11th November 2024 heralded the start of the annual Swiss Air Force Yorknite exercise at RAF Leeming in North Yorkshire with the arrival of 10 F-18C/D aircraft from Payerne, Switzerland. Exercise Yorknite, now in its 5th year at RAF Leeming provides the Swiss Air Force with key training opportunities in low level flying and air to air refuelling not available in Switzerland, particularly at this time of year with a high risk of  avalanches in the Swiss mountains. Air and ground crew from all 3 operational F-18 squadrons (Fliegerstaffel 11 “Tigers”, 17 “Falcons” and 18 “Panthers”) attend with the vast amount of equipment required arriving in a large road convey a couple of weeks before hand. Also interesting to note that J-5011 had lost its special Fliegerstaffel 11 Tiger tail scheme since its last visit in 2023.

Swiss Air Force McDonnell Douglas F-18C J-5011 taxies out at RAF Leeming for Exercise YorkNite 24.
Swiss Air Force McDonnell Douglas F-18C J-5011 taxies out at RAF Leeming during Ex Yorknite 24.

The usual format of 3 sorties per day around 14:30, 17:30 and 20:00 was followed with largely favorable weather conditions for the majority of the exercise. Around 6-8 aircraft typically go out in each sorties with a usual flight time of 45-60 minutes but this can vary depending on the mission planned and in particular if they take on fuel or experience any technical issues. The Swiss Air Force are based in the northern HAS complex which can be viewed from the RAF Leeming viewing area off Roman Road and provides great photographic opportunities as they taxi out and take off.

Swiss Air Force McDonnell Douglas F-18C Hornet J-5017 Falcon Tail departing RAF Leeming. Yorknite 2024
Swiss Air Force McDonnell Douglas F-18C J-5006 taxies out at RAF Leeming during Ex Yorknite 24.
Swiss Air Force McDonnell Douglas F-18D J-5238 departs from RAF Leeming during Ex Yorknite

Landing shots at either end of the runway can be a bit hit and miss for the first sorties as it’s very close to sunset by the time the aircraft are returning but when you do catch the late afternoon light with the stunning autumn colours of the trees as backdrop, the results can be spectacular.

Swiss Air Force McDonnell Douglas F-18D J-5238 landing at RAF Leeming during Ex Yorknite

The exercise is usually split into two halves with the first two weeks dedicated to new pilots and the second half to the more experienced pilots. Whilst there was a change over of aircrew via a Helvetuc Embraer E190 into Teeside airport there wasn’t the usual swap over of at least a few airframes with only J-5238 returning home at the start of the third week.

Swiss Air Force McDonnell Douglas F-18C Hornet J-5015 and J-5025 break to land at RAF Leeming during Ex Yorknite 2024
Stunning late afternoon winter light as Swiss Air Force McDonnell Douglas F-18C Hornet J-5015 banks to lie up with runway 35 at RAF Leeming during Ex Yorknite 2024
Swiss Air Force McDonnell Douglas F-18C J-5006 landing at RAF Leeming during Ex Yorknite 24.

With the training completed for another year the F-18’s departed for Meiringen and Payerne around 10:30am.

Swiss Air Force McDonnell Douglas F-18D Hornet J-5233 landing at RAF Leeming during Ex Yorknite 2024

Detachment Aircraft (in arrival order)

SUI401: J-5011

SUI402: J-5007 (first visit)

SUI403: J-5008

SUI404: J-5017 (Special tail)

SUI405: J-5015 (first visit)

SUI406: J-5006

SUI407: J-5020

SUI408: J-5025

SUI409: J-5233

SUI410: J-5238