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Starting 17 August 2020, a very special exercise 'Bluewings' was held at Nörvenich in Germany when the Israeli Air Force deployed there for the first time.Bluewings badge

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In the previous weeks, various C-130s had already visited Nörvenich in support. C-130Js, C-130Hs and als KC-130Hs like this 522 that also visited on arrival day.

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The delegation consisted two Gulfstream special mission aircraft, three F-16C block 40 and three F-16D block 40. Here we see three F-16s arriving, being escorted by Eurofighter Typhoons from Taktisches Luftwaffengeschwader 31.

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Over the years, the legacy Boeing 707 were used as tankers, transport, VIP and special mission aircraft. Two KC-707 were supporting the delegation, 260 and this 275

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As you can see with 260 here, they have the JT3D engines. Noise abatement is not an issue around Nevatim probably. Mostly Bedouins live there.

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The special mission Gulfstreams are called Nachshon. They come in two variants. Most colourful is the G-550 based Nachshon Eitam, 569 is an Airborne Early Warning and Control aircraft operated by tayeset 122 (122 squadron).

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Completely anonymous is the G-V base Nachshon Shavit Signal Intelligence aircraft. Only when the door opens, it reveals the identy, in this case 679.

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The name Nachshon refers to the 1948 operation to gain control of the Tel Aviv - Jerusalem road. It was escorted in by two EF2000s because it carried the IDF Commander-in-Chief.

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But capturing the imagination of the onlookers most were of course the six F-16s. Three single seat F-16C-40 Barak from tayeset 101 and three F-16D-40 Brakeet from tayeset 105 that also provided the delegation leader. Both units are based at Hatzor.

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Brakeet 676 with the next banking in the back. The F-16s and one of the Gulfs performed fly-bys at Dachau and Fürstenfeldbruck.

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As can be seen on some of our shots, the delegation was escorted in on arrival. Dual seat EF2000(T) 30+54 approaching against a 'Stahlblau' German sky.

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Last shot is also from one of the hosts, escorting aircraft EF2000 31+16 from TLG-31.