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Old 17th May 2012, 20:43
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BEagle
 
Join Date: May 1999
Location: Quite near 'An aerodrome somewhere in England'
Posts: 26,847
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Happened to be at Gut on EX. BOLD GAUNTLET back in 1982. This was a pretty dull exercise which involved us in our F-4s, the French with their Mirages and the Spams with F-15s escorting either a C-130 or C-160 up an imaginary north/south 'passageway' (don't mention corridor!) looking out for the odd F-16 or Hunter T8 bounce.

But there was also the chance of the odd LLOLPIs trip. By a remarkable stroke of fate, I was programmed for one such trip on the 40th anniversary of the Dams raid. The other jet went TU on start, so we went off for a low level navex instead. Then heard that the other jet was now serviceable and would meet us somewhere en route.

After wazzing the Nurgburgring, we carried on around the route and happened upon the Edersee. Around which I'd paddled in a canoe during King Rock in 1969. So it had to be done; round the castle and across the lake, noting that the locals were 'waving' from various vantage points. So much fun that we did it again, then set off to intercept the other jet inbound. After joining up, I asked him if he'd ever 'done' the Eder; when he said he hadn't, we did it as a pair. Then back to Gut.

Chatting about this after landing, we were overheard by the SNavO who looked rather pale. "Don't you know you're not allowed to fly low level over the Eder?", he queried. "Nope", I replied, "anyway we were up at 250 ft!". After a few more "We'll be in the $hit over this" mutterings, he buggered off.....

"Good job we didn't tell him about the Moenhe on the way home", I said to my friendly nav....

Funnily enough, no-one ever complained.

Happy times!

Last edited by BEagle; 17th May 2012 at 20:46.
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