Frisian Flag 2018
Originally published in April 2018, refreshed in 2026.
From Sunday 8 to Friday 20 April 2018, Leeuwarden Air Base hosted the large-scale international exercise Frisian Flag. On 16 April I headed north for an early start at the spotter’s hill close to runway 05. I’d barely parked the car before the first wave took off ✈️
What is Frisian Flag?
Frisian Flag prepares military aircrew from different countries to work together in a real conflict. Everyone speaks a different language on the ground, so practising together makes sure communication never becomes the weak spot in the air.
Two waves of fast jets
Except for the two Polish MiG-29 Fulcrums, every participating country launched in the first wave, returning about an hour and a half later. After a break of roughly an hour, the second wave started.
And what a line-up: French Mirage 2000Ds on afterburner, Rafales, F-15 Eagles, a Typhoon, a Spanish Hornet, Polish and Dutch F-16s (including J-015, the former Orange Lion 🦁) and even the black Falcon 20 G-FRAT.
By the end of the day I had taken more than 3,200 photos (oh my god…) 😅 But it felt great to be back close to the base again.
Below you’ll find a selection of my favourite shots 📸
Enjoy! ✈️✨