End of an Era. A2A with the RNLAF and BAF Vipers

Prose and Photography: Craig Strawbridge

7th of August 2024 is a special day, as it marks the imminent arrival of the Belgian and Dutch Air Force to RAF Valley to participate in the annual family day event, held the following day. The Belgian Air Force, in particular, regularly appear at the event, due to their long-standing close ties with RAF Valley, which have been in place since World War II. During this event the Centre of Aviation Photography (COAP) are tasked with organising air to air shoots with these airframes over Snowdonia or Eryri as it’s now referred to (back to traditional Welsh name) and the base itself. This year however, was different for a couple of reasons.

The first reason being that unfortunately due to poor weather, all flying at RAF Valley’s event has been cancelled, with Belgians and Dutch also cancelling their arrival. However, with some quick thinking and a monumental effort undertaken by the guys at COAP, they managed (at very short notice) to rearrange for the photoshoot with the Dutch and Belgian Air Forces to be undertaken over Norfolk and East Anglia. 

The second reason this is a particularly special year is that the F-16 Vipers of the Dutch and Belgian Air Forces are being retired after 45 years of service, with the Dutch Air Force in particular retiring the last of their Vipers at the end of September 2024. These jets are to be replaced by Lockheed Martin's 5th generation stealth fighter, the F-35A. 

The day started early with breakfast and a safety briefing before we stepped to our Cessna caravan photoship, where we were harnessed and strapped into the aircraft. We launched and slowly climbed to around 5000ft and headed towards the rally point over the coast. After a while we were tapped on the shoulder and moved into position. Final safety checks were completed and the net covering the open door was removed. 

It is initially quite unsettling (despite being safely strapped in) as we inched towards the edge of this open door; you look down as the ground drops miles away from you! Even so, we got into position and waited before we got a second tap on the shoulder from one of the COAP team, indicating the Dutch were five minutes out. 

Before we knew it, two small dots appeared on the horizon and the two F-16’s from 312 ‘Bonzo’ squadron approached and briefly disappeared behind us. The anticipation and excitement built up before more hand gestures indicated they were approaching our aircraft from the rear and before we knew it, two Vipers appeared and positioned themselves beautifully on our wing. What a sight!

The lead jet was sporting the special 312 Squadron farewell Viper paint scheme on the tail and spine of the jet. We immediately started snapping away, momentarily lowering our cameras just to appreciate what an insane sight it is seeing these jets alongside us. We received another tap on the shoulder followed by hand gestures indicating what manoeuvre the jets were going to perform, which allowed us to prepare for it. 

Before we knew it, the lead pilot did a quick left and right check and the jets broke with the lead disappearing under us and the second breaking away from us. This was repeated over and over with the jets manoeuvring over, under and around us in a variety of ways in order for us to get some epic shots. 40 minutes happened quickly, and with a wing wave, the F-16s broke left, returning to their base at Volkel. 

The flight back to our airfield (old Buckenham) was speechless with the only sound coming from the deafening wind noise from the side door. There were several thumbs up and smiling faces indicating how awesome and enjoyable that experience was. Once we landed we went to the local pub around the corner to rehydrate and grab some food where we chat excitedly about what has just happened with some quick checks and comparisons of back of camera images celebrating each other’s shots. It wasn’t long before we were jumping back into our vehicles to head back to the airfield to prepare for the afternoon sortie (for extra clarification, no alcohol was consumed as this was not permitted on the sortie). 

We launched and the weather conditions had changed with a blanket of cloud lying between 3000 and 5000 feet, but after a short while we broke through the clouds and the conditions were stunning, with lots of texture from the cloud below us and some light wispy clouds above us. The same procedure happened as before and once again we got a tap to say five minutes out. And once again, two small dots appeared to the side of us, disappearing for a moment and all of a sudden round two was upon us as two more F-16's sat beautifully on our wing. 

This time it’s the Belgians' turn, with two jets from 350 Squadron. The lead jet this time was borrowed from 1 Squadron ‘Stingers’ sporting their black and yellow paint scheme down the spine and tail of the aircraft. As before, we got a tap on the shoulder and hand gestures indicating what manoeuvre was going to be undertaken, and the process repeated again with 30 minutes of manoeuvres over, under and around our aircraft, before they also broke left and disappeared back to base. 

Upon returning to our airfield, we momentarily sat happily chatting about how special this day had been and also the appreciation for the effort undertaken by COAP to allow this to happen. Then, there’s the realisation that sadly it’s unlikely anyone in the UK will see the legendary Dutch and Belgian F-16’s again before they’re retired, dispersed and dismantled for other uses. We are super lucky to have had this last chance to catch such an iconic jet. This is a day that will live in all of our memories for life, thank you again to COAP for everything!