May the Force be with You. MCAS Yuma and NAF El Centro Vader Flight and Goshawks

[XWP29]

On our way to So Cal Airshow at March ARB we stopped off at Yuma and later El Centro. USN reserve Vader flight of F18 Growlers came into the circuit and we were fortunate to catch two of the flight at El Centro later in better light and positioning. The lead F18 has a fantastic scheme. The Goshawks were a bonus and the new compass call as well.
There was an RAF Chinook hovering taxing on base at el Centro but so hazy that we couldn't see the serial number, be great if anyone knows it.

Yuma

1.USNR EA-18G Growlers Vader flight VAQ - 209 MCAS YUMA AZ by XWP29, on Flickr

2.USNR EA-18G Growler 166896 "Vader" VAQ - 209 @ MCAS YUMA AZ by XWP29, on Flickr

3.USNR EA-18G Growler 168942 VAQ - 209 @ MCAS YUMA AZ by XWP29, on Flickr

4.Gulf Stream EA-37B Compass Call 2 MCS Yuma AF 19-587 by XWP29, on Flickr

5.USMC KC-130 J 167923 VMGR -152 MCAS Yuma Az by XWP29, on Flickr

El Centro

6.USNR EA-18G Growler 166896 "Vader" and 168942 VAQ - 209 @ NAF El Centro California by XWP29, on Flickr

7.USNR EA-18G Growler 166896 "Vader" VAQ - 209 @ NAF El Centro California by XWP29, on Flickr

8.USNR EA-18G Growler 168942 "Vader" VAQ - 209 @ NAF El Centro California by XWP29, on Flickr

9.USNR EA-18G Growler 168942 "Vader" VAQ - 209 @ NAF El Centro California by XWP29, on Flickr

10.USN T45 Goshawk 183651 NAF El Centro California by XWP29, on Flickr

11.USN T45 Goshawk 185061 NAF El Centro California by XWP29, on Flickr

12.USMC T45 Goshawk 167073 NAF El Centro California by XWP29, on Flickr

13.USMC T45 Goshawk 163647 NAF El Centro California by XWP29, on Flickr

14.F/1 18F Super Hornet 166801 VFA-106 'Gladiators" at NAF El Centro California by XWP29, on Flickr

15.USMC F35-B VMFA - 122 at NAF El Centro California by XWP29, on Flickr

Thanks for looking and 'may the force be with you'!

[paddyboy]

An absolutely belting set there, Nick

Ta for posting

Paddy

[SniperElite]

The Chinook is possibly ZK560, it's been in the USA for some time now on trials (and my last one!)

[Nighthawk237]

I thought ZK560 had been seen flying in the UK recently, with 563 being one of the three at EC?

P.

[Andy Marden]

Nice set!
Can you please reconfirm the serial of AD/262 please? This should be 166670 I think (and also reported as such in Mar25).

[AlexLee05]

ZA708, ZH896, ZK563 are the ones I believe are at El Centro

[James Cutting]

Back to the photos...Cracking set of shots, Nick! Glad you had a great trip, and a real nice variety