Flying chase for the afternoon drone mission today was this pre-modified former 119thFS/177thFW New Jersey ANG F-16C 85-1562/AC, still in unit markings along with the AMARG code, but now operated by the 82ndATRS. Flown by Col. Matt “Course” LaCourse, tragically he was killed 15 days later when flying an F-16 on a similar mission, after the aircraft crashed into the Gulf of Mexico. RIP
Big crop on these next two... A pair of USMC F-35B's inbound, were 168311/VM-10 and this, 168839/VM-00 (previously coded VM-13), both operated by VMFAT-501 'Warlords' at MCAS Beaufort. Then, the conclusion of the afternoon drone mission as an (i think) BQM-167 falls into the Gulf, followed by the return of the QF-4, which taxied right in for us...
With Phancon 2014 coming to an end, a group hug... i'm the one with the cap on! Picture credit to Peter Kuntz.
Another group shot, with the no less than 17 former Rhino drivers with us, including 'Mig-killer' 1Lt Joe Latham (red shirt, blue cap)...
Finally, on to the 82nd ATRS facility and ramp at the main base. Restrictions on the ramp here meant only the 82nd's aircraft could be photographed, though our guides were happy for some departing Singapore AF F-16's of the 425thFS at Luke AFB to be shot as well, which were among several visiting units on detatchment at the time for weapons training. As the 82nd transition to the QF-16, several 'new' pre-modified aircraft were present with the unit, still in their former unit markings...
Phantoms Phorever
