USA II 2026
A large 4Aviation group visited the eastern United States. The main goal was the airshow at MCAS Cherry Point to bid farewell to the AV-8Bs. In addition, there is of course plenty else to do to fill a wonderful tour.
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Off we go!
On Saturday 2 May 2026 a group of 9 people gathered at Amsterdam-Schiphol and for boarding on the American Airlines aircraft that took the group to Charleston via a stop in Philadelphia. With additional people meeting at Philadelphia and at Charleston, the total group consisted of 16 people. Due to the cancellation of the JB Charleston Airshow a couple of weeks before departure, a show we planned to visit on 3rd of May, as well as the war in the middle east resulting in many units deployed of the bases we planned ot visit, we drafted an alternative itinerary which worked out well. Sadly, two photographers from our group were interviewed by US CBP for a long time, resulting in them missing the connection flight to Charleston. In the end, access to the Unites States was granted to them, so they were still able to catch the last flight of the day top Charleston and join the group as planned. After a long day it was only a short drive to our hotel in Summerville, near JB Charleston.
Change of plans
A mentioned, the original plan was to visit the airshow at JRB Charleston on Sunday 3 May 2026, but this was changed (and in the end cancelled due to severe weather condition) to a harbour show on Saturday only. We changed the plan and started this Sunday on a Technical school where an UH-1B could be photographed, before we moved to JB Charleston to see if anything interesting was flying. After arriving we found a lot of C-17s (as can be expected, as well as the Blue Angels parked on the ramp. Although the weather was beautiful today, there was no flying activity at Charleston in the 90 minutes we were there. After 90 minutes we left for the citadel in Charleston town for beautifully preserved F-4C and AH-1P before heading to the well known USS Yorktown (CV-10), a well known carrier nowadays in use as a museum. We were the first group to visit this carrier and all aircraft on deck could be photographed in beautiful circumstances. Also, the Vietnam experience, part of the USS Yorktown property, with helicopters from the Vietnam war was paid a visit. The latter being a vary nice museum with the continuous sound of low overflying Hueys from the speakers.
After leaving the USS Yorktown / Charleston area, we went south to Savannah IAP, as some T-38s and F-22s from Langley arrived here two days before. While driving to there, also some US Navy T-6s were inbound Savannah IAP. Although we could get pretty close to the flightline where no less than nine T-38s from Langley, as well as fifteen Langley F-22s and a single Indian ANG F-16 were parked, ground equipment and unfavorable parking positions of the F-22s, making good pictures impossible. A drive around the airfield resulted in the local based Air National Guard Hercules, as well a newly constructed Italian G550AEW and a Singapore G550 as well. Sadly under the same circumstances as the fighter, all impossible to photograph. On the final ramp we finally found the US Navy T-6 which could be photographed nicely. As we were nearby the 8th AF museum, we paid a visit to this museum as well to see and take pictures of the MiG-17, F-4C and for most people the most interesting airplane, a Boeing B-47 Stratojet. When we left the museum, two more Indiana ANG F-16s crossed the highway for a Savannah IAP arrival. Given the experience we had at Savannah, no time was wasted on them and we continued our trip to Columbia (SC), where we would spend the night.
We Shaw that coming
After again an early breakfast on Monday 4 May 2026, we went to McEntire ANGB first where we prearranged permission to photograph the gate guards, being an AH-64D and an early production F-16A. As the home based unit was deployed to the Middle East, we soon continued to Shaw AFB to see if anything was flying over there, as we knew (and even some of us saw) two of the based squadrons being deployed to the Middle East as well. With about 15 F-16s outside on the ramp, many with their canopy open, we were optimistic and soon the first F-16s started their engine. In total ten based F-16s flew, which could all be photographed under the best circumstances we wished. After departure we continued our trip to Seymour Johnson AFB to experience the flying activity overthere. Shortly after arrival the first F-15Es returned and more went out. In total we noticed 19 different F-15s on this afternoon as well as two based KC-46s. Highlight for the day for many of us was the appearance of a NAS Norfolk E-2C, which made 10+ approaches this afternoon at Seymour Johnson AFB. At the end of the afternoon, we went to our hotel in Goldsboro where we enjoyed unlimited pizza’s at a restaurant next to our hotel.
Frome Eagle to Hornet
After breakfast on Tuesday 5 May 2026 we went to a sports field nearby Seymour Johnson AFB to catch a beautiful and well maintained preserved F-4E. After this we went back to the same spot as yesterday to catch more F-15s. Around noon we decided to head up north. Via a route including some ghost towns, we arrived after two hours at Ahoskie – Tri County airport to catch the preserved T-33 afterwards followed by a two hour drive to the approach of NAS Oceana. We arrived here around 4.30 pm and were still able to catch 15 based Super Hornets, as well as two completely unmarked AFSOC PC-12s and a US Navy from VPU-2, a sneaky P-8 unit based at Nas Jacksonville operating a couple of P-8s all having fake serials applied.
Special Ops
After the good result of yesterday we returned to NAS Oceana on Wednesday 6 May 2026 to catch more Super Hornets, and a Coast Guard HC-130J and based C-40. Furthermore, three CV-22Bs and a single AC-130J could be seen on the ramp. Mid-morning we went to NAS Norfolk. First we went to a spot opposite the E-2 and CMV-22Bs ramp. On arrival we were lucky as one of the latter was active and we were buzzed by based MH-60s as well. On the visitors ramp a totally unmarked C-32 was seen. After photographing them all, we went to the opposite direction to see some more MH-60s. There were two MH-53Es parked outside, sadly without any activity around them. In the afternoon we returned to NAS Oceana to see more Super Hornets and a AFSOC Cn235 (this time with markings applied) on approach.
Cats & Dogs
Today, Thursday 7 May 2026 it was raining cats and dogs. With Langley being closed this week we visited to museum, being the Virginia Air Power Park, near Langley AFB, and the Virginia Air and Space Centre. After these two museums, we returned to NAS Norfolk and waited in the cars hoping the rain would stop. As this wasn’t the case, and also wasn’t expected for the next couple of hours, we decided to return to the hotel.
Get to the Point
Friday 8 May 2026, the final day in the NAS Oceana/NAS Norfolk area. We started the day at NAS Norfolk, hopefully to catch some MH-53 activity. After a long wait finally two left NAS Norfolk, sadly not nearby our lenses. Via the spot opposite the E-2/CMV-22Bs ramp, sadly again no C-2 outside, we returned to Oceana for the final time. Next to the expected based Super Hornets, also a NAS Whidbey Island EA-18G and temporary based IAI Kfir could be seen active. Around noon we decided to head to USCG Elizabeth City to see some HC-130s, MH-65, and MH-60T. While we were taking pictures of the based aircraft we were invited on ramp by airport management to have a close look on the based private C-54E, which was highly appreciated. After this we still had 3+ hours to drive to our hotel near MCAS Cherry Point for the upcoming airshow.
Showtime
The MCAS Cherry Point on Saturday 9 May 2026 was for everybody on this tour an event we were all looking forward to, being the final chance to see the USMC AV-8B/TAV-8B Harriers from nearby, as the final UCMC Harriers were retired early June 2026. As the airshow was an official event on this retirement, no less then five Harrier were parked on the flightline as well as two more on static display. More USMC assets were seen on static like a special camouflaged UH-1Y, brand new CH-53K, AH-1Z, two F-5s and ofcourse three based F-35s, of which the newly activated VMFA-231 F-35B was delivered only a couple of days before the show.
The event featured performances from the U.S. Navy Blue Angels alongside a diverse lineup of military (F-16 demo team and local KC-130J) and civilian aerial performers including a former Polish MiG-17/Lim-5P. The USMC capability demonstration included most flying assets of the Corps and the wall of fire was as always impressive.
On Sunday 10 May 2026, the evening after the show, we did some preserved aircraft outside MCAS Cherry Point before heading to our hotel in Myrtle Beach.
Goodbye
On this Monday morning of 11 May 2026, we first went to the former Myrtle Beach AFB, so see the local airpark including an A-7, A-10 and F-100, who were all previously based over here. After that it was time to return the rental cars at Charleston AFB for our flight back home. The main group of nine arrived, due to a favorable wind, 30 minutes earlier than planned at Amsterdam-Schiphol.
