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THE LIBERTY WING AND THE VALLEY AVIATION SOCIETY
Dennis Pritchard • 23 March 2021
THE LIBERTY WING AND THE VALLEY AVIATION SOCIETY
Since the Liberty Wing arrived at RAF Lakenheath in 1960; its jets had been a familiar sight at RAF Valley. Either engaged in PDs, weather or emergency diversions and even dropping off to refuel and grab a coffee. In addition, they used to arrive to specifically visit VAS or attend its popular photocalls.
However, the first opportunity for VAS members to closely inspect a Strike Eagle had been during a base visit, following an incident which had occurred on 16 September, 1994.
Whilst engaged on a low level training sortie over mid- Wales, a 494th F-15E/91-0601 was struck by a flock of ducks. The pilot, Capt. Brad Robert was avoiding a shooting party, when he inadvertently flew into their target! Immediately following the collision, the canopy became detached and struck an air intake, causing severe vibration to the airframe.
Unable to communicate with his pilot, the WSO Capt. Mike Panarassi decided to eject and safely landed in a field, near Pennant, Dyfed and was later recovered by an RAF Chivenor SAR Sea King. The pilot, however after checking out the aircraft with the assistance of his wing man; decided to divert to RAF Valley, where he landed twenty minutes later!
Nowadays, apart from an infrequent PD; in recent years, members need to either visit the MAC Loop or the A 5 Pass to view the 48th aircraft, close up. However, herewith are a few reminders of days gone by…..
1. 493rd TFS F-4D on PD to runway 32 in 1975. (Author)
2. 493rd TFS F-111F/74-0184 on approach to runway 14. Note the North African Campaign Ribbon on the fin, to denote Operation Eldorado Canyon 1986 mission against Libya. (Author)
3. 48th TFW commander Col. Tom Lennon’s ´Liberty Lady`, F-111F/ 72-0448, which had participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom seen departing RAF Valley in 1991. (Author)
4. Bird Strike Eagle in 1994! (Jim Le Cras)
5. First visit to VAS in February 1996; 494rd FS F-15E/90-0257. (Jim Le Cras)
6. WSO on a cold February, Saturday morning! (Jim Le Cras)
7. VAS members check out the jet. (Jim Le Cras)
8. VAS secretary presents an F-15E model to Lt. Col. Steve ´Big Mac` Mc Namara, while chairman Wynne Foulds and Capt. Bill ´Boo Boo` Miller look on. (Jim Le Cras)
9. Our guests depart to a snowy and wintry Lakenheath. (Jim Le Cras)
10. The 48th attend its first VAS Photocall in 2004. (Dimitris Triadafillou)
11. Preparing to depart. (Author)
12. 48th aircrew at a VAS social evening in 2005; when a £1,000 cheque was donated towards the Hurricane Katrina Disaster Fund. (Jim Le Cras)
13. Strike Eagle arrives for the 2006 VAS Photocall. (Dimitris Triadafillou)
14. 494th FS F-15E, 81-0605. (Dimitris Triadafillou)
15. Welsh speaking Capt. Keith Turner and WSO, Capt. John Heard with VAS chairman Jack Thomas. (Dimitris Triadafillou)
16. 494th FS F-15E/81-0316 prepares to depart following a weather diversion. Note the other jets in the background. (Jim Le Cras)
17. 316 blasts off. (Jim Le Cras)
18. Touch down on Runway 32. (Jim Le Cras)
19. 493rd FS, F-15C/84-0014 diverts following a missile misfire on the range. This Eagle had an Iraqi SU-22 kill on 20 March, 1991. (Jim Le Cras)
20. 493rd FS, F-15C/86-0171 prepares to depart Runway 32. (Jim Le Cras)
21. Up, Up and Away! (Meirion Williams)
22. Waving the Welsh Flag! (Wayne Lewis)
23. VAS attends a base visit to RAF Lakenheath in 2016. (John Davies)
2. 493rd TFS F-111F/74-0184 on approach to runway 14. Note the North African Campaign Ribbon on the fin, to denote Operation Eldorado Canyon 1986 mission against Libya. (Author)
3. 48th TFW commander Col. Tom Lennon’s ´Liberty Lady`, F-111F/ 72-0448, which had participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom seen departing RAF Valley in 1991. (Author)
4. Bird Strike Eagle in 1994! (Jim Le Cras)
5. First visit to VAS in February 1996; 494rd FS F-15E/90-0257. (Jim Le Cras)
6. WSO on a cold February, Saturday morning! (Jim Le Cras)
7. VAS members check out the jet. (Jim Le Cras)
8. VAS secretary presents an F-15E model to Lt. Col. Steve ´Big Mac` Mc Namara, while chairman Wynne Foulds and Capt. Bill ´Boo Boo` Miller look on. (Jim Le Cras)
9. Our guests depart to a snowy and wintry Lakenheath. (Jim Le Cras)
10. The 48th attend its first VAS Photocall in 2004. (Dimitris Triadafillou)
11. Preparing to depart. (Author)
12. 48th aircrew at a VAS social evening in 2005; when a £1,000 cheque was donated towards the Hurricane Katrina Disaster Fund. (Jim Le Cras)
13. Strike Eagle arrives for the 2006 VAS Photocall. (Dimitris Triadafillou)
14. 494th FS F-15E, 81-0605. (Dimitris Triadafillou)
15. Welsh speaking Capt. Keith Turner and WSO, Capt. John Heard with VAS chairman Jack Thomas. (Dimitris Triadafillou)
16. 494th FS F-15E/81-0316 prepares to depart following a weather diversion. Note the other jets in the background. (Jim Le Cras)
17. 316 blasts off. (Jim Le Cras)
18. Touch down on Runway 32. (Jim Le Cras)
19. 493rd FS, F-15C/84-0014 diverts following a missile misfire on the range. This Eagle had an Iraqi SU-22 kill on 20 March, 1991. (Jim Le Cras)
20. 493rd FS, F-15C/86-0171 prepares to depart Runway 32. (Jim Le Cras)
21. Up, Up and Away! (Meirion Williams)
22. Waving the Welsh Flag! (Wayne Lewis)
23. VAS attends a base visit to RAF Lakenheath in 2016. (John Davies)
THE AUSTRALIAN CONNECTION
THE USAF AND ITS 75 YEARS’ ASSOCIATION WITH ROYAL AIR FORCE VALLEY
RAF VALLEY FLYING TRAINING ACCIDENTS
HAWK T.1 COLOURS AT RAF VALLEY
THE EARLY POST WAR YEARS AT RAF VALLEY
LEST WE FORGET
350 SQUADRON CELEBRATES ITS EIGHTIETH
BATTLE OF BRITAIN SUNDAY
PRESENTATION OF THE VALLEY AVIATION SOCIETY TROPHY
RAF Valley families Day 2021