The Aircraft
The Netherlands
F-16AM
J-001 J-004 J-016
J-060 J-203 J-623
J-630 J-641 J-872
J-873 J-875 J-879
Germany
F-4F
37+03 37+65 37+77
38+10 38+16 38+29 38+56 38+61 38+63 38+66
France
M2000D
653/3-ID 614/3-JU
640/3-IN 632/3-XE
M2000N
342/4-BA 356/4-BX
360/4-CB 325/4-CC
C-160R
R213/64-GM
R218/64-GR
R226/64-GZ
USAF
F-15C/D 493FS LN
83 018 84 004
84 010 84 014
84 015 84 027
84 147 86 156
86 164 86 172
86 182
F-15E 494FS LN
00 3000 00 3004
01 2000 01 2001
01 2002 01 2003
91 326 91 331
91 602 92 364
F-16 64 AGRS WA
86 220 86 269
87 321 90 727
90 740 87 307
E-3B 965 AACS OK
76 1605
USN
E/A-6B
163526 161883
161118 163032
163395
NATO
E-3A
LX-N 90446
Canada
CF-18
188740 188753
188766 188767
188771 188776
188781 188786
188788 188931
188939
CT-155
155201 155204
155221
CH-146
146986 146415
146470 146477
CC-130
130325
Look at full list for more Canadian Aircraft
Sweden
C-130
847
New Zealand
C-130
NZ7002
Top Aces
4 Alpha Jets
The full out detailed list of aircraft can be found here. Special thanks goes out to Dave Robins of CMAG for all his work and providing me this copy.
4 wing Cold Lake was alive with activity as a coalition of jets took to the skies to take part in Exercise Maple Flag 39. This year 9 countries sent aircraft to the exercise with another 6 observing. Not only did 2006 mark the return of the F-4 Phantom and a strong USAF presence, but it also saw the introduction of "Enhanced Maple Flag". More on this will follow.
Before any of the fighters started their engines the NATO E-3 took to the skies to position and prepare for the mission. In the afternoons the USAF's E-3 traded places and took over the role of providing the pilots vital information regarding enemy positions.
Around 8:30, and for the next 45 minutes, the sound of jet engines filled the morning air. Canadian CF-18 were the first to take-off. Before heading into battle they had to meet up with a CC-130, basing out of Saskatoon, to take on some gas.
After the Hornets finished departing it was the transports' turn. Each launch consisted of a Swedish, New Zealand, and Canadian C-130 Hercules plus a French C-160. All the C-130s were parked on the south Tac Ramp and the French parked their C-160s at Medley Terminal.
As mentioned at the start, 2006 marked the return of the F-4 Phantom. The Luftwaffe kindly ferried over 10 Rhinos. With its famous black smoke puffing out the back, 8 Phantoms were used in each launch. Working along side the F-15C, the F-4's were reportedly providing combat air patrol.
The USAF was back in full force during period 1. 11 F-15C/D's from the 493 FS and another 10 F-15E's from the 494 FS made the trip from Lakenheath Air Base (UK). As expected, the C's were used in to the Air to Air role and the Strike Eagles were used for Air to Ground. It seemed like the turn rate for each launch was always different but they averaged 8-10 jets from each squadron. The C's took to the skies one at a time while the E's launched two at a time.
The USAF also provided 6 aggressors, two of each camo scheme, from the 64 AGRS based out of Nellis AFB, and turned 4 per launch. As usual, all aggressors used the far runway.
Also flying the F-16 was the Royal Netherlands Air Force. The Dutch arrived 6 weeks prior to Maple Flag to take advantage of the Cold Lake Air Weapons Range for some night flying. 12 aircraft were ferried over with 8 used per launch.
The final European participant was the French Air Force and their Mirage 2000's. They brought over 8 aircraft, 4 M2KDs and 4M2KNs, and used every one in the launches.
The USN was also present with their E/A-6B Prowlers. All 5 jets were from different squadrons, but the highlight was the Prowler from VAQ-209, which was freshly painted with Darth Vader on the tail. 3 were launched per mission.
The Top Aces made their Maple Flag debut with 4 Alpha Jets. The Aces assisted the USAF aggressors and helped act as the bad guys.
The Canadian participation was rounded out by the presence of the usual SAR CH-146 Griffons; always launching prior to the missions incase if an emergency. It should be noted that 3 CT-155's flew in the PM launch on the Friday (not sure about Thursday). I am not sure if they were part of the exercise, but I suspect they were and may having been covering for the absence of Turkey.
As mentioned in the introduction, Maple Flag also introduced its "Enhanced Maple Flag". Though not officially recognized by the foreign countries, to the Canadian Forces it was just another aspect of the ever growing exercise. This new addition consisted of a base camp, Camp Medley, and 8 CH-146's from 408 sqn. Camp Medley was home to around 250 personal attached to 17 MSS out of Winnipeg, one of 6 Mission Support Squadrons across the country.. The purpose of Camp Medley was to test the Air Forces ability to rapidly deploy an entire Mission Support Squadron. After the exercise 17 MSS will be deployed to the Middle East, and will take the knowledge they learned from the exercise to the real battle field.
All in all Period 1 looked like it did 2 years ago with the added exception of Camp Medley. No new jets like the Typhoon, but give that a few years and Maple Flag could look very different. Maybe even the "Enhanced Maple Flag" will catch on with a few countries, and we can see some helicopters from south of the border or even from Europe.
Thanks to all the Public Affairs staff at 4 Wing Cold Lake. I look forward to returning again.
