Runway 28; Gilze-Rijen, 2004

Gilze-Rijen Air Base in 2004; Text and Photograph's by Alex van Noye

In 2004, I went only 1 time to Gilze-Rijen Air Base. An Antonov 124 should arrive at the airbase on April 29. This Antonov arrived to exchange some Apaches for the detachment in Afghanistan. This very large aircraft came in via the Runway 10. The aircraft taxied completely to the end of the runway. Two A-10 Thunderbolts appeared over the base shortly after the landing of the Antonov. These aircraft performed several practice attacks on the airbase. This is very special, because it was the first time I saw the A-10 at Gilze-Rijen. The Antonov 124 left Gilze-Rijen again during sunset. This brought me a few excellent photos of this massive aircraft.