USA IV (2022)

USA IV 2022

Aviation Nation

USA IV 2022

A 4Aviation trip to the United States was scheduled for the fourth time in 2022. The main goal was the Aviation Nation Airshow at the superbase Nellis AFB with an important theme being the 75th anniversary of the United States Air Force.

However, we left a week earlier to enjoy the many other airports that are relatively close by. Relatively because the United States is of course huge and you occasionally have to drive quite a bit.

On this page the report of this trip with a large number of photos to illustrate the many photographic possibilities.

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30 October 2022

Sunday 30 October, due to the ‘new’ way of travel in 2022, we unfortunately received a cancellation at the last minute, due to COVID19, for this trip to the United States. That is why only 11 passengers arrived at Schiphol well in time. Luckily it wasn’t very busy and a sweet young lady from the ground staff directed us to another row that was just opening. The plane left on time and the Delta Airbus 330 took us to Salt Lake City. On landing, those on the left side of the plane saw Hill AFB and South Valley RAP/West Jordan AP pass by. At SLC, a quartet of KC-135s was read from the Utah National Guard. The customs formalities and collecting suitcases went very quickly here. Due to the crew not showing up for our follow-up flight, we had to wait a little longer, but another pilot couple arrived and quickly took us to Phoenix. Here too, the suitcases were quickly present and we met the other four travellers who had come to Phoenix on their own. After collecting the three vans, a short drive followed to the hotel for the coming night. By now it was almost 1 o’clock in the morning and our alarms would only go off a few hours later for the first airplane day of the trip.

31 October 2022

On Monday morning, 31 October, we arrived at Luke AFB in time after getting some supplies for the day, and soon several machines were returning from their first, very early, mission. Throughout the day there was plenty of flying by the F-35s, on both runways. In the afternoon the F-16s also woke up, only two squadrons remained, and joined in the fun. In addition to the USAF F-35s, we also saw several from the Danes (with the beautiful red/white roundels), Italians, Norwegians and our own Royal Netherlands Air Force. Furthermore, a quartet of former ‘Red Air’ l’Armee de l’Air Mirage F1CTs flew multiple missions. All in all a successful first day. Late in the afternoon we left for the south for our stay for the next two days.

1 November 2022

Tuesday 1 November, we were early at the terminal of Tucson IAP when we saw two F-16s take off, a little later many more followed and that went on until the lunch break. Striking were the many different tail codes that we saw. Besides the usual AT&AZ, we also saw AC (National Guard from New Jersey), CO (ANG from Colorado), DC (ANG from District of Colombia), FM (AF Reserves from Florida), SA (ANG from Texas), TX (AFRC from Texas), WI (ANG from Wisconsin), and several without markings. A number of F-16Vs from the Taiwan Air Force also belonged to the latter category. This unit recently moved from Luke AFB to here.

A highlight for many was also the flight of the Rolls-Royce Boeing 747 testbed that flies in the number two position with a Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engine for the Boeing 787 program. One of the few remaining Boeing 747-200s, always impressive to see.

In the afternoon we went to the approach of Davis Monthan AFB, which is only a few kilometres away. Here we had already seen A-10s flying all morning and luckily they also did that in the afternoon. Besides the various A-10s, several based Hercules passed by, as well as HH-60s. Here we stayed until the last light and it was well worth it.

2 November 2022

On Wednesday 2 November, part of the group had to leave early, because at 07:00 they would make a sightseeing flight over AMARG. Due to a miscommunication there were a few more people than planned on roll call, but due to the flexibility of the group and the company they were all able to come along. The rest of the group remained in the hotel for a little while, but shortly afterwards went to Tucson IAP to watch the F-16s go airborne one more time. Well before noon everyone was back together at Tucson, after which part of the group went to Davis Monthan and the rest to the fantastic Pima Air & Space museum. By closing time of the museum the group joined up there and we drove to Phoenix for the next leg of the journey.

3 November 2022

Luke AFB was originally scheduled for this Thursday 3 November, but as a group we had decided that we would rather go to MCAS Yuma. So we all got up a few hours early and arrived at the base around 10:00 AM. From a distance we already saw a big sandstorm, that didn’t bode well. At the base we decided to wait for what was to come and next also a short check from the NCIS. Everything was totally ok. Then the first F-35Bs were already rolling towards the runway and we were able to find a nice spot in the approach to await their landing. Here we were also greeted by three USMC F/A-18Cs who came from Miramar to practice a few touches and goes. Furthermore, several Ospreys flew, for which the light was unfortunately not good. The light was absolutely superb for a visiting RAF Globemaster and local UC-12. Here too we stayed until the end of the day and went to our hotel near the base at sunset.

4 November 2022

It’s already Friday 4 November, the last full operational day before we travel to Las Vegas. Today we start at the small airport of Imperial in California where a CH-53E of the US Marines looks very nice on the apron. After we have photographed this beast we travel a few minutes further to NAF El Centro. There is normally nothing based here, but now there are a dozen F/A-18 Super Hornets temporarily present, flying and practicing bomb-dropping at the firing range north of the base. On the way to the Imperial we already saw a C-17 pass by quite low and that turned out to be the same Globemaster from Yuma that was now present at El Centro. Here we witnessed that it swallows a disassembled Chinook in his large hold. A nice Marines AH-1Z also passes by and in the afternoon a quartet of F-35Bs from Yuma arrive to practice their hot refueling, twice! So lots of activity! A bit disappointing are the nineteen parked Navy T-45s that were still not flying due to a recent grounding.

Around 3:30 PM we start the journey of more than 5.5 hours to Las Vegas. We drive a very nice route and on the way we ate something at one of the many fast food ‘restaurants’. Around 9:15 pm we arrive at the hotel for the next three nights.

5 November 2022

Saturday 5 November is the first day of the Aviation Nation, which also celebrates the 75th anniversary of the Air Force. Parking is outside the base on the Speedway site, just north of the base. We were there at 07:00 and before 08:00, the official opening time, we drove to the base by bus. The static is unfortunately not as big as hoped for a 75th anniversary, but there are still plenty of interesting aircraft that we could photograph well. There was a training trio from Vance AFB in special colours, all types of the based units and much more. Also part of the flightline is parked just right in the morning. The show was quite limited, but here too there are many opportunities to make beautiful pictures.

Part of the group left the show a little earlier to attend the presentation of Formula 1 on the Strip in Las Vegas, where a race is planned in 2024. The rest of the group stayed until the end to photograph part of the static in beautiful light conditions.

6 November 2022

On Sunday 6 November, we largely have the same schedule and shot in places we didn’t visit the day before. Together, this resulted in photos of almost all participating aircraft from different angles. Today part of the group stayed at the base until the end and others visited the North Las Vegas airport for a little while.

On the last night of the tour we enjoyed a delicious meal in our hotel while enjoying a drink and stories about what we had seen and experienced over the past week.

7/8 November 2022

On the morning of Monday, 7 November, the group was dropped off at the Las Vegas airport and the drivers returned the cars, each with over 1,000 miles driven, to the rental car company. Then back to the airport for a quick check in and smooth flight to Salt Lake City and onward flight to final destination Amsterdam where we arrived Tuesday morning.

This part of the United States remains great for our hobby and there is something to do every time of the year. We will definitely come back again soon.

USA IV 2022

USA IV 2022

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USA IV (2022)

USA IV 2022

USA IV 2022

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