Six Israeli F-16C/Ds Barak fighters, 2 KC707s and a G550 CAEW visited the German airbase at Norvenich. They took part in a two week combined exercise called Blue Wings 2020, starting 17 till 28 August. Unique as this was the first time the Israeli Defence Air Force (IDF-AF) set foot on German soil. Also unique as the IDF-AF isn’t often seen this Northerly in Europe.
The two week exercise consisted of two missions a day in which four F-16s and the G550 would join German EF2000s from several bases. The mission most of the times took place North, towards the North Sea or South over the Mosel river area. During the second week two KC707s joined to give areal support as well.
During their stay in Germany, the IDF-AF also took part in a memorial event, with F-16s and the G550 flying in a formation over Dachau concentration camp and former Fuerstenfeldbruck airbase. The later to commemorate the 1972 terrorists attack at the Munich Olympics, and the aftermath at Fuerstenfeldbruck.
During our visit, the weather wasn’t great, not like the first week. Some sunshine during the morning session, which started at 9.30. The aircraft returned after 11. The afternoon session, with some light rain during departure started at 15.00. Because weather was expected to be worse on return we left after departure. The G-V which arrived before the returning aircraft of the morning wave, brought a VIP which attended a small ceremony for which F-16D 628 and EF2000 30+96 (Sword of Boelcke special c/s) were placed in front of a hangar.
272, KC-707
-, F-16
-, F-16
676, F-16
676, F-16
676, F-16
676, F-16
682, F-16
682, F-16
682, F-16
536, F-16
536, F-16
531, F-16
531, F-16
531, F-16
531, F-16
-, F-16
531, F-16
30+96, EF2000
272, KC-707
679, G-V
679, G-V
275, KC-707
275, KC-707
275, KC-707
275, KC-707
275, KC-707
676, F-16
682, F-16
682, F-16
536, F-16
536, F-16
536, F-16
536, F-16
531, F-16
531, F-16
531, F-16
30+94, EF2000
31+37, EF2000
30+94, EF2000
30+54, EF2000
31+34, EF2000
31+40, EF2000
31+40, EF2000
569, G550
569, G550
569, G550
569, G550
272, KC-707
569, G550
-, F-16
628, F-16
272, KC-707
272, KC-707
628, F-16
682, F-16
682, F-16
536, F-16
536, F-16
531, F-16
531, F-16
531, F-16
-, F-16
531, F-16
-, F-16
-, F-16
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, almost all airshows and exercises were cancelled for 2020. So Blue Wings was a real treat, attracting aviation enthusiasts from whole over Europe. Every day the fence at the end of runway 25 was crowded with enthusiasts and their stairs. The Police closed off the roads around the airfield, but it was possible to park your car at nearby Wissersheim and walk or cycle, 2,5 km towards the base. All security forces were friendly and the atmosphere was good, meeting fellow enthusiasts after a long period of aviation lockdown.
Logs
IDF-AF aircraft taking part in the exercise:
| Serial |
Aircraft |
Unit / notes |
| 628 |
F-16D |
105 Sqn |
| 676 |
F-16D |
105 Sqn |
| 682 |
F-16D |
105 Sqn |
| 536 |
F-16C |
101 Sqn |
| 531 |
F-16C |
101 Sqn |
| 534 |
F-16C |
101 Sqn (Not flying 25 Aug.) |
| 272 |
KC-707 |
120 Sqn |
| 275 |
KC-707 |
120 Sqn |
| 569 |
G550 CAEW |
122 Sqn |
| 679 |
G-V |
122 Sqn SIGINT aircraft. Visits 17-19 and 25-26 aug. |
During the two weeks, support planes visited Norvenich on several occasions. KC-130: 522 and 427. C-130J 667 and KC707 260 during arrival.
Several German EF2000s joined. On the 25th we noted 30+94, 31+37, 30+54, 31+34, 31+40 and 30+96.