Ex. Maple Flag 2018

[Bingofuel]

any way that people can spot a Maple Flag like red flag or is it almost impossible?

You could email the base Public Affairs Officer about spotting locations, but they'll probably tell you to join the rest of the spotters on the North-East side of the airport in the "Designated Spotters Area". It's not bad. Scramble has a good overview of the areas in this link...
http://www.scramble.nl/airfield-guide/cold-lake

However, Maple Flag typically has a public day where they pull an example of each participating aircraft to the Medley Ramp for up-close photos.

[tbower35]

Question regarding photography during a Maple Flag exercise. I have read about the max lens size is 300mm. From the spotting area to the runways can you still get a full frame photo of the fighter jets taking off or landing? I have been told yes but also no so I'm trying to figure it out.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

Trevor

[Bingofuel]

Question regarding photography during a Maple Flag exercise. I have read about the max lens size is 300mm. From the spotting area to the runways can you still get a full frame photo of the fighter jets taking off or landing?

Not sure about getting full frame images but here's a link to a MF50 gallery from last year. Most of these pictures look to be taken from the public viewing area. I'd imagine with a 300mm lens.
http://www.kestrelaviationimages.ca/p907702734

[Chuter]

Question regarding photography during a Maple Flag exercise. I have read about the max lens size is 300mm. From the spotting area to the runways can you still get a full frame photo of the fighter jets taking off or landing?

Not sure about getting full frame images but here's a link to a MF50 gallery from last year. Most of these pictures look to be taken from the public viewing area. I'd imagine with a 300mm lens.
http://www.kestrelaviationimages.ca/p907702734

Although I've never spotted with at Maple flag or been.. I do have a 300mm lens and by looking at Google Maps, it doesn't seem to bad. The distance shouldn't be an issue. A 300mm should be enough. Shame they don't allow longer focal length, but oh well.

[VIMY21]

Question regarding photography during a Maple Flag exercise. I have read about the max lens size is 300mm. From the spotting area to the runways can you still get a full frame photo of the fighter jets taking off or landing?

Not sure about getting full frame images but here's a link to a MF50 gallery from last year. Most of these pictures look to be taken from the public viewing area. I'd imagine with a 300mm lens.
http://www.kestrelaviationimages.ca/p907702734

Most of those are airside and the lens restriction doesn't apply airside.

[VIMY21]

It's hard to say. For the Australian contingent I assume they would go through Alaska as they usually do for Red Flag Exercises. Unlikely they would make an appearance at either YEG or YYC if they're coming from the North. The Peruvians are a possibility, I believe the last couple south-american groups to attend made their way through Mountain Home AFB in Idaho as their last fuel stop before YOD. Although Mirage 2000's don't have very long range and I'm not sure if they're allowed to tank from USAF or RCAF tankers...so they might have to stop on the way up through YYC.

Who knows! Plus they're pretty good about keeping military movements quiet these days. If they do appear at YEG or YYC we probably won't know until they're already on the ground.

Australia will come up through Guam and Hawaii. Then they will head north via CYQQ.

Peru will likely come via Kelly Field Annex and Mountain Home.

Stuff from the east will more then likely go to CYYR and then will then tank to CYOD from there. The likelihood of CYTR getting anything is moderately low but that said it's not impossible.



I can't wait to shoot it. It's going to be a lot of fun.

True true. We'll be keeping an eye on the movements, hopefully something comes our way here in Ontario.

So the Belgians will be coming from Mountain Home as they will be based there for May and June. Also just found out the Germans are likely to be added as they are bringing Tornados and Typhoons. They will be coming up from Holloman and China Lake respectively.

[SpeedWagon]

Does anyone know if they are going to have an open house this year as the exercise much shorter than previously? I have an email in to base public affairs but haven't heard anything yet.

--
Barry Thorp, Victoria BC

[Chuter]

Does anyone know if they are going to have an open house this year as the exercise much shorter than previously? I have an email in to base public affairs but haven't heard anything yet.

--
Barry Thorp, Victoria BC

We have also been waiting a little while for responses from PAO at Cold Lake. Not entirely sure what's going on.

[Bingofuel]

Darn, looks like the Peruvian Mirage 2000 contingent and the NATO AWACS are no longer listed as participants.

[tbower35]

That's a bummer but at least the Saudi Tornado's are still on the list. Hoping for the best!!