[MilCom] Report: KCEF PreArrival & Other Activities 8/13/04

[Ken]

Well I (as well as 2 other radio hobbyists) attend the kickoff breakfast
buffet in the very
large DC Hangar, this morning along with another 700+ people.  It was a
buffet type breakfast.  The speakers were pretty much to the point.   No
problems with bringing any radio gear into the area.  In fact one hobbyist
was given directions by security to follow the car in front of him (that
wasn't going
to the breakfast), but fortunately, I was already reserving some seats for
the hobby group and was in contact with him via FRS radio, so as soon as he
told me his location I  knew he had gone past the hangar gate so was able to
give him directions.   I might add one other hobbyists  also showed up after
the
breakfast group.

Bad Weather (primarily cloud ceiling limitations) resulted in the Golden
Knights Parachute jump being cancelled & only
three of TBird aircraft did some fly buys.  Also the shockwave jet truck did
some flames spitting in front of the crowd (less than 200 people on the
flight line). but didn't
go down the runway.

Frequencies in use & very helpful to monitor inbound traffic:

TBirds:  143.85 (control & air/air), 235.25
Civilian Performers (air/air):  123.15 (Red Baron Pizaa Sq, T6's, Iron
Eagles)  (didn't see any other aeros up e.g. Mike Goulian).

Typical ATC Freqs:
Ground:  118.35/275.8
Tower:  134.85/348.75
Bradley A/D:  125.35/325.8
Boston ARTCC: 360.6, 379.1

Support aero:
Base Ops:  372.2
ATIS:  138.10
Command Post:  252.1 (very little activity since show aircraft went to base
ops).
Transit Alert/Aircrft Parking:  165.1375

Some additional support:
Base Police:  165.1875
Fire Dept:  173.4125

Before 1200 hrs the tarmac was basically empty of aircraft (I got some
pictures & actually walked down the center line of the tarmac-- from almost
where the control tower is all the way up to the new DC hangar -- it was a
strange feeling!!!), except for 2 C5's, 1 F16
(from IL), UH1, UH60, B52 (LA), Fed exec 737 no other aircraft were on the
tarmac

I was in the outside the base parking area (close to the civilian air
terminal/admin building) from approx 1215 to 1615 hrs
local & the following aircraft arrived (and there were 5 monitoring
hobbyists (from various national/local internet mailing lists or no lists)
also monitoring from that observation point.

OPEC 76 (KC10)
GUARD 16372 (OH58)
PACK 92 HEAVY (KC135)
RIDER 81 (T37)
GRITZ 5 HEAVY (C17)
SOONER 1, 2 (A10's)
GUMBY 1, 2 &A10's)
SKIER 86 (LC130)
CODY 56 HEAVY (C141)
ALLIED 04 (T38)
RAKE 14 (T1)

Also some Warbirds (B17, C47)

Also from home so far 1720 hrs local onward (ATC freqs & Transit alert
support freq):

RHODY 68 (C130)
C/F 18 unk  (heard Transit alert telling control it was down at 1732, & was
from Bagotville)
KICKS 51 (unk) (1804 hrs local).
T37  (1807 hrs local)

My understanding is that the P3's won't be in until after 1900 hrs local..
also unknown on F/A18's, other F16s', F15's, F14's, B1, B2.. Lots of wx
problems around....

The local NBC affiliate WWLP-TV reporter Shirley Chan, had video of her in
one of the media Thunderbird F16's orientation rides yesterday pulling 9G's
& also a 2G..
Guess the plane sent from takeoff to 22K in about 24 seconds...  It was
interesting to see her eyes as they pulled those G's...  You might want to
check the on line demand
video at http://www.wwlp.com   to watch two videos on the airshow (security
& Red Pizza Baron Squadron), however, the TBird segment still hasn't been
posted.

I'll be monitoring FRS channel 14/38 & 5/30 tomorrow, which local tv weather
says it will be a clear day, high of 86 degrees. Sunday may see scattered
showers, but not a complete wash out.. Hope to see many of you at the
shows!!!!!!

Ken
Springfield MA Monitoring Area