Target Aviation Photography

Spring Flag 2008 Hellenic AF at SF08 Turkish AF at SF08 German AF at SF08 Spring Flag 2007

Exercise 'Spring Flag 2008'
Decimomannu Air Base
Sardinia
April 1-18, 2008

The Spanish Air Force - Ejército Del Aire (EdA) at Spring Flag 2008

The four Spanish Air Force McDonnell Douglas F/A-18A Hornets of Ala 46, 462 Esc took part in all the COMAO's from day 1 to day 5 of the air war only. Their role in the COMAO's were both offensive and defensive. Eight Spanish aircrew took part in SF08. The pilots that were not flying on the day participated in support roles at the Exercise Planning Cell in the Deployable Air Operation Centre. The Spanish contingent returned to their home base of Gando in the Canary Islands before the night operations started. Ala 46 have been operating the F/A-18A since 1999.

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McDonnell Douglas F/A-18A (C.15-87 46-15) taxiing back after completing a sortie.

Left to right: Two EdA pilots working on their mission. Ground crew running through the final checks. An EdA pilot walks back from his aircraft after his mission was cancelled seconds before taxiing due to the adverse weather.

Left to right: F/A-18A Hornet (C.15-81 46-09).

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F/A-18A Hornet (C.15-87 46-15) seconds from touching.

Left to right: F/A-18A Hornet (C.15-87 46-15).

Left to right: F/A-18A Hornet (C.15-83 46-11). The final image shows the aircraft with an orange sand coating to the upper surfaces. The previous day aircraft on the flight line were covered in sand from the Saraha Desert that had blown across and fallen in the rain.

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Three Spanish Air Force McDonnell Douglas F/A-18A Hornets line up at the runway holding point awaiting their time to launch.

Left to right: F/A-18A Hornet (C.15-85 46-13).