[MilCom] 8/30/2006 - W.PA Duke MOA

[David Parana]

Starting about 9:35AM Local

9:35 - UGLY (A-10s PAANG, Willow Grove) flight of two checks in with
Cleveland Center (ZOB) on 353.85
9:37 - UGLY flight requests location of STEEL 71 within the Duke (ZOB)
353.85
9:37 - UGLY 1 to STEEL 71 on 301.60 (DUKE Primary).
9:38 - FLYER 1 (A-10s PAANG, Willow Grove)flight of two checks into the DUKE
on 353.85
9:38 - FLYER 1 and 2 checks in with STEEL 72 on 301.60.
9:39 - UGLY to FLYER saying they have negative contact with STEEL.
9:40 - FLYER to STEEL 72 on 259.40 (DUKE Secondary).  Requests STEEL to go
to the Northwest part of the airspace so they can do some tactical
maneuvers.
9:41 - FLYERS and UGLYS are talking to each other on 141.800 (AM Mode), I
have this listed as KNXX (Willow Grove Command Post).  They will be using a
tactical of 301.60 and working with the tanker on 259.40.
9:43 - STEEL 72 to FLYER 1 saying they are 17,000 feet.  No response from
FLYER 1, they're probably preparing for their tactical maneuvers.
9:44 - FLYERs and UGLYs "Fights On" (301.60).  One the UGLIES is calling
himself MAGIC and giving intercept info to FLYER.  "FLYER, MAGIC - Bandit
335 for 10".  Are they using radar?  I thought the A-10s did not have
radar??  The two A-10s they are intercepting are still on the 141.80 freq,
just some brief comms.
9:50 - They're setting up another intercept...(301.60).
9:50 - "FLYER, MAGIC - Bandit Hostile, 335 for 12..."
9:52 - That intercept is over, Fights On again.  Wish I was down by the
Slate Run (SLT) VOR, that's where they are doing all of this stuff.
9:54 - That was quick.  FLYER 1 & 2, UGLY 1 & 2 terminate.  FLYERS are going
to the tanker.
9:55 - FLYERS push 259.40 and check in with STEEL 72.  FLYERS are nose cold
and STEEL 72 will be proceeding to the South for refuelling.
9:57 - Are coordinating their rendezvous (259.40).  There are still some
comms on the 141.80.
9:59 - Flyer 1 is 81-0981, Flyer 2 is 80-0196, Ugly 1 is 81-0949, and Ugly 2
is 79-0219.
10:00 - FLYER 1 opened his refuelling door, water came out and iced up his
window.  He's going off of STEEL's left wing to try to get rid of the ice.
FLYER 2 will come in first.
10:01 - FLYER 2 in for 2,000 LBS. (259.40)
10:04 - FLYER 1 stabilized and ready. (259.40)
10:05 - FLYER 1 disconnect, got 2,000 LBS. (259.40)
10:06 - FLYERs going to depart tanker to the left (259.40)
10:06 - UGLY 1 requests precontact (259.40) and is cleared to precontact.
10:07 - UGLY 1 to the boom. (259.40)
10:08 - Offload complete for UGLY 1 (259.40)
10:09 - UGLY 2's turn to refuel (259.40).  Tanker is coming left (259.40)
10:12 - UGLY 2 is done, he got 2,000 LBS.  UGLY 2 asks the boom operator if
he came in too fast.  The operator said he came in a little quick...
10:13 - They're all wrapped up.  FLYERs and UGLIES are going back to 301.60.
FLYERS are going to be the bandits.  One will be to the North and the other
to the South of the two UGLIES. (301.60).  Sounds like they're going to do a
little dog fighting before they leave the DUKE.
10:15 - Fights On! (301.60).  FLYER 2 is engaging bandit at his 3 O'Clock.
UGLY 1 is launching flares...again wish I was down the the Slate Run VOR.
10:17 - They are knocking it off. (301.60)
10:18 - FLYERS are pushing North for the next engagement (301.60) and before
we know it they are back at it (301.60).

10:20 - STEEL 72 to RICK OPS calling BATTLESTAR on 238.80.
10:20 - The FLYERs and UGLYs are going to rejoin and head on out of the
DUKE.
10:23 - UGLY 1 over to Cleveland Center (353.85) stating they are returning
to Willow Grove.
10:24 - FLYERs over to Cleveland Center (353.85) stating they will be
following the UGLIES out IFR back to Willow Grove.
10:26 - UGLIES switch to NY Center (338.30).  Stating they are headed back
to Willow Grove.
10:26 - FLYERs cleared back to Willow Grove (353.85).
10:26 - STEEL 72 still calling out for Battlestar on 238.80, they switch to
238.825 (VADER OPs-Youngstown/Warren Regional Airport) and reach someone.
They request bird condition.
10:27 - FLYERs over to NY Center on 338.30 stating they are headed back to
Willow Grove.

So that's about it.  As we leave our heroes, STEEL 72 is going to do some
pattern work at Youngstown and the UGLIES and FLYERS are headed back home to
Willow Grove.  A little different in the DUKE this morning, but professional
as always...

Dave