0] BER 27 SN 07
[19:10:19][FRQ 09082000][SND][ ][TIS][0011DCCAP ][AL0] BER 27 SN 08
[18:31:18][FRQ 09082000][SND][ ][TIS][0900NCCAP ][AL0] BER 29 SN 07

[21:28:09][FRQ 10162000][SND][ ][TIS][002NHQCAP ][AL0] BER 30 SN 10
[20:58:57][FRQ 10162000][SND][ ][TIS][RIC ][AL0] BER 30 SN 10
[20:58:30][FRQ 10162000][SND][ ][TIS][004GLRCAP ][AL0] BER 24 SN 08
[20:16:17][FRQ 10162000][SND][ ][TIS][202SERCAP ][AL0] BER 29 SN 08
[20:11:32][FRQ 10162000][SND][ ][TIS][100NCRCAP ][AL0] BER 26 SN 07
[18:34:22][FRQ 10162000][SND][ ][TIS][AVS ][AL0] BER 30 SN 10
[18:18:07][FRQ 10162000][SND][ ][TWS][OFF ][AL0] BER 22 SN 08
[17:40:37][FRQ 10162000][SND][ ][TIS][002NHQCAP ][AL0] BER 27 SN 09
[15:35:21][FRQ 10162000][SND][ ][TIS][RIC ][AL0] BER 30 SN 09

[21:14:25][FRQ 10504000][SND][ ][TIS][0148KYCAP ][AL0] BER 30 SN 09
[17:54:28][FRQ 10504000][SND][ ][TIS][0034ILCAP ][AL0] BER 28 SN 05

[20:24:30][FRQ 10510000][SND][ ][TIS][0031SDCAP ][AL0] BER 27 SN 08

[18:03:35][FRQ 10545000][SND][ ][TIS][0004MSCAP ][AL0] BER 30 SN 08

[21:32:07][FRQ 10550000][SND][ ][TIS][0048ARCAP ][AL0] BER 27 SN 05
[18:39:12][FRQ 10550000][SND][ ][TIS][6700ARCAP ][AL0] BER 29 SN 06
[17:44:35][FRQ 10550000][SND][ ][TIS][0048ARCAP ][AL0] BER 24 SN 07

[19:25:30][FRQ 10557000][SND][ ][TIS][0021CTCAP ][AL0] BER 30 SN 08
[19:17:19][FRQ 10557000][SND][ ][TIS][0016MECAP ][AL0] BER 27 SN 09

[21:52:17][FRQ 11402000][SND][ ][TIS][202SERCAP ][AL0] BER 30 SN 10
[21:05:39][FRQ 11402000][SND][ ][TIS][0700MOCAP ][AL0] BER 30 SN 07

[19:06:09][FRQ 12081000][SND][ ][TIS][RIC ][AL0] BER 26 SN 08
[17:08:52][FRQ 12081000][SND][ ][TIS][0700MOCAP ][AL0] BER 22 SN 05
[17:51:50][FRQ 12081000][SND][ ][TIS][002NHQCAP ][AL0] BER 30 SN 08
[17:12:23][FRQ 12081000][SND][ ][TIS][RIC ][AL0] BER 28 SN 08
[15:55:32][FRQ 12081000][SND][ ][TIS][004RMRCAP ][AL0] BER 26 SN 09
[15:15:18][FRQ 12081000][SND][ ][TIS][0700MOCAP ][AL0] BER 27 SN 06

[16:23:04][FRQ 12124000][SND][ ][TIS][0006DECAP ][AL0] BER 22 SN 06

[19:31:06][FRQ 12200000][SND][ ][TIS][0281INCAP ][AL0] BER 30 SN 08
[17:54:45][FRQ 12200000][SND][ ][TIS][0034ILCAP ][AL0] BER 26 SN 06

[21:12:24][FRQ 12218000][SND][ ][TIS][0525NYCAP ][AL0] BER 25 SN 06

[18:05:22][FRQ 13415000][SND][ ][TIS][004RMRCAP ][AL0] BER 24 SN 08
[17:19:24][FRQ 13415000][SND][ ][TIS][0700MOCAP ][AL0] BER 23 SN 05

[15:56:19][FRQ 14357000][SND][ ][TIS][004RMRCAP ][AL0] BER 27 SN 08
[15:23:43][FRQ 14357000][SND][ ][TIS][0700MOCAP ][AL0] BER 27 SN 06

[21:44:50][FRQ 14424000][SND][ ][TIS][202SERCAP ][AL0] BER 30 SN 07

[21:29:19][FRQ 14438000][SND][ ][TIS][0004OHCAP ][AL0] BER 30 SN 07
[19:23:12][FRQ 14438000][SND][ ][TIS][0898MICAP ][AL0] BER 21 SN 04
[17:42:03][FRQ 14438000][SND][ ][TIS][0004OHCAP ][AL0] BER 26 SN 04
[17:37:49][FRQ 14438000][SND][ ][TIS][0281INCAP ][AL0] BER 29 SN 07
[16:01:22][FRQ 14438000][SND][ ][TIS][0034ILCAP ][AL0] BER 28 SN 06
[15:44:11][FRQ 14438000][SND][ ][TIS][0281INCAP ][AL0] BER 30 SN 08

[20:03:53][FRQ 14450000][SND][ ][TWS][FC8FEM006 ][AL0] BER 29 SN 06
[19:15:02][FRQ 14450000][SND][ ][TIS][2300MNCAP ][AL0] BER 26 SN 05
[17:11:47][FRQ 14445000][SND][ ][TIS][0011DCCAP ][AL0] BER 30 SN 09

[18:48:18][FRQ 14914000][SND][ ][TIS][2525NYCAP ][AL0] BER 24 SN 05

[20:14:15][FRQ 15602000][SND][ ][TIS][100NCRCAP ][AL0] BER 26 SN 06
[18:06:08][FRQ 15602000][SND][ ][TIS][004RMRCAP ][AL0] BER 22 SN 04
[17:17:13][FRQ 15602000][SND][ ][TIS][RIC ][AL0] BER 24 SN 04

[20:00:53][FRQ 16353000][SND][ ][TIS][0230NECAP ][AL0] BER 27 SN 05

[18:20:31][FRQ 17412000][SND][ ][TWS][OFF ][AL0] BER 30 SN 07
[16:12:42][FRQ 17412000][SND][ ][TIS][004RMRCAP ][AL0] BER 30 SN 09
[15:58:20][FRQ 17412000][SND][ ][TIS][004RMRCAP ][AL0] BER 26 SN 07

[21:42:39][FRQ 18513000][SND][ ][TIS][0034ILCAP ][AL0] BER 30 SN 07

[18:56:23][FRQ 19814000][SND][ ][TIS][AVS ][AL0] BER 30 SN 07
[15:54:47][FRQ 19814000][SND][ ][TIS][100SWRCAP ][AL0] BER 29 SN 07

[15:37:18][FRQ 22862000][SND][ ][TIS][0360FLCAP ][AL0] BER 20 SN 04

------------------------------------------------

STARTED Jul-26-2011 22:03 Eastern Standard Time

[05:18:33][FRQ 02511000][SND][ ][TIS][0094ALCAP ][AL0] BER 28 SN 08

[22:36:42][FRQ 05447000][SND][ ][TIS][043MERCAP ][AL0] BER 29 SN 11

[10:10:49][FRQ 05711000][SND][ ][TIS][EBCNNN ][AL0] BER 27 SN 09
[09:11:49][FRQ 05711000][SND][ ][TIS][EBCNNN ][AL0] BER 28 SN 09
[06:11:49][FRQ 05711000][SND][ ][TIS][EBCNNN ][AL0] BER 23 SN 08
[06:00:19][FRQ 05711000][SND][ ][TWS][KGD34 ][AL0] BER 17 SN 08
[05:12:49][FRQ 05711000][SND][ ][TIS][EBCNNN ][AL0] BER 22 SN 09
[04:12:50][FRQ 05711000][SND][ ][TIS][EBCNNN ][AL0] BER 30 SN 11
[01:11:49][FRQ 05711000][SND][ ][TIS][EBCNNN ][AL0] BER 28 SN 09
[00:55:31][FRQ 05711000][SND][ ][TWS][PXJNNN ][AL0] BER 20 SN 08
[23:54:59][FRQ 05711000][SND][ ][TWS][PXJNNN ][AL0] BER 27 SN 09
[23:08:48][FRQ 05711000][SND][ ][TIS][EBCNNN ][AL0] BER 24 SN 10
[22:54:56][FRQ 05711000][SND][ ][TWS][PXJNNN ][AL0] BER 24 SN 09

[06:12:19][FRQ 06767000][SND][ ][TWS][NSFHQ1 ][AL0] BER 30 SN 11
[00:42:42][FRQ 06767000][SND][ ][TWS][OPMHQ2 ][AL0] BER 30 SN 11

[09:57:16][FRQ 10510000][SND][ ][TIS][0420MNCAP ][AL0] BER 28 SN 08
[06:10:01][FRQ 10510000][SND][ ][TIS][0420MNCAP ][AL0] BER 30 SN 09
[04:16:23][FRQ 10510000][SND][ ][TIS][0420MNCAP ][AL0] BER 26 SN 06
[03:59:01][FRQ 10510000][SND][ ][TIS][0031SDCAP ][AL0] BER 30 SN 07
[03:23:14][FRQ 10510000][SND][ ][TIS][2300MNCAP ][AL0] BER 30 SN 08
[02:05:24][FRQ 10510000][SND][ ][TIS][0031SDCAP ][AL0] BER 28 SN 08
[01:40:50][FRQ 10510000][SND][ ][TIS][0230NECAP ][AL0] BER 18 SN 07
[00:29:05][FRQ 10510000][SND][ ][TIS][0420MNCAP ][AL0] BER 30 SN 09
[23:40:43][FRQ 10510000][SND][ ][TIS][4600MNCAP ][AL0] BER 30 SN 10

[09:57:39][FRQ 12098000][SND][ ][TIS][0420MNCAP ][AL0] BER 30 SN 08
[06:10:23][FRQ 12098000][SND][ ][TIS][0420MNCAP ][AL0] BER 29 SN 07

[22:23:23][FRQ 12183000][SND][ ][TIS][6700ARCAP ][AL0] BER 30 SN 08

[10:10:16][FRQ 14450000][SND][ ][TWS][FC8FEM006 ][AL0] BER 30 SN 07
[09:10:10][FRQ 14450000][SND][ ][TWS][FC8FEM006 ][AL0] BER 27 SN 07
[05:26:04][FRQ 14450000][SND][ ][TIS][4600MNCAP ][AL0] BER 30 SN 07
[04:10:47][FRQ 14450000][SND][ ][TIS][0150KSCAP ][AL0] BER 30 SN 07
[02:17:09][FRQ 14450000][SND][ ][TIS][0150KSCAP ][AL0] BER 29 SN 14
[02:06:02][FRQ 14450000][SND][ ][TIS][0031SDCAP ][AL0] BER 30 SN 10
[01:45:18][FRQ 14450000][SND][ ][TIS][0230NECAP ][AL0] BER 29 SN 13
[00:29:40][FRQ 14450000][SND][ ][TIS][0420MNCAP ][AL0] BER 20 SN 04
[00:23:29][FRQ 14450000][SND][ ][TIS][0150KSCAP ][AL0] BER 29 SN 13
[23:51:40][FRQ 14450000][SND][ ][TIS][0230NECAP ][AL0] BER 30 SN 08
[23:23:19][FRQ 14450000][SND][ ][TIS][0010MOCAP ][AL0] BER 28 SN 11

[00:24:23][FRQ 22872000][SND][ ][TIS][0048ARCAP ][AL0] BER 29 SN 09

[22:04:37][FRQ 24553000][SND][ ][TIS][0545MICAP ][AL0] BER 21 SN 04

[00:24:39][FRQ 26617000][SND][ ][TIS][0048ARCAP ][AL0] BER 27 SN 05

[23:33:27][FRQ 29894000][SND][ ][TIS][100NCRCAP ][AL0] BER 27 SN 05

Mode-S/ADS-B Intercepts 26 July 2011 - Brasstown

Here is another round of Mode-S/ADS-B intercepts logged from here on the radio ranch in WNC.

AE0489 63-8007 RCH836 2011-07-26 23:59:45 KC-135R United States AL ANG | 117ARW | 106ARS [KBHM]
A62778 N496MC GTI621 2011-07-26 23:43:26 Boeing 747-212B United States Atlas Air
AE047A 58-0073 RCH662 2011-07-26 23:26:24 KC-135R United States AL ANG | 117ARW | 106ARS [KBHM]
ADFEE2 159113 VVJU737 2011-07-26 22:09:38 C-9B United States USNR | VR-61 [KNUW]
ADFCEC 94-0141 --- 2011-07-26 21:43:56 T-1A United States USAF
AE1191 03-0016 / (01-2 --- 2011-07-26 20:33:37 UC-35B / F-15E United States USARC | B/2-228 AVN (TA) [KMGE]
ADFD04 95-0056 --- 2011-07-26 20:12:27 T-1A United States 48th FTS
ADFCAC 92-0363 --- 2011-07-26 20:02:50 T-1A United States 48th FTS
AE1203 89-0271 SUNNY 08 2011-07-26 19:36:43 RC-12N United States 224th MIB
AE0173 84-0118 COUGR73 2011-07-26 19:15:55 C-21A United States USAF | 375AW | 458AS [KBLV]
AD9292 N974AS --- 2011-07-26 19:14:04 MD83 United States ---
AE02D7 89-1053 RCH1005 2011-07-26 18:40:40 AC-130U United States USAF | 1SOW | 4SOS [KHRT]
AE148A 92-3289 PEACH33 2011-07-26 18:38:33 E-8C United States GA ANG | 116ACW [KWRB]
AE29D7 09-6210 LAC5659 2011-07-26 18:02:31 MC-130J United States ---
ADFDAB 90-0300 --- 2011-07-26 17:43:49 C-20h United States USAFE | 86AW | 76AS [ETAR]
AE0272 64-14840 SLUFF62 2011-07-26 16:39:18 KC-135R United States OH ANG | 121ARW [KLCK]
AE047F 59-1509 SODA81 2011-07-26 16:36:44 KC-135R United States TN ANG | 134ARW | 151ARS [KTYS]
AE0272 64-14840 SLUFF62 2011-07-26 16:28:52 KC-135R United States OH ANG | 121ARW [KLCK]
AE0257 98-1932 --- 2011-07-26 16:00:24 EC-130J United States PA ANG | 193SOW | 193SOS [KMDT]
AE0272 64-14840 SLUFF62 2011-07-26 15:50:07 KC-135R United States OH ANG | 121ARW [KLCK]
AE1191 03-0016 / (01-2 --- 2011-07-26 15:40:50 UC-35B / F-15E United States USARC | B/2-228 AVN (TA) [KMGE]
AA2DC9 N755NA NAO161 2011-07-26 15:07:09 Boeing 757-28A United States North American Airlines
AE2F9B 168069 --- 2011-07-26 15:00:20 KC-130J United States USMC | VMGR-352 [KNKX]
AD9292 N974AS --- 2011-07-26 14:52:10 MD83 United States ---
AE2F9B 168069 --- 2011-07-26 14:49:28 KC-130J United States USMC | VMGR-352 [KNKX]
AE10D1 165515 --- 2011-07-26 14:33:25 T-39G United States USN | TW-6 | VT-86 [KNPA]
AE1203 89-0271 SUNNY 08 2011-07-26 14:29:12 RC-12N United States 224th MIB
AE047F 59-1509 SODA81 2011-07-26 13:49:46 KC-135R United States TN ANG | 134ARW | 151ARS [KTYS]
AE148A 92-3289 PEACH33 2011-07-26 13:38:57 E-8C United States GA ANG | 116ACW [KWRB]
A81A0A N621AX OAE484 2011-07-26 13:13:06 DC-10 United States Omni Air International
AE1488 86-0416 PEACH35 2011-07-26 01:53:38 TE-8a United States 330th CTS
A97B00 N71PG --- 2011-07-26 00:48:36 Lear 36A United States Phoenix Air Group [KVPC]
AE1488 86-0416 PEACH35 2011-07-26 00:29:52 TE-8a United States 330th CTS

Air Mobility Rodeo 2011 kicks off

Blog Editor Note: For my NW US readers be sure to have a scanner tuned to 349.400 MHz and monitor the McChord Field (KTCM) AMC Command Post frequency for activity.

Other aero frequencies to watch from Joint Base Lewis McChord:

106.100 ATIS (VHF)
118.175 Ground Control
124.800 Tower
126.500 A/D
134.100 AMC Commercial Contract Aircraft only
225.525 A/A Interplane
239.000 A/D
259.300 Tower
270.100 ATIS (UHF)
279.650 Ground Control
290.900 Ground Control
311.000 AMC Command Post
340.300 AFSOC Training
341.800 AMC Training
342.300 PMSV Metro
372.200 PTD
377.150 A/D (replaced 391.900 MHz)
379.400 AMC Training

I should also note that 264.900 was used at the 2007 rodeo at McChord for air drops and training.

Here is a list of players seen on Mode-S so far enroute or around McChord using the Rodeo c/s:

AE2FA9 08-8197 RODEO90 C-17A United States USAF 62AW
AE0810 99-0170 RODEO61 C-17A United States USAF 3WG|517AS
AE023C 63-8888 RODEO60 KC-135R United States USAF 6AMW|91ARS
AE07C1 63-8017 RODEO59 KC-135R United States USAF 97AMW|55ARS
AE0427 61-0290 RODEO58 KC-135R United States HI ANG 154Wing|203ARS
AE015D 63-8879 RODEO56 KC-135R United States USAF 92ARW
AE0584 87-0039 RODEO55 C-5B United States AFRC 439AW|337AS
AE2FAC 08-8200 RODEO54 C-17A United States USAF 305AMW|6AS
AE0559 83-1285 RODEO53 C-5M United States USAF 436AW|9AS
AE1456 05-5152 RODEO52 C-17A United States USAF 15WG|535AS
AE05DF 87-9282 RODEO51 C-130H United States AFRC 440AW|95AS
AE0236 87-0124 RODEO50 KC-10A United States USAF 305AMW
AE0801 98-0055 RODEO49 C-17A United States USAF 97AMW
AE1BED 06-8611 RODEO48 C-130J-30 United States USAFE 86AW|37AS
AE048C 63-8883 RODEO46 KC-135R United States USAF 97AMW|55ARS
ADFDED 94-6708 RODEO43 C-130H United States WV ANG 130AW|130AS
AE01B7 84-0081 RODEO41 C-21A United States USAFE 86AW|76AS
AE49C5 09-9209 RODEO40 C-17A United States USAF 62AW
AE2FA4 08-8192 RODEO37 C-17A United States USAF 62AW
AE0169 86-0204 RODEO35 C-20B United States USAF 89AW|99AS
AE146C 07-7174 RODEO34 C-17A United States USAF 436AW|3AS
AE1BF2 07-4639 RODEO33 C-130J-30 United States USAF 19AW
AE04E8 60-0356 RODEO31 KC-135R United States USAF 22ARW
AE29DE 08-3174 RODEO27 C-130J United States USAF 317AG
AE49C2 09-9206 RODEO25 C-17A United States USAF 437AW
AE0368 63-8013 RODEO22 KC-135R United States OH ANG 121ARW
ADFDEC 94-6707 RODEO21 C-130H United States WV ANG 130AW|130AS
AE145C 06-6158 RODEO19 C-17A United States USAF 60AMW|21AS
480C04 G-275 RODEO17 C-130H-30 Netherlands 336sqn
343083 T.10-03 RODEO12 C-130 Spain Air Force ALA35
761054 4180 RODEO10 C-130 Pakistan Air Force

by Staff Sgt. J.G. Buzanowski, Air Mobility Rodeo 2011 Public Affairs

JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash., (AFNS) -- Air Mobility Rodeo 2011 kicked off here July 24.

Airmen from around the world, including seven international teams, are participating in the biennial competition that focuses on mission readiness, featuring airdrops, aerial refueling and other events that showcase the skills of mobility crews.

This year's event promises to be the largest rodeo ever, said Col. R. Wyn Elder, the commander of the 62nd Air Mobility Wing, the host unit for the event.

In addition, teams from 20 nations have traveled here to observe the various challenges with the hopes of competing in the future.

During the opening ceremonies, the commander of Air Mobility Command, Gen. Raymond E. Johns Jr., inspected the units standing in formation participating in Rodeo 2011.

With him was Brig. Gen. Rick Martin, the Rodeo 2011 commander, who welcomed the teams.

"There is no greater assembly of mobility professionals," Martin said. "Let's celebrate camaraderie ... and let's do it all safely."

Riders on horseback presented the flags of each international team. As representatives of the host nation, parachutists from the 627th Special Tactics Squadron jumped from the back of a C-17 Globemaster III, displaying the American and POW/MIA flags.

This year marks the first time the event is being held since the advent of joint basing, as noted by the 62nd AMW commander, Col. R. Wyn Elder.

Elder thanked the garrison commander, Army Col. Thomas H. Brittain, for his support in putting on Rodeo 2011.

Brittain has overseen Joint Base Lewis-McChord since the two installations merged, and Elder called him, "Without question, the finest Airman in the United States Army."

"We want you all to focus on the competition at hand," Elder said to the crowd. "We're excited to open the doors to Joint Base Lewis-McChord to you and I look forward to the best rodeo competition ever.

"Let camaraderie define victory," the colonel added.

That spirit of competition has been a tradition of rodeos in the past.

For Adjutant Joris Retty, a C-130 Hercules loadmaster from the Belgium air force, this year marks his third rodeo. He was previously here in 2005 and 2009.

When one of his teammates fell ill, he said he jumped at the chance to come back and help coach the rest of his team.

"Nothing motivates me more than the spirit of competition," Retty said. "It's great to meet people from other nations and socialize. I actually went to loadmaster school at Little Rock Air Force Base in Arkansas, so it's nice to be back in America. I can't wait to get started."

The competition culminates at the end of the week with the crowning of the rodeo champion. The 62nd AMW from McChord won the last rodeo in 2009.

Mode-S/ADS-B Intercepts 25 July 2011 - Brasstown

Here is another round of Mode-S/ADS-B intercepts logged from here on the radio ranch in WNC.

AC1E21 N880DA --- 2011-07-25 22:31:45 MD-88 US DYNAMIC JET LEASE
AE01BC 84-0130 SPUR 01 2011-07-25 20:59:12 C-21A United States USAF | 375AW | 311AS [KCOS]
AE01BC 84-0130 SPUR 01 2011-07-25 20:48:42 C-21A United States USAF | 375AW | 311AS [KCOS]
AE05E1 87-9285 BIS0N83 2011-07-25 20:38:48 C-130H United States AFRC | 914AW | 328AS [KIAG]
AE148D 93-1097/96-0042 PEACH33 2011-07-25 20:12:36 E-8C United States GA ANG | 116ACW [KWRB]
AE06C8 161504 --- 2011-07-25 20:11:06 UC-12B United States NAS Jacksonville
AE05E1 87-9285 BIS0N83 2011-07-25 19:11:12 C-130H United States AFRC | 914AW | 328AS [KIAG]
AE01BD 84-0131 COUGR23 2011-07-25 18:04:28 C-21A United States USAF | 375AW | 457AS [KADW]
ADFEE0 87-70160 PAT016 2011-07-25 17:51:18 C-12U United States TX ARNG | OSACOM DET-49 [KAUS]
ADFEE0 87-70160 PAT016 2011-07-25 17:40:08 C-12U United States TX ARNG | OSACOM DET-49 [KAUS]
AE06C8 161504 --- 2011-07-25 16:41:23 UC-12B United States NAS Jacksonville
ADFCFA 95-0046 --- 2011-07-25 15:53:06 T-1A United States 48th FTS
AE1395 61-4856 --- 2011-07-25 15:45:23 T-38C United States USN | TPS [KNHK]
AE148D 93-1097/96-0042 PEACH33 2011-07-25 15:35:23 E-8C United States GA ANG | 116ACW [KWRB]
AD9292 N974AS --- 2011-07-25 14:59:24 MD83 United States ---
A9285C N69 --- 2011-07-25 14:39:17 King Air 300 United States FAA Flight Inspection
AE068E 62-3529 ADOBE72 2011-07-25 04:50:11 KC-135 United States USAF | 6AMW | 91ARS [KMCF]
AE1199 03-3116 RCH3116 2011-07-25 04:10:04 C-17A United States MS ANG | 172AW | 183AS [KJAN]
AE0671 63-8000 ADOBE62 2011-07-25 03:15:44 KC-135R United States USAF | 6AMW | 927ARW

Touch down ends Reserve rescue role in shuttle program

The space shuttle Atlantis makes its final return to Earth at Cape Canaveral, Fla., July 21, 2011. Reservists from the 920th Rescue Wing at Patrick Air Force Base, Fla., have been present since the start of the shuttle mission to clear the range and stand by in the event of a mishap. (U.S. Air Force photo/Maj. Matthew Simpson
by Capt. Cathleen Snow, 920th Rescue Wing Public Affairs

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AFNS) -- As the sun rose over the Atlantic Ocean on July 21, it shed light on both the final landing of the space shuttle Atlantis and the final time Air Force reservists will perform their duties as guardians of the astronauts.

As a network of rescue responders, reservists from the 920th Rescue Wing from Patrick Air Force Base, Fla., have been the insurance policy ready to perform the world's largest search and rescue mission if called upon during the astronauts' daring entries and exits into space.

Atlantis touched down on the shuttle landing facility's Runway 15 at 5:57 a.m. EDT on July 21. After 200 orbits around Earth and a journey of 5,284,862 miles, the landing at NASA's Kennedy Space Center here brought America's manned space program to a close after 30 years of space shuttle flights.

It was nice knowing the rescue wing was there as a security blanket all along, said NASA astronaut Richard R. Arnold II.

For the Airmen, "it's bittersweet," said Col. Robert Ament, the 920th RQW vice commander.

"Our training that we've done, our equipment we provided for the space shuttle, the specific equipment that we built ourselves, that we developed within the 920th, that we used to rescue astronauts, is significant," Ament said. "It was a huge contribution to the overall space effort."

The 920th's "Team Rescue" spent the day before the scheduled landing removing auxiliary fuel tanks from an HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter to make room for the NASA medicine and medical gear used to treat the astronauts in the event of a mishap. At 2 a.m., hours before the landing, Pave Hawk aviators and Guardian Angel Airmen showed up here to get ready for the final shuttle descent. Overall, 40 ground and aircrew personnel launched their aircraft to clear the eastern range and preposition close to where the shuttle would touch down for the last time.

The eastern range is the 1,000-square-mile area beneath the shuttle launch path. Airmen spend several hours prior to the shuttle's return to ensure no one is in harm's way.

"The 920th Rescue Wing has stood by as search and rescue support for the manned space program since the early 60s, participating in one way or another," said Ament.

"This isn't the end of the space mission," said Col. John Madura, a NASA weather official and former 45th Weather Squadron commander. "We still have the Atlas and Delta rockets, and space payload mission. Man will go back in space, and we will need the continued support of the rescue units."

Rocket launches will continue and the reservists will remain gainfully employed clearing the 1,000-square-mile launch path over the Atlantic Ocean. They will also have deployments overseas and the continuous maintenance of the aircraft; however, something will now be missing.

"Our number one priority has to be to maintain mission-ready status for all personnel recovery forces," Ament said.

With their highly trained rescue personnel, the 920th RQW stands ready to support the next era of manned spaceflight, willing to meet the needs of NASA's unique, evolving missions.

Mode-S/ADS-B Intercepts 23-24 July 2011 - Brasstown

Here is another round of Mode-S/ADS-B intercepts logged from here on the radio ranch in WNC.

AE0671 63-8000 ADOBE62 2011-07-24 23:15 KC-135R United States USAF | 6AMW | 927ARW
AE10D9 165523 --- 2011-07-24 19:47 T-39N United States USN | TW-6 | VT-86 [KNPA]
AE10D2 165516 --- 2011-07-24 19:26 T-39G United States USN | TW-6 | VT-86 [KNPA]
AE1F0E 63-7831 PUMA 91 2011-07-24 15:54 C-130E United States AETC | 314AW | 62AS]
AE10C8 160053 --- 2011-07-24 15:43 T-39G United States USN | TW-6 | VT-86 [KNPA]
ADFEE2 159113 --- 2011-07-24 14:26 C-9B United States USNR | VR-61 [KNUW]
A44973 N3755P --- 2011-07-24 13:26 L-100-30 (382G) United States ---
ADFDC3 93-1456 SHARK 23 2011-07-24 11:39 C-130H United States NC ANG | 145AW | 156AS [KCLT]
A2C272 N277WA WOA9665 2011-07-24 11:23 MD-11F United States World Airways
AE0562 85-0005 --- 2011-07-24 11:17 C-5M United States USAF | 436AW | 9AS [KDOV]
AE07FD 98-0051 FROZN81 2011-07-24 07:54 C-17A United States USAF | 3WG | 517AS [PAED]
A69529 N523MC --- 2011-07-24 03:26 Boeing 747-2D7B United States Atlas Air
A2C272 N277WA WOA9630 2011-07-24 00:08 MD-11F United States World Airways

ADFEE2 159113 CNV9557 2011-07-23 20:17 C-9B United States USNR | VR-61 [KNUW]
ADFEE2 159113 CNV9557 2011-07-23 20:04 C-9B United States USNR | VR-61 [KNUW]
ADFEF0 161266 CNV9221 2011-07-23 19:28 C-9B United States USNR | VR-46 [KNFW]
AC1E21 N880DA --- 2011-07-23 18:21 MD-88 US DYNAMIC JET LEASE
A725D7 N56PA --- 2011-07-23 16:48 Lear 36A
ADFE65 91-1234 DERBY 07 2011-07-23 14:40 C-130H United States KY ANG | 123AW | 165AS [KSDF]
ADFDC3 93-1456 SHARK 23 2011-07-23 13:55 C-130H United States NC ANG | 145AW | 156AS [KCLT]
AE05FE 79-0477 RLR 0077 2011-07-23 13:54 C-130H United States NV ANG | 152AW | 192AS [KRNO]
AE01C2 165152 --- 2011-07-23 10:27 C-20G United States USNR | VR-51 [PHNG]
A2AC28 N271WA WOA9655 2011-07-23 10:10 MD-11F United States World Airways
00000A Various --- 2011-07-23 09:36 Various Various ---

Mode-S/ADS-B Intercepts 22 July 2011 - Brasstown

Here is another round of Mode-S/ADS-B intercepts logged from here on the radio ranch in WNC.

AE10BA 01-0191 RCH1191 2011-07-22 18:56 C-17A United States USAF | 437AW [KCHS]
AE10CB 165509 --- 2011-07-22 18:06 T-39G United States USN | TW-6 | VT-86 [KNPA]
AE07FD 98-0051 FROZN81 2011-07-22 17:01 C-17A United States USAF | 3WG | 517AS [PAED]
AE0602 80-0323 REACH560 2011-07-22 17:00 C-130H United States GA ANG | 165AW | 158AS [KSAV]
AE1198 03-3115 RCH3115 2011-07-22 16:51 C-17A United States MS ANG | 172AW | 183AS [KJAN]
29CBB8 164105 --- 2011-07-22 16:48 KC-130T United States Various
AE1198 03-3115 RCH3115 2011-07-22 16:40 C-17A United States MS ANG | 172AW | 183AS [KJAN]
AE10CB 165509 --- 2011-07-22 16:22 T-39G United States USN | TW-6 | VT-86 [KNPA]
AE012C 73-1681 AVLON73 2011-07-22 15:28 C-9C United States AFRC | 932AW | 73AS [KBLV]
AE0600 80-0321 RCH 418 2011-07-22 15:24 C-130H United States GA ANG | 165AW | 158AS [KSAV]
AC1E21 N880DA --- 2011-07-22 15:15 MD-88 US DYNAMIC JET LEASE
AE1454 05-5150 MANU61 2011-07-22 14:51 C-17A United States USAF | 15WG | 535AS [PHIK]
ADFEE0 87-70160 --- 2011-07-22 14:25 C-12U United States TX ARNG | OSACOM DET-49 [KAUS]
ADFE97 95-0098 --- 2011-07-22 14:14 C-12R+ United States USARC | 2-228 AVN
ADFEE0 87-70160 PAT016 2011-07-22 14:13 C-12U United States TX ARNG | OSACOM DET-49 [KAUS]
AE0423 59-1505 SODA81 2011-07-22 14:06 KC-135R United States TN ANG | 134ARW | 151ARS [KTYS]
ADFDD0 92-3328 --- 2011-07-22 14:01 C-12R United States USARC | A/2-228 AVN (TA) [KWRI]
ADFD7D 91-0513 --- 2011-07-22 13:40 C-26D United States OSACOM/Det24/SC-ArNG
AE07FD 98-0051 FROZN81 2011-07-22 13:36 C-17A United States USAF | 3WG | 517AS [PAED]
AE05DF 87-9282 RODEO51 2011-07-22 13:35 C-130H United States AFRC | 440AW | 95AS [KPOB]
AE2730 08-27014 SKULL61 2011-07-22 12:58 C-27J United States US ARMY
AE0266 57-1469 SLUFF41 2011-07-22 12:46 KC-135R United States AL ANG | 117ARW | 106ARS [KBHM]
AE12D4 62-1792 --- 2011-07-22 12:24 C-130E United States USAF | [KLRF]
AE29D4 09-6207 --- 2011-07-22 12:20 MC-130J United States ---
AE0272 64-14840 SLUF42 2011-07-22 12:16 KC-135R United States OH ANG | 121ARW [KLCK]
AE12D4 62-1792 RAVEN 21 2011-07-22 12:13 C-130E United States USAF | [KLRF]
AE29D4 09-6207 --- 2011-07-22 12:08 MC-130J United States ---
AE0266 57-1469 SLUFF41 2011-07-22 12:01 KC-135R United States AL ANG | 117ARW | 106ARS [KBHM]
AE0272 64-14840 SLUF42 2011-07-22 12:01 KC-135R United States OH ANG | 121ARW [KLCK]
ADFDD0 92-3328 --- 2011-07-22 11:37 C-12R United States USARC | A/2-228 AVN (TA) [KWRI]
AE07FD 98-0051 FROZN81 2011-07-22 11:35 C-17A United States USAF | 3WG | 517AS [PAED]
AE49C2 09-9206 RODEO25 2011-07-22 11:26 C-17A United States USAF | 437AW [KCHS]
AE0423 59-1505 SODA81 2011-07-22 11:08 KC-135R United States TN ANG | 134ARW | 151ARS [KTYS]
AE1454 05-5150 MANU61 2011-07-22 10:57 C-17A United States USAF | 15WG | 535AS [PHIK]
AE2730 08-27014 SKULL61 2011-07-22 10:56 C-27J United States US ARMY
AE0602 80-0323 REACH560 2011-07-22 10:16 C-130H United States GA ANG | 165AW | 158AS [KSAV]
AE1454 05-5150 MANU61 2011-07-22 09:42 C-17A United States USAF | 15WG | 535AS [PHIK]
ADFD7D 91-0513 --- 2011-07-22 08:59 C-26D United States OSACOM/Det24/SC-ArNG
AE018C 84-0098 COUGR79 2011-07-22 08:28 C-21A United States USAF | 375AW | 457AS [KADW]
AE018C 84-0098 COUGR79 2011-07-22 08:17 C-21A United States USAF | 375AW | 457AS [KADW]
AE04DA 165832 CNV4112 2011-07-22 05:44 C-40A United States USNR | VR-58 [KNIP]

Mode-S/ADS-B Intercepts 21 July 2011 - Brasstown

Here is another round of Mode-S/ADS-B intercepts logged from here on the radio ranch in WNC.

AE128A 69-5822 SHADO91 2011-07-21 23:38 MC-130P United States 16SOW/9SOS
AE12B4 65-0993 SHADO91 2011-07-21 23:38 MC-130P United States 17thSOS
AE038F 63-7996 MASH84 2011-07-21 22:23 KC-135R United States AFRC | 434ARW | 72ARS [KGUS]
AE038F 63-7996 MASH84 2011-07-21 22:12 KC-135R United States AFRC | 434ARW | 72ARS [KGUS]
AE038F 63-7996 MASH84 2011-07-21 21:27 KC-135R United States AFRC | 434ARW | 72ARS [KGUS]
ADFC7B 91-0087 --- 2011-07-21 17:01 T-1A United States USAF | 47FTW | 86FTS [KDLF]
ADFD86 94-0259 --- 2011-07-21 16:47 C-26D United States Det4/DC-ArNG
ADFD86 94-0259 --- 2011-07-21 16:36 C-26D United States Det4/DC-ArNG
AE12D3 64-0544 SHARK 67 2011-07-21 15:56 C-130E United States PR ANG | 156AW | 198AS [TJSJ]
AE1172 02-1100 RCH177 2011-07-21 15:52 C-17A United States USAF | 437AW [KCHS]
ADFDD0 92-3328 --- 2011-07-21 15:13 C-12R United States USARC | A/2-228 AVN (TA) [KWRI]
AE0422 59-1499 SODA82 2011-07-21 14:55 KC-135R United States TN ANG | 134ARW | 151ARS [KTYS]
AE030F 74-1673 HAZRD 61 2011-07-21 14:49 C-130H United States USAF | 317AG [KDYS]
ADFEBD 96-0107 --- 2011-07-21 14:42 UC-35a1 United States USARC | 2-228 AVN
ADFE87 92-0552 PUMA 65 2011-07-21 14:37 C-130H United States USAF | 19AW [KLRF]
AE030F 74-1673 HAZRD 61 2011-07-21 14:37 C-130H United States USAF | 317AG [KDYS]
ADFC79 91-0085 --- 2011-07-21 14:29 T-1A United States USAF | 479FTG | 451FTS [KNPA]
AE0562 85-0005 --- 2011-07-21 14:26 C-5M United States USAF | 436AW | 9AS [KDOV]
ADFE87 92-0552 PUMA 65 2011-07-21 14:25 C-130H United States USAF | 19AW [KLRF]
ADFC79 91-0085 --- 2011-07-21 14:13 T-1A United States USAF | 479FTG | 451FTS [KNPA]
AE1488 86-0416 --- 2011-07-21 13:55 TE-8a United States 330thCTS
AE0139 63-8003 ROCCO83 2011-07-21 13:54 KC-135R United States USAF | 6AMW | 91ARS [KMCF]
AE06C1 161319 --- 2011-07-21 13:49 UC-12B United States USN | AOD WillowGrove [KNXX]
AE0139 63-8003 ROCCO83 2011-07-21 13:32 KC-135R United States USAF | 6AMW | 91ARS [KMCF]
AE0139 63-8003 ROCCO83 2011-07-21 13:15 KC-135R United States USAF | 6AMW | 91ARS [KMCF]
AE1170 02-1098 GRITS25 2011-07-21 12:52 C-17A United States USAF | 437AW [KCHS]
AE1488 86-0416 --- 2011-07-21 12:52 TE-8a United States 330thCTS
AE0158 58-0112 STEEL62 2011-07-21 12:46 KC-135T United States PA ANG | 171ARW [KPIT]
AE0139 63-8003 ROCCO83 2011-07-21 12:45 KC-135R United States USAF | 6AMW | 91ARS [KMCF]
AE05D7 85-0037 --- 2011-07-21 12:31 C-130H United States AFRC | 908AW | 357AS [KMXF]
AE0158 58-0112 STEEL62 2011-07-21 12:21 KC-135T United States PA ANG | 171ARW [KPIT]
ADFDE2 85-0049 --- 2011-07-21 12:06 C-20C United States USAF | 89AW | 99AS [KADW]
AE06C1 161319 --- 2011-07-21 11:29 UC-12B United States USN | AOD WillowGrove [KNXX]
280000 01-2001/N459PC --- 2011-07-21 09:49 F-15/PC112 Various USAFE | 48FW [EGUL]
AA2DC9 N755NA NAO974 2011-07-21 09:34 Boeing 757-28A United States North American Airlines

DOD space program broadens industry, foreign partnerships

by Cheryl Pellerin, American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- The Defense Department is expanding partnerships with space-faring companies and nations to maintain the strategic advantage it gains in space, the deputy assistant secretary of defense for space policy said July 19.

Speaking with reporters from the Defense Writers Group here, Ambassador Gregory L. Schulte said NASA's final space shuttle flight represents "a time of transition" for the civil and military space programs.

"Space," Schulte said, "is increasingly congested, contested and competitive."

The U.S. Strategic Command, based in Omaha, Neb., whose mission now includes warning companies and countries when space debris threatens their satellites, is tracking more than 22,000 objects in space, he said.

A range of countries are developing counter-space capabilities, including satellite-damaging jammers and lasers, he added, and 11 countries now operate 22 launch sites.

"The United States is not the only player in space," Schulte said, "and space is certainly not our private domain."

Space is ubiquitous in the defense establishment and in the conduct of military operations, he added, "and we're acting to maintain our strategic advantage in space."

Space systems are critical to ground navigation, smart bomb precision, and to relay unmanned aerial vehicle feeds to troops, Schulte said. Space also is necessary for early warnings of missile launches and for keeping the president connected to U.S. nuclear forces, he said.

Space is a force multiplier, Schulte added.

"Without space capabilities, we'd need a lot more bombs to put on a particular target and there would be a lot more casualties and collateral damage," he said. "Without space assets, we'd need a lot more troops on the ground doing counterinsurgency operations."

To maintain the advantage, Schulte said, "we just launched (the) second in a series of GPS satellites that's going to give us more jam resistance and better civil capacity."

The Defense Department recently launched a new space-based infrared satellite, the first in geosynchronous orbit, that will offer much better tactical intelligence for missile launches, Schulte said.

DOD also is putting into orbit the first of four advanced extremely high frequency communications satellites, he said, and a new space-based surveillance satellite that will boost the ability to track objects in space.

"Our military space program is going to have to provide us that strategic advantage in a tight budget environment," he added, "and the (DOD National Security Space Strategy) shows a way to do that."

The strategy, issued by then-Defense Secretary Robert Gates in January and affirmed by Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, "seeks to address ... new challenges by promoting norms of responsible behavior in space and sharing data to help promote spaceflight safety," Schulte said.

The document also calls for partnerships with the commercial sector and with foreign partners to augment U.S. capabilities, he said, and to increase the resilience of U.S. satellite constellations against attack or disruption.

International partnerships that show the way to the future, the ambassador said, involve the advanced EHF satellite, in which three other countries participate, and a satellite called the Wideband Global SATCOM System, in which Australia participates.

Such collaboration, Schulte said, "shares the burden, gives us enhanced coverage and helps provide some deterrence" to those who might consider using counter-space technologies against space assets.

"Another illustration of the way forward," Schulte said, "is a program that our Defense Information Systems Agency, DISA, has proposed to Congress."

The program is called ASSIST, for Assured SATCOM Services in a Single Theater, which is the U.S. Central Command's area of operations.

"DISA is proposing to commercially procure satellite services to support the warfighter, rather than just leasing the services year to year," the ambassador said.

"In doing so," he added, "we can save significantly on annual leasing costs and we can also get access to satellites that have three times the capacity of the closest U.S. government-owned satellite."

Defense Department officials also are beginning to work with commercial space companies to reduce the department's costs and to help energize the industrial base.

"We're going to see space increasingly commercialized," the ambassador said. "The cost of entry into space is going to go down, and that has all sorts of implications for the Department of Defense, along with opportunities."

In August, for example, the Air Force will use the commercial space company Orbital to launch the Commercially Hosted Infrared Payload, or CHIRP, sensor, Schulte said.

"This is a sensor the Air Force purchased, and (it) will be launched on a commercial communications satellite to demonstrate an advanced infrared imaging capability," he said.

This will result in considerable savings, he added.

"CHIRP is costing us something like $65 million, and we get 80 percent of the requirements," Schulte said. "If we had launched it as a free-flying satellite, it would have cost more like $500 million."

Commercial space is part of the future, he added, "and we want to be part of that future."

The Defense Department is working with NASA, the White House and others to develop a new space transportation policy to update the 2004 presidential policy, he said.

"The new policy will reflect the end of the shuttle program but also that there are potential new entrants into space launch, and that our ranges are not only used for national security missions, but also increasingly for commercial missions," Schulte said.

SpaceX is another space transportation company that works routinely with the Air Force range at Patrick Air Force Base near Cape Canaveral, Fla., he added.

"Industry has read this strategy and has come to us with all sorts of ideas about innovative approaches to taking advantage of commercial capabilities and thinking differently about space," Schulte said. "And we welcome that."

Mode-S/ADS-B Intercepts 20 July 2011 - Brasstown

Here is another round of Mode-S/ADS-B intercepts logged from here on the radio ranch in WNC. Another day with heavy aerial refueling activity in the area.

AE0316 74-1688 HAZRD 22 2011-07-20 22:32 C-130H United States USAF | 317AG [KDYS]
ADFD07 95-0059 --- 2011-07-20 21:22 T-1A United States 48th FTS
AE1199 03-3116 RCH3116 2011-07-20 20:35 C-17A United States MS ANG | 172AW | 183AS [KJAN]
AE1199 03-3116 RCH3116 2011-07-20 20:24 C-17A United States MS ANG | 172AW | 183AS [KJAN]
A62778 N496MC GTI606 2011-07-20 17:59 Boeing 747-212B United States Atlas Air
ADFECA 84-0484 --- 2011-07-20 17:43 C-12U United States SD ARNG | OSACOM DET-48 [KRAP]
ADFD07 95-0059 --- 2011-07-20 17:25 T-1A United States 48th FTS
AE0577 86-0026 --- 2011-07-20 16:56 C-5B United States USAF | 60AMW | 22AS [KSUU]
AE093D 01-0301 --- 2011-07-20 16:25 UC-35a1 United States US Army | OSACOM PATD [KADW]
AE10D6 165520 --- 2011-07-20 16:06 T-39G United States USN | TW-6 | VT-86 [KNPA]
A6DCE9 N541PA --- 2011-07-20 14:33 LJ-35 United States Phoenix Air Group
AE10D6 165520 --- 2011-07-20 14:00 T-39G United States USN | TW-6 | VT-86 [KNPA]
AE29D7 09-6210 --- 2011-07-20 13:37 MC-130J United States ---
A9FBD4 N742VA --- 2011-07-20 13:12 B734-448 United States Vision Airlines
C2B58F 130611 CFC2554 2011-07-20 12:57 CC-130J-30 Canada CFC | 8WG [CYTR]
AE1471 07-7179 RCH7179 2011-07-20 12:57 C-17A United States USAF | 60AMW | 21AS [KSUU]
C2B58F 130611 CFC2554 2011-07-20 12:46 CC-130J-30 Canada CFC | 8WG [CYTR]
AE0650 58-0049 JEEP31 2011-07-20 12:30 KC-135T United States MI ANG | 127WG | 171ARS [KMTC]
AE0650 58-0049 JEEP31 2011-07-20 12:20 KC-135T United States MI ANG | 127WG | 171ARS [KMTC]
AE062A 58-0129 JEEP32 2011-07-20 12:12 KC-135T United States MI ANG | 127WG | 171ARS [KMTC]
AE0650 58-0049 JEEP31 2011-07-20 12:06 KC-135T United States MI ANG | 127WG | 171ARS [KMTC]
C2B585 130610 --- 2011-07-20 12:04 CC-130J-30 Canada CFC | 8WG [CYTR]
AE0650 58-0049 JEEP31 2011-07-20 11:54 KC-135T United States MI ANG | 127WG | 171ARS [KMTC]
AE062A 58-0129 JEEP32 2011-07-20 11:54 KC-135T United States MI ANG | 127WG | 171ARS [KMTC]
AE062A 58-0129 JEEP32 2011-07-20 11:42 KC-135T United States MI ANG | 127WG | 171ARS [KMTC]
AE0650 58-0049 JEEP31 2011-07-20 11:42 KC-135T United States MI ANG | 127WG | 171ARS [KMTC]
AE0268 59-1523 DIXIE72 2011-07-20 11:19 KC-135R United States AL ANG | 117ARW | 106ARS [KBHM]
AE29D4 09-6207 LAC5656 2011-07-20 11:07 MC-130J United States ---
C2B585 130610 --- 2011-07-20 11:04 CC-130J-30 Canada CFC | 8WG [CYTR]
AE02E0 89-1188 BISON03 2011-07-20 10:53 C-130H United States AFRC | 914AW | 328AS [KIAG]
ADFC9D 92-0348 --- 2011-07-20 10:25 T-1A United States USAF | 479FTG | 451FTS [KNPA]

Mode-S/ADS-B Intercepts 19 July 2011 - Brasstown

Here is another round of Mode-S/ADS-B intercepts logged from here on the radio ranch in WNC. Had a busy day on AR-216 and 276.500 MHz (see my tweets from yesterday).

AE0272 64-14840 TAZZ31 2011-07-19 22:42 KC-135R United States OH ANG | 121ARW [KLCK]
AE1488 86-0416 PEACH26 2011-07-19 22:09 TE-8a United States 330th CTS
00000A Various --- 2011-07-19 21:20 Various Various ---
AE0272 64-14840 TAZZ31 2011-07-19 21:17 KC-135R United States OH ANG | 121ARW [KLCK]
AE2239 2302 --- 2011-07-19 20:11 HC-144A/C-130 United States USCG | CGAS Mobile [KMOB]
AE119B 03-3118 RCH3118 2011-07-19 19:21 C-17A United States MS ANG | 172AW | 183AS [KJAN]
AE1488 86-0416 PEACH26 2011-07-19 19:18 TE-8a United States 330th CTS
AE0489 63-8007 DIXIE02 2011-07-19 19:10 KC-135R United States AL ANG | 117ARW | 106ARS [KBHM]
AE07FB 98-0049 RCH8049 2011-07-19 18:07 C-17A United States USAF | 62AW [KTCM]
AE0976 165833 CNV4872 2011-07-19 17:11 C-40A United States USNR | VR-59 [KNFW]
00000A Various --- 2011-07-19 16:49 Various Various ---
ADFD03 95-0055 --- 2011-07-19 16:34 T-1A United States 48th FTS
ADFED0 85-1262 --- 2011-07-19 16:25 C-12U United States USARMY (OSACOM Det25 TNArNG)
ADFCE7 94-0136 --- 2011-07-19 15:00 T-1A United States USAF
AE02E0 89-1188 BISON03 2011-07-19 14:57 C-130H United States AFRC | 914AW | 328AS [KIAG]
AE1178 02-1106 RCH705T 2011-07-19 14:23 C-17A United States USAF | 62AW [KTCM]
ADFDCB 93-2042 TORCH802 2011-07-19 14:14 C-130H United States IL ANG | 182AW | 169AS [KPIA]
AE10C9 160054 --- 2011-07-19 13:54 T-39G United States USN | TW-6 | VT-86 [KNPA]
ADFE87 92-0552 PUMA 65 2011-07-19 13:37 C-130H United States USAF | 19AW [KLRF]
AE0591 58-0075 DECEE22 2011-07-19 13:09 KC-135R United States AFRC | 459ARW | 756ARS [KADW]
AE0591 58-0075 DECEE22 2011-07-19 12:38 KC-135R United States AFRC | 459ARW | 756ARS [KADW]
AE10C0 01-0197 GRITS37 2011-07-19 12:38 C-17A United States USAF | 437AW [KCHS]
AE0591 58-0075 DECEE22 2011-07-19 12:18 KC-135R United States AFRC | 459ARW | 756ARS [KADW]
AE037A 63-7993 RCH606 2011-07-19 12:00 KC-135R United States OH ANG | 121ARW [KLCK]
AE037A 63-7993 RCH606 2011-07-19 11:49 KC-135R United States OH ANG | 121ARW [KLCK]
AE29D4 09-6207 --- 2011-07-19 11:41 MC-130J United States ---
AE0177 84-0128 YANKE55 2011-07-19 11:25 C-21A United States CT ANG | 103FW | 118FS [KBDL]
AE093D 01-0301 --- 2011-07-19 10:48 UC-35a1 United States US Army | OSACOM PATD [KADW]
ADFC94 92-0339 --- 2011-07-19 10:41 T-1A United States USAF
AE10C9 160054 --- 2011-07-19 10:18 T-39G United States USN | TW-6 | VT-86 [KNPA]
AE012E 73-1683 --- 2011-07-19 09:46 C-9C United States AFRC | 932AW | 73AS [KBLV]
AE093D 01-0301 --- 2011-07-19 08:59 UC-35a1 United States US Army | OSACOM PATD [KADW]
ADFD7D 91-0513 --- 2011-07-19 07:57 C-26D United States OSACOM/Det24/SC-ArNG
AE080E 99-0168 RCH9168 2011-07-19 02:27 C-17A United States USAF | 3WG | 517AS [PAED]
AE080E 99-0168 RCH9168 2011-07-19 02:16 C-17A United States USAF | 3WG | 517AS [PAED]
AE117A 02-1108 RCH2108 2011-07-19 00:16 C-17A United States USAF | 62AW [KTCM]

Mode-S/ADS-B Intercepts 18 July 2011 - Brasstown

Here is another round of Mode-S/ADS-B intercepts logged from here on the radio ranch in WNC.

00000A Various --- 2011-07-18 22:42 Various Various ---
AE0812 00-0176 RCH0176 2011-07-18 22:18 C-17A United States USAF | 62AW [KTCM]
AE0474 57-2599 BACKY12 2011-07-18 22:09 KC-135R United States AFRC | 916ARW | 77ARS [KGSB]
AE1488 86-0416 PEACH35 2011-07-18 21:54 TE-8a United States 330th CTS
AE0474 57-2599 BACKY12 2011-07-18 21:22 KC-135R United States AFRC | 916ARW | 77ARS [KGSB]
ADFD0D 95-0065 --- 2011-07-18 21:13 T-1A United States USAF
AE1488 86-0416 PEACH35 2011-07-18 20:45 TE-8a United States 330th CTS
AE0209 79-0434 PETRO11 2011-07-18 20:21 KC-10A United States USAF | 305AMW [KWRI]
AE0209 79-0434 PETRO11 2011-07-18 20:08 KC-10A United States USAF | 305AMW [KWRI]
AE021B 84-0188 PETR001 2011-07-18 20:02 KC-10A United States USAF | 305AMW [KWRI]
AE021B 84-0188 PETR001 2011-07-18 19:50 KC-10A United States USAF | 305AMW [KWRI]
AE07ED 96-0003 RCH6003 2011-07-18 18:50 C-17A United States USAF | 62AW [KTCM]
A81A0A N621AX --- 2011-07-18 18:45 DC-10 United States Omni Air International
AE11E6 78-0578 SNTRY60H 2011-07-18 18:23 E-3B United States USAF | 552ACW [KTIK]
AC1E21 N880DA --- 2011-07-18 18:19 MD-88 US DYNAMIC JET LEASE
249249 Various --- 2011-07-18 17:16 Various Various ---
AE1495 97-0200 PEACH33 2011-07-18 16:10 E-8C United States GA ANG | 116ACW [KWRB]
AD9A00 N976AS --- 2011-07-18 15:57 MD-83 United States US Marshal JPATS
AE11E6 78-0578 SNTRY60H 2011-07-18 15:46 E-3B United States USAF | 552ACW [KTIK]
AE1196 03-3113 RCH3113 2011-07-18 15:37 C-17A United States MS ANG | 172AW | 183AS [KJAN]
A19FE9 N2033 --- 2011-07-18 15:20 BAE 125 SERIES 800A United States U S MARSHALS SERVICE
AE1203 89-0271 SUNNY 08 2011-07-18 15:04 RC-12N United States 224th MIB
AE1203 89-0271 SUNNY 08 2011-07-18 14:29 RC-12N United States 224th MIB
AE030F 74-1673 HAZRD 61 2011-07-18 14:04 C-130H United States USAF | 317AG [KDYS]
A9ECBA N739CP --- 2011-07-18 13:53 Cessna 182T United States CIVIL AIR PATROL
249249 Various --- 2011-07-18 12:52 Various Various ---
AE04E9 61-0272 INDY82 2011-07-18 12:39 KC-135R United States AFRC | 434ARW | 72ARS [KGUS]
AE04E9 61-0272 INDY82 2011-07-18 12:28 KC-135R United States AFRC | 434ARW | 72ARS [KGUS]
AE04E9 61-0272 INDY82 2011-07-18 11:47 KC-135R United States AFRC | 434ARW | 72ARS [KGUS]
AE1495 97-0200 PEACH33 2011-07-18 11:40 E-8C United States GA ANG | 116ACW [KWRB]
AE29D5 09-6208 FIXER55 2011-07-18 11:28 MC-130J United States ---
AE04E9 61-0272 INDY82 2011-07-18 11:28 KC-135R United States AFRC | 434ARW | 72ARS [KGUS]
AD9A00 N976AS --- 2011-07-18 11:08 MD-83 United States US Marshal JPATS
AE10D4 165518 --- 2011-07-18 10:56 T-39G United States USN | TW-6 | VT-86 [KNPA]
AE10CB 165509 --- 2011-07-18 10:41 T-39G United States USN | TW-6 | VT-86 [KNPA]
ADFED4 85-1266 00000000 2011-07-18 10:33 C-12U United States VARFC
00000A Various --- 2011-07-18 10:21 Various Various ---
A9ECBA N739CP --- 2011-07-18 10:13 Cessna 182T United States CIVIL AIR PATROL
ADFED4 85-1266 00000000 2011-07-18 10:12 C-12U United States VARFC
A2C272 N277WA WOA9622 2011-07-18 02:24 MD-11F United States World Airways

Mode-S/ADS-B Intercepts 16-17 July 2011 - Brasstown

Here is another round of Mode-S/ADS-B intercepts logged from here on the radio ranch in WNC.

249249 Various --- 2011-07-17 23:56 Various Various ---
AC2CFD N884DA --- 2011-07-17 22:41 MD-88 US DYNAMIC JET LEASE
249249 Various --- 2011-07-17 22:39 Various Various ---
249249 Various --- 2011-07-17 21:44 Various Various ---
AE0847 58-0107 MAINE85 2011-07-17 19:20 KC-135R United States ME ANG | 101ARW | 132ARS [KBGR]
AE03C8 163022 --- 2011-07-17 19:20 KC-130T United States USMCR | VMGR-234 [KNFW]
AD9A00 N976AS --- 2011-07-17 19:11 MD-83 United States US Marshal JPATS
AD6B13 N964AS --- 2011-07-17 19:02 MD83 United States US Marshal JPATS
AE05E5 88-4403 BREWR61 2011-07-17 17:55 C-130H United States AFRC | 440AW | 95AS [KPOB]
A9FBD4 N742VA --- 2011-07-17 16:27 B734-448 United States Vision Airlines
C2B599 130612 --- 2011-07-17 14:11 CC-130J-30 Canada CFC | 8WG [CYTR]
AE2239 2302 --- 2011-07-17 14:07 HC-144A/C-130 United States USCG | CGAS Mobile [KMOB]
AE0602 80-0323 REACH560 2011-07-17 14:05 C-130H United States GA ANG | 165AW | 158AS [KSAV]
ADFEEC 160048 CNV9182 2011-07-17 13:25 C-9B United States USNR | VR-52 [KWRI]
ADFEEC 160048 CNV9182 2011-07-17 13:14 C-9B United States USNR | VR-52 [KWRI]
C2B599 130612 --- 2011-07-17 13:09 CC-130J-30 Canada CFC | 8WG [CYTR]
AE07F0 96-0006 RCH6006 2011-07-17 12:42 C-17A United States USAF | 437AW [KCHS]
AE03F7 84-0150 --- 2011-07-17 12:38 C-12u-3 United States USAF
AE02F6 86-0413 HANK13 2011-07-17 12:09 C-130H United States AFRC | 440AW | 95AS [KPOB]
222222 Various 77777777 2011-07-17 10:49 Various Various Various
AE0602 80-0323 REACH560 2011-07-17 09:19 C-130H United States GA ANG | 165AW | 158AS [KSAV]
A62778 N496MC --- 2011-07-17 00:37 Boeing 747-212B United States Atlas Air

AC1E21 N880DA --- 2011-07-16 18:12 MD-88 US DYNAMIC JETLEASE
ADFEEB 160047 LOBO 411 2011-07-16 16:06 C-9B United States USMC | VMR-1 [KNKT]
AE1157 165997 --- 2011-07-16 15:55 T-6A United States USN | TW-6 [KNPA]
AE1155 165995 --- 2011-07-16 15:46 T-6A United States USN | TW-6 [KNPA]
3635BB 149808 --- 2011-07-16 15:33 KC-130 United States USN | VX-20 [KNHK]
AE07DC 93-0602 RCH0602 2011-07-16 12:48 C-17A United States USAF | 437AW [KCHS]
ADFD7B 91-0511 --- 2011-07-16 12:12 C-26D United States MA ARNG | OSACOM DET-12 [KFMH]
A6D883 N540GA --- 2011-07-16 11:07 C90A United States ---
AE1495 97-0200 PEACH88 2011-07-16 09:38 E-8C United States GA ANG | 116ACW [KWRB]
AE057F 87-0034 --- 2011-07-16 02:06 C-5B United States USAF | 60AMW | 22AS [KSUU]

First F-35 arrives at Eglin

A 33rd Fighter wing aircraft maintainer watches an F-35 Lightning II approaches July 14, 2011, at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Tail number 08-0747 is the Department of Defense's first operational F-35. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Milcom Editor Note: The first production model F-35 Lightning II to be assigned to the 33rd Fighter Wing, the Lightning II training unit, arrived at Eglin AFB, Florida, on 14 July 2011 after a ninety-minute ferry flight from Fort Worth, Texas. The aircraft, Air Force serial number 08-0747 (c/n AF-09), will be used for training F-35 pilots and maintainers who begin coursework at the base’s new F-35 Integrated Training Center this fall. The aircraft was flown to Florida by Lt. Col. Eric Smith of the 58th Fighter Squadron, the first Air Force qualified F-35 line pilot. No ICAO24 code uncovered yet.

by Samuel King Jr., Eglin Public Affairs

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. (AFNS) -- The Department of Defense's first F-35 Lightning II joint strike fighter touched down at its new home here July 14, marking a major milestone in the nation's military history.

Upon arrival, the jet officially became part of the Air Force inventory. It now belongs to the JSF training unit, the 33rd Fighter Wing.

Flying it in was Lt. Col. Eric Smith of the 58th Fighter Squadron, the first Air Force qualified F-35 pilot.

"It was a smooth ride in," said the colonel of the hour and 40 minute flight. "The jet behaved awesomely. I'm just so proud to bring it home to Eglin (Air Force Base)."

A crowd of 33rd FW people braved the 90 degree heat to watch the fifth-generation fighter touchdown and taxi in. Col. Andrew Toth, the 33rd FW commander, was the first to greet his pilot upon arrival.

"It's an exciting day here at the wing where our joint and integrated team has been preparing for this day since October 2009," Toth said. "I have no doubt the caliber of the Airmen, Sailors, Marines and contractors will provide safe and effective training operations at Eglin (AFB). Now, we look forward to the start of classes later this year."

Now that the aircraft is on station, F-35 maintainers will train and be certified here at home.

"It's pretty exciting," said Tech. Sgt. Brian West, the crew chief for the new aircraft. "We're thrilled to be able to train with one of our own."

As the world's first multi-role stealth fighter, the F-35 is known for its superior range, cutting-edge avionics and next-generation sensor fusion. Each model shares breakthroughs in combat performance, survivability and support, while each is specifically tailored for unique service needs.

Lt. Col. J.D. Wilbourne, the 58th FS commander, said he was thrilled to see his first aircraft arrive, one day before his change of command.

"This is the best week ever," said the commander, who flew chase in an F-16 Fighting Falcon. "This aircraft ensures air dominance for the next 30 years, and today marks the first step toward that goal."

Eisenhower, Enterprise Sail Together in Atlantic Ocean

The aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65) passes the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) as Enterprise returns to homeport after completing a six-month deployment to the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility. Dwight D. Eisenhower is underway conducting carrier qualifications. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Shonna L. Cunningham/Released)

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Zach Martin, USS Dwight D. Eisenhower Public Affairs

ATLANTIC OCEAN (NNS) -- The nuclear-powered aircraft carriers USS Enterprise (CVN 65) and USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) crossed paths in the Atlantic Ocean off the East Coast July 14.

Enterprise, on its way home from a regularly-scheduled seven-month deployment to the 6th and 5th Fleet areas of responsibility, had just picked up its crew's family members from Mayport, Fl., for a Tiger Cruise. Eisenhower was off the Southeastern Coast conducting a carrier qualification (CQ) for squadrons around the country.

The common link between the two ships was Capt. Dee L. Mewbourne, Enterprise's commanding officer (CO), who was returning home from his third deployment as CO of a carrier in three years. Mewbourne had previously commanded Eisenhower during two deployments in 2009 and 2010.

The ships spent some time alongside each other, and photos were snapped from helicopters in the air and from Sailors and their families on both ships.

"To our embarked Tigers, it provided the extremely rare opportunity to witness flight operations from a uniquely powerful perch while also seeing a truly magnificent ship and crew in action. For me, it provided a moment of utter humility and supreme thankfulness for the blessings I was given in command of both ships [and] to work with incredibly dedicated and talented people in making America proud," said Mewbourne.

Capt. Marcus A. Hitchcock, Eisenhower's commanding officer, said the opportunity for the two ships to meet, exchange greetings and say 'welcome home' to returning heroes was an important event for both ship's crews.

"We flew some of our Sailors off the ship to Norfolk to visit their spouses and family members who are returning from deployment on Enterprise," Hitchcock said. "To be able to do that for both crews was a great demonstration of our commitment to the morale of our Sailors."

The two meeting occurred safely even with Eisenhower conducting flight operations for CQ during the entire evolution.

Enterprise's family members were able to not only see their ship's air power demonstration earlier in the day, but Eisenhower pilots conducting flight operations.

"Being able to come alongside the Enterprise was amazing," Hitchcock said. "Capt. Mewbourne took most of this crew through two deployments. Giving him the opportunity to see Eisenhower in action one more time was a poignant moment for everyone and we are very proud of him and the entire Enterprise team."

Mode-S/ADS-B Intercepts 15 July 2011 - Brasstown

Here is another round of Mode-S/ADS-B intercepts logged from here on the radio ranch in WNC.

A62778 N496MC --- 2011-07-15 22:22 Boeing 747-212B United States Atlas Air
A2AC28 N271WA WOA9618 2011-07-15 22:12 MD-11F United States World Airways
AE117E 02-1112 E21112 2011-07-15 19:46 C-17A United States MS ANG | 172AW | 183AS [KJAN]
AE11C7 03-3701 --- 2011-07-15 19:34 T-6A United States USAF
AE0302 78-0812 PITT 12 2011-07-15 19:20 C-130H United States AFRC | 911AW | 758AS [KPIT]
AE1733 06-3832 --- 2011-07-15 19:17 T-6A United States USAF
AC1E21 N880DA --- 2011-07-15 18:54 MD-88 US DYNAMIC JETLEASE
AE02F6 86-0413 HANK13 2011-07-15 17:53 C-130H United States AFRC | 440AW | 95AS [KPOB]
AE0449 02-4452 --- 2011-07-15 17:17 C-32B United States NJ ANG | 108WG | 150SOS [KWRI]
ABE5B7 N866G --- 2011-07-15 17:09 IAI Galaxy United States General Dynamics
AE07D7 92-3293 --- 2011-07-15 16:37 C-17A United States USAF | 437AW [KCHS]
AE119B 03-3118 RCH3118 2011-07-15 16:05 C-17A United States MS ANG | 172AW | 183AS [KJAN]
A05F2F N123DN RYN7110 2011-07-15 15:54 Boeing 767-332 United States Ryan Intl Airlines
AE10D9 165523 --- 2011-07-15 15:25 T-39N United States USN | TW-6 | VT-86 [KNPA]
AE0842 58-0067 BAT52 2011-07-15 15:09 KC-135R United States IA ANG | 185ARW | 174FS [KSUX]
AE148A 92-3289 PEACH24 2011-07-15 14:55 E-8C United States GA ANG | 116ACW [KWRB]
A81A0A N621AX OAE573 2011-07-15 14:31 DC-10 United States Omni Air International
AE148A 92-3289 PEACH24 2011-07-15 14:30 E-8C United States GA ANG | 116ACW [KWRB]
AE148A 92-3289 PEACH24 2011-07-15 14:17 E-8C United States GA ANG | 116ACW [KWRB]
AE0842 58-0067 BAT52 2011-07-15 13:43 KC-135R United States IA ANG | 185ARW | 174FS [KSUX]
AE07DE 93-0604 RHINO90 2011-07-15 13:30 C-17A United States AFRC | 445AW | 89AS [KFFO]
AE1EC5 166064 --- 2011-07-15 13:27 T-6B United States US Navy
AE05C0 79-0478 EVAC 78 2011-07-15 13:12 C-130H United States NV ANG | 152AW | 192AS [KRNO]
ADFF5E ------ --- 2011-07-15 12:57 T-38A ??? United States 7th CTS
AE035A 57-2593 TAZZ51 2011-07-15 12:42 KC-135R United States OH ANG | 121ARW [KLCK]
AE035A 57-2593 TAZZ51 2011-07-15 12:31 KC-135R United States OH ANG | 121ARW [KLCK]
AE035A 57-2593 TAZZ51 2011-07-15 11:58 KC-135R United States OH ANG | 121ARW [KLCK]
AE0372 60-0367 TAZZ52 2011-07-15 11:48 KC-135R United States OH ANG | 121ARW [KLCK]
AE035A 57-2593 TAZZ51 2011-07-15 11:47 KC-135R United States OH ANG | 121ARW [KLCK]
ADFECB 84-0485 PAT0485 2011-07-15 11:34 RC-12N United States US ARMY
AE113F 165973 --- 2011-07-15 10:34 T-6A United States USN | TW-6 [KNPA]
AE093C 00-1053 --- 2011-07-15 10:27 UC-35a1 United States US Army | OSACOM PATD [KADW]
ADFECB 84-0485 PAT0485 2011-07-15 09:47 RC-12N United States US ARMY
AE148A 92-3289 PEACH24 2011-07-15 09:46 E-8C United States GA ANG | 116ACW [KWRB]
AE06C8 161504 --- 2011-07-15 09:44 UC-12B United States NAS Jacksonville

MAFFS aircraft, crews conclude firefighting operations in Southwest

A MAFFS-equipped C-130 Hercules drops fire retardant, building a fire containment line in the Sacramento Mountains in New Mexico. (U.S. Forest Service photo/Jennifer Myslivy)

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. (AFNS) -- After performing 242 sorties and dropping 609,960 gallons of fire retardant over the wildfires that have been burning in New Mexico and Arizona, Air Reserve Component personnel and their Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System-equipped aircraft concluded their mission July 13.

National Interagency Fire Center officials released the units along with the command and control element July 13, ending the Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard support of Southwestern U.S. firefighting efforts that began when specially-equipped U.S. Air Force C-130 Hercules aircraft began dropping retardant June 16.

Under the direction of the Joint Forces Air Component Commander for Air Forces Northern, since June, C-130s equipped with fire fighting capabilities deployed to Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M., as part of the 302nd Air Expeditionary Group. Command and control of the aircraft was provided by the 302nd AEG from Boise, Idaho.

"This has been an extremely busy fire season so far," said Lt. Col. Dave Condit, the deputy commander of the 302nd AEG. "We have exceeded our annual average of fire missions by more than 50 percent, and we are just now entering the part of the summer when we are typically first tasked.

"The team success over the past 30 days demonstrated the professionalism and effectiveness of the citizen Airmen who volunteer for this vital mission," Condit added.

Returning to home station July 14 were personnel and two MAFFS-equipped aircraft from the Air Force Reserve's 302nd Airlift Wing based at Peterson AFB, Colo. Other MAFFS units that participated in the firefighting efforts were the North Carolina ANG's 145th Airlift Wing and the California's ANG's 146th AW.

MAFFS is a self-contained aerial firefighting system, which can discharge 3,000 gallons of water or fire retardant in less than five seconds, drawing lines of containment that can cover an area one-quarter of a mile long by 60 feet wide. Once the load is discharged, the MAFFS system can be refilled in less than 12 minutes.

With the use of new MAFFS II units, this year's fire season was the first to successfully fly fire missions using a new concept of operations that increased the effectiveness while decreasing costs.

The MAFFS units are owned by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service, one of several federal and state government agencies and organizations with roles and responsibilities in wildland fire suppression that make up the National Interagency Fire Center in Boise, Idaho. The Department of Defense flew at the request of NIFC.

AFNORTH is the air component for U.S. Northern Command and when tasked, provides support to local, state, tribal, regional and federal emergency service agencies.

(Courtesy of 302nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs)

Mode-S/ADS-B Intercepts 14 July 2011 - Brasstown

Here is another round of Mode-S/ADS-B intercepts logged from here on the radio ranch in WNC.

A9FBD4 N742VA --- 2011-07-14 22:30 B734-448 United States Vision Airlines
A9FBD4 N742VA --- 2011-07-14 21:25 B734-448 United States Vision Airlines
AE093B 00-1052 --- 2011-07-14 17:01 UC-35B United States US Army | OSACOM PATD [KADW]
ADFCD2 94-0115 --- 2011-07-14 15:02 T-1A United States USAF | 71FTW | 32FTS [KEND]
AE0433 02-5001 --- 2011-07-14 13:31 C-32B United States USAF | 486FLTS [KVPS]
AE148A 92-3289 PEACH33 2011-07-14 12:01 E-8C United States GA ANG | 116ACW [KWRB]
ADFEEC 160048 CNV9182 2011-07-14 11:45 C-9B United States USNR | VR-52 [KWRI]
ADFCE2 94-0131 --- 2011-07-14 11:41 T-1A United States USAF | 479FTG | 451FTS [KNPA]
ADFCB7 93-0631 --- 2011-07-14 11:28 T-1A United States USAF
AE03E0 164993 --- 2011-07-14 11:20 C-130T United States USNR | VR-64 [KWRI]
AE148A 92-3289 PEACH33 2011-07-14 11:07 E-8C United States GA ANG | 116ACW [KWRB]
00000A Various --- 2011-07-14 11:02 Various Various ---
AE10D3 165517 --- 2011-07-14 10:42 T-39G United States USN | TW-6 | VT-86 [KNPA]
AE1439 166714 --- 2011-07-14 09:34 UC-35D United States USMC | VMR-1 [KNKT]
ADFDC1 93-7314 TETON 14 2011-07-14 01:18 C-130H United States WY ANG | 153AW | 187AS [KCYS]

Sensor network detects nuclear blasts worldwide

Editor Note: 55 Wing/45RS Constant Phoenix Aircraft
WC-135W Serial number 61-2667 (AE0941) Static Callsign: Cobra 67 and it is a modified C-135B.
WC-135C Serial number 62-3582 (AE13E5) Static Callsign: Cobra 82 and it is an extensively modified former EC-135C Looking Glass aircraft.

by Cheryl Pellerin, American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- At any time of the day or night, on any day of the year, if a nuclear device explodes anywhere on Earth, a Defense Department network established in 1947 will know about it.

That was the year Army Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower directed the Army Air Corps to develop such a capability, and the U.S. Atomic Energy Detection System has evolved over 64 years into a one-of-a-kind global web of sensors that see, feel, hear and sniff out nuclear explosions that occur under land or sea, in the atmosphere or in space.

The Air Force detection system and the job of monitoring three nuclear treaties -- the 1963 Limited Test Ban Treaty, the 1974 Threshold Test Ban Treaty and the 1976 Peaceful Nuclear Explosions Treaty -- in 1980 became a responsibility of the U.S. Air Force Technical Applications Center, called AFTAC, at Patrick Air Force Base, Fla.

When the system detects a nuclear event, AFTAC scientists analyze it and report findings to national command authorities through U.S. Air Force headquarters.

David O'Brien is AFTAC's chief scientist.

"Our responsibility is to ensure that foreign nations are adhering to the provisions of those treaties," O'Brien said.

To monitor the atmosphere and space, he said, the U.S. Atomic Energy Detection System, called USAEDS, has sensors aboard more than 20 satellites that make up the Global Positioning System and the infrared-sensing satellites that make up the Defense Support Program.

"The latter," O'Brien said, "are what the United States uses to detect launches of intercontinental ballistic missiles."

Multiple sensors on all those satellites "look for phenomenology from a nuclear explosion that occurs in space or in the atmosphere," he added, "whether it's nuclear radiation or the flash from the fireball."

The network's five hydroacoustic stations detect undersea nuclear explosions.

"Those are just underwater microphones, and they listen for the explosion that goes off underwater," the scientist said. "By detecting the explosions on more than one underwater microphone, we can triangulate where it occurred."

But the workhorse since the treaties came into effect to ban atmospheric nuclear testing, O'Brien said, has been the underground nuclear monitoring capability.

"Those sensors are seismic, and the reason they're seismic is that when a large explosion occurs underground, it creates a signature that looks just like an earthquake," he said.

Infrasound sensors measure changes in the atmosphere generated by very-low-frequency acoustic waves that can come from above-ground nuclear explosions.

USAEDS still supplements some of its 40 seismic stations with infrasound, the scientist said, and in the 1960s used infrasound as the main way to detect nuclear explosions in the atmosphere.

"But once we were able to get sensors on satellites," he said, "that gave us a much better capability."

When the program first began, its only sensor, an air sampler, flew on a B-29 aircraft over the Pacific Ocean. In 1949, flying between Alaska and Japan, the sampler detected debris from the first Russian atomic test.

Today the system uses another aircraft, a WC-135, in a program called Constant Phoenix to collect air samples from areas where nuclear explosions have occurred.

If there is a nuclear explosion, O'Brien said, "we will (use meteorology) to project where radioactive debris would go. Then when it gets into international airspace, the aircraft can go to that spot."

The plane collects particles so analysts on the ground can test them to see if they contain radionuclides, or radioactive elements.

The plane also collects radioactive gases, especially radioactive xenon, which is a good indicator that a nuclear explosion has occurred.

With all these sensors, the U.S. Atomic Energy Nuclear Detection System is the only network that operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, but it isn't the only global detection system.

In 1996, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the provisions of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty. One major provision prohibited nuclear explosions anywhere, by anyone.

Another provision described a 337-facility International Monitoring System that would scan the earth for nuclear treaty violations. The IMS facilities include seismic, hydroacoustic, infrasound and radionuclide stations, but no satellite sensors.

Most of the world's countries have signed and ratified the treaty. Three countries that have not signed the treaty have since tested nuclear devices -- India and Pakistan in 1998 and North Korea in 2006.

The treaty has not yet entered into force. Several more countries must ratify the treaty before that happens. Until it does enter into force, some of the IMS monitoring stations operate 24 hours a day, but many do not.

U.S. officials have signed, but not yet ratified, the treaty, and it has helped develop the International Monitoring System, O'Brien said.

The IMS architects "were starting from scratch in the mid-1990s, and we had many years of experience in these kinds of systems," he said.

"So they came to us asking for any advice that would help them avoid the pitfalls of putting a new system in," the scientist added.

The experts at USAEDS advised the monitoring system builders on worldwide logistics involved in establishing such a system and onsite installations.

USAEDS contributes the data from many of its seismic and hydroacoustic stations to the International Monitoring System.

"Outside of the USAEDS," O'Brien said, "the United States through the Office of the Secretary of Defense contributes seismic, infrasound and radionuclide stations to the IMS."

As a signatory to the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, the United States is entitled to and receives all the data that the International Monitoring System produces.

"We participate in all their international meetings, and we have since (the system's) inception. They occasionally come here and visit," O'Brien said. "I think both the IMS and ourselves are right at the state of the art of any technology that is practical for use in detecting nuclear explosions."

Milcom Blog Extra: The Constant Phoenix WC-135 aircraft serves as an aerial collection platform for the Air Force Technical Applications Center (AFTAC) at Patrick AFB, Florida, supporting the detection and identification of debris from nuclear weapons detonations. Two Constant Phoenix aircraft, a WC-135W (AF Serial Number 61-2667) and a WC-135C (AF Serial Number 62-3582) are currently assigned to the 45th Reconnaissance Squadron, 55th Wing at Offutt AFB, Nebraska. This mission was previously conducted by a WC-135W, AF Serial Number 61-2665, which was retired in September 1996. Previously, as many as ten WC-135B weather reconnaissance airplanes flew in support of weather analysis, nuclear detection, and other scientific research.

Mode-S/ADS-B Intercepts 13 July 2011 - Brasstown

Here is another round of Mode-S/ADS-B intercepts logged from here on the radio ranch in WNC.

AE49C4 09-9208 --- 2011-07-13 23:27 C-17A United States USAF | 437AW [KCHS]
AE02E2 81-0627 COBB27 2011-07-13 21:45 C-130H United States AFRC | 94AW | 700AS [KMGE]
AE1488 86-0416 PEACH35 2011-07-13 20:52 TE-8a United States 330th CTS
AE1199 03-3116 RCH3116 2011-07-13 19:54 C-17A United States MS ANG | 172AW | 183AS [KJAN]
AE1199 03-3116 RCH3116 2011-07-13 19:43 C-17A United States MS ANG | 172AW | 183AS [KJAN]
AE1488 86-0416 PEACH35 2011-07-13 19:17 TE-8a United States 330th CTS
AE20C5 07-7184 RCH7184 2011-07-13 18:12 C-17a United States USAF | 437AW [KCHS]
AE1481 166764 --- 2011-07-13 17:55 KC-130J United States USMC | VMGR-352 [KNKX]
AE1439 166714 --- 2011-07-13 17:42 UC-35D United States USMC | VMR-1 [KNKT]
AE1481 166764 --- 2011-07-13 17:40 KC-130J United States USMC | VMGR-352 [KNKX]
ADFD7D 91-0513 --- 2011-07-13 17:36 C-26D United States OSACOM/Det24/SC-ArNG
AE0489 63-8007 --- 2011-07-13 17:10 KC-135R United States AL ANG | 117ARW | 106ARS [KBHM]
AE0489 63-8007 --- 2011-07-13 17:00 KC-135R United States AL ANG | 117ARW | 106ARS [KBHM]
AE0484 62-3509/57-1437 BACKY92 2011-07-13 16:14 KC-135R United States AFRC | 916ARW | 77ARS [KGSB]
249249 Various --- 2011-07-13 15:20 Various Various ---
AE123E 04-4133 RCH4133 2011-07-13 15:01 C-17A United States USAF | 305AMW | 6AS [KWRI]
AD6B13 N964AS --- 2011-07-13 14:56 MD83 United States ---
AE123E 04-4133 RCH4133 2011-07-13 14:50 C-17A United States USAF | 305AMW | 6AS [KWRI]
ADFEBE 96-0108 --- 2011-07-13 13:22 UC-35a1 United States US Army | OSACOM PAT [KADW?]
AE1488 86-0416 PEACH66 2011-07-13 12:59 TE-8a United States 330th CTS
ADFCF6 95-0042 --- 2011-07-13 12:55 T-1A United States 48th FTS
ADFCC0 93-0640 --- 2011-07-13 12:36 T-1A United States USAF
AE148A 92-3289 --- 2011-07-13 12:34 E-8C United States GA ANG | 116ACW [KWRB]
AE148A 92-3289 PEACH33 2011-07-13 11:18 E-8C United States GA ANG | 116ACW [KWRB]
AD6B13 N964AS --- 2011-07-13 11:00 MD83 United States ---
AE07DA 93-0600 RCH3600 2011-07-13 10:38 C-17A United States USAF | 62AW [KTCM]
AE1235 03-3124 RCH775 2011-07-13 09:43 C-17A United States USAF | 437AW [KCHS]
A81A0A N621AX OAE621 2011-07-13 09:42 DC-10 United States Omni Air International
ADFCFE 95-0050 --- 2011-07-13 09:14 T-1A United States USAF
A2B396 N273WA --- 2011-07-13 09:04 MD11 United States World Airways
ADFD7D 91-0513 --- 2011-07-13 08:35 C-26D United States OSACOM/Det24/SC-ArNG
AE010D 97-0400 SAM 2011-07-13 08:00 C-37A United States USAF | 89AW | 99AS [KADW]
00000A Various --- 2011-07-13 07:47 Various Various ---
AE0817 00-0181 RCH025 2011-07-13 03:42 C-17A United States USAF | 62AW [KTCM]
A2C272 N277WA WOA9601 2011-07-13 02:51 MD-11F United States World Airways