West Coast USA

[Jason Grant]

Hello everyone, at the backend of September I travelled out to California with a friend for an eight day trip chasing a few aircraft. The trip was planned around Miramar air show. I have attended the show on several occasions in the past, and I have to say how impressed I was with the show this year. The MAGTF demo was the best I have seen for a decade and this alone is worth the free entry to the show, but you know you are always going to get some other show stoppers including the Blue Angels. Some of you will know that photography is difficult, as you spend most of the day shooting towards the sun, but for sheer entertainment, there's not many better (or bigger) military shows in the USA (although Luke show in March was a bit special and came as a bit of a surprise). Anyway, a few images from the MAGTF demo to start.

165218 WT-01 VMFA-232 FA-18C by Jason Grant, on Flickr

VMFA-232 FA-18C by Jason Grant, on Flickr

170105 WL02 170109 WL-04 F-35C VMFA-311 by Jason Grant, on Flickr

169097 SN-50 AH-1Z by Jason Grant, on Flickr

170109 WL-04 F-35C VMFA-311 by Jason Grant, on Flickr

162005 YK-05 CH-53E HMH-West by Jason Grant, on Flickr

VMFA-232 F-18C Hornet by Jason Grant, on Flickr

MAGTF Demo by Jason Grant, on Flickr

USMC Air Refuelling Demo by Jason Grant, on Flickr

165218 WT-01 FA-18C VMFA-232 by Jason Grant, on Flickr

165208 WS-401 FA-18C VMFA-323 by Jason Grant, on Flickr

If you liked these, look out for Andy Evans show report on UKAR which will be coming soon, he has nailed a photo of the Red Devils CAG during the demo, a brilliant image which is well worth a mention.

Plenty of other displays through the day, the Raptor with flares is always a superb watch and it was also nice to see the USMC F-35B demo.
08-0453 FF F-22A 27th FS by Jason Grant, on Flickr

168728 WF-530 F-35B VMFAT-502 by Jason Grant, on Flickr

MCAS Miramar Air Show 2024 by Jason Grant, on Flickr

And not forgetting my favourite display team to close the show.
Blue Angels by Jason Grant, on Flickr

165782 6 FA-18E Blue Angels by Jason Grant, on Flickr

Blue Angels by Jason Grant, on Flickr

165666 1 FA-18E Blue Angels by Jason Grant, on Flickr

Static displays were less this year, possibly due to the Flying Leatherneck museum closing and not having their jets to pull out onto static. Still, there was some really nice aircraft including this VQ-1 EP-3E.
159887 887 EP-3E Aries II VQ-1 by Jason Grant, on Flickr

Two rather nice painted F-35s. VMA-311 Tomcats was my favourite Harrier squadron, it was nice to see some colour on their F-35C in the static.
170093 WL-00 F-35C VMFA-311 by Jason Grant, on Flickr

168061 WF-513 F-35B VMFAT-502 by Jason Grant, on Flickr

And this old Lakenheath eagle was also in the guest lineup on static.
86-0165 F-15C 194th FS by Jason Grant, on Flickr

A great two days and plenty of money spent on merchandise. Off into the desert to WTI at MCAS Yuma. Record temperatures for the time of year, an average of 45 degrees centigrade every day in the desert.
87-00159 C-41A US Army by Jason Grant, on Flickr

1700051 WE-00 F-35B VMFA-214 by Jason Grant, on Flickr

761526 LS-11 F-5N VMFT-402 by Jason Grant, on Flickr

761527 LS-02 F-5N VMFT-401 by Jason Grant, on Flickr

164718 MA-04 F/A-18C VMFA-112 by Jason Grant, on Flickr

761586 LS-00 F-5F VMFT-401 by Jason Grant, on Flickr

164884 DR-884 F/A-18D VMFA-312 by Jason Grant, on Flickr

167925 QH-925 KC-130J VMGR-234 by Jason Grant, on Flickr

164898 WT-23 F/A-18D VMFA-232 by Jason Grant, on Flickr

761526 LS-11 F-5N VMFT-402 by Jason Grant, on Flickr

MV-22B MCAS Yuma by Jason Grant, on Flickr

761559 LS-06 F-5N VMFT-401 by Jason Grant, on Flickr

Woohoo! My first USMC CH-53K in good light.
170005 CJ-013 CH-53K HMH-461 by Jason Grant, on Flickr

163076 YF-076 CH-53E HMH-462 by Jason Grant, on Flickr

761559 LS-06 F-5N VMFT-401 by Jason Grant, on Flickr

As you can see, it was non-stop F-5s, out hunting.
761572 LS-07 F-5N VMFT-401 by Jason Grant, on Flickr

One day, I will photograph this in good light.
N114VS Mil 24 Mi-24D by Jason Grant, on Flickr

761576 LS-08 F-5N VMFT-401 by Jason Grant, on Flickr

From Yuma, we headed back during the afternoon to NAF El Centro to see what was on offer. Apart from RAF Chinooks and RN Wildcats, nothing is the short answer. Luckily, Imperial County Airport usually comes up trumps, so we waited. Several hours of waiting and all we got was one CH-53E.
163080 CH-53E by Jason Grant, on Flickr

As NAF El Centro was quiet, we headed to Coronado beach for a bit of NAS North Island action. It was a relief to get out of the intense heat and into some good old 80 degree Californian sunshine.
169864 NE-601 E-2D VAW-113 by Jason Grant, on Flickr

This is civilian marked but was a bit special as I haven't seen a Caribou in the air for many years.
N238PT DHC-4A Turbo Caribou by Jason Grant, on Flickr

We also photographed three Learjet's, apparently they are leased to the DoD and are used for threat simulation.
N18FN Learjet 36A Flight International Aviation by Jason Grant, on Flickr

The locals.
169439 32 CMV-22B VRM-30 Det.1 by Jason Grant, on Flickr

169467 CMV-22B by Jason Grant, on Flickr

And the surprise of the day, plenty of US Navy forward deployed Atsugi aircraft on a home visit.
166939 NF-501 VAQ-141 E/A-18G by Jason Grant, on Flickr

166901 NF-400 VFA-195 F/A-18E by Jason Grant, on Flickr

168892 NF-116 VFA-102 F/A-18F by Jason Grant, on Flickr

168363 NF-200 VFA-27 F/A-18E by Jason Grant, on Flickr

168364 NF-202 VFA-27 F/A-18E by Jason Grant, on Flickr

No specially marked jets but this didn't disappoint.
169450 70 CMV-22B VRM-30 Det 5 by Jason Grant, on Flickr

Back to El Centro as that's where the hotel was. We spent the evening at Imperial, again, very slow with only two CH-53E's dropping in for fuel.
162005 YK-005 CH-53E HMH-466 by Jason Grant, on Flickr

A long drive north for a pre planned visit on NAS Lemoore. Although the forecast showed perfect blue skies, we were surprised to see cloud. Other frustrations on the day (no fault of anyone) but we still got to spend some time out on the edge of the runway.
166880 NE-105 F/A-18F VFA-2 by Jason Grant, on Flickr

169961 NE-202 F/A-18E VFA-113 by Jason Grant, on Flickr

160949 NJ-949 T-34C VFA-122 by Jason Grant, on Flickr

169031 NJ-426 F-35C VFA-125 by Jason Grant, on Flickr

169801 NE-402 F-35C VFA-97 by Jason Grant, on Flickr

169122 AC-312 F/A-18E VFA-131 by Jason Grant, on Flickr

920409 60 F-16A NAWDC by Jason Grant, on Flickr

169032 NJ-427 F-35C VFA-125 by Jason Grant, on Flickr

169736 NE-300 F/A-18E VFA-192 Golden Dragons by Jason Grant, on Flickr

169738 NE-302 F/A-18E VFA-192 by Jason Grant, on Flickr

A quick drive after the visit on NAS Lemoore to Paso Robles for a return visit to Estrella Warbirds Museum. I hadn't been for 14 years and I wanted to see all the alterations that had been done. Some really nice exhibits, lots of cars (production as well as racing), I saw my first Mercedes 300SL Gullwing in the collection (stunning vehicle) so worth the effort. These are a few snaps of some of the aircraft on display.
162911 AG-210 F-14B VF-11 by Jason Grant, on Flickr

155890 F-4S VMFA-333 by Jason Grant, on Flickr

146931 MG-19 F-8K VMF-321 by Jason Grant, on Flickr

N824NA TF-104G NASA by Jason Grant, on Flickr

144388 GA-901 RF-9J VFP-62 by Jason Grant, on Flickr

137826 AH-302 A-4A VA-164 by Jason Grant, on Flickr

154171 NG-505 A-6E VA-165 by Jason Grant, on Flickr

156739 706 NA-7C VFA-125 by Jason Grant, on Flickr

AR-106 RF.35 by Jason Grant, on Flickr

158512 C-425 TA-4J TW-3 by Jason Grant, on Flickr

Thanks for staying until the end. A very enjoyable trip in a monster RAM pickup truck which ate the miles and the fuel. As always, these and many more from this trip, as well as my others to the USA (and elsewhere) can be seen on my Flickr site.

[Tally-ho]

A RAM pick-up to do the rounds, and then some beauties re aviation . . . nice!

[Pippie123]

Stunning collection

[Nighthawke]

Wow - fabulous set. The Blue Angels mirror pair is a really great catch.

[slogen51]

Stunning set best I have seen for awhile

You hit the jackpot with the NFs at North Island

[Freeman Lowell]

You never disappoint Jason. Always a pleasure to spool through.
Freeman

[bigcrow]

Nice selection of images mate. Really liking those US Navy CV-22’s

[paddyboy]

Hi Jason

Post of the year, imho

‘Wall-to-wall F5’s’

The sight of all those gorgeous little Northrops would have made me meltdown long before the heat did

Thanks for a stunning set all round

Paddyboy

[James Cutting]

Lovely set of shots, Jason! Well caught and put together, thanks for sharing

[Stratocruiser]

Absolutely brilliant, a first class post!
I was enthused at the start, then excited when I saw the EP-3E with the A-26 in the background and then you surpassed yourself with that gem of a Caribou!
I really enjoyed viewing your superb captures so many thanks for sharing them

[toom317]

That second "Angels" pic is a cracker and a great set altogether.

[Jason Grant]

Thanks everyone for your kind words. A few more images to process yet and they will appear on my Flickr site in the next few weeks.

[Parfitt]

Brilliant photos and yes Miramar was very Good

[GhostFlight91]

Outstanding work bud.

[TomG]

Splendid set, especially the Miramar stuff in challenging conditions.

[geoffs]

Hey, was at Miramar on the Friday for the show. The flying was brilliant. Anything US flying at UK airshows has typically been fairly tame.
They really went guns blazing – The 1st F-22 display was off the scale. Great static as well.

[matt e]

Nice set especially the aggressor F5s and CAG Hornets

[quid63]

hello i am going to lemoore next year you did you contact to gain ramp access plus a great set of photos did you go to the war memorial at all for photos
many thanks kind regards howard

[Widget]

Absolutely superb set with lots of belters in there hard to pick my fave!

[markranger]

Superb set if images,