Message posted by Peter A. Forkes on May 19, 2010 at 21:59:32 PST:
I've just got back from watching MAFEX at Keno. Over the last 5 years, or so, I have seen almost every Red Flag, climbed Tikaboo a few times, saw Fire Power Bravo, watched MAFEX from the fence at Nellis and a whole host of other things. But this was by far the most AWESOME thing I have seen, of this ilk. Having seen the dozens of transport planes take off from Nellis for the last few previous MAFEX's I arranged to meet with Keith Watkins (who had flown over from England and Lone Wolf to meet up and go to Keno. Lone Wolf did not show up (which is VERY unlike him) and I've not been able to get hold of him on his cell all day (I hope he's OK). So, it was just Keith and myself. We met up at the 'Ranch' (on the road to Cedar Gate - N 37 45.214 W 116 07.777) and drove along the dust road toN 37 50.116 W 116 12.428 where were turned south east to follow an almost impassable road (a 4x4 is ABSOLUTELY essential for this) We parked at N 37 49.041 W 116 15.274 which is about 1.9 miles north of the north end of the Keno airstrip (but it looked a LOT closer). Since we did not know exactly where the border markers were, we didn't want to take any risks. Next time I'll be driving closer to the border, which will put me 1 mile from the north end of the run way. Four C-17A's landed, turned around (we could not see this because of the dust that they kicked up) then took off 5-minutes later. Then 5-minutes after that the next one landed. The four C-17As were (in order): As these C-17As were coming into gland and take off from Keno (which is basically just a dirt strip) an F-18 was buzzing them, so they were dropping flares as they came in to land and as the took off. Some of these fire works were amazing, as they were dropping 20 or so flares at a time. The NOTAM said that the exercise was supposed to start at 13:40 (local time): M0164/10 - LARGE FORCE EXCERCISE IN PROGRESS. MASS LAUNCH AND RECOVERY TIMES But at 13:20 we began being 'buzzed' by C-17As, no more than 200 feet above us, as we wended our way to the parking spot. At one point I counted 14 C-130s and 12 C-17As all visible, and in the air, at one time. Of all the exercises that I have ever seen, this was BY FAR the most amazing. I am guessing that the next one is November 17th. mark your calendars! PS Keith Watkins had his camera with him, so maybe he'll post photos, when he gets back to England, next week.
06-6161 THUG70
05-5144 THUG80
99-0169 THUG90
07-7176 X
ARE: 1340L UNTIL 1440L. 19 MAY 20:40 2010 UNTIL 19 MAY 21:40 2010. CREATED:
17 MAY 22:37 2010
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