The longest continuing United States classified airplane program is the testing and evaluation of Foreign Aircraft Technology. During the Cold War, secret test flying of Mikoyan-and-Gurevich Design Bureau (MiG) and other Soviet aircraft was an ongoing mission dating back to the acquisition of the first Soviet-built Yakovlev Yak-23 in 1953. This effort has continued to the present day. Unlike the other Black airplane programs, such as the Have Blue, Lockheed U-2, or SR-71 Blackbird, Foreign Aircraft Technology operations still remain classified. Despite the declassification of the Constant Peg program in the early 2000s, the evaluation of foreign aircraft likely continues.

It is not known exactly the actual number or types of aircraft involved, where they came from, or the complete history of the program. It is known that the activities of the 4477th Test and Evaluation Squadron brought about a fundamental change in United States Air Force and Navy Aviation air-combat tactics. They revitalized the art of dogfighting at a time when, seemingly, it had nearly been forgotten. The knowledge gained from testing the aircraft the squadron flew was reflected in the success of United States air operations during the Vietnam War, as well as the founding of the Air Force Red Flag program and the United States Navy Top Gun school.

Please stay tuned for an upcoming story on the history of Red Flag and the Red Hat Migs.

Simply stated, Red Flag is an exercise that involves the majority of aircraft types in the United States Air Force, air assets from the United States Navy, Marine Corps, and foreign air forces. The purpose of Red Flag is to improve combat effectiveness and efficiency through simulated air combat. Red Flag is held at Nellis AFB because of the incredible range facilities. In the desert outside of Nellis are almost 3 million acres of land and 5,000 square miles of airspace.

Of the many nations that have trained at Red Flag since it’s inception in 1975, Red Flag 12-2 would be no different. Participating in the exercise would be the Royal Saudi Air Force flying their F-15 Eagles and the Republic of South Korean Air Force flying their F-15K Slam Eagles. The Korean F-15’s were unique is that they were brand new aircraft. And when I say they were brand new, I mean they started operating at this Red Flag with 10+ hours on each airframe. The Koreans had picked them up from the Boeing Plant in Missouri and then flew them straight to Nellis for Red Flag.

At 9:30am, Nellis Public Affairs First Lieutenant Ken Lustig briefed the photojournalists on the media day schedule. During the briefing we learned that we would be able to take photos from in between Nellis’ two main active runways. After the briefing, the fifty photojournalist were taken by bus to the active runways. Once there, we were given another briefing that identified to us where we could and where we couldn’t take photographs. This area was roughly the size of several football fields and was plenty of space for fifty photographers. The designated area allowed us to float between each runway and catch any aircraft departure and/or arrivals.

My first photograph of the day, turned out one of my favorites of the day and it wasn’t even an aircraft participating in the Red Flag exercise. The aircraft – the S-3B Viking assigned to VX-30 “Bloodhounds.” The Viking, painted in a vintage Battle of Midway paint scheme (for the Naval Centennial) did a single touch and go pass, and then departed. What a great way to start the day!

The Red Flag launches started at 11:50am and continued for almost an hour. Aircraft that launched included an E-3 Sentry, F-15’s (including USAF, ROKAF, and RSAF), F-16’s, B-1B’s, and KC-135’s. Several hours later, the recoveries started.

A thank you goes to the Public Affairs staff at Nellis Air Force Base, including Captain Jessica Martin, First Lieutenant Ken Lustig and Ben Newell. Once again, they out did themselves with organizing an exceptional media day.

Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., is one of the largest fighter bases in the world. Aircraft from Nellis operate on the Nevada Test and Training Range, which offers more than 15,000 square miles of airspace and 4,700 square miles of restricted land. More than 75 percent of all live munitions used by the Air Force for training are dropped on the Nevada Test and Training Range. Many communities in southern Nevada see and hear Nellis aircraft 24 hours a day, seven days a week. From 100 feet above the ground to twice the speed of sound, Nellis conducts advanced combat training, performs operational test and evaluation, and develops tactics.

Below is a summary of some of my favorite shots. Yes we all like the 64th and the 65th Aggressors but other visiting units deserve recognition as well. We always seem to get Shaw AFB and the AK boys in town. Having the Navy come down with some NSAWC F-16s was a treat as well. Gotta love those aggressor schemes as well!!

For more  Red Flag events we have reported on  please click the following links.

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http://photorecon.net/red-flag-10-4

http://photorecon.net/red-flag-media-day-11-02

http://photorecon.net/red-flag-11-3-media-day

http://photorecon.net/royal-saudi-air-force-will-take-part-in-red-flag-10-4-with-the-f-15s

http://photorecon.net/pakistan-air-force-attends-first-red-flag

http://photorecon.net/me-phase-11a

http://photorecon.net/usaf-fighter-weapons-school-graduation-mission-employment

On June 8th, an Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle accelerated down the runway in front of a small group of photographers and videographers, on the first ever media day for a ME Phase. We were escorted out to the hold line on the edge of the runway for an amazing chance to shoot some of the most advanced aircraft in the world today, departing and recovering, from their various missions throughout the day.

The Strike Eagle was heading out on the crew’s final sortie of a nine day exercise known as the Mission Employment Phase. This event was the final exercise of the grueling five and a half month long U.S. Air Force’s weapons school at Nellis AFB, for the graduating class 11A.

During this ME Phase, 33 units with 22 combat specialties participated. Over 90 aircraft, fixed-wing and rotary-wing, manned and unmanned were utilized. They ranged from cargo aircraft like the older C-130, to some of the most technologically advanced aircraft like the B-2 Spirit. Various other ground, space, and cyberspace units also participated. They worked seamlessly in making this joint exercise as close as you can get to a real world mission anywhere in the world.

Only the best of the best weapons officers are ever selected to attend this course, and out of the One Hundred-Eight that started the course, Ninety-Three completed it, earning the right to wear the coveted USAFWS graduate patch. This particular class also saw 4 students finish the first ever USN AEA(Airborne Electronic Attack) weapons school class with the EA-18G.

Captain John Christianson, Chief of Joint Force Integration said, “The application process to come here can take up to several years, and students have to compete with hundreds of their peers just to make it to the school. In the five-and-a-half months of this course, weapons officers become experts not only in their own weapon system, but also all other Air Force systems, and have to know the best way to employ them effectively with all other capabilities in the U.S. military.”

After an incredible day of photography, and all of the aircraft had recovered from the days mission, we had the unique opportunity to sit down and be debriefed by the weapons school’s Commandant, Colonel Robert A. Garland, Jr., as well as some of the school’s staff.

“We do this training so that when our country’s decision makers see that weapons officer wearing that weapons school graduate patch, they can know that person is among the finest, if not the finest, expert in warfare, anywhere on the globe, and that they can be trusted to help them answer any military challenge America faces.” said Col. Garland.

Major Suzanne M. Nadal, Chief of Academics, added that the school is always looking to evolve with the emergence of new threats as they present themselves. “We continually adjust and improve our training to reflect the capability, not the intentions, of potential adversaries,” Maj. Nadal said. “We’re always looking for the meanest, baddest threat out there to improve our training.”

Col. Garland later went on to say, “We are deeply grateful to be here in the northern part of Las Vegas and southern Nevada, to have the most incredible simulated battlefield available anywhere in the world. This type of training occurs here at Nellis Air Force Base because it can only occur here, on the Nevada Test and Training Range. It is key to what makes the weapons school what I believe to be the Air Force’s premier air center of excellence. I believe, to the bottom of my heart, that weapons school is central to why America’s Air Force is second to none.”

I would like to thank the Weapons School’s Commandant, Colonel Garland, and the entire weapons school staff, for taking out the time to talk with us and explain the school’s mission and purpose.

I would also like to extend my sincerest gratitude to 2Lt. Ken Lustig, for putting the first, of hopefully many, ME Phase media days together. We were very fortunate to see and photograph in action, the most dominate Air Force in the world.

Written by SGT  Steve Lewis

You contact the author at kngsfn77@yahoo.com

The Cessna AT-17 Bobcat is a twin-engine advanced trainer aircraft designed and made in the United States, and used during World War II to bridge the gap between single-engine trainers and twin-engine combat aircraft. The AT-17 was powered by two Jacobs R-755-9 radial piston engines. The commercial version was the Model T-50, from which the AT-17 was developed.

The AT-17 was a military version of the commercial Cessna T-50 light transport. The Cessna Airplane Company first produced the wood and tubular steel, fabric-covered T-50 in 1939 for the civilian market, as a lightweight and low cost twin for personal use where larger aircraft such as the Beech 18 would be too expensive. A low-wing cantilever monoplane, it featured retractable main landing gear and wing trailing-edge flaps, both electrically actuated. The wing structure was built up of laminated spruce spar beams with spruce and plywood ribs. The fixed tail wheel is non-steerable and full-swiveling. The prototype T-50 made its maiden flight on 26 March 1939

This wonderful example is owned and flown by EDGAR  T. NEWBERG and is currently based at the Arizona  Wing of the CAF  Falcon Field Mesa ,AZ .

Variants include:

T-50 Company design number. Five-seat twin-engined commercial transport aircraft, fitted with Jacobs

L-4 MB radial piston engines

AT-8

Military trainer version of the T-50 with two 295 hp (220-kW) Lycoming R-680-9 radial piston engines, 33 built.

AT-17

As the AT-8 but powered by 245 hp (183 kW) Jacobs R-775-9 engines, 450 built some later converted to AT-17E.

AT-17A

As the AT-17 but with metal propellers and reduced weight, 223 built. 182 to Canada as Crane IAs and later conversion to AT-17Fs.

AT-17B

As the AT-17A but with equipment changes, 466 built. Subsequent aircraft were built as UC-78Bs.

AT-17C

As the AT-17A but different radio equipment, 60 built.

AT-17D

As the AT-C with equipment changes, 131 built.

AT-17E

AT-17 with gross weight limited to 5,300 lb (2,400 kg).

AT-17F

AT-17A with gross weight limited to 5,300 lb (2,400 kg).

AT-17G

AT-17B with gross weight limited to 5,300 lb (2,400 kg).

C-78

Military transport version for the United States Army Air Forces, redesignated UC-78 in 1943, 1354 built.

UC-78

C-78 redesignated  in 1943; variable-pitch propellers.

UC-78A

17 impressed civilian T-50s

UC-78B

Originally the AT-17B, wooden propellers and reduced weight, 1806 built.

UC-78C

Originally the AT-17D, same as UC-78B with equipment changes, 196 built and 131 AT-17Ds redesignated.

JRC-1

Navy light transport version of the UC-78 with two Jacobs R-775-9 engines, 67 delivered.

Crane I

Royal Canadian Air Force designation for T-50s with minor equipment changes, 640 delivered as light transports.

Crane 1A

182 AT-17As delivered to Canada under lend-lease.

T-50 info provided by Wikipedia®  available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

In a press conference to discuss the future of the National Championship Air Races, the

Reno Air Racing Association (RARA) announced on Wednesday the formation of a Blue Ribbon ReviewPanel to study the event. The panel will examine any possible changes or modifications that could bemade to enhance the already high level of safety established by the FAA and existing RARA procedures.

RARA also announced that, despite many challenges in the near and long term future, they are planningto hold the 49th Annual National Championship Air Races at the Reno‐Stead Airfield, Sept. 12 – 16, 2012.“Buoyed by the overwhelming support of the victims and families of last year’s terrible tragedy, our sponsors, air race participants and fans and aviation enthusiasts all over the world, we are absolutely committed to doing everything we can to hold this historic event in 2012,” said Mike Houghton,president and CEO of RARA. “The safety of our fans and pilots has always been our foremost andprimary concern, which is why we feel so strongly about a blue ribbon review. This effort is not designed to interfere or duplicate the efforts of the National Transportation Safety Board and we will continue to cooperate with them to the fullest extent.”

The panel conducted its first meeting shortly after the press conference and will release its preliminaryresults and recommendations to RARA within the next 90 days, allowing race officials to study them before the event’s annual Pylon Racing Seminar (PRS) in June. Headed by former Chairman of the (NTSB), Jim Hall, and formerAssociate Administrator for Aviation Safety for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Nick Sabatini,the four members of the panel bring a wide breadth and depth of experience. The panel is rounded out with two aviation legends, Steve Hinton, a highlyacclaimed movie stunt pilot, aviation choreographer,two-time national Unlimited Air Race champion and current pace plane pilot in the Unlimited Class, and John Sharp, an aeronautical engineer and the winningest pilot in the history of air racing.“In addition to the blue ribbon panel, as is an annual matter of course, we will work with the race classes and emergency responders to conduct an internal review, in the very near future, of all of the event’s operations and procedures,” said Houghton. “Until we get further down the road, we will not speculate on possible changes to the event or the results of either of these reviews or the NTSB investigation.

As has been the case, the NTSB has asked that they remain the point for all communications related to the accident.”The not‐for‐profit event is a year‐round effort that regularly attracts more than 200,000 spectators and generates an estimated $85 million annually to northern Nevada’s economy. It was also announced that, RARA had a loss of up to $1.5 million for 2011. Race officials wanted to make it very clear that, while this financial loss presents a significant hurdle, thanks to the continued generosity, sympathy and support of the event’s fans and sponsors, the loss could be overcome.

“We know there are many people in our organization, our community and all over the world who havebeen significantly impacted by last year’s tragedy and our thoughts and prayers remain with them,” said Houghton. “However, we have heard from a vast majority of these people that this event must continue on and many of our fans and sponsors have volunteered to do whatever they can in order to help ensure the successful continuation of the National Championship Air Races. It’s in this spirit that we’re working towards holding a poignant and successful event in 2012.”

In order for the 2012 event to occur, RARA must receive permits from the City of Reno, Reno Tahoe Airport Authority and the FAA. RARA has already begun to initiate conversations with each of these entities regarding permitting for 2012 and these conversations are ongoing.“For planning purposes, we have to receive our waiver from the FAA for PRS by the end of February or March, at the latest,” said Houghton. “This will provide a pretty good indication of our ability to get permits and waivers for September’s event. Regardless, many people, including victims of the accident, have told us they are coming to Reno in September, one way or another. We’ll do whatever we have to do in order to memorialize and celebrate courage, passion and indomitable spirit that is so often associated with aviation but, more importantly, was so vividly exhibited during the accident and the weeks and months since, even if that means just holding a memorial air show.”

For more information on the National Championship Air Races, visit  www.airrace.org

Dave arrived last Saturday and spent a lot of time around the unlimited pits, at times speaking with the crew of the ghost. We have gathered lots of images and video footage which we still need to edit.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to all the families who lost loved ones and the many injured who are still being treated at this time.

A very special thank you to all the first responders both civilian and uniformed, who selflessly braved danger to assist the injured.

You are the true HEROES of the day.

For now we have posted a few links until we can get back home on Monday.

http://www.facebook.com/JimmyLeeward

http://www2.leewardairranch.com/racing

http://www2.leewardairranch.com/racing/galloping-ghost-specs

http://www2.leewardairranch.com/racing/history/cleveland

Taken from the website. http://www2.leewardairranch.com/about-us

Leeward Family

The County of San Bernardino Planes of Fame Airshow is an annual event and one NEVER to be missed. Joe and I have been making this trip for the past three years and it just keeps getting better. This year was special as it was celebrating the “100th Anniversary of  U.S. Naval Aviation”. Planes of Fame in conjunction with the County of San Bernardino, did another great job bringing to the skies 40 historic aircraft.

Brian E. Boyer, chairman of the museum’s Board of Directors, estimated they might have attracted more visitors than in previous years. “It looked like a record crowd,” he said. “The pilots reported seeing all the parking lots filled and people going into the overflow” lots. Some of the flying demonstrations  performed were a mock dog fight between a Japanese Zero and a P-38 Lightening. A second mock dog fight included a German FW-190 and a Republic P-47 Thunderbolt.  There was a Douglas demo with the Dauntless SBD, an A-4 Sky Hawk and a Vietnam era Sky Raider flown by our good friends Bill Muzsala and Mike “Buick” Eberhardt. The last demo was a combination of Sabre Jet, Mig and Shooting Star.

The birth of naval aviation is generally pegged at May 8, 1911, which was the day that the Navy signed a contract to purchase aircraft.This happened just months after pilot Eugene Ely, working for Glenn Curtiss, and flying a Curtiss pusher biplane made the first take off from a ship, the USS Pennsylvania in San Francisco Bay. Curtiss immediately offered free training to any Navy pilot and chose North Island in San Diego Bay for that work. Just 100 years and days after the Navy signed that first contract, the Chino Airport skies will be filled with generations of Navy and other services airplanes. Some 40 aircraft are scheduled to fly in the 2011 show and many more will be available in close up static displays.

Some of the aircraft that flew were the Grumman Wildcat, Hellcat and Avenger, the Douglas Dauntless and Skyraider, and the Vought Corsair. An authentic Japanese A6M5 Zero from World War II. Aircraft on static display were a C-17A Globemaster from March ARB, Consolidated PB4Y-2 Privateer from Casa Grande Az,  Navy F-18F Super Hornet from VFA-122, the B-17 “Fuddy Duddy” from Lyons Air Museum and scores of other restored aircraft.

The USAF Strike Eagle F-15E Demo team also did a wonderful routine over the thrilled fans. Thanks “Cash” and “Buda”. You guys did not let us down!!

One of the cool static displays was a ME-109 under restoration. The POF had set it up down by the Living History Actors area and it was a perfect place seeing that some of the actors were of German Military. The Spanish built ME-109(N700E) was featured in the 1969 film ‘Battle of Britain”.

I’d like to recognize  Jerry Wilkins for his hard work and dedication as Air Show Coordinator on this year’s air show and thank him for his “30″ year career as volunteer at Planes of Fame. And to all the volunteers that came together this year to make it a great success!! A job WELL DONE!!

A big shout-out to the Planes of Fame Board of Directors. Tom Nightingale(Chairman), Brian Boyer, Karen Hinton, Steve Hinton, Ed Maloney, John Maloney and Bill Schanz. And a big round of applause to Kevin and Andrea Eldridge, Bob Forbes, Mike McDougal, Bill Muszala.

Special thanks to the pilots who volunteered their time. Pat McGarry, Bob Forbes. John Muszala Jr., Bill Muszala, Mike Eberhardt, Seth Chandler, Ashley Baker, Don Keating, Mike “Maj” Mc Dougal,

Joe Kates  aircraftinc@yahoo.com

Dave Budd  dave_budd@yahoo.com

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The video cannot be shown at the moment. Please try again later.

The Lockheed P-38 Lightning named “23 skidoo” was the focus of our February’s Living History event held the first Saturday of each month. This is one of many outstanding flying warbirds on display at the Planes of Fame Air Museum located in Chino, CA.

Enjoy!

WarbirdsOnTheNet

Click here to view the video on YouTube.

Have you ever dreamed of becoming part of a bomber crew and flying your very own mission? The Collings Foundation will be offering a very unique two-day training program in which you train for and fly a simulated WWII bombing mission aboard the B-24 Liberator “Witchcraft”. No doubt, this will be one of the most amazing living history programs you will ever experience! Space is limited. We are now accepting reservations. Dates have not been confirmed yet. But, we anticipate a time near beginining of June. Should have dates confirmed within the next month.

More Info http://twinbeech.com/

Click to open article and see many more pictures from this night!!

Atwood looking for more Drink!!

The whole gang!!

Jason

Yes the gun is a prop!!

And the Star Attraction