Visiting aircraft on deployment had started arriving on 5th July when 12 x F-4D Phantoms from 480 TFS/52TFW 'SP' (red fin tips) from Spangdahlem arrived for DACT (Dissimilar Air Combat Training) with the based F-5E's of the 527th TFTAS (Tactical Fighter Training Air Squadron). Unfortunately one Phantom 66-8781 was lost in The Wash the following day 6th July.
They worked through the month until the next detachment turned up on the 30th July when 12 x F-4C from 81TFS/52TFW (yellow fin tips) replaced them. They departed on 12th August.
Arriving on the 9th August were 9 x Northrop NF-5A and 2 x NF-5B two seaters from the R.Netherland's Air Force 316 Sqdn. They were over to practice their low level skills around the LFA's in the U.K., Holland being rather short on hills and mountains.
My base visit on 11th August was a rather last minute affair but was packed with action.
The conflict in Vietnam had only ended a few years before and a realisation that lessons in air combat were needed to be learned had become evident. Thus the plan to have 'Aggressor' air combat training was initiated - the twenty F-5E's equipping the 527th were all 1974 build and were painted in five different 'baddy' camo schemes. So many of the European based Phantoms were now all in the S.E. Asia camo scheme.
A few lovely Northrops in there for Paddy
The Dutch visitors
based RF-4C's in action
Hope you enjoyed these
. Fantastic aircraft and lovely camo schemes. Again, aircraft types taken for granted back then.
. These shots bring back so many memories 
