"Well., actually the
transfer of our MiGs started a day earlier than it actually took place.
On the 3rd of August we should fly the remaining 9 MiG-29 FULCRUM to
Bydgoszcz, but the weather there was not good enough. So we made the
decision to postpone to the following day, our MiGs were allowed to stay
home for another day! Time to take some last pictures.
Today is the day, the
weather in Poland is forecasted good for the afternoon - we go! I am
allowed to be the last to raise the landing gear - that already makes me
a bit quiet and reflectull. I have our photographer Uli in my backseat to
take some last pictures from the cockpit. Mission briefing - we plan on a
formation take-off and extra overflight. Then we will be intercepted by a
polish two-ship and escorted to Bydgoszcz.
We are getting dressed,
as often... but for the last time. LIBELLE? Helmet visor? No, we are not
going to fight today, we choose the light variant of flight suit and
g-suit, cause it is quite warm. Entering the line taxi and driving out to
the B-flight. We drive together with the formation in front of us to have
some extra time for our passengers. Our Chief of Staff Air Force is in
the other Two-seater to join the ceremony in Poland - a very nice move!
I greet my crew chiefs,
as always with a hand shake, they seem as well to be very sad. While I
fill in the forms, Uli hops in. As I do my walk-around, I am getting
aware of how many people are out here on the flight or sitting on the
grass next to it. They all came to say Good Bye! The spotter hill is not
visible from here , but I know many of those who were there yesterday are
here again today!
Walk-around
finished,...I sit down in the shade of the aircraft front and
wait...still another 30 minutes to taxi. I just have to think about 1996
when I did my first flight in the MiG-29,...we also started here on
B-flight. Was it the same 29+25 when I had a ride in Mike's backseat?
It is getting loud, the
first three aircraft start their engines. We need at least 10 minutes in
between formations. I look along the row of MiGs and see the air glimmer
behind the jets - just like in Deci this heat!
Very typically this
sound of a MiG engine getting started, especially the low growl just
before idle RPM. We should have taped this some time! The noise is
calling even more people. I can see a lot of people coming out of the
main hangar now.
It takes a while, until
Tom has his three-ship ready, and advances power, the starting signal! I
get up as everybody else. 29+10 moves forward and slowly turns left in my
direction. As if it would take a walk along a parade it moves slowly pass
the row of jets. I stand straight in front of 29+25 with my crew chiefs
beside me, and as the three jets pass by, we give each one a military
salute - like everybody else!
Now it is time for me
to get in the cockpit and as I strap in and do my checks the first 3 MiGs
take off. I turn around and see them pulling up for a high performance
burner take-off. Straight up they go and Laage is shaking! I have my
helmet on as they come around for their last formation overflight. The
coloured 29+20 is just taxiing in front of me as they overfly the apron,
we all have our heads looking up!
Now it is time to start
the engines. Old routine, everything goes quick and after a few minutes
the jets are running, reliably as always! The conversation with Uli is
non existing, somehow I don't feel like talking a lot and Uli is busy
taking film.
The next 3 are taxiing,
again a ceremony! All the spectators have moved together and are coming
closer and closer to us. All soldiers salute. The pilots in the cockpits
do the same.
Check-in: "German Air
Force 2903 check,...Bravo,..Charly" - I take a few seconds more after
Bravo crosses my nose and advance power. A little shiver down my
back! I feel as if I would take the salutes for 29+25. I recognize almost
all the people that I see salute. "Last Chance" - a last check before we
go. Everything o.k.! The last man before entering the runway is Chief
Maintenance to salute his Babies!
Ejection seats - hot,
last switches before take-off, clearance,... now suddenly all is gone.
Now space for sentimental feelings. Focus on take-off.
We take off in
formation, so that Uli can put it on video. Gear - up...off we go. Our
Alpha is south of the field and we quickly join up. A normal overflight
it will be. Tower already clears us for "last overflight" but we inform
him, that we will come around a second time.
The very last
overflight is a bit offset south, just over the spotters, I like that! I
suddenly have to think of all the boys down there and can't resist to
wave them Good Bye with a big, slow wing rock!
Auf Wiedersehen says
the FULCRUM!
Enroute it is rather
quiet. We fly in close formation and Uli films a lot and takes pictures.
Our general flies the Alpha and Bravo is in close. We continuously change
position to get good pictures. Approaching the border our controllers of
Berlin Radar give us their best wishes and we are transferred to the
polish air traffic control.
It does not take long
until 2 polish MiG-29 roll in behind us and join up. Our escort of honour
is here! We give them the lead and Alpha and Bravo fly close on them. We
roll around the formation and take photos.
we soon approach our
destination and are transferred to Bydgoszcz Tower. The weather is great
and so we can perform a nice overflight again. Down there a lot of
attention, I recognize the first 6 jets lined up, surrounded by people.
Pitch out of the
formation. We are ordered to land, only Alpha with the general will
perform a low-approach, so that we all stand ready when he lands and
climbs out. Now I have thoughts again. Gear - down for the last time.
Radio call. Final turn to land. Touchdown.
8 busy years and almost
1000 hours of safe flying time - Thank You MiG!
We have little time -
drag chute dropped we are already getting waved in. Our crew chiefs look
sad. Throttles - off. The end. Canopy open and quickly I sign the forms
before I climb out.
The official part of
the ceremony is not of importance for me, we stand lined up for the press
and get photographed a lot. Speeches are held in two languages and
documents are signed. Finally over. Journalists are still taking pictures
and seek interviews. I deny that and rather walk towards our jets to
caress them a last time. On 29+10 everybody signed - so do I.
I want o come to an end
with my little story. After the following visit to a maintenance hangar
and a snack in the club we fly home to Laage on a C-160 TRANSALL. Our
29+13 RUDI is waiting and gives us all a ride on a trailer around the
quiet base. Afterwards we still sit around with our maintenance in front
of the squadron building and exchange thoughts. It is around 11PM when I
leave.
For whom my thought are
too emotional, I apologize. On this day I have seen a lot of big strong
men with tears in their eyes. Who was not touched by this event never did
his job with his heart!
I apologize for the bad
translation into English.
Peter Steiniger
