Exercise Cobra Warrior 25-1 - Tuesday 25th Feb

[MFoster]

After what has seemed like a while since I was last at RAF Waddington for a Cobra Warrior Exercise spotting trip, I decided to head down for the first day of the exercise. Fairly unlike me to go this early on in the exercise but with the French only being around for the first week and the Rafales having been the type that has managed to elude me, it just had to be done!

Whilst yes, the fencelines and carparks were busy it definitely is up there with one of my favourite spotting and photography trips I have done!

Not long after I had arrived and set myself up, the Protector RPAS came out to the runway for a flight, the first time that I have seen a drone fly, and nice to see it fly after getting the chance to see it at the Cobra Warrior 24 Enthusiasts Evening

1. IMG_0590-Enhanced-NR by MattFosterPhotos, on Flickr

Soon after the drone had landed, out came the Rivet Joint to head off on its Intelligence gathering mission, including the crew giving a nice wave to the onlookers!

2. IMG_0739-Enhanced-NR by MattFosterPhotos, on Flickr

Then it was the main event, the Cobra Warrior Sortie taxi and departures!

3. IMG_1014-Enhanced-NR by MattFosterPhotos, on Flickr

4. IMG_1117-Enhanced-NR by MattFosterPhotos, on Flickr

5. IMG_1139-Enhanced-NR by MattFosterPhotos, on Flickr

6. IMG_1323-Enhanced-NR by MattFosterPhotos, on Flickr

7. IMG_1368-Enhanced-NR by MattFosterPhotos, on Flickr

Throughout the day, the Shadow R1 was up and about spending decent amount of time in the circuit which provided some nice opportunities to shoot a rather impressive airframe and also passed the time before the arrivals of the Cobra Warrior Particpants!

8. IMG_1655-Enhanced-NR by MattFosterPhotos, on Flickr

9. IMG_2468-Enhanced-NR by MattFosterPhotos, on Flickr

10. IMG_2525-Enhanced-NR by MattFosterPhotos, on Flickr

There was then a bit of a gap before the sounds of jets starting up filled the air for the awaited afternoon sortie, whilst not officially part of the Cobra Warrior exercise, these second sorties allow the participating nations to carry out training with other nations or in unfamiliar environments

11. IMG_2797-Enhanced-NR by MattFosterPhotos, on Flickr

12. IMG_3022-Enhanced-NR by MattFosterPhotos, on Flickr

13. IMG_3093-Enhanced-NR by MattFosterPhotos, on Flickr

14. IMG_3268-Enhanced-NR by MattFosterPhotos, on Flickr

15. IMG_3381-Enhanced-NR by MattFosterPhotos, on Flickr

16. IMG_3481-Enhanced-NR by MattFosterPhotos, on Flickr

17. IMG_3520-Enhanced-NR by MattFosterPhotos, on Flickr

Then it was time to nip over to the otherside of the red and white fencing with the hope of catching these arrivals in some golden hour lighting, whilst the lighting wasnt perfect for all of the arrivals, they sure were impressive and golden for the majority and made for some nice viewing, including a stunning low approach by the Saudi F15SA utilising the burners!

18. IMG_3696-Enhanced-NR by MattFosterPhotos, on Flickr

19. IMG_3863-Enhanced-NR by MattFosterPhotos, on Flickr

20. IMG_4022-Enhanced-NR by MattFosterPhotos, on Flickr

Thank you for looking and I will no doubt be adding more to my flickr as I continue to edit them and I will look to update this post with some more too!

Thanks,

Matt!

[Boneyard1]

Absolutely brilliant shots,Matt.Top work mate!

[MFoster]

Absolutely brilliant shots,Matt.Top work mate!

Thank you Boneyard! Super kind

[Blue fox]

Top shots there,thanks for sharing.

[STRATO2003]

stunning pics !!!

[The Cat]

Superb shots !