Belgian Air Force Aircraft / Helicopters information

[Gary]

The build up for F-35 takes another step forward

New F-35 Squadron!

On August 11, 2023, the founding ceremony of the American-Belgian 312 Fighter Squadron took place at Luke Air Force Base, in Phoenix (Arizona). This squadron is responsible for the training of the Belgian F-35 pilots, but technicians will also attend the last phase of their training. The squadron consists of American and Belgian soldiers, led by LtKol Wall and Maj Vl Libert .

The first 5 Belgian soldiers are already on site, followed in November by the rest of the preparation team. During 2024, a number of Belgian Instructor Pilots will be deployed and the first trainings will start.\n Over the next 48 pilots and 120 technicians will graduate for their training, or conversion to #F35A. Best of luck!

#StrongerTogether #312fightersquadron #NATO

Info from the Belgian Air Force Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/BelAirForce

[Gary]

New special tail coming from 349 in time for BAFD

[Gary]

FA-95 will be withdrawn this weekend after hint the 8000 hour mark. https://www.aviation24.be/military-airc ... ember/amp/

[Gary]

The first Belgian F-35 now in the final stages of production

[Gary]

According to the Belgian Wings Facebook page, the first F-35 will roll out on 10th December at Forth Worth

[Gary]

Photos on social media confirm the serial of the first F-35 as FL001

[Gary]

Last A400M to be delivered on Thursday

We are happy, because we can wish you all the best for this year.....and we are ready to unwrap our last present on Thursday.
If all goes as planned CT-08 will, for the first time, put wheels on our Belgian soil 11/01/24 @ 15Hr00L .
More info about 'exact' timings will be broadcasted as we close in to the final delivery...

#20sqn #A400M #CT08 #WeAre15thWing

[Gary]

SF260 ST-35 has retired too. ST-35 was one of the Red Devils

Today, we had to say goodbye to a lovely bird. ST-35 made indeed his last flight in the best possible way. The first bright day for a long time, a formation training with ST-23, a well known companion, some aerobatics in the area, to include some stall turns, a couple of patterns to end with a flapless landind and… some good friends who took care of him, on the ground and in the air. Within the team, ST-35 was the last trusty steed of Meel under the caring supervision of Flipke last year.
He now deserves a peaceful retreat after 54 years of service, 11.033 flying hours, over 33.700 landings and … “some” student pilots. Respect.

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_ ... 4589774056

[Gary]

New special tail for the F-16 OCU due to be rolled out tomorrow on FB-24

[Gary]

FB-24

[Gary]

Reported that Belgium F-16s will be handed over to Ukraine earlier than expected https://mil.in.ua/en/news/belgium-to-ha ... 0De%20Croo

[Gary]

First Belgian F-35 (FL003) flew at Fort Worth yesterday

[Gary]

Belgium getting 15 H145

Paris – The Kingdom of Belgium will procure 15 multi-role H145M helicopters for the army and two helicopters plus three options for the Federal Police. The contract was signed between the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA), on behalf of Belgium, and Airbus Helicopters.

“We are proud that Belgium is joining the growing community of H145M users,” said Bruno Even, CEO of Airbus Helicopters. “In Europe, the robust multi-role helicopter is becoming the reference for tactical airlift capability, special operations, and medical evacuation missions. We are sure that the H145M will quickly become a key asset to the Belgian defence and security portfolio.”

The H145M is a multi-role military helicopter that provides a broad range of mission capabilities. Within minutes, the helicopter can be reconfigured from a light attack role, with axial ballistic and guided weapons and a state-of-the-art self-protection system, to a special operations version, including fast rappelling equipment. The comprehensive mission packages include hoisting and external cargo capabilities. Additionally, the H145M includes options for future mission capabilities, including data links, further communication systems, and digitalisation of mission-capabilities.

The H145M is the military version of the tried-and-tested, light twin-engine H145 helicopter. The global fleet of the H145 family has now accumulated more than seven million flight hours. It is used by armed and law enforcement forces around the world for the most demanding missions. Germany already operates 16 H145M LUH SOF and eight H145 LUH SAR helicopters and has recently ordered up to 82 additional helicopters of this type. The US Army employs almost 500 helicopters from the H145 family under the name of UH-72 Lakota. Current operators of the H145M are Hungary, Serbia, Thailand and Luxembourg; Cyprus has ordered six aircraft as well as Brunei and the United Kingdom.

Powered by two Turbomeca Arriel 2E engines, the H145M is equipped with full authority digital engine control (FADEC). In addition, the helicopter is equipped with the Helionix digital avionics suite which, alongside innovative flight data management, includes a high-performance 4-axis autopilot, which considerably reduces pilot workload during missions. Its particularly low acoustic footprint makes the H145M the quietest helicopter in its class.

https://www.airbus.com/en/newsroom/pres ... ral-police

[Kurnass]

So they get 17

[plmc135]

So they get 17

The topic is about the Belgian Air Force who will be receiving 15. Other two are for the Federal Police.

[Kurnass]

Federal Police has the same serial range as the Armed Forces, so from a spotters perspective, it’s quite the same

[plmc135]

Federal Police has the same serial range as the Armed Forces, so from a spotters perspective, it’s quite the same

No they do not. The aircraft/helicopters of the federal police all begin with G followed by two digit number and regardless of type.

Belgian AF aircraft begin with a two letter code which denotes type followed by number starting at 01/001 e.g. FL001 for F-35A.

[Kurnass]

Alouette 2: A01 and further.
Alouette 3: M1, M2, M3
A-109: H01 and further
BN2: B01 and further.

So the (formerly Rijkswacht) Federal Police fits in this series

[Gary]

Video and Photos on the Belgain Wings / 4Aviation Facebook pages showing multiple SF260 being scrapped ST-15, ST-17, ST-32, ST-34, ST-43 , ST-44 and ST-45

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/14edrimgpW/

[Gary]

Captain Steven "Vrieske" De Vries the last display pilot. Flew for his last time today