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Ascension airfield

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Ascension airfield

Old 1st May 2017, 19:10
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Ascension airfield

I have just seen a report that Ascension is currently unusable by Voyager aircraft. I thought that a party of Royal Engineers were enroute to rehabiliate the airfield but the press release states that Voyager will not be able to operate there until 2019/20!
How bad is the damage?
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Old 1st May 2017, 19:12
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A link to the Report would be helpful or, if on paper, at least a summary of the content and the source.

Apologies for lack of psychic powers
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Old 1st May 2017, 19:19
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Suggests here the runway surface is being replaced...

https://www.ch-aviation.com/portal/n...land-suspended
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Old 1st May 2017, 19:21
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For those unfamiliar with the power of search engines-
http://www.ascension-island.gov.ac/i...ension-island/
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Old 1st May 2017, 19:33
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Thanks ... much quicker than searching Google.

So ... a bit of a bu66er, and a fair few £££/$$$ involved. I doubt a 'party of RE' will be able to improve the bearing strength of the RW: a Regiment might do the job, though
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Old 1st May 2017, 19:44
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Originally Posted by MPN11
Thanks ... much quicker than searching Google.

So ... a bit of a bu66er, and a fair few £££/$$$ involved. I doubt a 'party of RE' will be able to improve the bearing strength of the RW: a Regiment might do the job, though

So who "owns" the concrete? I thought Wideawake airfield was an US operated facility, but on an UK island. Does UK subsidize the airstrip with landing fees? Contract? Cost share? Or does the US pay the UK for the privilege of having an airstrip?
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Old 1st May 2017, 19:46
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Originally Posted by sandiego89
So who "owns" the concrete? I thought Wideawake airfield was an US operated facility, but on an UK island. Does UK subsidize the airstrip with landing fees? Contract? Cost share? Or does the US pay the UK for the privilege of having an airstrip?
That's why I said '£££/$$$' ... time will reveal all, I suspect.

The RAF's fault for having such big, heavy, aircraft of course
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Old 1st May 2017, 20:04
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Any idea where the Voyagers will be routing through now en-route to the Falklands?
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Old 1st May 2017, 20:17
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Tubby, a link would enable people to read the same report you read
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Old 1st May 2017, 20:23
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https://www.gov.uk/government/public...lternate-aerod

TS No.31/2016] UK/USA: Exchange of Notes concerning the use of Wideawake Airfield on Ascension Island by Civil Aircraft(Air Links and Alternate Aerodrome Agreement)

"...Notwithstanding the use of Wideawake Airfield by civil aircraft under this Agreement, the USG will continue to operate Wideawake Airfield as a military airfield, according to U.S. military standards and requirements, and civil aircraft use of Wideawake Airfield pursuant to this Agreement shall be subject to U.S. military operating procedures...."
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Old 1st May 2017, 20:39
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From FIC Airbridge on Facebook

**INFORMATION FROM THE CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER REGARDING THE YELLOW FEVER VACCINE**

We have been informed that until further notice all airbridge flights are likely to transit via Africa.

Tonight’s flights will transit through Dakar in Senegal and should only be on the ground there for approximately 2hrs.
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Old 1st May 2017, 21:57
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The reference to Royal Engineers was in a brief report by Janes.
UK sends engineer team to repair Ascension Island runway | IHS Jane's 360
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Old 2nd May 2017, 09:30
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This happened in mid 90's when we ran a Herc det shuttling Asi-Recife in Brazil and return.
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Old 2nd May 2017, 13:21
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Recife det. It wasn't bad!

OAP
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Old 2nd May 2017, 15:20
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There's a great runway in St Helena...............ok, I'll get my coat.
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Old 2nd May 2017, 15:51
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Err,don`t we have things called`tankers`,or even tactical aircraft,Herk and Grizzly?...bet the `Nightfighters` in Dakar will be happy....
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Old 2nd May 2017, 15:59
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Dakar seems a strange choice, given the fuel needed to fly to MPA with an acceptable diversion and must surely limit the available payload?

I would have thought that Recife or Rio would have been preferable?

Is the new Blaise Diagne International Airport open yet, or are they really intending to QTR at the original (GOOY)?

The S Atlantic weather being as fickle as it is, trying to make a decision based on the forecasts will be...interesting. Particularly if the infrastructure at Dakar is still as poor as I remember it being 15 years ago. Friendly folks in ATC though, always helpful and polite.

I guess the A400M will be able to use whichever bits of ASI aren't under WiP? Or will all movements have to be by sea ?
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Old 2nd May 2017, 18:20
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Dakar was the sweet-spot in the 80's, as I stood on the edge of a remote dispersal having a smoke while they serviced the VC-10, and the sewage was decanted badly over whoever the poor sod was!

Remote, as in out if sight and out of mind ... politically, I suspected.
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Old 3rd May 2017, 12:28
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Banjul not far away; Gambia's new U.K-friendly govt poised to rejoin Commonwealth might just come in handy
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Old 3rd May 2017, 12:43
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However...........

I had a friend who was booked on the civvy seats for this trip last week, but it was pulled. Being a conspiracy theorist, he has an idea that there are too many of Donald's strategic assets there, that shouldn't bee seen by civilian eyes at the moment, who knows? he might be right !
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