[MilCom] Middle TN Area/Apr 27, 2007

[Mike Riffle]

You're right Adam, it wasn't VMFA-142, it was VFA-203! I should have checked
my notes before I posted. I thought it took place over several days but I
could only find a single entry in my notes from 28 March 2003:

123.55/382.6 LOCKHEED FLIGHT
----------------------------
1930z FLIGHT clears RAPTOR 31 for taxi
1951z RAPTOR 31 reporting gear down, low approach on 255.725 RAPTOR CONTROL
1956z RAPTOR 31 and DOLPHIN 56 depart pattern using 255.725 a/a
2050z DOLPHIN 56 reports inbound to base on 337.85
2053z FLIGHT clears RAPTOR for taxi-back

Mike Riffle
Cataula, GA

On 4/28/07, airshowfreak5 at aol.com <airshowfreak5 at aol.com> wrote:
> The TACO's rarely come up anymore for it. Most of the time, The
> squadron drops the jet off then another Raptor Test Pilot flies it.
> I've had the MN-ANG (148th FW),NM-ANG (188 FS),Cannon (Believe it was
> the 522nd FS),Shaw (77th FS) and most of the time, Eglin (40th FLTS) or
> Edwards (416th FLTS) do the chase mission and probably among others in
> which I cannot remember right now :) The LM Company Bird (F-16B
> 90-0948) also has done it from time to time, But now has it's hands
> full with the F-35C flight tests.
>
> You've had Gators do chase? I never once have had 142 go out with a
> Raptor and unless they join up for in mid-air it's never happened to my
> knowledge.
>
> Adam
> Marietta,GA
> "VFA-203 Forever"
> 12/21/70-10/04/06 - The End, Baby...!
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: kc8mzm at gmail.com
> To: milcom at mailman.qth.net
> Sent: Sat, 28 Apr 2007 10:45 AM
> Subject: Re: [MilCom] Middle TN Area/Apr 27, 2007
>
> All flight certifications for the Raptor are flown from Dobbins ARB
> (the
> Raptors are built at the Lockheed Martin/Air Force Plant #6 located in
> the northwest corner of the base). As with most test flights of any
> aircraft, a chase plane is needed to document the flight and assist in
> the event of an emergency.
>
> When I used to live in the Atlanta area it was the 188th FS (TACO) that
> was used for the chase role. Adam would know best who flies chase these
> days. Although most of the chase aircraft are F-16s, I have on occasion
> heard F/A-18s from VMFA-142 (GATOR) take the responsibility.
>
> Mike Riffle
> Cataula, GA
>
> domyers at voicenet.com wrote:
> >> 0920: RAPTOR 26 x 2 (F-22A, F-16 chase) W/Atlanta Ctr
> >> 270.6>354.05>299.2 (A2A & W/Control: 142.2)
> > > How come there is always an F-16 flying around with the RAPTOR?
> > What's up with that?
> > Thanks
> > Dan
> > Horsham, Pa