[MilCom] W.PA - DUKE MOA 10/2/06 & 10/3/06

[David Parana]

10/2/06
Had activity in the DUKE MOA three times yesterday.

Starting about 9:30 AM until about 11:30
FLYER (A-10 111th FW - Willow Grove PAANG) flight of three entered at around
9:30 talking with Cleveland Center on 353.85.  They switched to 301.60 and
called for STEEL (KC-135R - 171st ARW Pittsburgh) 11, no reply.
These three did some mock dogfighting until STEEL 11 entered the MOA and
called to the FLYERS on 301.60.
STEEL 12 was late, caught STEEL 11 calling STEEL Control on 311.0 asking if
they had taken off.
Soon after that STEEL 12 came up on 293.70 to talk with STEEL 11.
When everyone got situated the FLYERS refuelled on 301.60 and exited using
353.85 (Cleveland Center "Button 18") and then switched to "Button 17"
338.30 (NY Center).  The Two STEELS hung around and did maneuvers and
join-ups using the 293.70 air to air freq.

I left for lunch and put on the scanner recorder and had something different
when I got back.  BATON 51 (193SOW Harrisburg IAP) entered the DUKE and
checked in as a single ship, C-130 Type Aircraft to do some maneuvers and
was going to do some practice approaches at the Bradford Airport before he
headed out.  That's the first time I've heard these guys up here.

In the afternoon another flight of three FLYERs doing dogfights.  They
entered with the usual 353.85 and worked in the MOA on 301.60.  They
practiced 2 Vs 1 engagements, switching who was the bandit.  They played for
almost an hour before heading back to Willow Grove.

10/3/06 - Starting about 1:30PM
UGLY flight of two checked in with Cleveland Center on 353.85 entered the
DUKE and asked if a SLUFF 61 or TAZ 72(Both KC-135 from Rickenbacker AFB,
OH)checked in yet, they had not.  The FLYERs switched over to 301.60 and did
a little air to air before calling out for SLUFF or TAZ on 301.60.  SLUFF
checked in and said they were about 12 minutes out and TAZ should be just
about entering the MOA.  After alot of comms trying to get everyone joined
up, the two UGLIES got refuelled and headed out.  UGLY 1 was 80-0152 and
UGLY 2 was 78-0658.  UGLY flight was using 34.75 (FM Mode) air to air.  They
were headed back to Willow Grove by about 2:15PM.  I was listening to them
on 34.75 so I don't know if SLUFF and TAZ hung around.  The tankers usually
use 126.725 when entering or leaving the DUKE, I do not have that progammed
in since it is cluttered with commercial comms.

Dave