The 2019 Edition of the Royal Thai Air Force’s Air Tactical Operations Competition held at Chandy Range, Chaibadan, Lopburi Provinz, Thailand
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Text: |
Chakrit Samithinan & Michael E. Fader |
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Pictures: |
Chakrit Samithinan & Michael E. Fader |
The 2019 edition of the RTAF Air Tactical Operations Competition took place on 18th December 2019 under the patronage of the new Commander of the Royal Thai Air Force. ACM Maanat Wongwat took over as Commander in Chief on 1st October 2019. He is replacing ACM Chayapruek Tishyasarin who performed his duty as Commander in Chief for only one year due to his retirement at the end of 2019.
Same as in previous years, this event took place on the shooting range of Chandy which is situated in Lopburi Province in the central area of Thailand. Contrary to other years, the event took place on a Wednesday instead of the usual Thursday and the actual exercise started already at 10 am which is one hour earlier than usual.
The Chandy Firing Range (Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
The Pilots arrive (Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
The Grandstand (Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
Sikorsky S-92 (Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan)
ACM Maanat Wongwat (Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
The WingCommander of the RTAF (Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
The opening
The sequence of events was very similar to previous years. The ACM arrived in a Sikorsky S-92 helicopter und the event was thereafter opened by a low flying General Dynamics F-16B Falcon. For the first time, a Diamond DA-42MPP Reconnaissance aircraft of 402 Squadron was shown in flight. This aircraft stayed in the vicinity of the Chandy range throughout the exercise and delivered aerial photos which were shown on large video screens.
A beautifully painted Basler BT-67 from 461 Squadron at RTAB Lopburi demonstrated an attractive water drop. Two Eurocopters EC725 Carcal of 203 Squadron from RTAFB Koke Katiem set down a medical team which demonstrated the quick buildup of a mobile sick bay. A Lockheed C-130H Hercules of 601 Squadron stationed at Don Muang RTAFB made a cargo drop which reached the target more or less accurately.
General Dynamics F-16B Falcon from the 102 Sqn. (Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
General Dynamics F-16B Falcon from the 102 Sqn. (Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan)
General Dynamics F-16B Falcon from the 102 Sqn. (Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan)
General Dynamics F-16B Falcon from the 102 Sqn. (Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan)
General Dynamics F-16B Falcon from the 102 Sqn. (Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
Air Defence 50 cal (Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan)
Diamond DA-42MPP from the 402 Sqn (Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan)
Basler BT-67 from the 461 Sqn. (Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan)
Basler BT-67 from the 461 Sqn. (Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan)
Basler BT-67 from the 461 Sqn. (Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan)
Eurocopter EC725 Carcal from the 203 (Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
Eurocopter EC725 Carcal from the 203 (Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan)
The shooting
The dropping and shooting of live ordnance was opened by a Saab JAS-39 Gripen from 701 Squadron at Surat Thani who dropped a laser-guided bomb unseen by the attending public very accurately on the target.
Thereafter, the action accelerated very quickly with General Dynamics F-16As of 102 and 103 Squadrons from RTAFB Korat dropping unguided bombs on to the target area. The nicely painted Centennial F-16A dropped 12 bombs at one time all of which hit the designated target while the Northrop F-5T Tigris (not the upgraded Northrop F-5TH Super Tigris) also dropped a number of 250 kg bombs.
The fairly new KAI T-50 TH from 401 squadron at RTAB Thakli fired board canons in mock attacks and the really old Alpha Jets of 231 squadron at RTAFB Udon Thani attacked the target area with unguided rockets (FFAR).
Out of the blue (Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
Strike of the Gripen (Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
General Dynamics F-16B Falcon from the 102 Sqn. (Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan)
Designator for the Gripen (Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
Northrop F-TH Tigris from the 211 Sqn (Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan)
Impact of the F-5TH Bombs (Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan)
KAI T-50 from the 401 Staffel (Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan)
KAI T-50 from the 401 Staffel (Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan)
KAI T-50 from the 401 Staffel (Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan)
General Dynamics F-16B Falcon from the 102 Sqn. (Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
Impact of the F-16 Bombs (Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
Dornier Alpha Jet from the 231 Sqn. (Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan)
Dornier Alpha Jet from the 231 Sqn. (Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan)
Strike of the Alpha Jet (Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan)
Flypast
This year’s event was not very good for photographers since the shooting took place at a great distance, and due to the prevailing smog and direct sun in the area, the aircrafts were very difficult to identify and to follow. Nevertheless, the air tactical exercise must be termed a success due to the high accuracy shown by the pilots of the RTAF.
The media (Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
Inspection of weapons (Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
Inspection of weapons (Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
Inspection of weapons (Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
Inspection of weapons (Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
The flight home (Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan)