Ascension Island

[750XL]

Can anyone advise on the current situation at Ascension? Understand for the last few years the runway has been closed to the weekly Voyager flights down to the Falklands.

Is anything currently using the airfield for locals, personnel, etc? Or is it all by sea now

[ResBunny]

Information for Aviators ? Ascension Island Government (http://www.ascension-island.gov.ac/visiting-the-island/information-for-aviators-3/)

Although the page itself says it may be out of date.

Regards

[Badger3434]

I understand a shorter section of the r/w is open, but only accepting C130/A400 and not Voyager.

[chevvron]

NOTAM Q0443/19 says it all:-
B) From 19/12/02 0925 UTC C) to 20/01/01 1700 UTC
E) TOILET TRUCK UNSERVICEABLE

NOTAMs say nothing about reduced runway length nor do they say the nearest alternate toilet is on St Helena.:ooh:https://www.pprune.org/images/icons/46.gif

[MountainMetman]

Was there first half of 2019 and the bog truck was awaiting spares. The contract to get the runway re-laid is still being sorted as far as I know after a number of contractor issues, so the airfield is running a much reduced service.
Monthly flights from St Helena (that's a fun one!), 1 or 2 US flights a month from Antigua and 1 or 2 C130/A400M (dependant on what's there and running) a month from Cape Verde were the only routine flights.
Voyager refuels in Cape Verde for the South Atlantic airbridge which makes the southern leg a heck of a long one, especially when you're on a short haul rigged airframe. Most UK personnel going to Asi get the Voyager to Cape Verde then swap to the C130/A400M for the last leg.

[chevvron]

Was there first half of 2019 and the bog truck was awaiting spares. The contract to get the runway re-laid is still being sorted as far as I know after a number of contractor issues, so the airfield is running a much reduced service.
Monthly flights from St Helena (that's a fun one!), 1 or 2 US flights a month from Antigua and 1 or 2 C130/A400M (dependant on what's there and running) a month from Cape Verde were the only routine flights.
Voyager refuels in Cape Verde for the South Atlantic airbridge which makes the southern leg a heck of a long one, especially when you're on a short haul rigged airframe. Most UK personnel going to Asi get the Voyager to Cape Verde then swap to the C130/A400M for the last leg.
Given the honey wagon probably belongs to the US contractor/D of D, why don't the RAF take their own in there? Wouldn't take up much space in a freighter.

[Video Mixdown]

Given the honey wagon probably belongs to the US contractor/D of D, why don't the RAF take their own in there? Wouldn't take up much space in a freighter.
Since there is limited infrastructure on the island, and with its status as an important Marine Protected Area, I imagine there are all kinds of standards and regulations around the treatment and disposal of sewage.

[MountainMetman]

Nah, it's a UK asset and the resupply ships have been adjusted massively since 2016

[MountainMetman]

As an update, the contract has been awarded
https://www.airforce-technology.com/news/fluor-contract-repair-runway/
"Up to 28 months" so looks like I'll be seeing the coffee shop at Cape Verde a few more times

[Asturias56]

careful -they'll be all over you on here for discussing "secret" information ....................

[ORAC]

The runway on Ascension (Wideawake Airfield) has completed its refurbishment (in May) and is fully serviceable once more.

https://www.raf.mod.uk/our-organisation/stations/mount-pleasant-complex/flights-via-ascension-island/


https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/540x378/image_d0409350147d672d245db62cc12b55e3f8449432.png

[Big Pistons Forever]

I wonder what you have to do to be posted to Ascension Island ?

[beardy]

I wonder what you have to do to be posted to Ascension Island ?
My neighbour grew up there, his father was maintaing the aerial network. He loved it. So I suppose to answer your question: lucky.
And yes I've been there.

[Dan Gerous]

I wonder what you have to do to be posted to Ascension Island ?

Be lucky.

[ORAC]

Did my R&R there from my second tour in the FI at Mount Alice.

Everything is relative….

[aloominumtoob]

A very interesting place.

[BEagle]

The runway on Ascension (Wideawake Airfield) has completed its refurbishment (in May) and is fully serviceable once more.

I wonder whether the Voyager crews will use the high speed exit loop correctly, unlike the TriStar mob used to!

[ATSA1]

I did a 6 month detachment there nearly 40 years ago...loved it..I still dream about it...

[Juan Tugoh]

I wonder whether the Voyager crews will use the high speed exit loop correctly, unlike the TriStar mob used to!

What was wrong about how the “TriStar mob” used the loop?

[BEagle]

They used it the wrong way round........

[Juan Tugoh]

They used it the wrong way round........

Coming off at the 90 turn?

[albatross]

A friend who flew for Ferry Command during WW2 passed through there often.

Some interesting history and a landing.

http://www.davidfmitchell.com/uploads/4/3/4/0/43400967/ascension_island_and_the_second_world_war_.pdf


https://youtu.be/HJQOEnV8okk
https://youtu.be/36JQcycgksg