Photo call Kleine Brogel 2006

Photo call Kleine Brogel

Combine the Belgian Independence Day with an airshow at Leopoldsburg which is held in the same weekend and you have a reason for a photo call at Kleine Brogel on Friday the 21st of July. Several demonstration teams arrived at Kleine Brogel prior to the Sanicole Airshow 2006 at Leopoldsburg, close to Kleine Brogel. E.g. the 'Asas de portugal', the Breitling Team, the French Mirage 2000C and the Dutch F-16 Solo Dislay Team were among the participants, One of the highlights was a Czech Air Force JAS-39D Gripen. As a tradition, an USAF B-1B participated in this years edition of the Sanicole Airshow. Unfortunately, the B-1B operated from RAF Fairford and made some (very) high passes at Kleine Brogel during the practice day. The Sanicole Airshow was held on the airfield located between Leopoldsburg and Hechtel, with only a few miles away from Kleine Brogel. So the enthusiasts at Kleine Brogel witnessed the aircraft taking off from Kleine Brogel but they were also able to see the practice display on the horizon... Activity from the local F-16's started in the afternoon with 12 F-16's taking off to participate in the parade above Brussels.

The Czech air Force replaced it's Mig-21 fleet with 14 Gripen fighters and took delivery of its first Gripens in April 2005. By the end of August, all the remaining Gripens had been delivered and based as Casláv air base. One of the two duals in the inventory (serial 9819) of the Czech Air Force is seen here taxiing on the taxiway shortly after the arrival.

Another Czech Air Force aircraft is seen here. A pair of L.159A Alca's did their rehearsel on the Friday. One of them, the 6065, is seen here taxiing towards the runway.

The take off from a Belgian Air Force Fouga CM.170R Magister is most of the time impressive. During the start of the display, the pilot keeps the aircraft very low above the runway with the wheels up and with only a few feet altitude. Totally, three Magisters were present at Kleine Brogel. One of them, with serial MT-35, is seen here while making a very nice pass.

'Asas de Portugal' is a two-ship formation display team from the Portuguese Air Force. Before the current livery was applied on this particular Alpha Jet A (with serial 15250), it flew arround for years with a tiger livery.

Two Royal Netherlands Air Force F-16AM's arrived at Kleine Brogel. The pilots made a few nice passes prior to the landing. One of them was the well known F-16AM, serial J-055, wearing the demo livery. Another regular example was the spare aircraft.