2 F-16's escorting an aircraft towards 25L

Tristar1011 · Post by **Tristar1011** » 01 Feb 2005, 11:32

Hello,

about 10 minutes ago I've spotted 2 F-16's escorting an unidentified aircraft towards 25L. Does anyone have any information (which company/government, Abelag/Melsbroek or elsewhere) ?

Regards,
Tristar1011

Freightdog · Post by **Freightdog** » 01 Feb 2005, 11:58

Not sure if it is relevant but a Silverback Cargo freighters DC8-62F has just parked up at brucargo. 9XR-SC (46068). Not a usual visitor to Brucargo???

cityflyer · Post by **cityflyer** » 01 Feb 2005, 12:12

At about the sama time, a police heli was on patrol over NATO in Evere, extremely low and with open doors......never seen

Andries · Post by **Andries** » 01 Feb 2005, 12:28

Freightdog wrote:Not sure if it is relevant but a Silverback Cargo freighters DC8-62F has just parked up at brucargo. 9XR-SC (46068). Not a usual visitor to Brucargo???

it will become a usual visitor for BRU as it operates on behalf of Ethiopian Cargo ...

Greetz,

Andries

744rules · Post by **744rules** » 01 Feb 2005, 12:35

I saw 2 F16 overflying Mechelen around that time. Must be the same ones.

Will try to find out tomorrow, when on duty.

blackhawk · Post by **blackhawk** » 01 Feb 2005, 12:48

I'm joining the club: This morning I saw this bird: http://www.airliners.net/open.file/631189/L/

BMMP · Post by **BMMP** » 01 Feb 2005, 12:48

The two F-16s were certainly escorting the President of Greece who starts a state visit in Belgium today. I saw an Olympic 737 taxying out of Melsbroek at around 12h00 and the HAF Gulfstream (678) was at Abelag at the same time.

Avro · Post by **Avro** » 01 Feb 2005, 14:47

Why should the greek president be escorted with 2 F-16 ?

Chris

BMMP · Post by **BMMP** » 01 Feb 2005, 16:33

It's often the case on an official State Visit. The same happened last October when the Polish President visited Belgium.

Avro · Post by **Avro** » 01 Feb 2005, 20:29

Thanks for the answer.

However, I still find it strange.

Chris

Robin_Bamps · Post by **Robin_Bamps** » 01 Feb 2005, 20:33

BMMP wrote:It's often the case on an official State Visit.

Can we expect the same scene than when Bush comes ?

Regards, Robin Bamps.

Post by **luchtzak** » 02 Feb 2005, 00:56

Robin_Bamps wrote:
BMMP wrote:It's often the case on an official State Visit.
Can we expect the same scene than when Bush comes ?

No doubt!

website-info · Post by **website-info** » 02 Feb 2005, 08:27

Can we expect the same scene than when Bush comes ?

I'll give some details of the chaos faced at Heathrow each time a US president arrives.

In the days leading up to arrival, several C5 Galaxy / C17 arrive with cars and helicopters. The US president always uses his own helicopters, these practice their route flying in the days before his arrival. On the day of his arrival, the arrival runway is closed 30 mins before he lands, the VIP suite area is sterile. After he lands, meets a few handshakes he then flys away in the choppers. After he has left the runway is reopened, BUT because it has been closed for 45 mins and Heathrow has been reduced to single runway operations you are left with 3-6 hour delays on inbound flights. Same goes for when he leaves.

Then you get all the OTT security. Last time Powell was in BRU I went for a quiet after work drink in the Holiday Inn in Diegem, on arrival two Secret Service agents were searching people entering the hotel - when asked why, they told us that because US gvmt staff were staying there. We politely told them where to go and went to the bar, BUT you could feel there eyes on you all the time.

Maybe the Belgians / Brits should do the same next time the King or Queen or President Blair go on a visit to the US - I'm sure the American will appreciate - NOT

Tony

Aviation24.be

2 F-16's escorting an aircraft towards 25L

2 F-16's escorting an aircraft towards 25L

2 F16's

Re: 2 F16's