Sunday, July 31, 2016

Another US Army aircraft mystery solved

Over the last few months I have been trying the solve the mystery of Mode-S hex code AE57D7. Based on intercepts I knew it was a US Army aircraft, probably a C-12 based on the PAT missions it was flying and based in the mid-Atlantic states (probably at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, NJ).
Here are just some of the Priority Air Transport Mode-S IDs I have seen recently.
PAT 102/141/156/166/326/404/433/483/526/572/605/626/653/763/783/836

Friday the aircraft finally revealed its true identity in its Mode-S Hex address:

AE57D7  2016-07-29  21:00:36.000  R00261  Palmer, MA USA 

US Army 2-228 AVN C-12 Huron returning to KWRI from Afghanistan in 2014 (US Army Photo)
R00261 corresponds to 10-00261, a Beech C-12V-1 Huron based with the A/2-228 AVN at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, NJ (KWRI). Prior to March 2014 this aircraft was using its civilian hex code of  AB146A. Now it is using its military hex code of AE57D7.

Glad to put this one to bed . . . finally.


Saturday, July 30, 2016

Mode-S/ADS Milcom Intercepts 29 July 2016 - Brasstown NC

Here is the latest round of Mode-S/ADS-B Military/Government intercepts logged from here on the radio ranch in WNC. All dates/times are UTC and sorted in date/time order.

AE189A 05-4613 SPAR14  2016-07-29 23:38:07 C-40C United States AFRC | 932AW | 73AS [KBLV] 
AE0178 84-0129 SWIFT01  2016-07-29 23:06:09 C-21A United States USAF | 375AW | 457AS [KADW] 
AE0587 87-0042 HEFTY22  2016-07-29 22:10:06 C-5M United States USAF | 60AMW [KSUU]  1344  41000 
AE02D3 92-3023 ---   2016-07-29 21:42:12 C-130H United States AFRC | 910AW | 757AS [KYNG]  6026  23000 
AE02C7 89-9103 ---   2016-07-29 21:38:08 C-130H United States AFRC | 910AW | 757AS [KYNG]  7202  21000 
ADFED0 85-1262 ---   2016-07-29 21:20:05 C-12U United States USARMY (OSACOM Det25 TNArNG) 
AE04AD 99-0104 ---   2016-07-29 19:38:13 UC-35a1 United States USARC | A/2-228 AVN (TA) [KWRI ] 
AE54DB 166201 ---   2016-07-29 17:56:08 T-6B United States ---  5262  21050 
AE54DE 166204 ---   2016-07-29 17:40:09 T-6B United States  ---
AE20C2 07-7181 TURTLE4  2016-07-29 17:26:14 C-17A United States USAF | 437AW [KCHS]  1035  26000 
AE0384 59-1458 EDDIE61  2016-07-29 17:24:12 KC-135R United States OH ANG | 121ARW [KLCK] 
ADFCCD 93-0653 ---   2016-07-29 16:52:08 T-1A Jayhawk United States USAF | 71FTW | 32FTS [KEND] 
AE03F8 84-0154 ---   2016-07-29 16:34:25 C-12U United States LA ARNG | OSACOM Det38 [KHDC] 
AE04A2 60-0359 INDY82  2016-07-29 16:26:25 KC-135R United States AFRC | 434ARW | 72ARS [KGUS] 
AE143A 166715 ---   2016-07-29 16:24:11 UC-35D United States USMC | VMR-1 [KNKT]  1614  43000 
AE1198 03-3115 RCH204  2016-07-29 16:08:15 C-17A United States MS ANG | 172AW | 183AS [KJAN]  5621  37000 
AE05A4 62-3500 E23500  2016-07-29 16:06:22 KC-135R United States WI ANG | 128ARW | 126ARS [KMKE]  3605  40000 
AE087E 01-0028 ---   2016-07-29 15:44:12 C-37A United States USAF | 6AMW | 310AS [KMCF] 
AE047F 59-1509 ---   2016-07-29 15:12:08 KC-135R United States TN ANG | 134ARW | 151ARS [KTYS] 
AE04E9 61-0272 MASH81  2016-07-29 15:10:24 KC-135R United States AFRC | 434ARW | 72ARS [KGUS] 
AE038B 62-3543 DECEE95  2016-07-29 15:10:23 KC-135R United States AFRC | 459ARW | 756ARS [KADW] 
AE02D3 92-3023 VADER23  2016-07-29 14:48:13 C-130H United States AFRC | 910AW | 757AS [KYNG]  6026  23000 
AE02C7 89-9103 VADER03  2016-07-29 14:46:20 C-130H United States AFRC | 910AW | 757AS [KYNG]  7202  21000 
AE5719 168981 CNV4602  2016-07-29 14:02:26 C-40A United States USNR | VR-61 [KNUW] 
AE4C61 10-0739 ---   2016-07-29 13:08:09 MC-12W United States USAF | 9RW | 489RS [KBAB] 
AE1173 02-1101 RCH343T  2016-07-29 02:24:04 C-17A United States USAF | 437AW [KCHS]  2061  33000 
AE0654 58-0071 ---   2016-07-29 01:34:07 KC-135T United States USAF | 22ARW [KIAB] 
AE0433 02-5001 ---   2016-07-29 01:28:05 C-32B United States USAF | 486FLTS [KVPS]  1645  33725 

Friday, July 29, 2016

Mode-S/ADS Milcom Intercepts 28 July 2016 - Brasstown NC

Here is the latest round of Mode-S/ADS-B Military/Government intercepts logged from here on the radio ranch in WNC. All dates/times are UTC and sorted in date/time order.

AE01A4 86-0377 SPAR993  2016-07-28 23:34:06 C-21A United States CO ANG | 140WG | 200AS [KCOS] 
AE0410 163918 AWOKE67  2016-07-28 22:46:07 E-6B United States USN | SCW-1 [KTIK]  ---  26975 
AE03F8 84-0154 ---   2016-07-28 21:38:08 C-12U United States LA ARNG | OSACOM Det38 [KHDC]  6256  27925 
AE03D1 164181 ---   2016-07-28 21:00:11 KC-130T United States USMCR | VMGR-452 [KSWF]  0645  20975 
AE0272 64-14840 EDDIE95  2016-07-28 20:44:07 KC-135R United States OH ANG | 121ARW [KLCK]  0776  33000 
AE03FD 84-0144 ---   2016-07-28 20:30:14 C-12C United States  ---
AE093D 01-0301 ---   2016-07-28 18:34:16 UC-35a1 United States US Army | OSACOM PATD [KADW]  ---  40000 
AE0419 164407 KOVA48  2016-07-28 18:20:08 E-6B United States USN | SCW-1 [KTIK]  ---  36000 
AE0228 86-0030 HOIST94  2016-07-28 17:28:11 KC-10A United States USAF | 305AMW [KWRI]  ---  34025 
AE4A81 09-0525 ---   2016-07-28 16:52:15 C-37B United States USAF | 89AW | 99AS [KADW] 
ADFEB9 99-0003 AF2  2016-07-28 16:18:18 C-32A United States USAF | 89AW | 1AS [KADW] 
AE047F 59-1509 ---   2016-07-28 16:10:18 KC-135R United States TN ANG | 134ARW | 151ARS [KTYS]  5703  31700 
AE0175 84-0120 SPAR506  2016-07-28 15:48:07 C-21A United States ND ANG | 119WG | 117AS [KFAR]  7034  37975 
ADFDB8 93-1038 COBB38  2016-07-28 14:52:13 C-130H United States AFRC | 94AW | 700AS [KMGE] 
AE047F 59-1509 SODA81  2016-07-28 13:50:32 KC-135R United States TN ANG | 134ARW | 151ARS [KTYS]  5703  31700 
AE1211 03-0726 ---   2016-07-28 12:58:27 UC-35C United States USARC | 2-228 AVN 
AE04AD 99-0104 ---   2016-07-28 12:54:35 UC-35a1 United States USARC | A/2-228 AVN (TA) [KWRI ] 

Thursday, July 28, 2016

U.S. Military Open Skies OC-135B makes emergency landing in Russia

Will Stewart reporting for the Daily Mail.com is reporting that United States Open Skies aircraft has made an emergency landing in eastern Russia.

USAF OC-135 Aircraft (USAF Photo)
The surveillance Boeing OC-135B aircraft was flying a mission over Siberia as allowed under the Treaty on Open Skies when it reported a problem with its landing gear.

The unarmed plane made an emergency landing at Khabarovsk airport, but a military source in Russia has questioned whether the technical glitch was genuine.


Under the treaty, signatories are allowed to overfly the skies of each other gathering information about military forces and activities of concern to them.

The American military aircraft had left after a stopover in Ulan-Ude, in the Republic of Buryatia, and was due to fly north to Yakutsk, capital of Siberia's diamond-rich Sakha Republic.

Instead, after take-off the crew noticed the problem and the Boeing went east and made a landing 1,660 miles away in Khabarovsk.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3712608/US-spy-plane-makes-emergency-landing-Russia-problem-landing-gear.html#ixzz4FiVFLFXh

Mode-S/ADS Milcom Intercepts 27 July 2016 - Brasstown NC

Here is the latest round of Mode-S/ADS-B Military/Government intercepts logged from here on the radio ranch in WNC. All dates/times are UTC and sorted in date/time order.

ADFEE1 87-0161 PAT071  2016-07-27 22:56:07 C-12U United States AL ARNG | OSACOM DET-5  3714  25950 
AE11D2 71-1407 ---   2016-07-27 21:56:05 E-3C United States USAF | 552ACW [KTIK] 
AE08FC 84-24379 00000000  2016-07-27 21:54:08 C-12R United States USARC | A/2-228 AVN (TA) [KWRI ] 
AE57C3 168998 TRDNT16  2016-07-27 21:20:06 P-8A United States USN |  ---  23000 
AE2FAC 08-8200 RCH933  2016-07-27 20:46:11 C-17A United States USAF | 62AW [KTCM] 
AE1EA6 08-3937 ---   2016-07-27 17:24:07 T-6A United States  ---
ADFC6F 90-0413 ---   2016-07-27 16:44:11 T-1A Jayhawk United States USAF | 14FTW | 48FTS [KCBM] 
ADFF00 96-0112 ---   2016-07-27 16:32:14 C-12J United States USARMY | CARA AVN SECTION [KAPG] 
AE088C 99-3559 ---   2016-07-27 16:14:24 T-6A United States USAF 
AE03F8 84-0154 ---   2016-07-27 15:38:34 C-12U United States LA ARNG | OSACOM Det38 [KHDC] 
AE1173 02-1101 RCH343T  2016-07-27 15:10:24 C-17A United States USAF | 437AW [KCHS]  2125  34000 
ADFD86 94-0259 ---   2016-07-27 14:56:07 C-26D United States Det4/DC-ArNG 
AE596B ------ FIXER55  2016-07-27 14:52:10 ------ United States ---  1754  20000 
AE093A 00-1051 ---   2016-07-27 13:28:11 UC-35B United States USARC | B/2-228 AVN (TA) [KMGE] 
AE1211 03-0726 ---   2016-07-27 13:00:12 UC-35C United States USARC | 2-228 AVN 
AE093C 00-1053 ---   2016-07-27 12:34:44 UC-35a1 United States US Army | OSACOM PATD [KADW] 
ADFEC1 96-0111 ---   2016-07-27 12:26:35 UC-35a1 ??? United States USARMY  6263  39000 
AE54D5 12-5773 ---   2016-07-27 01:50:05 HC-130J United States USAF | 23 Wing | 71RQS [KVAD]  
AE54D5 12-5773 KING21  2016-07-27 00:24:52 HC-130J United States USAF | 23 Wing | 71RQS [KVAD]  
ADFDB8 93-1038 COBB38  2016-07-27 00:12:24 C-130H United States AFRC | 94AW | 700AS [KMGE]  
AE4EC1 168756 VVLL803  2016-07-27 00:12:15 P-8A United States USN | VP-45 [KNIP]  7156  31400 

Wednesday, July 27, 2016

Mode-S/ADS Milcom Intercepts 26 July 2016 - Brasstown NC

Here is the latest round of Mode-S/ADS-B Military/Government intercepts logged from here on the radio ranch in WNC. All dates/times are UTC and sorted in date/time order.

AE57C2 168997 TALON83  2016-07-26 23:04:03 P-8A United States USN |  ---  20600 
ADFCF3 94-0148 ---   2016-07-26 22:00:11 T-1A Jayhawk United States USAF | 14FTW | 48FTS  
AE041C 164410 SHADO02  2016-07-26 20:12:09 E-6B United States USN | SCW-1 [KTIK]  3474  23050 
AE4A7A 168204 ---   2016-07-26 19:40:06 UC-12W United States MAW-4  
AE145C 06-6158 BOE58  2016-07-26 18:14:21 C-17A United States USAF | 60AMW | 21AS [KSUU]  
ADFE83 92-0548 DAWG25  2016-07-26 17:36:14 C-130H United States GA ANG | 165AW | 158AS [KSAV]  
AE148F 94-0285 ---   2016-07-26 17:30:17 E-8C United States GA ANG | 116ACW [KWRB]  
AE57C2 168997 TALON81  2016-07-26 17:24:15 P-8A United States USN |  ---  20600 
AE4EB2 168428 ---   2016-07-26 17:02:15 P-8A United States USN | VP-45 [KNIP]  ---  25000 
AE119C 03-3119 RCH269  2016-07-26 17:00:12 C-17A United States USAF | 305AMW | 6AS [KWRI]  
AE54C8 10-5771 PUMA21  2016-07-26 16:44:11 C-130J-30 United States USAF | 19AW [KLRF]  
AE4EB2 168428 PELCN33  2016-07-26 14:38:28 P-8A United States USN | VP-45 [KNIP]  ---  25000 
AE1211 03-0726 ---   2016-07-26 13:20:09 UC-35C United States USARC | 2-228 AVN  
AE01AB 84-0072 SPAR986  2016-07-26 13:14:32 C-21A United States CT ANG | 103FW | 118FS [KBDL]  
AE4EB8 168434 PELCN88  2016-07-26 13:12:08 P-8A United States USN | VP-45 [KNIP]  ---  19850 
AE0303 78-0813 RCH022  2016-07-26 01:38:06 C-130H United States AFRC | 911AW | 758AS [KPIT]  1025  4500 
AE0197 84-0137 SPAR502  2016-07-26 01:08:06 C-21A United States USAF | 375AW | 457AS [KADW]  3  35975 

Tuesday, July 26, 2016

Mode-S/ADS Milcom Intercepts 25 July 2016 - Brasstown NC

Here is the latest round of Mode-S/ADS-B intercepts and selected ATC call signs logged from here on the radio ranch in WNC. All dates/times are UTC and list is sorted in date/time order.

AE087E 01-0028 ---   2016-07-25 23:10:08 C-37A United States USAF | 6AMW | 310AS [KMCF]  
AE0192 84-0125 SPAR978  2016-07-25 22:52:03 C-21A United States CT ANG | 103FW | 118FS [KBDL]  
ADFCF3 94-0148 ---   2016-07-25 22:12:06 T-1A Jayhawk United States USAF | 14FTW | 48FTS  
ADFCF7 95-0043 ---   2016-07-25 21:16:05 T-1A Jayhawk United States USAF | 14FTW | 48FTS  
AE4E05 02 C102  2016-07-25 21:10:11 C-37A United States USCG | CGAS Washington [KDCA]  7204  45000 
ADFEDE 86-0088 ---   2016-07-25 20:04:11 C-12F United States FL ARNG | OSACOM DET-8 [KSGJ]  2617  17975 
AE2FB0 08-8204 RCH949  2016-07-25 19:20:07 C-17A United States USAF | 437AW [KCHS]  1543  37000 
AE58B5 10268 ??? ---   2016-07-25 19:04:12 C-12 United States   ---
AE57C2 168997 TALON11  2016-07-25 19:02:14 P-8A United States USN |  ---  14525 
AE0272 64-14840 EDDIE95  2016-07-25 18:58:13 KC-135R United States OH ANG | 121ARW [KLCK]  1415  32000 
ADFEDB 86-0085 00000000  2016-07-25 18:48:09 C-12U United States NM ARNG | OSACOM DET-44 [KSAF]  
AE08FD 84-24380 WING83  2016-07-25 18:42:11 C-12U United States USARC | A/2-228 AVN (TA) [KWRI ]  
AE03FC 84-0176 ---   2016-07-25 18:18:17 C-12U United States USARMY  6533  25975 
AE4AF9 08-5684 RCH8684  2016-07-25 16:34:26 C-130J-30 United States USAF | 317AG [KDYS]  3131  26975 
A04ECF N119NA ---   2016-07-25 15:48:11 757-223 United States US DOJ  3067  34000 
AC0A69 08-0646 ---   2016-07-25 15:42:32 PC-12/45 United States USAF | 27SOW | 318SOS [KCVS]  
AE4EBE 168440 ---   2016-07-25 14:50:25 P-8A United States USN | VP-30 [KNIP]  ---  20000 
AE0158 58-0112 E80112  2016-07-25 13:44:09 KC-135T United States PA ANG | 171ARW [KPIT]  
AE4EBE 168440 VVLL833  2016-07-25 13:30:38 P-8A United States USN | VP-30 [KNIP]  ---  20000 
ADFEDE 86-0088 PAT1088  2016-07-25 12:00:08 C-12F United States FL ARNG | OSACOM DET-8 [KSGJ]  2617  17975 

Monday, July 25, 2016

Mode-S/ADS Milcom Intercepts 24 July 2016 - Brasstown NC

Here is the latest round of Mode-S/ADS-B intercepts and selected ATC call signs logged from here on the radio ranch in WNC. All dates/times are UTC and list is sorted in date/time order.

AE4E05 02 C102  2016-07-24 23:52:05 C-37A United States USCG | CGAS Washington [KDCA]  
AE0672 63-8014 BACKY95  2016-07-24 23:34:06 KC-135R United States AFRC | 916ARW | 77ARS [KGSB]  
AE0192 84-0125 SPAR978  2016-07-24 22:58:08 C-21A United States CT ANG | 103FW | 118FS [KBDL]  
AE58E5 166244 ??? ---   2016-07-24 22:40:06 T-6B United States   ---
AE12BB 69-5828 FLIP33  2016-07-24 19:36:11 MC-130P United States USAF | 1SOW | 9SOS [KHRT]  
AE074E 163836 ---   2016-07-24 19:08:09 UC-12M United States USN | Oceana  5656  25000 
ADFCE5 94-0134 ---   2016-07-24 19:02:09 T-1A Jayhawk United States USAF  
AE58EE 166253 ??? ---   2016-07-24 18:40:12 T-6B United States   ---
AE171D ------ ---   2016-07-24 17:50:10 T-6B ??? United States USN |  4023  28000 
ADFE83 92-0548 DAWG25  2016-07-24 16:54:13 C-130H United States GA ANG | 165AW | 158AS [KSAV]  
AE01AA 84-0071 SWIFT01  2016-07-24 15:52:06 C-21A United States MI ANG | 110FW | 172AS [KBTL]  2167  34975 
ADFEBE 96-0108 ---   2016-07-24 15:50:19 UC-35a1 United States US Army | OSACOM PAT [KADW?]  
ADFE60 90-1797 JESSE 97  2016-07-24 15:44:08 C-130H United States MO ANG | 139AW | 180AS [KSTJ]  1327  21000 
AE040B 165739 RANGR42  2016-07-24 15:36:10 KC-130J United States USMC | VMGR-234 [KNFW]  ---  19500 
AE1195 166473 RANGR41  2016-07-24 15:36:10 KC-130J United States USMC | VMGR-234 [KNFW]  
AE05DE 87-9281 PITT81  2016-07-24 15:22:13 C-130H United States AFRC | 914AW | 328AS [KIAG]  2504  20000 
AD1149 11-3016 HOUND93  2016-07-24 14:56:05 C-146A United States USAF | 27SOW | 524SOS [KCVS]  ---  23975 
AE5775 10-002xx ---   2016-07-24 14:00:08 C-12V United States US army | 2-228 AVN  

Sunday, July 24, 2016

Mode-S/ADS Milcom Intercepts 23 July 2016 - Brasstown NC

Here is the latest round of Mode-S/ADS-B intercepts and selected ATC call signs logged from here on the radio ranch in WNC. All dates/times are UTC and list is sorted in date/time order.

AE20C9 07-7188 RCH585  2016-07-23 22:28:06 C-17A United States USAF | 437AW [KCHS]  5652  31000 
AE059F 61-0294 BACKY93  2016-07-23 22:10:08 KC-135R United States AFRC | 916ARW | 77ARS [KGSB]  
ADFDEC 94-6707 ---   2016-07-23 20:02:16 C-130H United States GA ANG | 165AW | 158AS [KSAV]  
AE1195 166473 RANGR28  2016-07-23 19:20:05 KC-130J United States USMC | VMGR-234 [KNFW]  
AE07AF 61-0275 UTAH63  2016-07-23 15:58:17 KC-135R United States UT ANG | 151ARW | 191ARS [KSLC]  
AE03FC 84-0176 ---   2016-07-23 14:36:09 C-12U United States USARMY  
AE5719 168981 CNV4482  2016-07-23 13:26:17 C-40A United States USNR | VR-61 [KNUW]  6033  40000 
00000A Various ---   2016-07-23 12:50:14 Various Various ---  7255  30500 
AE01EC 97-3020 ---   2016-07-23 03:20:04 T-6A United States USAF  
AE0201 98-3541 ---   2016-07-23 01:56:02 T-6A United States USAF | 14FTW | 41FTS [KCBM]  
AE1738 06-3838 ---   2016-07-23 01:46:06 T-6A United States USAF  
AE1128 02-3652 ---   2016-07-23 01:44:04 T-6A United States USAF  
AE174D 06-3859 ---   2016-07-23 01:38:06 T-6A United States USAF  
AE01ED 97-3021 ---   2016-07-23 01:34:06 T-6A United States USAF | 14FTW | 41FTS [KCBM]  
AE174B 06-3857 ---   2016-07-23 01:30:07 T-6A United States USAF  
ADFDEC 94-6707 DAWG85  2016-07-23 00:46:06 C-130H United States GA ANG | 165AW | 158AS [KSAV]  
AE54B3 10-0223 RCH921  2016-07-23 00:06:06 C-17A United States USAF | 437AW [KCHS]  2601  36000   



Saturday, July 23, 2016

Mode-S/ADS Milcom Intercepts 22 July 2016 - Brasstown NC

Here is the latest round of Mode-S/ADS-B intercepts and selected ATC call signs logged from here on the radio ranch in WNC. All dates/times are UTC and list is sorted in date/time order.

ADFEB6 75-0125 CADDY55  2016-07-22 22:30:09 E-4B United States USAF | 55WG | 1ACCS [KOFF]  
ADFD09 95-0061 ---   2016-07-22 21:40:05 T-1A Jayhawk United States USAF | 14FTW | 48FTS  
ADFD01 95-0053 ---   2016-07-22 20:20:06 T-1A Jayhawk United States USAF | 14FTW | 48FTS  
AE02D9 89-1181 ---   2016-07-22 20:00:10 C-130H United States AR ANG | 189AW | 154TS [KLRF]  2062  22000 
AE58E5 166244 ??? ---   2016-07-22 19:32:09 T-6B United States   ---
AE58ED 166252 ??? ---   2016-07-22 19:28:06 T-6B United States ---  1200  5100 
AE022D 86-0036 DUCE17  2016-07-22 18:24:12 KC-10A United States USAF | 305AMW [KWRI]  ---  35025 
AE040B 165739 RANGR20  2016-07-22 18:10:18 KC-130J United States USMC | VMGR-234 [KNFW]  
AE5735 169018 RANGR29  2016-07-22 18:08:09 KC-130J United States USMC | VMGR-234 [KNFW]  3440  21000 
AE02D9 89-1181 DAWG55  2016-07-22 18:06:15 C-130H United States AR ANG | 189AW | 154TS [KLRF]  2062  22000 
AE0800 98-0054 TURTLE8  2016-07-22 17:34:13 C-17A United States USAF | 437AW [KCHS]  
AE0672 63-8014 BACK95  2016-07-22 17:26:18 KC-135R United States AFRC | 916ARW | 77ARS [KGSB]  5710  26200 
AE119C 03-3119 RCH269  2016-07-22 17:24:12 C-17A United States USAF | 305AMW | 6AS [KWRI]  
ADFEDD 86-0087 PATQ087  2016-07-22 16:24:12 C-12U United States PA ARNG | OSACOM DET-22 [KMUI]  
AE0471 57-1451 SODA81  2016-07-22 15:44:09 KC-135R United States TN ANG | 134ARW | 151ARS [KTYS]  
AE00E7 ------ ---   2016-07-22 15:44:06 T-38C United States   ---
AE038B 62-3543 DECEE51  2016-07-22 15:36:07 KC-135R United States AFRC | 459ARW | 756ARS [KADW]  
AE06E4 163836 ??? ---   2016-07-22 14:28:11 UC-12F United States USNAVY  
AE0158 58-0112 E80112  2016-07-22 13:58:48 KC-135T United States PA ANG | 171ARW [KPIT]  
AB3FDA 08-0718 80718  2016-07-22 12:34:19 U-28A United States USAF | 1SOW | 319SOS [KHRT]  
AE0434 66045 ??? ---   2016-07-22 05:00:07 CN-235 United States USAF | 427SOS [KPOB]  
AE4EC6 168761 PELCN33  2016-07-22 02:34:06 P-8A United States USN |  ---  37000 
AE596F 13-5790 KING21  2016-07-22 01:38:07 HC-130J United States USAF | 23 Wing | 71RQS [KVAD]  
AE093D 01-0301 ---   2016-07-22 00:12:05 UC-35a1 United States US Army | OSACOM PATD [KADW]  
ADFDB9 93-1039 COBB39  2016-07-22 00:10:08 C-130H United States AFRC | 94AW | 700AS [KMGE]  

Friday, July 22, 2016

Mode-S/ADS Milcom Intercepts 21 July 2016 - Brasstown NC

Here is the latest round of Mode-S/ADS-B intercepts and selected ATC call signs logged from here on the radio ranch in WNC. All dates/times are UTC and list is sorted in date/time order.

ADFE95 95-0096/95-0088 PAT519  2016-07-21 22:38:07 C-12R+ United States USARMY  ---  25000 
ADFED0 85-1262 ---   2016-07-21 20:50:10 C-12U United States USARMY (OSACOM Det25 TNArNG)  6057  23975 
ADFCE9 94-0138 ---   2016-07-21 20:26:10 T-1A Jayhawk United States USAF | 14FTW | 48FTS  
ADFD03 95-0055 ---   2016-07-21 20:20:07 T-1A Jayhawk United States USAF | 14FTW | 48FTS  
0D0950 --- ---   2016-07-21 20:12:07 --- Mexico ---  2770  38000 
AE0446 99-6143 ---   2016-07-21 20:08:05 C-32B United States USAF | 486FLTS [KVPS]  ---  39975 
ADFED0 85-1262 PAT405  2016-07-21 18:28:12 C-12U United States USARMY (OSACOM Det25 TNArNG)  6057  23975 
AE1438 166713 LOBO713  2016-07-21 18:10:23 UC-35D United States USNavy  7065  8675 
AE05E1 87-9285 ---   2016-07-21 17:50:16 C-130H United States AFRC | 914AW | 328AS [KIAG]  7174  22900 
AE02D9 89-1181 DAWG55  2016-07-21 16:20:11 C-130H United States AR ANG | 189AW | 154TS [KLRF]  
AE05E1 87-9285 PITT85  2016-07-21 15:38:25 C-130H United States AFRC | 914AW | 328AS [KIAG]  7174  22900 
ADFED3 85-1265 PAT1265  2016-07-21 15:28:08 C-12U United States VA ARNG | OSACOM VA RFC [KDAA]  4073  25975 
ADFDBA 93-1040 TITAN83  2016-07-21 14:50:33 C-130H United States AFRC | 94AW | 700AS [KMGE]  
AE57C3 168998 TRDNT12  2016-07-21 14:50:33 P-8A United States USN |  ---  24850 
ADFEBE 96-0108 ---   2016-07-21 14:44:06 UC-35a1 United States US Army | OSACOM PAT [KADW?]  2003  41000 
AE4EBE 168440 VVLL812  2016-07-21 13:08:05 P-8A United States USN | VP-30 [KNIP]  ---  21375 
AE0434 66045 ??? ---   2016-07-21 01:02:07 CN-235 United States USAF | 427SOS [KPOB]  
AE04B7 58-0004 DIXIE37  2016-07-21 00:02:07 KC-135R United States AL ANG | 117ARW | 106ARS [KBHM]  

Thursday, July 21, 2016

Mode-S/ADS Milcom Intercepts 20 July 2016 - Brasstown NC

Here is the latest round of Mode-S/ADS-B intercepts and selected ATC call signs logged from here on the radio ranch in WNC. All dates/times are UTC and list is sorted in date/time order.

AE2FB0 08-8204 RCH949  2016-07-20 22:40:04 C-17A United States USAF | 437AW [KCHS]  1650  36000 
AE13D1 04-1778 ---   2016-07-20 22:06:09 C-37B United States USARMY | OSACOM PATD [KADW]  7450  45000 
ADFE67 91-1236 DERBY21  2016-07-20 21:44:04 C-130H United States KY ANG | 123AW | 165AS [KSDF]  ---  ---
ADFD0A 95-0062 ---   2016-07-20 21:38:07 T-1A Jayhawk United States USAF | 14FTW | 48FTS  ---  ---
ADD445 N990ST NRG90  2016-07-20 21:06:12 737-4Y0 United States National Nuclear Safety Administration  2413  33000 
AE0977 165834 CNV4302  2016-07-20 19:50:10 C-40A United States USNR | VR-58 [KNIP]  ---  ---
AE04DA 165832 CNV4646  2016-07-20 19:38:14 C-40A United States USNR | VR-58 [KNIP]  ---  ---
AE0415 164388 GAMBA71  2016-07-20 19:28:10 E-6B United States USN | SCW-1 [KTIK]  ---  ---
AE1199 03-3116 RCH565  2016-07-20 18:54:14 C-17A United States MS ANG | 172AW | 183AS [KJAN]  5605  35000 
00000A Various ---   2016-07-20 18:40:07 Various Various ---  ---  ---
AE1531 06-4633 GLEAN67  2016-07-20 17:50:14 C-130J-30 United States USAF | 19AW [KLRF]  ---  ---
29CBB8 various ---   2016-07-20 17:32:08 various various Various  ---  ---
AE07D4 90-0535 RCH402  2016-07-20 17:24:10 C-17A United States AFRC | 445AW | 89AS [KFFO]  ---  ---
AE04AF 165741 ---   2016-07-20 16:42:26 UC-35 United States MAW-4  2432  41000 
AE4F16 10-0222 ---   2016-07-20 16:36:08 C-17A United States USAF | 437AW [KCHS]  ---  27275 
AE57C3 168998 00000000  2016-07-20 16:34:26 P-8A United States USN |  0701  30000 
AE035C 58-0062 ---   2016-07-20 16:34:25 KC-135T United States MI ANG | 127WG | 171ARS [KMTC]  ---  ---
AE2FA2 08-8190 ---   2016-07-20 16:34:25 C-17A United States USAF | 437AW [KCHS]  ---  26975 
AE04DF 58-0088 ---   2016-07-20 16:32:08 KC-135T United States MI ANG | 127WG | 171ARS [KMTC]  2541  27000 
AE03FA 84-0146 PAT287  2016-07-20 16:24:09 C-12U United States Det8/NH-ArNG  6272  23950 
AE4F16 10-0222 MOOSE12  2016-07-20 15:58:24 C-17A United States USAF | 437AW [KCHS]  ---  27275 
AE2FA2 08-8190 MOOSE11  2016-07-20 15:54:24 C-17A United States USAF | 437AW [KCHS]  ---  26975 
AE035C 58-0062 JEEP32  2016-07-20 15:52:20 KC-135T United States MI ANG | 127WG | 171ARS [KMTC]  ---  ---
AE20C2 07-7181 RCH725  2016-07-20 15:52:19 C-17A United States USAF | 437AW [KCHS]  7161  34000 
AE04DF 58-0088 JEEP31  2016-07-20 15:50:21 KC-135T United States MI ANG | 127WG | 171ARS [KMTC]  2541  27000 
AE0178 84-0129 REACH667  2016-07-20 14:34:19 C-21A United States USAF | 375AW | 457AS [KADW]  ---  ---
AE1211 03-0726 ---   2016-07-20 13:20:08 UC-35C United States USARC | 2-228 AVN  ---  ---
AE13D1 04-1778 R1778  2016-07-20 12:06:25 C-37B United States USARMY | OSACOM PATD [KADW]  7450  45000 
AE04B7 58-0004 DIXIE52  2016-07-20 01:12:03 KC-135R United States AL ANG | 117ARW | 106ARS [KBHM]  ---  ---
AE5772 10-00256 ---   2016-07-20 00:58:09 C-12V United States ---  ---  ---

US Military Preps F-35 for Operations, Including Possible ISIS Strikes



FARNBOROUGH, England -- The Marines' F-35 Joint Strike Fighter has four deployments lined up across the next five years, a senior official said this week -- and some of them could take it into the heart of the coalition fight against the Islamic State.

Speaking at the Farnborough International Airshow on Monday, Col. William Lieblein said by 2021 the aircraft will have completed three shipboard pumps with a Marine Expeditionary Unit, and one on an aircraft carrier.

"2021 will be here before we know it," he said. "And that's about the same time we start really standing up a significant number of squadrons."

The F-35B "jump jet" variant of the Lockheed Martin aircraft declared initial operational capability just a year ago, and its first deployment has already been announced: Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121 [VMFA-121], in Yuma, Arizona, will move permanently forward to Okinawa, Japan, where the aircraft will be sent out aboard the 31st MEU, which is also permanently forward-based in the Pacific.

Lieblein said other F-35 squadrons will then deploy with two West Coast MEUs, though he could not specify which units would take out the aircraft or when those deployments would take place. The three West Coast MEUs, based at Camp Pendleton, California, are the 11th, 13th and 15th. The 13th MEU deployed in February and began launching airstrikes on Islamic State militants in Iraq and Syria from the Persian Gulf.

Marine Corps spokeswoman Capt. Sarah Burns confirmed that it was a "very real possibility" that a West Coast-based MEU with a squadron of F-35s aboard could receive a similar tasking.

The first carrier deployment for the Marines will come in 2020, Lieblein said. While he could not name the carrier to deploy the aircraft, a Marine official said it may be the USS George H.W. Bush. The Marine Corps plans to acquire 63 F-35C carrier-variant Joint Strike Fighters, which have larger wings and foldable wingtips and are designed for arrested recovery landings. The F-35C is set to achieve IOC in 2018 or early 2019, shortly ahead of the planned deployment.

Lieblein said the transit across the Atlantic of three F-35Bs, two Marine Corps aircraft and one Royal Air Force bird, to the United Kingdom for participation in the Royal International Air Tattoo and Farnborough was a confidence-builder and was accomplished seamlessly, with the same mission profile and the same number of in-flight tanking evolutions that Lieblein had previously done in a Marine Corps F/A-18 Hornet.

"That was a major milestone for us and it demonstrated to ourselves and to everyone else that we can forward deploy this program whenever we want to," he said.

The F-35B is set to enter full-rate production in 2018, and the Marines' aggressive deployment schedule demonstrates how eager officials are to make use of the long-awaited platform.
But it's possible U.S. troops won't have to wait until late 2017 or 2018 to test the mettle of the fifth-generation fighter in combat.

The commander of Air Combat Command, Gen. Herb "Hawk" Carlisle, said Wednesday that he was prepared to deploy the F-35A Air Force variant immediately after the aircraft reaches IOC later this year.

"The minute I declare initial operational capability, if the combatant commander calls me up and says they needed F-35s, I would send them," Carlisle said, according to Bloomberg News.

Wednesday, July 20, 2016

Cleveland RNC CAP Update - 7/19/2016

Chris on the Milcom group has passed along the following information regarding the NORAD CAP in Cleveland for the RNC:


"260.900 with Sonic (fighter) and Gasman (tanker). Air to air 247.050 and 121.500 was active."

Chris' intercept on 247.050 for A/A has been used before and we believe is part of a subset of  frequencies used in CONUS.

So keep an eye on the following freqs nationwide for some interesting ops from time to time.

228.150  231.750  235.950  239.550  243.475  245.050  247.050  251.725  256.100  257.450  262.850  265.975  267.475  270.150  270.950  274.075  275.000  277.350  279.175  283.050  284.800  288.550  289.500  290.000  291.000  305.550  327.450  349.550  369.275  377.700


Mode-S/ADS Milcom Intercepts 19 July 2016 - Brasstown NC

Here is the latest round of Mode-S/ADS-B intercepts and selected ATC call signs logged from here on the radio ranch in WNC. All dates/times are UTC and list is sorted in date/time order.

ADFD7D 91-0513 ---   2016-07-19 22:28:08 C-26D United States SC ARNG |OSACOM DET-24  7143  20000 
AE57B4 168848 TRDNT24  2016-07-19 21:52:05 P-8A United States USN |  ---  35000 
AE04AD 99-0104 ---   2016-07-19 21:12:04 UC-35a1 United States USARC | A/2-228 AVN (TA) [KWRI ]  1331  31700 
ADFEE1 87-0161 PAT090  2016-07-19 20:06:09 C-12U United States AL ARNG | OSACOM DET-5  2323  23925 
0A400A 7T-VPM ---   2016-07-19 19:00:08 Gulfstream IVSP Algeria 2ETTL  0702  40000 
ADFEA2 96-7322 ANVIL50  2016-07-19 18:22:13 C-130H United States AFRC | 302AW | 731AS [KCOS]  0722  23100 
ADFF00 96-0112 ---   2016-07-19 17:56:04 C-12J United States USARMY | CARA AVN SECTION [KAPG]  5634  25000 
ADFEBE 96-0108 ---   2016-07-19 17:40:10 UC-35a1 United States US Army | OSACOM PAT [KADW?]  ---  ---
AE119C 03-3119 RCH220  2016-07-19 17:32:12 C-17A United States USAF | 305AMW | 6AS [KWRI]  3633  36000 
ADFEB6 75-0125 FILEES1  2016-07-19 16:50:17 E-4B United States USAF | 55WG | 1ACCS [KOFF]  6650  30075 
AE4EB7 168433 ---   2016-07-19 16:48:08 P-8A United States USN | VP-30 [KNIP]  ---  35000 
00000A Various ---   2016-07-19 16:46:10 Various Various ---  3022  24300 
AE4AE6 09-0015 VENUS95  2016-07-19 16:46:10 C-32A United States USAF | 89AW | 1AS [KADW]  6502  30025 
ADFE4D 94-0321 ---   2016-07-19 16:30:16 C-12R United States USARC | 6-52 AVN (TA)  ---  26000 
ADFDD6 95-6712 ANVIL21  2016-07-19 16:06:22 C-130H United States WV ANG | 130AW | 130AS [KCRW]  1402  22000 
AE0389 62-3514 TOPCAT1  2016-07-19 16:02:17 KC-135R United States NJ ANG | 108W | 141ARS [KWRI]  1135  27000 
ADFE4D 94-0321 PAT135  2016-07-19 14:30:37 C-12R United States USARC | 6-52 AVN (TA)  ---  26000 
AE4EB7 168433 LANCR13  2016-07-19 13:24:08 P-8A United States USN | VP-30 [KNIP]  ---  35000 
ADD445 N990ST NRG90  2016-07-19 13:20:07 737-4Y0 United States National Nuclear Safety Administration  5715  32025 
AE0169 86-0204 ---   2016-07-19 11:50:25 C-20B United States USAF | 89AW | 99AS [KADW]  ---  ---

Tuesday, July 19, 2016

Mode-S/ADS Milcom Intercepts 17-18 July 2016 - Brasstown NC

Here is the latest round of Mode-S/ADS-B intercepts and selected ATC call signs logged from here on the radio ranch in WNC. All dates/times are UTC and list is sorted in date/time order.

ADFEDB 86-0085 00000000  2016-07-18 23:56:59 C-12U United States NM ARNG | OSACOM DET-44 [KSAF]  1530  17025 
AE07E9 95-0106 TNCAN52  2016-07-18 23:41:17 C-17A United States USAF | 62AW [KTCM]  ---  ---
AE04AD 99-0104 ---   2016-07-18 20:08:13 UC-35a1 United States USARC | A/2-228 AVN (TA) [KWRI ]  ---  ---
29CBB8 various ---   2016-07-18 18:26:52 various various Various  ---  ---
AE0178 84-0129 REACH69  2016-07-18 17:57:39 C-21A United States USAF | 375AW | 457AS [KADW]  ---  ---
AE07E6 95-0103 BOE28  2016-07-18 17:34:38 C-17A United States USAF | 62AW [KTCM]  ---  ---
AE1395 61-4856 ---   2016-07-18 16:58:36 T-38C United States USN | TPS [KNHK]  ---  ---
AE138E 67-4943 ---   2016-07-18 14:56:58 T-38C United States USN | TPS [KNHK]  7245  27950 
AE49C2 09-9206 ---   2016-07-18 14:05:20 C-17A United States USAF | 437AW [KCHS]  ---  ---
00014A 163839 ---   2016-07-18 13:25:32 UC-12M United States USMC  6227  24000 
AE1443 05-8157 HOBBY45  2016-07-17 23:38:25 C-130J-30 United States AFRC | 403AW | 815AS [KBIX] 1023  24950
AE1E7E 166032 ---   2016-07-17 22:03:49 T-6B United States USN | TAW-5 | VT-3  ---  ---
AE4A11 166136 ---   2016-07-17 21:37:39 T-6B United States USN |  ---  ---
ADFEE1 87-0161 PAT583  2016-07-17 18:39:49 C-12U United States AL ARNG | OSACOM DET-5  5624  23950 
280000 01-2001/N459PC ---   2016-07-17 18:13:57 F-15/PC112 Various USAFE | 48FW [EGUL] ---  ---

Beale reserve unit returns to refueling mission

Thanks to Iden on SoCalMilcom for the heads up. What frequency will they use for their CP? Will it be the old Tahoe Control on 256.025 MHz? Who will be the first to log it?



“After nearly 8 years, KC-135s are coming back to Beale”
KC-135R 60-0323 (ex-434ARW) Arrived on the base July 10.

USAF Photo

 BEALE AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The Air Force Reserve's 940th Wing here was officially redesignated as the 940th Air Refueling Wing on April 29.

The wing will change from the C2ISR (command, control, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance) mission to the air refueling mission and fly KC-135 Stratotanker, which has provided aerial refueling capability for the United States Air Force for more than 50 years.

The redesignation and mission change will also see the unit change Numbered Air Force organizational assignments from 10th Air Force, Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth, Texas, to 4th Air Force, March Air Reserve Base, California

Historically, the 940th flew Stratotankers for more than three decades until the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure Commission re-aligned the unit.

An air refueling wing since 1977, the unit moved from Mather AFB, California, to McClellan AFB, California, in 1993, and then here in 1998. The former two bases have since closed.

The official ceremony to celebrate the mission redesignation is schedule June 4 at 10 a.m. More information for the ceremony will be released in upcoming weeks.

The first mission-ready KC-135 Stratotanker arrived at Beale Air Force Base July 10 (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Brenda Davis)



Sunday, July 17, 2016

Monitoring the Defenders of the Homeland - NORAD

Monitoring NORAD and Their Combat Air Patrols

 As we move into the 2016 political season, business will start to really pick up for one United States military organization that is charged with watching the busy skies over the U.S. for possible bad guys – NORAD.

115FW CAP Over Madison Wisconsin (USAF Photo)
 At National Special Security Events (NSSE), such as the two political conventions in Cleveland and Philadelphia in the next two weeks and the Presidential Inauguration in Washington in January 2017, NORAD and Combat Air Patrols will play a pivotal role in the security at these events.

 Practically invisible after the end of the Cold War, North American Aerospace Defense (NORAD) Command now has a daily presence over American cities due to the events of September 11, 2001. After the terrorist strikes against New York and Washington, D.C., NORAD was suddenly thrust back into the national spotlight.

 As a result of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the North American Aerospace Defense Command implemented several changes, and made improvements and enhancements to its mission and resources to face a new range of internal threats. Configured to meet outside threats such as a Soviet bomber or missile attack, NORAD had to change to meet a new threat that could appear without warning within the U.S. and Canadian borders. Now NORAD is at the heart of the all the combat air patrol (CAP) missions flown over U.S. cities.

 The organization was established on May 12, 1958, (an effect of the Cold War) as a joint command between the governments of Canada and the United States, as the North American Air Defense Command. Its main technical facility has been the Cheyenne Mountain Directorate, formerly Cheyenne Mountain Operations Center, of the Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station, Colorado; and for this reason NORAD is sometimes referred to as Cheyenne Mountain.

 Similar to the Cheyenne Mountain Directorate, but on a smaller scale, the Canada East and Canada West Sector Air Operations Control Centers were located in an underground complex 600 feet below the surface at Canadian Forces Base (CFB) North Bay in Ontario, Canada.

 On October 12, 2006, NORAD operations at CFB North Bay have officially moved above ground into the Sergeant David L. Pitcher Building, and the underground complex has been "moth balled" but can be returned to operation if it should be needed again.

 The Commander of NORAD and U.S. Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) maintains a headquarters and command center at Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The NORAD and USNORTHCOM Command Center serves as a central collection and coordination facility for a worldwide system of sensors designed to provide the commander and the leadership of Canada and the U.S. with an accurate picture of any aerospace or maritime threat.

 NORAD has administratively divided the North American landmass into three regions, the Alaska NORAD (ANR) Region, under Eleventh Air Force; the Canadian NORAD (CANR) Region, under 1 Canadian Air Division, and the Continental U.S. (CONR) Region, under 1 AF/CONR-AFNORTH. Both the CONR and CANR regions are divided into eastern and western sectors.



NORAD Combat Air Patrols Protect North America

 The military definition of a combat air patrol is an aircraft patrol that protects an objective area, over a military force, over a critical area of a combat zone, or over an air defense area, for the purpose of intercepting and destroying hostile aircraft before they reach their target. Combat air patrols apply to both overland and over water operations, protecting other aircraft, fixed and mobile sites on land, or ships at sea.

 A CAP typically entails fighter aircraft flying a tactical pattern around or screening a defended target, while looking for incoming attackers. Effective combat air patrol patterns may include aircraft positioned at both high and low altitudes, in order to shorten response times when an attack is detected. Modern CAPs use either Ground Control Intercept (GCI) radar units or an AWACS aircraft to provide maximum early warning for defensive reaction.

 The most common CAP mission flown over the U.S. today is done under the banner of Operation Noble Eagle (ONE). It is the name given to military operations related to homeland security and support to federal, state, and local agencies.

 This operation marks the first combat mission for the U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor. The United States Department of Defense also provides F-15 Eagles and F-16 Fighting Falcons to this operation, and the Canadian Forces provided CF-18s.

 The F-15, F-16 and F-22 fighters assigned to NORAD have carried out intensive patrolling operations since the 9/11 attacks. E-3 Airborne Warning and Control System aircraft – from Air Force and NATO – have also been flying many missions and are used to direct action against any hostile aircraft in U.S. airspace. A large number of KC-10 and KC-135 aerial tankers have been engaged in this mission.

After the 2004 reorganization by DoD of the 225-400 MHz band, NORAD frequencies went through some changes. We utilized our exclusive milcom monitor team and flushed out the new lineup of NORAD frequencies. Load the frequencies in our list below and you will have a front row seat to the action in your local area.

 Given the current security climate that we find ourselves in, I would strongly recommend to all readers of this post program our frequency list in your Milcom scanner or bank and you will be ready for whatever the contingency may come at us. You can monitor combat air patrol operations if they are active in your area on a milcom capable scanner.

Combat Air Patrol Related Frequencies
All AM mode.

Emergency/Calling: 121.500 and 243.000 MHz

Air Defense: 139.700  228.900  234.600  235.900  238.400  252.000  254.200  260.900  265.400   270.200  271.000  274.400  274.600  277.600  278.000  281.600  282.600  288.400  293.600   316.300  320.600  324.000  327.900  328.000  355.200  364.200 (AICC) 386.000 MHz

AWACS: 231.825  232.500  237.150  241.200  254.475  288.200  303.100  304.000  313.300   317.950  320.600*  324.650  325.600  335.950  388.950 MHz

Have Quick 1: 288.875  288.900  298.275  298.300  343.075  343.100  375.725  375.825   375.925  376.025  376.125 MHz

Have Quick II: 225.150  235.050  239.950  252.925  257.250  262.450  267.850  271.950   279.950  279.750  284.150  289.050  293.550  298.650  303.275  308.750  314.450 MHz

*Shared with air defense

NORAD Static Callsigns:
Big Foot -- Western Air Defense Sector
Guard Dog -- National Capital Region Integrated Air Defense System
Hula Dancer -- Hawaii Air Defense Sector
Huntress -- Eastern Air Defense Sector
Side Car -- Canada Air Defense Region
Top Rocc -- Alaska Air Defense Sector


NORAD Backgrounder

 There have been some major changes to the organizational structure of this military command since it was last mentioned in this column nearly four years ago. This also includes the myriad of frequencies that are used by these defenders of the homeland.

 The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) is a bi-national United States and Canadian organization charged with the missions of aerospace warning and aerospace control for North America.

 Aerospace warning includes the monitoring of man-made objects in space, and the detection, validation, and warning of attack against North America whether by aircraft, missiles, or space vehicles, through mutual support arrangements with other commands. Aerospace control includes ensuring air sovereignty and air defense of the airspace of Canada and the United States.

 In May 2006, a NORAD agreement renewal among the all of the partners added a maritime warning mission, which entails a shared awareness and understanding of the activities conducted in U.S. and Canadian maritime approaches, maritime areas and inland waterways.

 To accomplish the aerospace warning mission, the commander of NORAD provides an integrated tactical warning and attack assessment to the governments of Canada and the United States. To accomplish the aerospace control mission, NORAD uses a network of satellites, ground-based radar, airborne radar and fighters to detect, intercept and, if necessary, engage any air-breathing threat to North America.

 As a part of its aerospace control mission, NORAD assists in the detection and monitoring of aircraft suspected of illegal drug trafficking. This information is passed to civilian law enforcement agencies to help combat the flow of illegal drugs into North America. The command is currently developing a concept for implementing the new maritime warning mission.

 To accomplish these critically important missions, NORAD continually adjusts its structure to meet the demands of a changing world. The commander is appointed by, and is responsible to, both the U.S. president and the Canadian prime minister.

 The commander maintains his headquarters at Peterson Air Force Base (AFB), Colorado. The NORAD-U.S. Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) Command Center serves as a central collection and coordination facility for a worldwide system of sensors designed to provide the commander and the leadership of Canada and the U.S. with an accurate picture of any aerospace threat. Three subordinate regional headquarters, located at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, Canadian Forces Base, Winnipeg, Manitoba, and Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, receive direction from the commander and control air operations within their respective areas of responsibility.



Alaska NORAD Region (ANR)

 The Alaskan NORAD Region is the binational organization responsible for performing the NORAD air sovereignty and air control mission over the state of Alaska as well as the northwest approaches to North America. The headquarters for the ANR is collocated at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, with headquarters Alaska Command (ALCOM), a sub-unified command of U.S. Pacific Command (USPACOM) and Joint Task Force-Alaska (JTF-AK), a subordinate unit of USNORTHCOM.

 The ANR Commander is also the Commander of ALCOM, and JTF-AK. ANR is supported by both active duty Canadian forces and U.S. forces, as well as Alaska Air National Guard units. The ANR s Regional Air Operations Center is manned by both U.S. personnel and Canadian forces to maintain continuous surveillance of its operational area. The Alaska Air Defense Sector (ADS) is the single ADS within the ANR and is also collocated at Elmendorf AFB.

Canadian NORAD Region (CANR)

 The Canadian NORAD Region, like the ANR, is also a binational organization responsible for performing NORAD's air sovereignty and air control mission over Canada as well as the polar approaches to North America. CANR is located at Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Winnipeg, Manitoba. The Sector Air Operations Center (SAOC) for Canada is located at CFB North Bay, Ontario. The CANR Commander is also the Commander of 1 Canadian Air Division (CAD). CANR is manned by both 1 CAD and U.S. personnel.

Continental United States NORAD Region (CONR)

 The Continental United States NORAD Region is the subordinate, binationally staffed command responsible for the air sovereignty and air control of the airspace over the Continental United States (CONUS), to include the approaches to North America. The CONR Commander exercises operational control (OPCON) over all air defense forces within CONUS from Tyndall AFB, Florida.

 Air Combat Command (ACC) and the United States Joint Forces Command (USJFCOM) are the force providers for ground, sea, and air units apportioned through the Joint Strategic Capabilities Plan (JSCP) to support the NORAD missions. ANG support is liaised through USJFCOM and ACC.

 CONR operates in an extremely complex, binational and multi-command environment where political, military and economic conditions interrelate. CONR is collocated with a numbered air force subordinate to ACC. The CONR Commander is also the Commander, Air Force North (AFNORTH), located at Tyndall AFB, Florida, and may be designated the joint force air component commander for USNORTHCOM for unilateral U.S. air operations within the USNORTHCOM area of responsibility (AOR).

 Within the continental Unites States NORAD runs the following air defense sectors.

National Capital Region Integrated Air Defense System (NCR IADS)

 NCR-IADS is a unique sub-element of the NORAD continental U.S. region, which was established in response to terrorist air threats to the National Capitol Region. NCR-IADS has a coordination relationship with Eastern Air Defense Sector (EADS).

Eastern Air Defense Sector (EADS)

 In 2005, the United States Air Force announced the consolidation of the Northeast Air Defense Sector with the Southeast Air Defense Sector (SEADS) to form the new East Air Defense Sector (EADS), which will operate from the existing NEADS facility at Griffiss AFB in Rome, New York, and provides military air surveillance for the entire east coast, east of the Mississippi River (east of 97 degrees West Longitude).

 I first broke this story here on my Milcom Monitoring Post blog on November 18, 2006, at http://mt-milcom.blogspot.com/2006/11/end-of-era-seadsoak-grove-closes.html.  I continued to research the story and finally flushed out the rest of the NORAD organizational structure changes in the following posts to my online blog:  


Western Air Defense Sector (WADS)

 WADS, that is located at McChord AFB, Washington, is the western equivalent to the EADS mentioned above and is responsible for all CONR air operations west of 97 degrees West Longitude (roughly the Mississippi River).



The Joint Surveillance Site (JSS)

 The JSS is a network of ground-base, fixed long range surveillance radars, primarily operated and maintained by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), but providing communication and radar data to both FAA and USAF control centers. The newest long range search radar in the Joint Surveillance System (JSS) that has recently been fielded is the Air Route Surveillance Radar (ARSR)-4. Providing air defense and air traffic control for the continental United States, Guam, and Hawaii, forty four joint radar sites were installed during the 1992-1995 period. The ARSR-4 was fielded through a $1 billion Congressionally mandated joint FAA and Air Force program, and each station costs over $12 million.

JSS Site Locations

 Here is a list of the known JSS sites in current operation located along the perimeter of the US looking outward. In addition to the radar feed, each site has a communications capability on a variety of frequencies, including NORAD frequencies that are relayed through these sites.

Citronelle AL (?), Ajo AZ (AJO), Mill Valley CA (QMV), Mount Laguna CA (QRW), Paso Robles CA (PRB), Rainbow Ridge CA (QZZ), San Clemente Island CA (NSD), Cross City FL (CTY), Fort Green FL (QJT), Key West FL (NQX), Melbourne FL (MLB), Tamiami FL (QMB), Tyndall FL (PAM), Whitehouse FL (NEN), Mt. Santa Rosa Guam (QLR), Mt. Kaala HI (QKA), Lake Charles LA (LCH), Slidell LA (NEW), North Truro MA (QEA), Bucks Harbor ME (QYA), Caribou ME (QYD), Canton MI (?), Empire MI (QJA), Nashwauk MN (QJD), Bootlegger Ridge MT (GFA), Lakeside MT (QLS), Ft. Fisher NC (QGV), Finley ND (QFI), Watford City ND (QWA), Gibbsboro NJ (J51), Deming NM (DMN), Dansville NY (?), Riverhead NY (QVH), Utica NY (QXU), Keno OR (?), Salem OR (SLE), Jetburg SC (QRJ), Eagle Peak TX (QNW), King Mountain TX (QO9), Morales TX (QNA), Oilton TX (QZA), Rock Springs TX (RSG), Oceana VA (QVR), Plains VA (?),Makah WA (QKW), and Mica Peak WA (QMI).

ARSR-4 (AN/FPS130)

 The Air Route Surveillance Radar (ARSR)-4 System is three-dimensional long range radar that is the centerpiece of the FAA/Air Force Radar Replacement (FARR) program. The system replaces the earlier FPS-20 series two-dimensional long range air route surveillance systems.

 The ARSR-4 system provides 360 degree azimuth coverage for ranges out to 250 nautical miles, at heights up to 100,000 feet, and for elevation angles of -7 to +30 degrees (stacked beam). Unlike the FPS-20’s which had two separate and independent channels providing full transmitter and receiver redundancy, the ARSR-4 uses two separate but dependent air-cooled solid state transmitter to generate the two transmit pulses (60 and 90 microsecond wide).

The radar echoes (returns) are received by the antenna and processed by a seven-channel RF receiver and signal processor. The primitive target detections from the seven signal processor channels are further processed in a data processor (Common Digitizer) that provides scan-to-scan correlation (search and beacon alignment) and radar/beacon target merging (reinforcement). The data processor formats the target data into user acceptable message formats (13 bit) and transmits the target data to end users via a system of serial data links (serial in/out, radar cable junction box, modems).



Copyright 2009/2012 by Monitoring Times magazine and the author. Reproduction is not permitted without permission of the copyright holders. Material in these post originally appeared in the June 2009 and January 2012 Milcom columns in Monitoring Times magazine.

Mode-S/ADS Milcom Intercepts 15-16 July 2016 - Brasstown NC

Here is the latest round of Mode-S/ADS-B intercepts and selected ATC call signs logged from here on the radio ranch in WNC. All dates/times are UTC and list is sorted in date/time order.

AE498C 08-0038 00000000  2016-07-16 16:36:06 CV-22B United States USAF| 27SOW | 20SOS [KCVS] ---  ---
AE0683 60-0313 ---   2016-07-16 16:04:06 KC-135R United States USAF | 22ARW [KIAB] ---  ---
AE0564 85-0007 RCH5007  2016-07-16 16:02:27 C-5M United States USAF | 436AW | 9AS [KDOV] 3104  18500 
AE05DF 87-9282 JILL80  2016-07-16 15:36:13 C-130H United States AFRC | 440AW | 95AS [KPOB] 2652  27000 
AE1251 165835 CNV4982  2016-07-16 15:32:09 C-40A United States USNR | VR-57 [KNZY] ---  ---
A1F496 N225LH ---   2016-07-16 01:53:08 C-12C Huron United States --- 5232  18050 
AE0159 57-1512 E71512  2016-07-16 01:48:55 KC-135R United States AFRC | 459ARW | 756ARS [KADW] 3622  38000 
AE1466 06-6168 TNCAN80  2016-07-16 01:47:01 C-17A United States USAF | 436AW | 3AS [KDOV] ---  ---
AE12BB 69-5828 FLIP33  2016-07-16 01:44:50 MC-130P United States USAF | 1SOW | 9SOS [KHRT] ---  ---
AE149A 02-9111 PEACH92  2016-07-16 01:43:57 E-8C United States GA ANG | 116ACW [KWRB] ---  ---
AE11DD 76-1606 SNTRY60  2016-07-16 01:37:38 E-3C United States USAF | 552ACW [KTIK] ---  ---
AE021F 85-0027 TEAM53  2016-07-16 01:35:35 KC-10A United States USAF | 305AMW [KWRI] 7177  33975 
AE4A0A 166129 ---   2016-07-16 01:34:19 T-6B United States USN |  ---  ---
AE119C 03-3119 RCH220  2016-07-16 01:14:43 C-17A United States USAF | 305AMW | 6AS [KWRI]  ---  ---
ADFED0 85-1262 PAT522  2016-07-16 01:03:37 C-12U United States USARMY (OSACOM Det25 TNArNG)  ---  ---
ADFED0 85-1262 PAT808  2016-07-16 01:03:37 C-12U United States USARMY (OSACOM Det25 TNArNG)  ---  ---
AE4AF6 08-5678 E85678  2016-07-16 00:57:46 C-130J-30 United States USAF | 317AG [KDYS]  ---  ---
AE29FE 166695 CNV4082  2016-07-16 00:51:00 C-40A United States USNR | VR-56 [KNTU]  ---  ---
A1F496 N225LH N225LH  2016-07-16 00:49:06 C-12C Huron United States ---  5232  18050 
ADFE66 91-1235 DERBY61  2016-07-16 00:42:43 C-130H United States KY ANG | 123AW | 165AS [KSDF]  2511  26000 
AE1199 03-3116 RCH195  2016-07-16 00:24:22 C-17A United States MS ANG | 172AW | 183AS [KJAN]  4054  36000 
AE5772 10-00256 ---   2016-07-16 00:23:21 C-12V United States ---  ---  ---
AE596D 13-5782 KING21  2016-07-15 02:00:17 HC-130J United States USAF | 23 Wing | 71RQS [KVAD]  ---  ---
AE11D2 71-1407 SNTRY40H  2016-07-15 00:27:34 E-3C United States USAF | 552ACW [KTIK]  3472  32000 

Friday, July 15, 2016

National Special Security Event (NNSE) National Political Convention NOTAMs

The Republican National Convention starts on Monday 18 July in Cleveland OH. This and the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia PA a week later are both National Special Security Events. below are the aero charts and NOTAMS that have been issued for these two NSSEs.

I will have more specific frequency information for milair monitors shortly in a future post to this blog.

A National Special Security Event (NSSE) is an event of national or international significance deemed by the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to be a potential target for terrorism or other criminal activity. These events have included summits of world leaders, meetings of international organizations, presidential nominating conventions and presidential inaugurations. NSSE designation requires federal agencies to provide full cooperation and support to ensure the safety and security of those participating in or otherwise attending the event, and the community within which the event takes place, and is typically limited to specific event sites for a specified time frame. An NSSE puts the United States Secret Service in charge of event security, the Federal Bureau of Investigation in charge of intelligence, counter terrorism, hostage rescue and investigation of incidents of terrorism or other major criminal activities associated with the NSSE, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency in charge of recovery management in the aftermath of terrorist or other major criminal incidents, natural disasters or other catastrophic events.

The NOTAM for the Republican National Convention has been issued and is presented below.


FDC 6/3692 - OH..AIRSPACE CLEVELAND, OH..TEMPORARY FLIGHT RESTRICTIONS. JULY 17-22, 2016 LOCAL. PURSUANT TO 49 USC 40103(B), THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION (FAA) CLASSIFIES THE AIRSPACE DEFINED IN THIS NOTAM AS 'NATIONAL DEFENSE AIRSPACE'. PILOTS WHO DO NOT ADHERE TO THE FOLLOWING PROCEDURES MAY BE INTERCEPTED, DETAINED AND INTERVIEWED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT/SECURITY PERSONNEL. ANY OF THE FOLLOWING ADDITIONAL ACTIONS MAY ALSO BE TAKEN AGAINST A PILOT WHO DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OR ANY SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS OR PROCEDURES
ANNOUNCED IN THIS NOTAM:

A) THE FAA MAY TAKE ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION, INCLUDING IMPOSING CIVIL PENALTIES AND THE SUSPENSION OR REVOCATION OF AIRMEN CERTIFICATES; OR

B) THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT MAY PURSUE CRIMINAL CHARGES, INCLUDING CHARGES UNDER TITLE 49 OF THE UNITED STATES CODE, SECTION 46307; OR

C) THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT MAY USE DEADLY FORCE AGAINST THE AIRBORNE AIRCRAFT, IF IT IS DETERMINED THAT THE AIRCRAFT POSES AN IMMINENT SECURITY THREAT.

PURSUANT TO TITLE 14 CFR SECTION 99.7, SPECIAL SECURITY INSTRUCTIONS, ALL AIRCRAFT FLIGHT OPERATIONS ARE PROHIBITED WITHIN AN AREA DEFINED AS 30NM RADIUS OF 412947N0814117W (DJB074022.9) SFC-17999FT MSL EFFECTIVE 1607172200 UTC (1800 LOCAL 07/17/16) UNTIL 1607220700 UTC (0300 LOCAL 07/22/16). WITHIN AN AREA DEFINED AS 10NM RADIUS OF 412947N0814117W (DJB074022.9) SFC-17999FT MSL; EXCLUDING AN AREA DEFINED AS 3NM RADIUS OF 413354N0812910W (CXR286014.8) SFC-17999FT MSL EFFECTIVE 1607172200 UTC (1800 LOCAL 07/17/16) UNTIL 1607180230 UTC (2230 LOCAL 07/17/16). WITHIN AN AREA DEFINED AS 3NM RADIUS OF 412947N0814117W (DJB074022.9) SFC-17999FT MSL EFFECTIVE 1607180230 UTC (2230 LOCAL 07/17/16) UNTIL 1607181400 UTC (1000 LOCAL 07/18/16). WITHIN AN AREA DEFINED AS 10NM RADIUS OF 412947N0814117W (DJB074022.9) SFC-17999FT MSL; EXCLUDING AN AREA DEFINED AS 3NM RADIUS OF 413354N0812910W (CXR286014.8) SFC-17999FT MSL EFFECTIVE 1607181400 UTC (1000 LOCAL 07/18/16) UNTIL 1607190500 UTC (0100 LOCAL 07/19/16). WITHIN AN AREA DEFINED AS 3NM RADIUS OF 412947N0814117W (DJB074022.9) SFC-17999FT MSL EFFECTIVE 160719 UTC (LOCAL 07/19/16) UNTIL 160721 UTC (LOCAL 07/21/16) DLY 0500-1800 (0100-1400 LOCAL). WITHIN AN AREA DEFINED AS 10NM RADIUS OF 412947N0814117W (DJB074022.9) SFC-17999FT MSL; EXCLUDING AN AREA DEFINED AS 3NM RADIUS OF 413354N0812910W (CXR286014.8) SFC-17999FT MSL EFFECTIVE 160719 UTC (LOCAL 07/19/16) UNTIL 160721 UTC (LOCAL 07/21/16) DLY 1800-0500 (1400-0100 LOCAL). WITHIN AN AREA DEFINED AS 10NM RADIUS OF 412947N0814117W (DJB074022.9) SFC-17999FT MSL; EXCLUDING AN AREA DEFINED AS 3NM RADIUS OF 413354N0812910W (CXR286014.8) SFC-17999FT MSL EFFECTIVE 1607211800 UTC (1400 LOCAL 07/21/16) UNTIL 1607220700 UTC (0300 LOCAL 07/22/16). EXCEPT AS SPECIFIED BELOW AND/OR UNLESS AUTHORIZEDBY ATC IN CONSULTATION WITH THE AIR TRAFFICSECURITY COORDINATOR VIA THE DOMESTIC EVENTSNETWORK (DEN):

A. ALL AIRCRAFT OPERATIONS WITHIN THE 3 OR 10 NMR AREA(S) LISTED ABOVE, KNOWN AS THE INNER CORE(S), ARE PROHIBITED EXCEPT FOR: APPROVED LAW ENFORCEMENT, MILITARY AIRCRAFT DIRECTLY SUPPORTING THE REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION, APPROVED AIR AMBULANCE FLIGHTS, AND REGULARLY SCHEDULED COMMERCIAL PASSENGER AND ALL-CARGO CARRIERS OPERATING UNDER ONE OF THE FOLLOWING TSA-APPROVED STANDARD SECURITY PROGRAMS/PROCEDURES: AIRCRAFT OPERATOR STANDARD SECURITY PROGRAM (AOSSP), FULL ALL-CARGO AIRCRAFT OPERATOR STANDARD SECURITY PROGRAM (FACAOSSP), MODEL SECURITY PROGRAM (MSP), TWELVE FIVE STANDARD SECURITY PROGRAM (TFSSP) ALL CARGO, OR ALL-CARGO INTERNATIONAL SECURITY PROCEDURE (ACISP) AND ARE ARRIVING INTO AND/OR DEPARTING FROM 14 CFR PART 139 AIRPORTS. ALL EMERGENCY/LIFESAVING FLIGHT (MEDICAL/LAW ENFORCEMENT/FIREFIGHTING) OPERATIONS MUST COORDINATE WITH THE FAA AT THE AVIATION SECURITY OPERATIONS CENTER (ASOC) LOCATED IN THE CLEVELAND MULTI-AGENCY COORDINATION CENTER (MACC) BY CALLING 216-898-3266 TO AVOID POTENTIAL DELAYS.(TFSSP) ALL CARGO, OR ALL-CARGO INTERNATIONAL SECURITY PROCEDURE (ACISP) AND ARE ARRIVING INTO AND/OR DEPARTING FROM 14 CFR PART 139 AIRPORTS. ALL EMERGENCY/LIFE SAVING FLIGHT (MEDICAL/LAW ENFORCEMENT/FIREFIGHTING) OPERATIONS MUST COORDINATE WITH THE FAA AT THE AVIATION SECURITY OPERATIONS CENTER (ASOC) LOCATED IN THE CLEVELAND MULTI-AGENCY COORDINATION CENTER (MACC) BY CALLING 216-898-3266 TO AVOID POTENTIAL DELAYS.

B. FOR OPERATIONS WITHIN THE AIRSPACE BETWEEN THE 3 OR 10 NMR AND 30 NMR AREA(S) LISTED ABOVE, KNOWN AS THE OUTER RING(S): ALL AIRCRAFT OPERATING WITHIN THE OUTER RING(S) LISTED ABOVE ARE LIMITED TO AIRCRAFT ARRIVING OR DEPARTING LOCAL AIRFIELDS, AND WORKLOAD PERMITTING, ATC MAY AUTHORIZE TRANSIT OPERATIONS. AIRCRAFT MAY NOT LOITER. ALL AIRCRAFT  MUST BE ON AN ACTIVE IFR OR VFR FLIGHT PLAN WITH A DISCRETE CODE ASSIGNED BY AN AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL (ATC) FACILITY. AIRCRAFT MUST BE SQUAWKING THE  DISCRETE CODE PRIOR TO DEPARTURE AND AT ALL TIMES  WHILE IN THE TFR AND MUST REMAIN IN TWO-WAY RADIO COMMUNICATIONS WITH ATC. TO RECEIVE YOUR DISCRETE CODE PRIOR TO DEPARTURE FROM AN UNCONTROLLED AIRPORT, CONTACT CLEVELAND TRACON AT 216-352-2323.

C. OPERATORS WITH GOV, SPO AND ELO WAIVERS MUST APPLY FOR A SPECIAL EVENT WAIVER NO LATER THAN 24 HOURS PRIOR TO THEIR SCHEDULED FLIGHT ONLINE AT HTTPS://WAIVERS.FAA.GOV. SELECT SPECIAL EVENT AS THE TYPE OF WAIVER WHEN APPLYING.

D. GATEWAY AIRPORT PROCEDURES HAVE BEEN CREATED BY TSA AT AKRON-CANTON REGIONAL (KCAK) AND  YOUNGSTOWN-WARREN REGIONAL AIRPORT (KYNG) TO ACCOMMODATE GENERAL AVIATION OPERATIONS ARRIVING AND DEPARTING CLEVELAND HOPKINS INTERNATIONAL (KCLE) AND BURKE LAKEFRONT (KBKL). GATEWAY SCREENING PROCEDURES WILL ALSO BE AVAILABLE FOR GENERAL AVIATION OPERATORS WISHING TO DEPART CLEVELAND HOPKINS INTERNATIONAL (KCLE) AND BURKE LAKEFRONT (KBKL). TSA SCREENING WILL BE AVAILABLE ON JULY 18, 2016 FROM 1000-2359 LOCAL, ON JULY 19-21, 2016 FROM 1400-2359. SPECIAL ATC PROCEDURES MAY BE ASSIGNED PRIOR TO DEPARTURE FROM A GATEWAY AIRPORT. PILOTS, CREW, AND PASSENGERS MUST PROVIDE VALID GOVERNMENT-ISSUED PHOTO IDENTIFICATION TO THE TSA AT THE GATEWAY AIRPORT PRIOR TO DEPARTURE. AIRCRAFT OPERATORS MUST REGISTER WITH TSA FOR  GATEWAY SCREENING NO LESS THAN 24 HOURS PRIOR TO  THEIR SCHEDULED DEPARTURE TIME. RESERVATIONS FOR  SCREENING MAY BE MADE DAILY BEGINNING JULY 15, 2016 AT 0001 LOCAL BY CALLING TSA AT 614-239-3015.

E. ON DEPARTURE FROM A GATEWAY AIRPORT AIRCRAFT MUST MAINTAIN RADIO CONTACT WITH ATC AND CONTINUOUSLY SQUAWK AN ATC ASSIGNED DISCRETE CODE. INTERMEDIATE STOPS WHILE ENROUTE ARE NOT AUTHORIZED UNLESS AN EMERGENCY EXISTS.

F. THE FOLLOWING OPERATIONS ARE NOT AUTHORIZED WITHIN THIS TFR: FLIGHT TRAINING, PRACTICE INSTRUMENT APPROACHES, AEROBATIC FLIGHT, GLIDER OPERATIONS, SEAPLANE OPERATIONS, PARACHUTE OPERATIONS, ULTRALIGHT, HANG GLIDING, BALLOON OPERATIONS, AGRICULTURE / CROP DUSTING, ANIMAL POPULATION CONTROL FLIGHT OPERATIONS, BANNER TOWING OPERATIONS, SIGHTSEEING OPERATIONS, MAINTENANCE TEST FLIGHTS, MODEL AIRCRAFT OPERATIONS, MODEL ROCKETRY, UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS (UAS), AND UTILITY AND PIPELINE SURVEY  OPERATIONS.

G. FAA RECOMMENDS THAT ALL AIRCRAFT OPERATORS  CHECK NOTAMS FREQUENTLY FOR POSSIBLE CHANGES TO THIS TFR PRIOR TO OPERATIONS WITHIN THIS REGION. 17 JUL 22:00 2016 UNTIL 22 JUL 07:00 2016. CREATED: 11 JUL 20:01 2016


FDC 6/3964 - PA..AIRSPACE PHILADELPHIA, PA..TEMPORARY FLIGHT
RESTRICTIONS. JULY 25-29, 2016 LOCAL. THIS NOTAM REPLACES NOTAM 6/3773 DUE TO TSA SCREENING TIME CHANGE. PURSUANT TO 49 USC 40103(B), THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION (FAA) CLASSIFIES THE AIRSPACE DEFINED IN THIS NOTAM AS 'NATIONAL DEFENSE AIRSPACE'. PILOTS WHO DO NOT ADHERE TO THE FOLLOWING PROCEDURES MAY BE INTERCEPTED, DETAINED AND INTERVIEWED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT/SECURITY PERSONNEL. ANY OF THE FOLLOWING ADDITIONAL ACTIONS MAY ALSO BE TAKEN AGAINST A PILOT WHO DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OR ANY SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS OR PROCEDURES ANNOUNCED IN THIS NOTAM:

A) THE FAA MAY TAKE ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION, INCLUDING IMPOSING CIVIL PENALTIES AND THE SUSPENSION OR REVOCATION OF AIRMEN CERTIFICATES; OR

B) THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT MAY PURSUE CRIMINAL CHARGES, INCLUDING CHARGES UNDER TITLE 49 OF THE UNITED STATES CODE, SECTION 46307; OR

C) THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT MAY USE DEADLY FORCE AGAINST THE AIRBORNE AIRCRAFT, IF IT IS DETERMINED THAT THE AIRCRAFT POSES AN IMMINENT SECURITY THREAT.

PURSUANT TO TITLE 14 CFR SECTION 99.7, SPECIAL SECURITY INSTRUCTIONS, ALL AIRCRAFT FLIGHT OPERATIONS ARE PROHIBITED WITHIN AN AREA DEFINED AS 30 NM RADIUS OF 395404N0751019W (OOD031017.0) SFC-17999FT MSL EFFECTIVE 1607251400 UTC (1000 LOCAL 07/25/16) UNTIL 1607290500 UTC (0100 LOCAL 07/29/16). WITHIN AN AREA DEFINED AS 10 NM RADIUS OF 395404N0751019W (OOD031017.0) SFC-17999FT MSL EFFECTIVE 1607251400 UTC (1000 LOCAL 07/25/16) UNTIL 1607290500 UTC (0100 LOCAL 07/29/16) DLY 1400-0500 (1000-0100 LOCAL). WITHIN AN AREA DEFINED AS 3 NM RADIUS OF 395404N0751019W (OOD031017.0) SFC-17999FT MSL EFFECTIVE 1607260501 UTC (0101 LOCAL 07/26/16) UNTIL 1607281359 UTC (0959 LOCAL 07/28/16) DLY 0501-1359 (0101-0959 LOCAL). EXCEPT AS SPECIFIED BELOW AND/OR UNLESS AUTHORIZEDBY ATC IN CONSULTATION WITH THE AIR TRAFFICSECURITY COORDINATOR VIA THE DOMESTIC EVENTSNETWORK (DEN):

A. ALL AIRCRAFT OPERATIONS WITHIN THE 3 OR 10 NM RADIUS AREA(S) LISTED ABOVE, KNOWN AS THE INNER CORE(S), ARE PROHIBITED EXCEPT FOR: APPROVED LAW ENFORCEMENT, MILITARY AIRCRAFT DIRECTLY SUPPORTING THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION, APPROVED AIR AMBULANCE FLIGHTS, AND REGULARLY SCHEDULED COMMERCIAL PASSENGER AND ALL-CARGO CARRIERS OPERATING UNDER ONE OF THE FOLLOWING TSA-APPROVED STANDARD SECURITY PROGRAMS/PROCEDURES: AIRCRAFT OPERATOR STANDARD SECURITY PROGRAM (AOSSP), FULL ALL-CARGO AIRCRAFT OPERATOR STANDARD SECURITY PROGRAM (FACAOSSP), MODEL SECURITY PROGRAM (MSP), TWELVE FIVE STANDARD SECURITY PROGRAM (TFSSP) ALL CARGO, OR ALL-CARGO INTERNATIONAL
SECURITY PROCEDURE (ACISP) AND ARE ARRIVING INTO AND/OR DEPARTING FROM 14 CFR PART 139 AIRPORTS. ALL EMERGENCY/LIFE SAVING FLIGHT (MEDICAL/LAW ENFORCEMENT/FIREFIGHTING) OPERATIONS MUST COORDINATE WITH THE FAA AT THE AVIATION SECURITY OPERATIONS CENTER (ASOC) PRIOR TO THEIR DEPARTURE BY CALLING 267-551-7744 TO AVOID POTENTIAL DELAYS.

B. FOR OPERATIONS WITHIN THE AIRSPACE BETWEEN THE 3 OR 10 NM RADIUS AND 30 NM RADIUS AREA(S) LISTED ABOVE, KNOWN AS THE OUTER RING(S): ALL AIRCRAFT OPERATING WITHIN THE OUTER RING(S) LISTED ABOVE ARE LIMITED TO AIRCRAFT ARRIVING OR DEPARTING LOCAL AIRFIELDS, AND WORKLOAD PERMITTING, ATC MAY AUTHORIZE TRANSIT OPERATIONS. AIRCRAFT MAY NOT LOITER. ALL AIRCRAFT MUST BE ON AN ACTIVE IFR OR VFR FLIGHT PLAN WITH A DISCRETE CODE ASSIGNED BY AN
AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL (ATC) FACILITY. AIRCRAFT MUST BE SQUAWKING THE DISCRETE CODE PRIOR TO DEPARTURE AND AT ALL TIMES WHILE IN THE TFR AND MUST REMAIN IN TWO-WAY RADIO COMMUNICATIONS WITH ATC.

C. OPERATORS WITH GOV, SPO AND ELO WAIVERS MUST APPLY FOR A SPECIAL EVENT WAIVER NO LATER THAN 24 HOURS PRIOR TO THEIR SCHEDULED FLIGHT ONLINE AT HTTPS://WAIVERS.FAA.GOV. SELECT SPECIAL EVENT AS THE TYPE OF WAIVER WHEN APPLYING.

D. GATEWAY AIRPORTS HAVE BEEN CREATED AT WESTCHESTER COUNTY AIRPORT (KHPN) AND HARRISBURG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (MDT) BY TSA TO ACCOMMODATE AIRCRAFT ARRIVING PHILADELPHIA INTERANTIONAL AIRPORT (PHL). TSA SCREENING WILL BE AVAILABLE DAILY ON MONDAY JULY 25TH THROUGH THURSDAY THE 28TH FROM 1500-0000 LOCAL/1900-0400 UTC, PILOTS, CREW AND PASSENGERS MUST PROVIDE VALID GOVERNMENT-ISSUED PHOTO IDENTIFICATION TO THE TSA AT THE GATEWAY AIRPORT AND/OR KPHL PRIOR TO DEPARTURE. GATEWAY SCREENING WILL INCLUDE IDENTIFICATION VERIFICATION AND VETTING OF ALL PILOTS, CREW AND PASSENGERS, SCREENING OF PERSONS AND BAGGAGE, AND INSPECTION OF THE AIRCRAFT. ON DEPARTURE FROM A GATEWAY AIRPORT AIRCRAFT MUST MAINTAIN RADIO CONTACT WITH ATC AND CONTINUOUSLY SQUAWK AN ATC-ASSIGNED DISCRETE CODE. INTERMEDIATE STOPS WHILE ENROUTE ARE NOT AUTHORIZED UNLESS AN EMERGENCY EXISTS. RESERVATIONS FOR SCREENING MAY BE MADE DAILY BEGINNING JULY 22ND BY CALLING TSA AT 215-863-4927.

E. ALL AIRCRAFT LANDING OR DEPARTING NORTHEAST PHILADELPHIA AIRPORT OPERATIONS WITHIN THIS REGION. MUST BE ON AN ACTIVE IFR OR VFR FLIGHT PLAN, MAINTAIN TWO WAY RADIO CONTACT WITH ATC AND CONTINUOUSLY SQUAWK AN ATC-ASSIGNED DISCRETE BEACON CODE. NO AIRBORNE OVER THE RADIO FLIGHT PLANS WILL BE ACCEPTED.

F. FAA RECOMMENDS THAT ALL NON-REGULARLY SCHEDULED AIR CARRIERS AND AIR CARGO OPERATORS CHECK WITH THE AIRPORT AND OR FIXED BASED OPERATORS FOR PARKING RESERVATIONS AS A LARGE NUMBER OF AIRCRAFT ARE EXPECTED DURING THIS EVENT AND PARKING WILL BE LIMITED. FOR RESERVATIONS AT KPHL ATLANTIC AVIATION PLEASE CALL 215-492-7060 AND FOR KPNE ATLANTIC AVIATION PLEASE CALL 215-698-3100.

G. THE FOLLOWING OPERATIONS ARE NOT AUTHORIZED WITHIN THIS TFR: FLIGHT TRAINING, PRACTICE INSTRUMENT APPROACHES, AEROBATIC FLIGHT, GLIDER OPERATIONS, SEAPLANE OPERATIONS, PARACHUTE OPERATIONS, ULTRALIGHT, HANG GLIDING, BALLOON OPERATIONS, AGRICULTURE/CROP DUSTING, ANIMAL POPULATION CONTROL FLIGHT OPERATIONS, BANNER TOWING OPERATIONS, SIGHTSEEING OPERATIONS, MAINTENANCE TEST FLIGHTS, MODEL AIRCRAFT OPERATIONS, MODEL ROCKETRY, UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS (UAS), AND UTILITY AND PIPELINE SURVEY OPERATIONS.

H. FAA RECOMMENDS THAT ALL AIRCRAFT OPERATORS CHECK NOTAMS FREQUENTLY FOR POSSIBLE CHANGES TO THIS TFR PRIOR TO OPERATIONS WITHIN THIS REGION.
25 JUL 14:00 2016 UNTIL 29 JUL 05:00 2016. CREATED: 12 JUL 16:00 2016

Aerial Refueling Frequences - Upper Midwest/Northeast United States

One of the more common frequencies that are heard in the 225-400 MHz aero band are the U.S. Air Force (USAF) aerial refueling (AR) frequencies. I have worked with original Department of Defense (DoD) docs and monitoring to update and post the latest AR frequencies for monitors in the upper Midwest and northeast United States.



The are two types of aerial refueling routes: tracks and anchors.

Aerial refueling tracks are established to accommodate refueling operations along a prescribed route. An aerial refueling track consists of an Air Refueling Initiation Point (ARIP), Air Refueling Control Point (ARCP), and an exit point. Navigation check points between the ARCP and exit point are specified, as required, to facilitate navigation along the route. It also includes the tanker orbit pattern at the ARCP, and the altitude block(s) assigned for the track.

The standard anchor area consists of one or more entry points, an ARIP, anchor point, anchor pattern turn points, one or more exit points, and the designated refueling altitude block(s). The standard aerial refueling anchor pattern consists of a left-hand race track orbit with legs at least 50 NM in length. The legs will normally be separated by at least 20 NM. The orientation of the pattern is determined based on the inbound course to the anchor point. Four turn points are designated to describe the anchor pattern.

Each track/anchor has a scheduling unit. That scheduling unit holds clues who is the primary user of the AR routes they control whether it is tankers or receivers. For instance, the 437OSS based at Charleston controls three AR routes and those routes are used by their C-17 aircraft. Various tanker units would support those aircraft when refueling. Any other units wanting to use their routes would have to schedule those activities with the scheduling agency.

The map below shows the various tracks and anchors used by DoD in the upper Midwest and northeastern United States.

Click on graphics to enlarge

Track/Anchor   Primary/Secondary-- Scheduling Agency -- Assigned ARTCC/Controlling Unit


AR-20 341.750/349.700 -- NORAD EADS -- Boston ARTCC/Moncton Center/Gander Center
            305.500/265.650 (Alternate)
AR-80 373.600/343.500 -- NORAD EADS (157ARW/Pease) -- Boston ARTCC/Moncton Center
AR-81 373.600/343.500 -- NORAD EADS (157ARW/Pease) -- Boston ARTCC/Giant Killer
AR-107 324.600/282.700 -- Alpena CTRC (MIANG) -- Minneapolis ARTCC
AR-109H 343.500/320.900 -- 55OSS Offutt AFB -- Minneapolis ARTCC
AR-109L 327.600/320.900 -- 55OSS Offutt AFB -- Minneapolis ARTCC
AR-204 324.600/282.700 -- 305OSS McGuire AFB -- Boston ARTCC
AR-205 327.600/282.700 -- 305OSS McGuire AFB -- Boston ARTCC
AR-206H 348.900/282.700 -- 305OSS McGuire AFB -- Boston ARTCC/Cleveland ARTCC
AR-206L 235.100/282.700 -- 305OSS McGuire AFB -- Boston ARTCC/Cleveland ARTCC
AR-212 238.900/282.700 -- 305OSS McGuire AFB -- Boston ARTCC
AR-217 283.900/282.700 -- 171OSF Pittsburgh ANG -- Cleveland ARTCC
AR-218 274.450/282.700 -- 171OSF Pittsburgh ANG -- Cleveland ARTCC
AR-219 305.500/282.700 -- 171OSF Pittsburgh ANG -- Cleveland ARTCC
AR-220 274.450/282.700 -- 171OSF Pittsburgh ANG -- Cleveland ARTCC
AR-321 276.500/282.700 -- 128ARW (WIANG) Gen Mitchell Intl -- Minneapolis ARTCC
AR-607 235.100/320.900 -- 148FG Duluth MN -- Minneapolis ARTCC
AR-608 343.500/282.700 -- NORAD EADS -- Boston ARTCC
AR-609 276.500/282.700 -- NORAD EADS -- Boston ARTCC
AR-616A/B 283.900/282.700 -- NORAD EADS -- Boston ARTCC
AR-631 295.800/282.700 -- NORAD EADS -- Boston ARTCC
AR-632 238.900/282.700 -- Alpena CTRC (MIANG) -- Minneapolis ARTCC
AR-640A 305.500/320.900 -- CRTC Volk Field ANGB (WIANG) -- Chicago ARTCC
AR-640B 291.900/320.900 -- CRTC Volk Field ANGB (WIANG) -- Chicago ARTCC

AR by Frequency List

235.100 AR-206L (P)/ AR-607 (P)
238.900 AR-212 (P)/ AR-632 (P)
265.650 AR-20 (S Alt)
274.450 AR-218 (P)/ AR-220 (P)
276.500 AR-321 (P)/ AR-609 (P)
282.700 AR-107 (S)/ AR-204 (S)/ AR-205 (S)/ AR-206H (S)/ AR-206L (S)/ AR-212 (S)/ AR-217 (S)/ AR-218 (S)/ AR-219 (S)/ AR-220 (S)/ AR-321 (S)/ AR-608 (S)/ AR-609 (S)/ AR-616A/B (S)/ AR-631 (S)/ AR-632 (S)
283.900 AR-217 (P)/ AR-616A/B (P)
291.900 AR-640B (P)
295.800 AR-631 (P)
305.500 AR-20 (P Alt)/ AR-219 (P)/ AR-640A (P)
320.900 AR-109H (S)/ AR-109L (S)/ AR-607 (S)/ AR-640A (S)/ AR-640B (S)
324.600 AR-107 (P)/ AR-204 (P)
327.600 AR-109L (P)/ AR-205 (P)
341.750 AR-20 (P)
343.500 AR-80 (S)/ AR-81 (S)/ AR-109H (P)/ AR-608 (P)
348.900 AR-206H (P)
349.700 AR-20 (S)
373.600 AR-80 (P)/ AR-81 (P)

I am working on some additional milair frequency lists and will post them here on the MilcomMP as I complete them so check back often.

Good hunting de Chief