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Tango Basic Cleared for Take-Off by André Jans. Photos by Paul Filmer
This year’s Kleine Brogel photocall on July 17th, saw the launch of a new book: “Tango Basic,” the History of the Belgian Operational Conversion Unit.
Edited by Major Peter ‘Patja’ Stamms, current commanding officer of the Belgian Air Force’s F-16 OCU, the book tells at length the story of the OCU from its start as B-Flight in 1986 up until today.
Having taken over the traditions of the Jacht Vlieg School (Fighter Flight School), the OCU has now operated the F-16 for over 20 years. The book includes photos of all the differently-marked F-16 which have been used by the OCU since the aircraft’s introduction. If someone thinks Belgian F-16s are dull and boring I suggest he take a look at this publication!
Major Stamms is an excellent air-to-air photographer and therefore it’s not a surprise to see the book filled with his photos. (More of Patja photo’s may be found here)
The text describes the role of the OCU in the past and current Belgian Air Force (recently renamed the Belgian Air Component). It pays attention as well to the human side of the OCU, sharing crew quotes and photos of them during their daily jobs. There is a foreword by Air Component Commander LtGen. Gerard van Caelenberge.
All profits from the book will go to charity, being donated to the ‘De Kleine Prins’ Children Cancer Benevolent Fund in Belgium.
The 12” x 8” (30 x 20 cm) book (ISBN 978-90-9021998-1) contains 200 pages and over 500 photos, most in full color. The price is 40 Euros including shipping outside Belgium. It may be ordered through the OCU’s secretary Mrs. Joke Meeuws, by phone at +32-11-512561 or by e-mail at joke.meeuws@mil.be.
Operational Integration Exercise
The OCU also runs the successful spotter events at their home base, Kleine Brogel. These Spottersdays easily attract over 15,000 enthusiasts, even from outside Europe. The OCU tries to raise as much money as possible for a good cause. The unit has learned what it takes to attract everyone who has an interest in military aviation.
During this years' event, the public had the opportunity to witness an "Operational Integration Exercise". This OIE included Dissimilar Air Combat Training (DACT), a Combined Air Operation (COMAO) and a Combat Search And Rescue (CSAR) demo. All together, more than fifty aircraft could be seen during the day, varying from old A-7 Corsairs to brand new Rafales.
To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the OCU, a number of jets from other conversion units were also present on the flightline. Amongst these aircraft were a rarely seen Spanish SF-5 and a couple of British Typhoons.
During the take offs and approaches, pilots were encouraged to show off their aircraft. This gave the photographers the opportunity to capture some unique action pictures. With this kind of entertainment and more than two kilometres of space from which to pick your favorite spot, you couldn't ask for more.
