Southern California Airshow Review

Southern California Airshow Review

B-2 First Flight 20th Anniversary is this Friday.

Space Shuttle STS-127 launch rescheduled for July 11th.

Military aviation fans will want to see the new Transformers movie. Plenty of mil/av action in it - several famous AF bases, great air to air scenes of several fighters, bombers, transports, and the interior of one very famous aviation museum are all featured prominently in the flick.

Info released for players on the next two Red Flag exercises.

Red Air
F-16CG, Nellis AFB, Nev.
F-15C, Nellis AFB

Blue Air
F-15C/D, Mountain Home AFB, Idaho

Interdiction
F-16CG, Toledo, Ohio (Air National Guard)
F-16C, Israeli Air Force

Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses
F-16CJ, Shaw AFB, S.C.

Command, control, intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance
E-3, Tinker AFB, Okla.

Aerial Refueling
KC-135, Fairchild AFB, Wash.,
KC-135, Scott AFB, Ill.
KC-135, RAF Mildenhall (U.S. unit)

Number of aircraft: 62

No aviation photography days will be scheduled for the July Red Flag exercise.

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Red Flag Participating Flying Units
24 August-4 September 2009
Day/Night Launches

Red Air
F-16CG, Nellis AFB, Nev.
F-15C, Nellis AFB

Blue Air
F-15C/D, Westfield, Mass. (Air National Guard)

Interdiction
F-16CG, Hill AFB, Utah
B-52H, Barksdale AFB, La.
AMX, Italian Air Force
F-16CG, United Arab Emirates
F/A-18, NAS Miramar, Calif.

Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses
EA-6B, NAS Whidbey Island, Wash.

Command, control, intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance
E-3, Tinker AFB, Okla.

Special Operations Forces
MC-130, Hurlburt, Field, Fla.

Aerial Refueling
KC-135, Fairchild AFB, Wash.
KC-135, McConnell AFB, Kans.

Number of aircraft: 76

Aviation photography days have not yet been scheduled for the August-September Red Flag exercise. Please check again in a few days.

White Knight Two returns to Mojave airport just in time for this month's "Plane Crazy" event. Spectators at Saturday's static display at Mojave were treated to a big surprise appearance by Burt Rutan's White Knight Two, the mothership for SpaceShip Two. Photos to come soon.

Fire Dept Blackhawk helo seen operating at one of the AV College athletic fields. The helo was met by a paramedic squad and ambulance on the school's westside, to pick up an accident victim.

Space Shuttle Atlantis ferried back to Florida this morning. Next Shuttle launch is expected to be STS-127, tentatively set for June 13th, a two week mission.

Info added on the SoCal Store (page 1, at the end of the video list towards bottom of the page) regarding my Parade Flyovers compilation DVD / VHS. Contains various clips of Rose Bowl/Parade flyovers since 2004, and flyovers from other sporting events, including today's Indy 500 flyover and also Talledega '09. The dvd and VHS are free, however if you want VHS, I ask that you provide the tape.

2009 Chino Airshow video/dvd now available. Contains approximately 90 mins of footage (half ground action, half aerial action).

The B-25, "Pacific Prowler" is scheduled to appear at the following shows out West: Miramar, Edwards, and Nellis. If you haven't seen this one before, you'll love it. It has one of the best pieces of nose art you'll see today.

Rare variant of the U-2 / TR-1 seen over Palmdale recently. Note the third pod on the spine.

From last week's Mojave visit: Ex-Idaho ANG RF-4C #67-0428 on the ramp at BAE's facility.

Airborne Laser 747 aircraft spotted over Palmdale this afternoon (Thurs)

It's official - Edwards AFB airshow now only a ONE DAY event. Oct 17th.

Danish F-16 spotted over Palmdale. Check it out......this aircraft is on loan to Edwards for JSF support.

Minter Field Fly-in Report. Aviation fans gathered Saturday at Minter Field in Shafter, for their 2009 Fly-in. Due to money constraints, show organizers were unable to put on a full-scale airshow this year, so they opted for a smaller event featuring the old Army Air Corps basic trainer, the Vultee BT-13, as well as other warbirds, antiques and homebuilt aircraft. Other than the three BT-13s that were present on the ramp, specific aircraft that were at the show included Al Goss’s SNJ “Warlock”, Eddie Van Fossen’s T-6 “Miss TNT’, a Chinese CJ-6 Nanchang, several Navions, a Fokker Triplane (famous for being flown by Germany’s Baron Von Richtoven, aka the “Red Baron”), an A-26 Invader nicknamed ‘Dragon Lady’, a Harmon Rocket, RV-4s and RV-5s, another pair of T-6 trainers, a Stearman trainer, a pair of ultra-lites (one of which had the classic ‘shark mouth’ nose art), a Euro Fox, a Sky Ranger, Remos G-3 600, Piper Cub, and a handful of others. The B-25 known as ‘Executive Sweet’ was scheduled to participate, but apparently had mechanical issues at its home base, and did not make it. Tiger Destifani’s famous ‘Strega’ also was not present for the same reason, though surprisingly it was not even brought out for static display. Also present on the ramp was a group of vintage vehicles, both civilian and military. The weather was perfect, as it almost always is, and the event drew a pretty good crowd. Flybys and rides took place throughout the day, and a good number of vendors made it to the event, hawking vintage nose art style placards, books, shirts, hats, and die cast toy airplanes. Organizers say that in 2010, the full airshow will return.

ACC Demo Schedule Updated. Through November, here is some updated info on Heritage Flights at some SoCal & other Southwestern Airshows (note the Nov 7 date in Lancaster). Also looks like airshow fans out west will once again be on the short end of the stick when it comes to F-4 Heritage Flights, though there's still hope for one at Nellis - they ARE due for it, as they seem to be getting an F-4 every two years. Here are the updates:

Las Cruces Airport, New Mexico, May 30: F-4 Heritage Flight.

NAS Fallon, Sept 11th Airshow: A-10 West + P-51

Paso Robles, Sept 12: A-10 West + P-51

Miramar Airshow: F-16 West + P-51

Edwards AFB Airshow: A-10 West + F-16 West + P-38

Holloman Airshow: F-22 + F-4 + P-51

Jackie Cochran Airshow, Thermal: F-16 West + P-38

Lancaster, Ca: (some sort of airshow!) F-16 + P-51

Nellis AFB Airshow: A-10 West + F-22 + P-51 + one more to be determined.

More links to past airshow photos & articles added to the links page.

Three QR-F-4Cs are now on the ramp at Mojave airport. They are #66-0476, #67-0453, and #71-0259. The last one was photographed in its Bergstrom AFB markings by members of the F-4 Phantom Society last October.

Some more 'webshots' gallery links posted on the links page.

Some photos from Plant 42, Monday early afternoon. A B-2, believed to be the Spirit of Oklahoma, and a bare metal U-2 with no military markings, only a serial # on the tail.

Links page updated with lots of new Webshot Gallery updates to photos from past airshow seasons. Check em out!

Fresno F-16s steal the show at Riverside's airshow. Two Vipers from the Calif ANG did some amazing flybys today down at in Riverside. Another treat was that the Heritage Flight was performed twice, w A-10 West flying with Kevin Eldridge in Chino's F-86.

B-2 flyover scheduled for the April 13th home opener at Dodger Stadium, a 1:10pm game.

Julie Clark set to fly at the 2009 Edwards AFB Open House. The CAF 'Tora' Squadron is the only other known confirmed act so far.

2009 HERITAGE FLIGHT CONFERENCE DAVIS-MONTHAN AFB, TUCSON, AZ. MARCH 4-9, 2009

Overcast skies and high winds failed to dampen spirits, or prevent flying, at the 2009 ACC Heritage Flight Conference, held March 6^th thru the 8^th, at Tucson’s Davis-Monthan AFB. Strangely, while Tucson was socked in, the weather just up the highway in Phoenix was clear. Adding to the strange weather was the arrival of one of those mysterious “Janet” 737 aircraft. And once its landing roll took it past the hot ramp area, we never saw it again that day, which was fitting, considering that aircraft’s mission. Lady Luck smiled on the event on day two of the practice sessions, with the clouds giving way to sunshine all day long. Media Day was held on Friday, with about a dozen representatives getting approved by Air Combat Command to cover the event. We had writers and photographers from the local Tucson area; Reno, Nevada, Texas; Southern California; and as far away as Holland. The F-4 Phantom Society was well represented with at least five members attending this year. DM’s PAO escorts were generous in allowing several of us to stay on base most of the day. We were allowed on the hot ramp for about 90 minutes, getting close up views of the participating aircraft. World War II era warbirds this year included the following: “Proud American”, an A-1 Skyraider in an SEA scheme, flown by Alan Anders; “Double Trouble Two”, a very sharp-looking P-51 Mustang; two other P-51s (including “Wee Willy 2”), and a pair of P-40s, one of which belongs to the Chino, California-based Planes of Fame museum. It was still in its “Valkyrie” movie paint scheme, which featured British markings. Steve Hinton and Kevin Eldridge represented the Chino museum this year. Kevin is beginning his second year as Heritage Flight pilot. I met Kevin during the 2008 season and he told me at that time he was very excited to be a part of the HF program. The other P-40 was bright green, with Flying Tiger markings. The P-47 Thunderbolt, “Tarheel Hal”, did not make it this year. Back for 2009 after standing down for one year, is the A-10 East Team, from Moody AFB. All of the other usual demo teams were there of course - F-4 West, F-4 East, A-10 West, Viper East, Viper West, and the F-15E Strike Eagle team. F-15 West from Eglin was present, and there was another F-15 with no tail code at all. Jet demo team pilots this year include Lt Col Ryan Luchsinger, aka “Chief” (F-4 West); Lt. Col. Ron “Stuff” Miller (F-4 East); Major Dave “Zeke” Skalicky (F-22 East); Major David Graham (Viper West); Major George Clifford (Viper East); Capt. Paul Brown (A-10 West); Capt. Johnnie Green (A-10 east); Capt. Sam “Nuke” Joplin (F-15 West); and Capt. Phil “Ritz” Smith with WSO Capt. John “Gizmo” Cox (F-15 Strike Eagle).

Just about thirty different formations were flown over the three-day period, and that does not include arrival formations. 2009 brings us a new F-22 Raptor demo pilot, and even though there does not appear to be anything drastically new in the demo routine itself, it certainly shows us nothing less than what Max Moga has presented over the past two seasons. Of course a good portion of the Raptor’s true capabilities presumably cannot be shown publicly. An exciting change this year was the apparent clearance for the F-4 Phantoms to do complete rolls in transition following their Heritage Flight split passes and their individual flybys. Until now, they’ve only gone just a little bit past the 90 degree mark, before straightening out. There were four Phantoms here this year, two from Holloman, #72-162 and #74-626, both of which are now on their third season in the Heritage Flight program; and two from Tyndall AFB - #237 and #74-622, believed to be going on their second Heritage Flight season.

Thanks to Capt. Ferrau and Michelle at ACC and Lt. Pekas along with Major John Napier and Ssgt Jacob Richmond at the DM PAO, for their assistance.

LIST OF FORMATIONS SEEN DURING THE HFC:

TWO SHIP FORMATIONS:

F-4, P-51

F-4, P-40

A-10, P-40

F-22, P-51

F-16, SKYRAIDER

F-4s ARRIVE

F-15s ARRIVE

A-10 EAST ARRIVES

P-51s ARRIVE

F-15, P-51

A-10, SKYRAIDER

THREE SHIP FORMATIONS:

F-4, F-15, A-10

F-4s

F-15s

F-86, F-15, F-16

F-22, SKYRAIDER, F-16

F-4, P-40, A-10

F-4, P-51, F-154

F-15, F-16, P-51

F-4, F-86, P-51

F-4, A-10, F-86

TWO P-51s, SKYRAIDER

FOUR SHIP FORMATIONS:

F-4 ARRIVAL

F-22, F-16, TWO F-15s

THREE P-51s + C-130

F-22, SKYRAIDER, F-16, P-51

F-4, A-10, F-86, P-51

F-15, F-16, TWO P-51s

F-4, A-10, F-16, P-40

F-22, F-15, F-16, P-51

TWO P-51s, SKYRAIDER, C-130

FIVE SHIP FORMATION:

THREE P-51s, SKYRAIDER, C-130

RED FLAG 9-3 REPORT

NELLIS AFB, MARCH 11 & 12

Red flag 9-3 took place at Nellis AFB between Feb 24 & March 13, 2009. These exercises have recently been extended from periods lasting two weeks, to three weeks for additional close air support work. The Red Flag program, along with Green Flag and Air Warrior, provides a realistic training environment for American and Allied aircrews. The primary highlight for photographers this time around was the presence of Australian F-111 Aardvarks. Due for possible retirement in 2010, this may have been the last chance to photograph these swing-wing aircraft in flight. Australia is last country flying the type. Other aircraft present were Tornadoes from the UK; NAS Whidbey Island EA6B Prowlers; an EA-18G Growler from China Lake; A-10s from the Maryland, Idaho, and Michigan Air National Guards; an E-8 Joint Star; several E-3 Sentry AWACs aircraft; a pair of UK-based C-130s; an EC-130 Compass Call from Davis-Monthan AFB; a KC-10 from Travis AFB; a KC-135 from Ohio; and several Spangdahlem, Germany-based F-16s, which also participated in Red Flag 9-2, held in early February. With no media day scheduled for this round of training, photographers and spotters who converged on Nellis, were left with roaming around the excellent spotting locations outside the base.

2009 EL CENTRO AIRSHOW

MARCH 13-14, 2009

March in El Centro, California means lots of jet noise, and the start of another exciting airshow season in North America. The US Navy’s Blue Angels use NAF El Centro for their winter training, which runs from approximately January right up until the base’s annual airshow in mid March. During that time, the locale becomes a mecca for diehard aviation fans and photographers who love to hang out atop hay bales near the runway and cheer on their favorite team, while at the same time, trying NOT to get a haircut from those very same blue & gold F/A-18 Hornets!

This year’s show featured a variety of performers, ranging from aerobatics to warbirds, to modern military demos, two of the latter being welcome surprises. The show was kicked off with a flight of three Stearman trainers, then the “Thunder Delfins” took over, flying their Czech-built (?) L-29s. Normally the team flies four aircraft, but only two were able to make it. Bill Cornick, and Spencer Suderman provided the aerobatics. John Collver, a regular at many Southern California airshows, flew his SNJ “Wardog”. NAS Fallon sent down their SAR demo team for what looks like their last airshow appearance, with the Huey helo being slated for retirement. Next up was the popular F-15E Strike Eagle demo, from Seymour-Johnson AFB, flown by Capt Phil “Ritz” Smith with his WSO, Capt John “Gizmo” Cox. After displaying a lot of ‘turning and burning’, the Eagle then formed up with the P-51 “Wee Willy II” being flown by Kevin Eldridge, for the Heritage Flight. NAS North Island sent over a C-2 “Greyhound”, aka “COD” for a flyby just before Black Dagger jump team performed. Afterwards, there was a change of command for NAF El Centro, giving the crowd a chance to run for the numerous food vendors on hand, before the action resumed. When the show started up again, the well known B-25J, “Heavenly Body” went up and did a few flybys for the crowd. The F-18 Super Hornet demo (from NAS Lemoore), and C-17 demo (from nearby March Field ARB) kept everyone looking to the skies with their contrasting speeds and maneuvers. A BIG surprise was the appearance of not one, but TWO B-1 Lancer bombers from Dyess AFB in Abilene, Texas. They arrived during the COC ceremony at high altitude, and after a lengthy absence of both narration and the planes’ returning, a person could’ve easily thought that was the flyby. But not quite. Wait for it - wait for it. The two bombers eventually came back by in formation, low and close in! It’s rare enough that airshow fans can see a B-1, let alone TWO of them. What a sight that was! The other surprise was the appearance of two AV8B Harriers, apparently returning from the MCAS Yuma airshow, which was being held on the same day as El Centro’s. Even though a Harrier demo did not occur at the EC show, the two aircraft did do a nice flyby, with a break for landing at about midfield. The Commemorative Air Force’s Southern California Wing, based up the coast in Camarillo, sent down their F6F Hellcat, and A6M Zero for a simulated dogfight. And finally, getting back to the modern era, it was time for the Blue Angels to take over. Their C-130 transport, known as “Fat Albert”, took to the skies and did several flybys before handing it over to its F/A-18 teammates.

SoCal Airshow Review & Aviation Photography

(Proud Patriot, and Member of the Antelope Valley

Minutemen and Jim Gilchrist's Minuteman Project)

I Shall Not Be Silent When Others Revile My Patriotism - (part of the Minuteman Pledge)

Our military veterans did not, and ARE not dying for the mexican flag. They fought, and are fighting for, Old Glory. PERIOD.

"If you can read this, thank a teacher. If you're reading this in English, thank the military."

"If the pictures aren't good enough, you aren't close enough."

"If you call yourself an artist, you won't get anything published. If you call yourself a photojournalist, you can do whatever you want."

"It's not a near miss! It's a NEAR-HIT!"

"(bleep) you - I'm getting IN the plane! Let the daredevils get ON the plane."

"It's all BS and it's bad for you"

- George Carlin (we miss you George!)

"It's Michelin-On-Nike time!"

"Making people mad is a good thing"

- John McCain (hehe, right on, Senator!)

"I don't take crap from anyone - bees

"I GOTTA have more cowbell!"

- Christopher Walken

"Here's to swimmin' with bowlegged women"

"If you have to crop, you didn't do the job."

- ME (King of the Crops, INDEED! LOL)

"I will stand, I will fight, as the sun goes down, I won't give in to fear" - JP

"I'm on the line, but I'll go down fighting!" - JP

"You wont break me, you wont take me, I'll fight you under blood red skies" - JP

Here's some more anti-American nonsense, coming out of the Dallas area, of all places. Frank Larison, a 58yr old Vietnam Veteran, is being singled out and harassed by his homeowners association, for having several bumper stickers and window decals on the back of his vehicle. They are threatening to fine him and tow his vehicle!! The Woodlands on the Creek II homeowners association, in Lake Highlands, Texas, a Dallas suburb, is the nazi-esque party this time. I was not able to find any kind of address for this condo complex, however I did come up with an email address for its president, Darenda Hardy. If you are as mad about this as I am, pls bombard her with emails expressing your outrage - hardyd4099@aol.com. Of course, I would imagine with the controversy, that email addy may not be up much longer, lol. There's an article online at the Dallas Morning News website - be sure to check it out! UPDATE: I now have an address and phone # for this place: 8850 Fair Oaks Crossing, Dallas, Tx. 75243, and 214-503-8826.

Although many of us knew this was probably going to happen, your President is again following in 'Jorge' Bush's steps by nominating a hispanic for the open Supreme Court spot. Pls write your elected officials and ask them to fight this nomination. I don't believe a person of foreign descent should be in ANY high government positions. Putting a mexican on our Supreme Court? Are you kidding? Here's another incident that will only make it harder for us to enforce our immigration laws. UPDATE May 29th - It's been discovered that Sotomayer is a member of one of the biggest anti-American, racist, pro-illegal alien groups in the nation, "La Raza", even MORE reason for every patriot to write, or call their elected officials and raise hell.

YOUR Homeland Security Chief, Janet Napolitano, was recently quoted on CNN as saying "illegal immigration is not really a crime". WTF???*&^&U%!!!!! The following is an excerpt from a recent Minuteman Project email:

DHS Chief Napolitano: Illegal Immigration Is Not a Crime

Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano stunned many listeners during an appearance on CNN when she asserted that illegal immigration is really not a crime.

In an interview with CNN's John King last week, Napolitano discussed Sheriff Joe Arpaio of Maricopa County, Ariz., a strict enforcer of immigration laws who says he wants illegal aliens to be prosecuted and jailed.

King said: "A lot of Democrats in Congress want you to investigate him. They think he is over the line. He says he is just enforcing the law and the problem is the federal government."

Napolitano responded: "Sheriff Joe . knows that there aren't enough law enforcement officers, courtrooms or jail cells in the world to do what he is saying.

"What we have to do is target the real evil-doers in this business, the employers who consistently hire illegal labor, the human traffickers who are exploiting human misery.

"And yes, when we find illegal workers, yes, appropriate action, some of which is criminal, most of that is civil, because crossing the border is not a crime per se. It is civil. But anyway, going after those as well."

The fact is, crossing the border without authorization is a crime. The statute reads: "Any alien who enters or attempts to enter the United States at any time or place other than as designated by immigration officers . . . shall, for the first commission of any such offense, be fined under title 18 or imprisoned not more than 6 months, or both." - NEWSMAX

I will be looking up contact information for this traitor and will be posting here, and on my anti-illegal immigration page, late night. Everyone please, if you're as frustrated, or infuriated by this as I am, you should not only write to her, but write all of your elected officials and let them know about this and how you feel about it. This is a TOTAL INSULT to the American people, just like Nancy Pelosi's little stunt awhile back!

CONTACT THE TRAITOR AT HOMELAND SECURITY:

Secretary Janet Napolitano
Department of Homeland Security
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Washington, DC 20528

IS IT TOO MUCH TO ASK THAT WE HAVE A PATRIOT IN THE WHITE HOUSE, AND NOT A QURAN-READING MUSLIM BROWN-NOSER WHO BOWS TO THE SAUDIS??