United Kingdom III 2025
At the end of September, 4Aviation departed for the United Kingdom for the second edition, in 2025, of Exercise Cobra Warrior 25/2 at RAF Waddington and various other bases across the country. Our visit coincided with the Japanese Atlantic Eagles 2025 visit to RAF Coningsby, and throughout the week we were also treated to several other beautiful and surprising aircraft. All of this took place in not-so-British weather, making for a fantastic week in the UK. We’ll be back for the 2026 edition! Click the “Keep informed” button below if you’d like to be the first to know about that specific tour.
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Chances are that we will return to the United Kingdom/Cobra Warrior for a comparable tour. If you want to be informed if we have details about this, please click the button to send us a message.
On the morning of Sunday 21 September 2025, we set course for Calais for our crossing to the United Kingdom. After several stops in the Netherlands and Belgium, all participants were picked up, with the main objective being the Cobra Warrior exercise. Unfortunately, we missed the ferry due to a delay and were forced to take the next one. After a smooth crossing, we set course for our hotel near Fairford.
As early as 8:00 a.m. on Monday 22 September 2025, we were at the fence at RAF Fairford. Two B-52s were stationed there for the exercise, but unfortunately, there was no movement to be seen. After a walk along the fence to take some other photos, we headed to RAF Brize Norton, where we were able to photograph an A400. Since nothing much else was happening, we decided to drive on to RAF Coningsby because we’d heard one of the C-2s would be leaving at 4:00 p.m. Unfortunately for us, it had already departed well before we arrived, but its companion was still there, and we were able to capture it in the beautiful evening sun. There were also plenty of Typhoons flying, including an Italian and two Germans.
This day, Tuesday 23 September 2025, was largely dedicated to RAF Coningsby. We arrived early at the airfield because the Japanese Eagles were scheduled to depart for Germany today. The weather was a bit overcast, but that didn’t dampen our spirits much when the Eagles departed around 9:30! Around 12:30, the second C-2 also departed for Laage. Some of the group then positioned themselves for the approach, while others made a short visit to RAF Cranwell and Barkston Heath. Around 16:45, the group regrouped and were able to photograph many more Typhoons in the beautiful evening light.
Today, Wednesday 24 September 2025, we started at the WAVE at RAF Waddington. The weather was awful (grey, occasional rain), but there were some nice aircraft to see. Two RC-135s were flying, along with, of course, the Canadian Hornets and German Eurofighters. After the Cobra Warrior mission, we moved to the other side of the airfield, where the weather was now much better. Hornets and CC-130s flew their own afternoon mission, which wasn’t Cobra Warrior. This mission was very photographable in the sunshine. When the last aircraft arrived at 5:30 PM, we headed for our hotel near Ely.
On the morning of Thursday 25 September 2025, we set off for RAF Lakenheath, a base that almost always delivers. This morning was once again very busy with aircraft movements, with 17 F-15s and 14 F-35s. Against all expectations, it was fortunately with sunny spells! At ADS-B, we saw two C-2s heading for Stansted from Oslo, so we headed for that airfield. Unfortunately, one of the C-2s turned around halfway, but the second arrived safely at Stansted, where we were able to photograph it beautifully. On the way back, we had a good look at RAF Mildenhall and ended the day at a great Italian restaurant!
On Friday 26 September 2025, we headed for RAF Lakenheath again. Contrary to the forecast, the weather had some sunny spells, allowing us to capture some beautiful images. Around noon, we moved to Mildenhall, as three AC-130Js were expected. Along with some local KC-135s, the AC-130s arrived in overcast conditions and departed again a short time later. Not in the best of conditions, but still great to see! A nice end to a great trip! Saturday was used to return safely to the Netherlands via various stops.
