Nellis- current situation

[Pjross]

Returned back to UK about ten days ago having visited Nellis on numerous occasions over three separate weeks.
The activity was varied over the weeks but significantly reduced from previous years experiences. From local comments the budget cuts have had a huge impact on flying and what I observed over two separate weeks would certainly evidence this.
End of first week - C17 and C130 in quantity as departing after MAFEX, 5 X B2 departing and usual local activity.
Second and third weeks - usual aircraft but little activity . Even witnessed the mass "launch" of over 12-18 aircraft which consisted of all the prep, taxi to threshold, taxi full length of runway and then back to pan and engines off ! Was told by local base personnel that this is now typical and is the result of huge cut backs.
Highlight of third week was several flybys of one of the F35 aircraft giving opportunity for superb images!

All in all still a unique place but VERY scarce on flying ang long periods without anything (4hours at times).
Thanks to all for help before the visit!
Paul.

[powerslave]

Interesting,thanks.

Ian

[razor23uk]

I spent about 3 or 4 hours there back in early May (big 50th in Vegas!) and saw a lot of aircraft...F22's,F15's,F16's, loads of A10's in groups of 4 or even 6 and of course a steady stream of C130's and C17s. I was near the end of the runway in an industrial estate as they were using that approach. I tried the speedway end first but they were too high by the time they were over me.
Seems like I got lucky then!

[Zymurgy661]

I spent a couple of hours at Nellis on 15th August (2.30 - 4.30). During that time we had 2 x F-15 (as we were arriving so couldn't photo them) and 3 x F-16's. There were 6 Pavehawk (?) movements in the distance as well.

I was down at the speedway end and were lucky they were landing at that end. All fixed wing aircraft put in a couple of circuits prior to landing although turn in points seemed to vary greatly each time.