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Text: |
Chakrit Samithian |
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Pictures: |
Chakrit Samithian & Sakpinit Promthep |
The annual Air Tactical Operations Competition was again held at Chandy Firing Range near Chaibadan (Lopburi Province) on 1. December 2022. Apart from Air Force personnel, a small number of photographers and journalists was again invited to observe the show as were some school kids from a neighboring town. The exercise was presided over by the new commander of the Royal Thai Air Force, Air Chief Marshal Alongkorn Wannarot. The weather was partially sunny with little wind prevailing. As is usual by now, the assembled photographers had to shoot their pictures directly against the sunlight which made it very difficult to get good shots.
The Commander arrived like every year in a Sikorsky S-92 in company with the RTAF’s latest acquisition, a brand-new Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter which featured a unusual weather radar nose. After visiting the assembled school classes, the commander proceeded to the special viewing platform where the commanders of the various air bases reported to the Air Force Chief. After a brief speech, the commander declared the exercise open.
(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithian)
(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithian)
(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithian)
(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithian)
(Picture courtesy Sakpinit Promthep)
(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithian)
(Picture courtesy Sakpinit Promthep)
(Picture courtesy Sakpinit Promthep)
(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithian)
(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithian)
(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithian)
(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithian)
Same as every year, the opening pass was executed by a sole F-16B from Wing 103. This year, the pilot flew very close to the hill which made it difficult to catch the aircraft by anyone with a zoom lens attached. But the closeness to the hill made it a very spectacular opening. Thereafter, two F-16 from Wing 403 made a more distant fly-by being followed by a sole DA-42 used for cyber operations. Then, the action increased when two JAS-39 Gripen and two F-5E Tiger II engaged in some air combat maneuvers. The next part of the exercise saw two very high-flying F-16 from Wing 403 dropping laser-guided GBU-12 bombs on to the target area, but unfortunately, cameras were unable to detect the falling bombs. This was followed by two F-16 from Wing 403 and two F-16 from Wing 103 dropping MK82/AC 500 lbs. bombs which resulted in large columns of smoke over the target area. Then, it was the turn of two Alpha Jets firing twelve 2.75” HYDRA rockets. To the disappointment of the photographers, these jets flew at a high altitude and quite far away which made it impossible this time to spot the rockets leaving the aircraft.
(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithian)
(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithian)
(Picture courtesy Sakpinit Promthep)
(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithian)
(Picture courtesy Sakpinit Promthep)
(Picture courtesy Sakpinit Promthep)
(Picture courtesy Sakpinit Promthep)
(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithian)
(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithian)
(Picture courtesy Sakpinit Promthep)
(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithian)
(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithian)
(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithian)
(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithian)
(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithian)
(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithian)
(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithian)
(Picture courtesy Sakpinit Promthep)
(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithian)
(Picture courtesy Sakpinit Promthep)
(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithian)
(Picture courtesy Sakpinit Promthep)
(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithian)
(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithian)
(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithian)
(Picture courtesy Sakpinit Promthep)
The next part of the exercise saw a Lockheed C-130 making a cargo drop being followed by a water drop from a Basler BT-67. Then it was the turn of a Eurocopter EC-725 discharging the crew of a Medical Emergency Response Unit who proceeded to build a hospital tent in record time. When leaving the area, the EC-725 fired a salvo of flares which looked impressive against the direct sunlight.
(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithian)
(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithian)
(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithian)
(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithian)
(Picture courtesy Sakpinit Promthep)
(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithian)
(Picture courtesy Sakpinit Promthep)
(Picture courtesy Sakpinit Promthep)
(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithian)
(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithian)
(Picture courtesy Sakpinit Promthep)
(Picture courtesy Sakpinit Promthep)
(Picture courtesy Sakpinit Promthep)
(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithian)
(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithian)
(Picture courtesy Sakpinit Promthep)
(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithian)
(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithian)
(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithian)
(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithian)
The final part of the demonstration was as usual reserved for a fly-pasts carried out by the participating aircrafts which this year was less impressive than during the previous years. The two JAS-39 Gripen and the two F-5 which did some air combat simulation at the beginning of the demo made the start and were followed by the two earlier seen Alpha Jets and by a mass formation of nine F-16 comprising of aircrafts from Wing 103 and Wing 403. The fly-by concluded with a passing C-130. As expected, two F-16 from Wing 103 made a surprise low-level fly-past from the back of the hill which again was quite spectacular but not much of a surprise any longer.
(Picture courtesy Sakpinit Promthep)
(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithian)
(Picture courtesy Sakpinit Promthep)
(Picture courtesy Sakpinit Promthep)
(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithian)
(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithian)
(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithian)
(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithian)
(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithian)
(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithian)
(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithian)
(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithian)
In summary, this year’s show contained two new elements, i.e. flares from the departing EC-725 and a fly-by towards the end by a C-130 Hercules. Unfortunately, the KAI T-50 from Wing 403 did not show up at all this year. The variety of aircrafts shown is diminishing with the T-50 absent and the L-39 having been taken out of service 2 years ago. With regard to plans for replacing the aging F-16 fleet, the RTAF wants to purchase by the year 2031 up to twelve F-35A aircrafts and reports say that the cabinet has approved the budget for an initial number of 4 aircrafts to be included in the 2023 budget. However, the US Government still has to approve this plan and a decision from them is expected early in 2023.
(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithian)
(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithian)
Of the turbo-prop aircrafts ordered by the RTAF, one Beechcraft T-6 Texan II trainer was recently delivered to Thailand and another one owned by Beechcraft has also arrived in order to experiment with the new software to be introduced. The T-6 Texan II will eventually replace the Pilatus PC-9 while the 8 ordered Textron AT-6 Wolverine light attack aircrafts, for which Thailand represents the very first export market, will only arrive in 2024.
Concluding the report for 2022, the author wishes to sincerely thank the PR department of the Royal Thai Air Force, competently led by Khun Jirayu Doungnui, for again organizing excellent transportation and meals for the invited photographers and journalists.