Low-Level Flying Photography
Photographic Logs for United States 2019
(For all these shots I used a Canon EOS 5D Mk IV with the following lenses;
Canon EF 400mm f2.8 L IS Mk II).
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Canyon low-flying in 2019
Ten days in the Canyon at five locations with some dull cloudy days but many were cloudless blue skies.
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| F/A-18D Hornet (164898 'CE-14') with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (All-Weather) 225 (VMFA(AW)-225) 'Vikings' based at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar. |
Day 10 Friday March 22, 2019 (Saddle and later the exit) Eleven passes today with just he one high, if you don't count the second C-17 in two weeks, which dropped in after passing the canyon exit.
Left to right: F/A-18D Hornet (164898 'CE-14') with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (All-Weather) 225 (VMFA(AW)-225) 'Vikings' based at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar. |
| Left to right: F/A-18D Hornet (164898 'CE-14') with VMFA(AW)-225 'Vikings'. |
| F/A-18D Hornet (164677 'CE-11') with VMFA(AW)-225 'Vikings' based at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar. |
| Left to right: F/A-18D Hornet (164677 'CE-11') with VMFA(AW)-225 'Vikings' based at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar. |
| Left to right: F/A-18D Hornet (164677 'CE-11') with VMFA(AW)-225 'Vikings'. |
| F/A-18C Hornet (165220 'WS-401') using callsign Snake?51 it is with VMFA-323 'Death Rattlers' based at MCAS Miramar. |
| Left to right: F/A-18C Hornet (165220 'WS-401') with VMFA-323 'Death Rattlers' callsign Snake?51 Based at MCAS Miramar it was on the way to Dallas Forth Worth where six were deploying. |
| Left to right: F/A-18C Hornet (165220 'WS-401') with VMFA-323 'Death Rattlers'. |
| F/A-18C Hornet (154701 'WS-411') with VMFA-323 'Death Rattlers' based at MCAS Miramar. |
| Left to right: F/A-18C Hornet (154701 'WS-411') with VMFA-323 'Death Rattlers' based at MCAS Miramar. |
| Left to right: F/A-18C Hornet (154701 'WS-411') with VMFA-323 'Death Rattlers'. |
| Boeing C-17A Globemaster III (06-6157) with 60th/349th AMW based at Travis AFB, on its way to Davis-Monthan for the weekend air show. |
| Left to right: C-17A Globemaster III (06-6157) with 60th/349th AMW based at Travis AFB. |
| Left to right: C-17A Globemaster III (06-6157) with 60th/349th AMW based at Travis AFB. |
| F/A-18D Hornet (164898 'CE-14') with VMFA(AW)-225 'Vikings' based at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar. |
| Left to right: F/A-18D Hornet (164898 'CE-14') with VMFA(AW)-225 'Vikings' based at MCAS Miramar, nearly three hours after an earlier pass. |
| Left to right: F/A-18D Hornet (164898 'CE-14') with VMFA(AW)-225 'Vikings'. |
| Left to right: F/A-18D Hornet (164898 'CE-14') with VMFA(AW)-225 'Vikings'. |
| F/A-18D Hornet (164??? 'CE-02' with VMFA(AW)-225 'Vikings' based at MCAS Miramar. |
| Left to right: F/A-18D Hornet (164??? 'CE-02' with VMFA(AW)-225 'Vikings' based at MCAS Miramar. |
| Left to right: F/A-18D Hornet (164??? 'CE-02' with VMFA(AW)-225 'Vikings'. |
| F-15E Strike Eagle (92-365 'OT') using callsign 'Strike 2' with the 422nd Test and Evaluation Squadron (422 TES), 53rd Test and Evaluation Group (53 TEG) at Nellis AFB. |
| Left to right: F-15E Strike Eagle (92-365 'OT') using callsign 'Strike 2' with the 422nd Test and Evaluation Squadron (422 TES), 53rd Test and Evaluation Group (53 TEG) at Nellis AFB. |
| Left to right: F-15E Strike Eagle (92-365 'OT') using callsign 'Strike 2' with the 422nd Test and Evaluation Squadron. |
| Left to right: F-15E Strike Eagle (92-365 'OT') using callsign 'Strike 2' with 422 TES. |
| Left to right: F-15E Strike Eagle (92-365 'OT') using callsign 'Strike 2' with 422 TES. |
| F/A-18F Super Hornet (165802 'NJ-100') using callsign 'Expert 15' with VFA-122 'Flying Eagles' based at NAS Lemoore. |
| Left to right: F/A-18F Super Hornet (165802 'NJ-100') using callsign 'Expert 15' with VFA-122 'Flying Eagles' based at NAS Lemoore. |
| Left to right: F/A-18F Super Hornet (165802 'NJ-100') using callsign 'Expert 15' with VFA-122 'Flying Eagles'. |
| F/A-18F Super Hornet (165802 'NJ-100') using callsign 'Expert 15' with VFA-122, second pass. |
| Left to right: F/A-18F Super Hornet (165802 'NJ-100') using callsign 'Expert 15' with VFA-122. |
| Left to right: F/A-18F Super Hornet (165802 'NJ-100') using callsign 'Expert 15' with VFA-122. |
| Left to right: F/A-18F Super Hornet (165802 'NJ-100') using callsign 'Expert 15' with VFA-122. |
| F/A-18D Hornet (163989 'DD-112') with VX-31 Air Test and Evaluation Squadron based at Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake. |
Day 9 Thursday March 21, 2019 (Amphitheatre) A slow and dull day with just two passes, but to really nice aircraft.
Left to right: F/A-18D Hornet (163989 'DD-112') with VX-31 Air Test and Evaluation Squadron based at Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake. No tanks! |
| Left to right: F/A-18D Hornet (163989 'DD-112') with VX-31 Air Test and Evaluation Squadron. |
| Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II (serial not known 'AF-03') using callsign 'Jester 31' Nicknamed "Angry Bird" with 461st Flight Test Squadron tasked to test flight missions with the F-35 Lightning II at Edwards Air Force Base. |
| Left to right: F-35A Lightning II (serial not known 'AF-03') using callsign 'Jester 31' Nicknamed "Angry Bird" with 461st Flight Test Squadron tasked to test flight missions with the F-35 Lightning II at Edwards Air Force Base. |
| Left to right: F-35A Lightning II (serial not known 'AF-03') using callsign 'Jester 31' Nicknamed "Angry Bird" with 461st Flight Test Squadron. |
| Left to right: F-35A Lightning II (serial not known 'AF-03') using callsign 'Jester 31' Nicknamed "Angry Bird" with 461st Flight Test Squadron. |
| Fouga CM.170 Magister (498 '315-MB' registered N315MB) of Swift Air International of San Pedro, Ca. |
Day 8 Wednesday March 20, 2019 (Inside the canyon, below the rim) Eleven passes the final tw were high.
Left to right: Fouga CM.170 Magister (498 '315-MB' registered N315MB) of Swift Air International of San Pedro, Ca. |
| Left to right: Fouga CM.170 Magister (498 '315-MB' registered N315MB). |
| F/A-18F Super Hornet (166977 'NH-406') using callsign 'Hobo 21' with VFA-94 'Mighty Shrikes' based at NAS Lemoore. |
| Left to right: F/A-18F Super Hornet (166977 'NH-406') using callsign 'Hobo 21' with VFA-94 'Mighty Shrikes' based at NAS Lemoore. |
| Left to right: F/A-18F Super Hornet (166977 'NH-406') using callsign 'Hobo 21' with VFA-94 'Mighty Shrikes'. |
| F/A-18E Super Hornet (165896 'NJ-216') using callsign 'Expert 61' with VFA-122 'Flying Eagles' based at NAS Lemoore. No tanks! |
| Left to right: F/A-18E Super Hornet (165896 'NJ-216') using callsign 'Expert 61' with VFA-122 'Flying Eagles' based at NAS Lemoore. |
| Left to right: F/A-18E Super Hornet (165896 'NJ-216') using callsign 'Expert 61' with VFA-122 'Flying Eagles'. |
| Boeing C-17A Globemaster III (05-5148 'HH') with the 15th Wing / 154th Wing of the Hawaii Air National Guard, stationed at Hickam Air Base. |
| Left to right: Boeing C-17A Globemaster III (05-5148 'HH') with the 15th Wing / 154th Wing of the Hawaii Air National Guard, stationed at Hickam Air Base. |
| Left to right: Boeing C-17A Globemaster III (05-5148 'HH') with the 15th Wing / 154th Wing of the Hawaii Air National Guard. |
| EA-18G Growler (169133 'DD-505') using callsign '?? 62' with VX-31 Air Test and Evaluation Squadron based at Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake. |
| Left to right: EA-18G Growler (169133 'DD-505') using callsign '?? 62' with VX-31 Air Test and Evaluation Squadron based at Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake. |
| Left to right: EA-18G Growler (169133 'DD-505') using callsign '?? 62' with VX-31 Air Test and Evaluation Squadron. |
| F/A-18F Super Hornet (165921 'NJ-153') with VFA-122 'Flying Eagles' based at NAS Lemoore. |
| Left to right: F/A-18F Super Hornet (165921 'NJ-153') with VFA-122 'Flying Eagles' based at NAS Lemoore. |
| Left to right: F/A-18F Super Hornet (165921 'NJ-153') with VFA-122 'Flying Eagles'. |
| F/A-18F Super Hornet (166884 'NH-113') using callsign 'Knight 41' with VFA-154 'Black Knights' based at NAS Lemoore. |
| Left to right: F/A-18F Super Hornet (166884 'NH-113') using callsign 'Knight 41' with VFA-154 'Black Knights' based at NAS Lemoore. |
| Left to right: F/A-18F Super Hornet (166884 'NH-113') using callsign 'Knight 41' with VFA-154 'Black Knights'. |
| F/A-18F Super Hornet (166882 'NH-111') using callsign 'Knight 42' with VFA-154 'Black Knights' based at NAS Lemoore. |
| Left to right: F/A-18F Super Hornet (166882 'NH-111') using callsign 'Knight 42' with VFA-154 'Black Knights' based at NAS Lemoore. |
| Left to right: F/A-18F Super Hornet (166882 'NH-111') using callsign 'Knight 42' with VFA-154 'Black Knights'. |
| F-16D Fighting Falcon (86-047 'ED-AFTC') with 412th Test Wing, Air Force Test Center (AFTC) at Edwards AFB. |
| Left to right: F-16D Fighting Falcon (86-047 'ED-AFTC') with 412th Test Wing, Air Force Test Center (AFTC) at Edwards AFB. |
| Left to right: F-16D Fighting Falcon (86-047 'ED-AFTC') with 412th Test Wing, Air Force Test Center (AFTC). |
Left to right: Two high passes ends the day. F/A-18F Super Hornet (166968 'DD-225') with VX-31 'Dust Devils' Air Test and Evaluation Squadron based at Naval Air Weapons Station (NAWS) China Lake.
F-16 Fighting Falcon (86-050 'ED-412OG') with 412th Test Wing, Air Force Test Center (AFTC) at Edwards AFB. |
Day 7 Tuesday March 19, 2019 (Pano') Eleven passes four or more of which were very high. The pass of the C-130 caused some considerable concern amongst those on the canyon rim when comm's suggested that it was missing and then it had crashed. It was some hours later that we found that all was safe. The full story below.
Left to right: F-15C Eagle (84-004) with 144th Fighter Wing 'Fresno' with California Air National Guard. |
| F/A-18E Super Hornet (164201 'AF-430') with VFA-204 'River Rattlers' based at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans and is part of the United States Navy Reserve's Tactical Support Wing. |
| Left to right: F/A-18E Super Hornet (164201 'AF-430') with VFA-204 'River Rattlers' based at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans and is part of the United States Navy Reserve's Tactical Support Wing. |
| Left to right: F/A-18E Super Hornet (164201 'AF-430') with VFA-204 'River Rattlers'. |
| F/A-18F Super Hornet (165677 'NJ-122') with VFA-122 'Flying Eagles' based at NAS Lemoore. |
| Left to right: F/A-18F Super Hornet (165677 'NJ-122') with VFA-122 'Flying Eagles' based at NAS Lemoore. |
| Left to right: F/A-18F Super Hornet (165677 'NJ-122') with VFA-122 'Flying Eagles'. |
| F-15C Eagle (84-004) using callsign 'Razor 02' 'special' with 144th Fighter Wing 'Fresno' with California Air National Guard. |
| Left to right: F-15C Eagle (84-004) using callsign 'Razor 02' 'special' with 144th Fighter Wing 'Fresno' with California Air National Guard. The commemorative paint scheme on this jet celebrates the 75th Anniversary of the 194th Fighter Squadron. |
| Left to right: F-15C Eagle (84-004) using callsign 'Razor 02' 'special' with 144th Fighter Wing. |
| Left to right: F/A-18F Super Hornet (165879 'NJ-107') with VFA-122 'Flying Eagles' based at NAS Lemoore. |
| Left to right: F/A-18F Super Hornet (165879 'NJ-107') with VFA-122 'Flying Eagles' based at NAS Lemoore. |
| F/A-18F Super Hornet (168877 'NA-300') using callsign 'Sting 51' with VFA-113 'Stingers' based at NAS Lemoore. |
| Left to right: F/A-18F Super Hornet (168877 'NA-300') using callsign 'Sting 51' with VFA-113 'Stingers' based at NAS Lemoore. |
| Left to right: F/A-18F Super Hornet (168877 'NA-300') using callsign 'Sting 51' with VFA-113 'Stingers'. |
| Left to right: F/A-18F Super Hornet (168877 'NA-300') using callsign 'Sting 51' with VFA-113 'Stingers'. |
| F/A-18F Super Hornet (168491 'NH-402') using callsign 'Hobo 41' with VFA-94 'Mighty Shrikes' based at NAS Lemoore. |
| Left to right: F/A-18F Super Hornet (168491 'NH-402') using callsign 'Hobo 41' with VFA-94 'Mighty Shrikes' based at NAS Lemoore. |
| Left to right: F/A-18F Super Hornet (168491 'NH-402') using callsign 'Hobo 41' with VFA-94 'Mighty Shrikes' based at NAS Lemoore. |
| Left to right: F/A-18F Super Hornet (168491 'NH-402') using callsign 'Hobo 41' with VFA-94 'Mighty Shrikes'. |
| Northrop T-38C Talon (64-13197 'ED') using callsign 'Ammo' it is with the USAF Test Pilot School (TPS) out of Edwards AFB. |
| Left to right: Northrop T-38C Talon (64-13197 'ED') using callsign 'Ammo' it is with the USAF Test Pilot School (TPS) out of Edwards AFB.
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| Left to right: Northrop T-38C Talon (64-13197 'ED') using callsign 'Ammo' it is with the USAF Test Pilot School (TPS) out of Edwards AFB.
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| Lockheed C-130J-30 Hercules (07-46312) using callsign 'Clean 70' with the 19th Airlift Wing (19 AW) from Little Rock AFB. |
Left to right: Lockheed C-130J-30 Hercules (07-46312) using callsign 'Clean 70' with the 19th Airlift Wing (19 AW) from Little Rock AFB.
'Clean 70' failed to report its position to the controller shortly after this pass, causing a string of events. F/A-18F Super Hornet 'Hobo 41' was asked if they had seen the C-130 and went looking for it. The pilot then reported; "I can hear feint ELT [Emergency Locator Transmitter] at our current position." The ELT is a Mode S identifier activated by a high g incident (crash!). 'Hobo 41' later reported; "I can hear ELT at flight level 200 but not when at lower levels" and some minutes later; "ELT coming off China lake." The conclusion was that this was a false ELT transmission from an aircraft on the ground at China Lake.
'Clean 70' was in fact flying north out of the area and unaware of the concern for their well being. At the end of the day the C-130 crew posted this on social media; "Just a heads up to any pilots trying to file to R-2508 [Sidewinder low-level route], where the airspace brief warns about the second half of your flight plan getting deleted they aren't kidding! Our flight plan leaving the area got wiped out somehow, and we went VFR to the north where comm's are bad so ATC lost us for a decent while. Sorry if anyone heard the radio chatter about that and got concerned!
I called Joshua after we got back and found out it wouldn't normally have been a big deal except an ELT was heard around the area we were last seen on radar so they were freaking out a bit. Pretty unlucky coincidence!" |
| Left to right: Lockheed C-130J-30 Hercules (07-46312) using callsign 'Clean 70' with the 19AW from Little Rock AFB. |
