Fuerzas Aeromóviles Ejército de Tierra, A dream come true!

[RichPittman]

Hi all

After visiting Spain for the FAMET parade 2014, I just couldn't resist another pop at it.
This time with Rick, Liam and Sam. Meeting Steve out there on the Tuesday.
What was to be a base visit organised on Monday to view the parade practice and Take offs and Landings the Day turned into something a little bit more special
With my 1st military helicopter flights, im still on cloud nine now!

I will try and talk about the experience as we go.

Early Morning arriving at BHELTRA-V (Batallón de Helicópteros de Transporte V)

FAMET Parade 2015 (1) by Rich Pittman, on Flickr

A Cougar conducts a early Morning test flight.

FAMET Parade 2015 (2) by Rich Pittman, on Flickr

New EC135 and old Huey on the ramp

FAMET Parade 2015 (5) by Rich Pittman, on Flickr

FAMET Parade 2015 (6) by Rich Pittman, on Flickr

FAMET Parade 2015 (7) by Rich Pittman, on Flickr

FAMET Parade 2015 (9) by Rich Pittman, on Flickr

FAMET Parade 2015 (12) by Rich Pittman, on Flickr

FAMET Parade 2015 (15) by Rich Pittman, on Flickr

Taken from the ramp of Talud 1, Talud 2 and 3 line up on Colmenar Viejo Runway 04

FAMET Parade 2015 (20) by Rich Pittman, on Flickr

FAMET Parade 2015 (21) by Rich Pittman, on Flickr

Having no experience in shooting from a chinook, I soon found out heat from the engines makes photos from the back of the ramp limiting

FAMET Parade 2015 (22) by Rich Pittman, on Flickr

FAMET Parade 2015 (23) by Rich Pittman, on Flickr

FAMET Parade 2015 (24) by Rich Pittman, on Flickr

Landing on at El Vellon Airstrip time was taken to synchronised timings for the flypast.
This gave us time to leave the Chinook to take a few photos.

FAMET Parade 2015 (25) by Rich Pittman, on Flickr

Back in flight, 1st I flew in the lead chinook Talud1.
Here is Talud 3 on the right of the diamond.

FAMET Parade 2015 (28) by Rich Pittman, on Flickr

Because Talud 2 and 3 were slightly higher than Talud 1 I chose to join Rick, Liam and Sam in Talud2 for the 2nd run through.

FAMET Parade 2015 (29) by Rich Pittman, on Flickr

Talud1 taking off from El Vallon

FAMET Parade 2015 (32) by Rich Pittman, on Flickr

Talud3

FAMET Parade 2015 (34) by Rich Pittman, on Flickr

FAMET Parade 2015 (35) by Rich Pittman, on Flickr

FAMET Parade 2015 (37) by Rich Pittman, on Flickr

FAMET Parade 2015 (38) by Rich Pittman, on Flickr

FAMET Parade 2015 (41) by Rich Pittman, on Flickr

FAMET Parade 2015 (43) by Rich Pittman, on Flickr

FAMET Parade 2015 (44) by Rich Pittman, on Flickr

FAMET Parade 2015 (45) by Rich Pittman, on Flickr

Talud3 breaks right over the Parade practice.

FAMET Parade 2015 (51) by Rich Pittman, on Flickr

FAMET Parade 2015 (52) by Rich Pittman, on Flickr

Talud2 waiting for the 3rd run

FAMET Parade 2015 (54) by Rich Pittman, on Flickr

FAMET Parade 2015 (55) by Rich Pittman, on Flickr

FAMET Parade 2015 (56) by Rich Pittman, on Flickr

FAMET Parade 2015 (57) by Rich Pittman, on Flickr

FAMET Parade 2015 (63) by Rich Pittman, on Flickr

FAMET Parade 2015 (64) by Rich Pittman, on Flickr

FAMET Parade 2015 (66) by Rich Pittman, on Flickr

Taken from the side Door after landing on at Colmenar

FAMET Parade 2015 (73) by Rich Pittman, on Flickr

FAMET Parade 2015 (77) by Rich Pittman, on Flickr

FAMET Parade 2015 (78) by Rich Pittman, on Flickr

FAMET Parade 2015 (79) by Rich Pittman, on Flickr

Joining the Parade static the next Day was Spanish Army NH90 Number 3 Factory fresh from Albacete
FAMET Parade 2015 (81) by Rich Pittman, on Flickr

Next Evening we went back to El Vellon to await the flypast Helicopters

FAMET Parade 2015 (82) by Rich Pittman, on Flickr

weather wasnt as kind as last Year but still ok

FAMET Parade 2015 (84) by Rich Pittman, on Flickr

FAMET Parade 2015 (85) by Rich Pittman, on Flickr

FAMET Parade 2015 (86) by Rich Pittman, on Flickr

FAMET Parade 2015 (89) by Rich Pittman, on Flickr

What happens next but to be asked to rejoin the flypast for real, this time in a EC135!
Time and weather fading by this time but a experience Ill never forget flying in the missing man in a formation of 5 EC135 above the parade. To re-join the main formation high above as the Whip.

FAMET Parade 2015 (92) by Rich Pittman, on Flickr

FAMET Parade 2015 (93) by Rich Pittman, on Flickr

FAMET Parade 2015 (99) by Rich Pittman, on Flickr

FAMET Parade 2015 (100) by Rich Pittman, on Flickr

FAMET Parade 2015 (101) by Rich Pittman, on Flickr

FAMET Parade 2015 (103) by Rich Pittman, on Flickr

FAMET Parade 2015 (106) by Rich Pittman, on Flickr

Thanks everyone for looking.
Thanks to Rick, Liam and Sam for a fantastic few Days in Spain
Thanks to everyone at the FAMET in Colmenar Viejo. Incredible hosts

A web report and Video will be produced soon

Cheers Rich

[RickIngham]

Fantastic set Rich - a great reminder of the best day i can ever remember! Lots of unique angles in there...jammy git.

[ChrisShaw]

Wow speechless what an amazing set! and experience. Hats off to you Sir

[Tommy]

Magnificent, you lucky buggers!

Ever since doing TLP in January this year, Spain has got to be one of my favourite places/military to spot & tog. The FAMET Parade is definitely on my "to do" list - along with going back to Albacete.

Tigres 706 and 708 must be relatively new? Assuming they're made chronologically, I caught ET-707 on acceptance at the start of the year.

[McG]

Great set of shots Rich.
What an experience.

[Glenn Beasley]

Superb Rich, what a great opportunity, well done.

[Niallxg]

Great set Rich.

Niall

[stranexuk]

You already know what I think of your shots you jammy bugger but the narrative that goes along with these is excellent too. Top bombing, an amazing experience for you!

[funkygib]

wow!

[Airwolfhound]

Outstanding