AIR NATIONAL GUARD
Talking of deployments to RAF Abingdon, I recall the USAF A.N.G. being deployed to this base during the 1980's.
Three Exercises were held at Abingdon during this period. The units visiting were drawn from the Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve using Lockheed C-130 aircraft. All three exercises were held under the operational title.
"EXERCISE VOLANT PARTNER"
The first of these Exercises took place for a period of about two weeks at the end of September and the beginning of October 1984, and involved Eight C-130E.
Four of these aircraft were from the MINNESOTA AIR GUARD (109th TAS, 133rd TAW, normally based at Minneapolis Airport) and the other four were from the CALIFORNIA AIR GUARD (115TH TAS, 146TH TAW, normally based at Van Nuys)
The purpose of these exercises was to give the Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve experience in a European war theatre.
The second of these exercise took place between 1st and 17th May 1986 and involved the same two Air National Guard units from California and Minnesota.
The purpose of their visit once again was to give the reservists experience in European flying conditions, as well as providing additional airlift support to their tactical commanders the 322nd Airlift Division at Ramstein. During their stay at Abingdon the aircraft were used in exercise 'Open Gate' (southern NATO area) and exercise 'Flintlock 86' (central area)
On this occasion there were nine C-130E aircraft based at Abingdon, five from Minnesota and four from California.
The third and last "Volant Partner" exercise to be held at ABINGDON was between the 5th and 15th June 1989. The Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve Units deployed on this occasion were the Minnesota and Ohio ANG.
The C-130E and C-130B aircraft, participated in a NATO exercise called 'Avenue Express' simulating the defence of Denmark. They undertook both tactical (flying down to 300ft) and airlift missions. Their first two operations (dropping parachutes into Germany and one mission into Denmark)
I understand RAF Benson and RAF Odiham were also used during the 80's for this role.
Regards
Alan
"ABN99"