UK Grand Prix Helicopters 2023

Turweston Aerodrome, Buckinghamshire, 9th July 2023 Report by Peter & Kim Davison The British Grand Prix is held at Silverstone Circuit and, as the event grows in status and popularity, the road closures and parking restrictions have increased to a point where dawn departures and extreme patience are needed to attend as a spectator. No doubt inflated hotel prices also limit bookings to those 'on the payroll' of sponsors or contributing teams. The need for a local helicopter shuttle has therefore increased to a point where circuit management of an aerial kind is required. The airfield at Turweston, headquarters of the UK LAA (Light Aircraft Association) provides the main base; particularly on race day itself.

UK Grand Prix Helicopters

Turweston Airfield, Buckinghamshire, England, Sunday 3rd July 2022 Report by Peter and Kim Davison Turweston is unusual in these days of General Aviation airfield closures in that it has grown in status over the last decade. This is partly due to it being the Headquarters of Britain's Light Aircraft Association (LAA) with a new tower, restaurant plus enhanced library and training facilities on site.

Crimson Warrior 2020

RAF Marham, Norfolk, England 19th October – 5th November 2020 Report by Peter Davison and Colin Coulthard With Europe starved of international airshows and the skies above sadly depleted as airlines suffer unprecedented drops in custom, it was good news to hear that exercise Crimson Warrior was to proceed as planned.   Crimson Warrior will see RAF, Royal Navy, United States Marine Corps and United States Air Force fast jets, multi-engine aircraft and helicopters operating from a number of RAF stations across the country.

INIOCHOS 2018

Andravida Air Base, Greece 12th-23rd March 2018 Report by Peter Gregory What appears to have been the fourth of the International Iniochos Exercises took place at Hellenic Air Base, Andovida during March of 2018. A press day was arranged for the 20th March with participation from across Europe with over 140 representatives in attendance.

Tactical Leadership Programme 2018

Tactical Leadership Programme 2018-1 Albacete Los-Llanos airbase Spain 29/1 - 23/2/2018 This multinational NATO programme is normally held four times a year. It was initially at Jever in Germany in 1979 before transferring to Florennes, Belgium in 1989. The need for more vigorous missions, night time operations and the lure of better weather forced the move south to Albacete in 2009.

NATO Tiger Meet 2017

Base Aeronavale Landivisiau, Brittany, France 5th -16th June 2017 Report by Peter Davison Every year the NATO Tiger Squadrons, those with a cat image in their Squadron Insignia, gather together to exercise and share their operations. This year it was the turn of 11 F, home of the French Naval fleet of Dassault Rafales. As usual, a spotters day was held each week.

Anatolian Eagle 2016

Konya Air Base, Turkey  30 May - 10 June 2016 Report by Peter Davison and Peter Gregory International military exercises are intended to foster cooperation and improve compatibility between Nations. Exercise Anatolian Eagle, held annually in southern Turkey not only achieves this but also fosters good relations between the Turkish military and international photographers and aviation enthusiasts.