Static

Koksijde Air Show 2009,

On 4 and 5 July 2009, the Koksijde Air show was held.
For more than 30 years the Koksijde air show, has been one of, if not the major Belgian military aviation event attracting aircraft enthusiasts not only from all over Belgium, but also from numerous other European countries.
Not known for its great photo opportunities, fences are close to the aircraft and during the display you are facing in to the sun.
It it always nice to go to Koksijde, to see aircraft in the relaxing atmosphere of Belgium.

One of the main themes of the 2009 edition was the introduction of the Lockheed Martin, formerly General Dynamics, F-16 into the Belgian Air Force 30 years ago, Fighting Falcons of the USAF and of the four original European Partnership Air Forces in the F-16 Multinational Fighter Programme gathered in Koksijde. Next to the four original partners a Block 52+ F-16D from the Souda based 343 Mira of the Hellenic Air Force was a welcome gast.

The presence of aircraft of NATO allies from Scandinavia to Southern Europe and from the USA to Eastern Europe highlighted the 60th anniversary of the signing of the North Atlantic Treaty on April 4th, 1949

Koksijde Airbase is known for the presence of the Westland Sea King Mk.48 rescue helicopter for over three decades. One of the Sea kings already made it to the Defence museum in Brussels . All other Sea Kings and the three Sud Aviation SA.316B Alouette III helicopters of the Navy Flight where present.
 

Display

In the flying display well known performers like the Belgian and Dutch F-16 display where present. The Para drop from the Belgium C-130H was a nice diversion from the usual display.

A display from the Hungarian SAAB JAS.39C Gripen of No. 1 Squadron of the 59th Tactical Fighter Wing is based at Kecskemét really showed the possibilities of the aircraft.

Next to more "common" teams the Croatian Air Force aerobatic display team Krila Oluje (Wings of Storm) performed for the first time at Koksijde. It flies six Pilatus PC-9 training aircraft and is based at Zemunik Airbase, home the Croatian Flight School. The teams support a An 32 was not present on the static it only made appearances before and after the show.

A always returning guest at the Koksijde Air Show is Baby Blue, from Denmark. A Super Puma of the Swiss Air Force demonstrated some of the capabilities of the Eurocopter AS.532UL Cougar transport helicopter during a vivid, eight minute long show.

In the private owned sector there where vivid displays by, the Hawker Hunter T.8C of the Dutch Hawker Hunter Foundation and two Gnats. As always it was a nice day out in a relaxing  atmosphere.