Text & Photos Pere Vilalta Torné
Yesterday, Saturday, June 15, a Spotters’ Day was held at the Albacete Air Base to commemorate the 50th anniversary of this well-known base located in Los Llanos.
We were able to enjoy this day with around 200 Spotters, organized by the Aire Association. After the required identification process at the main entrance, they prepared a short briefing for us, where the day’s program was presented to us. We were welcomed by the Air Base Colonel, Ignacio Zulueta Martín, and then headed to the area assigned for the dynamic event.
At around 11:00 a.m., the air display began with a CL-215 from the 43rd Group, which performed a couple of water drops. This was followed by a Eurofighter Typhoon EF-2000 from the 14th Wing, currently assigned to the 14th Wing, an EF-18A+ Hornet from the 12th Wing, and then a display by the Patrulla Águila with its C-101s from the San Javier Air Base (Murcia).
Already in flight, a historic photo was taken of the Eagle Patrol flying together with four Eurofighters from the 14th Wing, one of them decorated with a special paint job commemorating the Base’s 50th anniversary.
The event was closed with the flight of another Eurofighter Typhoon from the 14th Wing, followed by one of the most anticipated displays: an MQ-9 Predator, an RPAS (Remotely Piloted Aircraft) type aircraft, which came from the Talavera la Real Base (Badajoz) delighted those present.
As for the static exhibition, we were able to see two aircraft recently acquired by the Air Force, the Pilatus PC-21 and the H135 along with an NH90, an Airbus A400 from the 31st Wing, two F-5Ms from the 23rd Wing, one of them with special paint from the 23rd Wing, an F-18 from the 12th Wing, along with two more Eurofighter Typhoon EF-2000 aircraft from the 14th Wing. In addition to reviewing the history of the Base with the exhibition of 1 MirageF-1, which were in service until the end of 2013.
