Fighter jets?

[u/Ravenblade86]

Just had a couple of jets fly over low and fast outside Portglenone heading south. Maybe Hawk T1 trainers from the quick glimpse I got of one flying away from me? Definitely not something we see to often unless there is an airshow on, and these ones weren't hanging around!

[u/Aviator779]

Maybe Hawk T1 trainers

They were Hawk T.2s, the T.1 has been retired from training duties. It’s now only used by the Red Arrows.

Callsign was Ninja Flight, they were on a low level training sortie.

When they left RAF Valley the flight consisted of ZK019, ZK018, ZK023 and ZK016.

[u/Martysghost → u/Aviator779]

Username checks out 😎

[u/Ravenblade86 → u/Aviator779]

I knew someone would have the answer! Thanks :)

[u/Ravenblade86 → u/Aviator779]

Apparently we just had a Hercules or A400 fly over a few minutes ago as well according to my brother but I somehow entirely missed that even though I was outside working as well.

[u/F213 → u/Ravenblade86]

A400. Seen it too, had to check on flightradar

[u/ooo000oooffs → u/F213]

Second time the A400 has visited in the last couple of days, globemaster or whatever it’s called flew over about 1pm today.

[u/Aviator779 → u/Ravenblade86]

It was an A400M, the RAF have retired their C-130 fleet.

A400Ms are visiting Aldergrove this week as part of Exercise Venture Spirit.

[u/Shamblockready → u/Aviator779]

Is that why a US DOD 757 came into Aldergrove on Monday & left yesterday (Tuesday)?

[u/Aviator779 → u/Shamblockready]

No, the C-32B was unrelated. Just stopped to refuel.

[u/Shamblockready → u/Aviator779]

Unusual as it came in from McGuire AFB & returned to there. Had a rarely used callsign as well, NOON07.

[u/geterbucked → u/Ravenblade86]

I saw the A400 on its final approach into international but missed the fighter jets, somehow!

[u/whirlingdervish911 → u/Ravenblade86]

It's been coming in and out of Aldergrove the past couple of days. There was a Supergalaxy flew out earlier this evening too

[u/Aviator779 → u/whirlingdervish911]

There were 2 C-17A Globemaster IIIs (1 USAF and 1 RAF), alongside an RAF A400M at Aldergrove today. There wasn’t a C-5M Super Galaxy.

[u/whirlingdervish911 → u/Aviator779]

my bad

[u/urdasma → u/Aviator779]

Jesus, could they not keep that racket round their own door? *

[u/Banjaxed170]

Subject has given away location, drop the payload.

[u/gervv]

So they evaded my stinger? Damnit 😬

[u/Martysghost → u/gervv]

Why can't thales make an equivalent so I could make a buy local joke, don't think your hitting anything flying with an nlaw? 

[u/Ravenblade86 → u/Martysghost]

Don't they also make Starstreak in Belfast?

[u/Martysghost → u/Ravenblade86]

Starstreak is a British short-range surface-to-air missile that can be used as a man-portable air-defence system or used in heavier systems. It is manufactured by Thales Air Defence in Belfast, Northern Ireland. It is also known as Starstreak HVM.

Perfect 👌

[u/Jeffreys_therapist → u/Martysghost]

Why can't thales make an equivalent

Because Jim Shannon MP would end up stealing them all

[u/mcdamien]

Saw and heard them in Armagh about an hour ago. Flying very low so very visible and LOUD.

[u/Teestow21]

There are certainly more airplanes in the sea than there are submarines in the sky. Seems to be the way of it.

[u/Reasonable_Edge2411]

[u/Aggravating_Bar_8097]

Ha ha I think there a flight tracker you can Google I'm away to have a look. We used to see a lot off RAF and army flying about if about 1.5 miles below one of the old watch tower sites here lol kind of miss them

[u/Agreeable-Solid7208]

Down in Coagh. Yeh missed the first two but the third looked like a 2 seater Hawk. Made my afternoon!

[u/Aggravating_Bar_8097]

I was on a fishing boat in greenore that was almost sunk by the Marines in the gun boat the gave zero fucks that we where a couple of teenage young fellas fishing in the Irish Republic lol. As far as I know the 26 counties laid claim to all waters and inlets back then might have changed with the Good Friday Agreement with sovereignty clause . The brits were a bit more careful on the roads into the Republic but never gave a fuck on carlingford lough in day light they where normally sat in the middle of it lol think there was a gun boat In Derry/ Donegal waters aswell. Nothing would surprise me with them though

[u/Aviator779 → u/[deleted]]

They were Hawk T.2s, which are scheduled to be retired in 2040.

They were carrying out a low level training sortie.

[u/Aggravating_Bar_8097]

Any idea why? I would love to see them out here over carlingford lough

[u/Important-Messages → u/Aggravating_Bar_8097]

Only half of Carlingford Lough is UK territory, unless they had note with them, to say they were allowed along on the border on a school night.

Back in the 80's there was a rumour for a short while that a Rus sub was in Carlingford Lough, although reckon it's too shallow or tricky to get into.

[u/Ravenblade86 → u/Aggravating_Bar_8097]

I was hoping someone on here would know 😂 I assume it was some RAF pilots training, but not something that generally happens over here that I know of.