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Just
finished two cold but sunny days at Sion, Switzerland to catch the
Wiederholungskurs which coincides with the WEF CAP-flights. The scenery
was 'as advertised' in every alpine holiday guide: lots of snow and
clear blue skies.
The Air force has been giving three task by the government during the
World Economic Forum; keeping of the sovereignty in the air, the air
transport and intelligence collection. For the protection of the air
space the F/A-18 Hornet come to the employment. The Upper House of
Parliament limits the air traffic in a radius of 25 nautical miles
(approximately 46 kilometers) during the World Economic Forum around
Davos.
To
enforce this regulation and if necessary intersperse the Air Force
deployed F/A-18 Hornet and F-5 tiger for the higher air space and rapid
intercept as well as the Pilatus PC-7 in the lower air space. Due to the
geographical proximity a close co-operation with the Austrian Air Force
is maintained, since the restrictions affect also the territory of the
eastern neighbouring country. The air space controlled from the ground
with a close network of sensors.
Air
transport is provided by the air force of the Air force using ,super
Puma, Cougar and Alouette III helicopters. These are primarily used for
the transportations of passengers . The super Puma is used also as a
carrier of a thermal image camera.
Last
year Meiringen was on the roster, now the patrols were performed by the
units from Payerne. As the exercise is rotated on a yearly base, the
units of Payerne had to do the honours this year flying from there
wartime location Sion.
Training stated at Sion started at Wednesday 21 January, in preparation
for the World Economic Forum in Davos, which ran from 28 January to 1
February 2009.
The
F/A-18 and F-5 Tiger flew from 08:00-18:00 daily as well as Thursday
night when night training continued to 22:00. During the World Economic
Forum flights started at 08:00 and lasted until late in the day or
evening according to the conference schedule.
while
regular flights are stopped over the lunch hour and at night, pilots and
planes where ready to go if needed, in which case flights could occur at
any time.
On
Saturday the 31 of January two F/A-18 of the Swiss Air Force went true
the sound barrier when a helicopter failed to response to the calls of a
PC-7 on entering the restricted airspace around Davos. The helicopter
was intercepted in the Thusis aria and forced to land at Samedan. From
the start of the World Economic Forum deployment of the air force there
where five intrusions off the restricted air space. Two where in the
training face of the exercise and three during the World Economic Forum.
In none of the intrusions the safety of the World Economic Forum was
compromised.
The 'afterdark'
missions were flown by the F-18's because the F-5 is not suited for that
mission. Viewing and photographing can be done from the airport terrace,
however around 10:00 o'clock the sun lifts above the mountains
backlighting the airplanes on the runway. Luckily there are 5 to 6 spots
on the other side of the runway giving ample opportunity to switch
backgrounds.
Next
year if everything go’s to plan Meiringen is the base to go. Unlike Sion
the sun will not come in to the valley. But opportunities are very good
at Meiringen because excess to the base is much better. For a full
report on Meiringen 2008 have look at the report of the
Meiringen 2008 exercise. |
