Dutch Aviation Reporter Hans van der Wilt Embarks on UK Plane Spotting Tour During Cobra Warrior

Dutch aviation journalist Hans van der Wilt recently traveled to the United Kingdom to cover the prestigious Cobra Warrior exercise, a major multinational air combat training event hosted by the Royal Air Force. His visit provided an opportunity to observe and document some of the world’s most advanced military aircraft in action, as well as to explore several key RAF and USAF airbases across the country.

Cobra Warrior at RAF Waddington

Van der Wilt’s journey began at RAF Waddington, the main operational base for Cobra Warrior. This large-scale exercise, held twice a year, brings together air forces from multiple allied nations, enhancing their interoperability and combat effectiveness through complex training scenarios. The base was buzzing with activity, as various fighter jets, surveillance aircraft, and support planes took part in the exercise.

As an experienced aviation reporter, van der Wilt took the opportunity to engage in plane spotting at Waddington, capturing images and details of participating aircraft. This year’s iteration of Cobra Warrior saw the involvement of aircraft from countries such as Turkey, France, Saudi Arabia, and the United States, alongside the Royal Air Force.

Exploring Other Key UK Airbases

Beyond Waddington, van der Wilt extended his aviation tour to several other significant airfields, each with its own unique role in military aviation operations:

• RAF Cranwell – Known as the training hub for future RAF pilots and officers, Cranwell is home to the RAF College and various training aircraft. Here, van der Wilt observed the Phenom T Mk1 and  Grob 120 Prefect aircraft used for basic pilot training.

• Barkston Heath – A smaller but essential training base, Barkston Heath hosts flying training for Army Air Corps and RAF pilots. Though often overlooked, the airfield remains active with basic flight training operations on the Grob 120 Prefect aircraft.

• RAF Coningsby – One of the RAF’s frontline fighter bases, Coningsby is home to the Eurofighter Typhoon squadrons.

• RAF Lakenheath – A major hub for the United States Air Force in Europe, Lakenheath hosts the USAF’s F-15E Strike Eagles and the newly stationed F-35A Lightning IIs. The base is a hotspot for military aviation enthusiasts, and van der Wilt took advantage of the opportunity to document the powerful American fighter jets in action.

• RAF Mildenhall – Another key USAF base, Mildenhall supports aerial refueling, special operations, and intelligence missions. Home to KC-135 Stratotankers and CV-22 Ospreys, the base plays a vital role in NATO operations. Van der Wilt’s visit here provided insights into the logistics and support operations that enable combat missions across Europe.

A Successful Aviation Tour

Throughout his journey, van der Wilt captured a real nice mix of images. With this high-profile exercise and daily operations taking place across these airfields, van der Wilt’s trip highlighted the importance of these bases in modern air defense and multinational cooperation.