The month of June was so busy with the Marines and the navy during the Dawn Blitz Exercise, but then with sequestration really settling in, times have gotten a little rough. I just haven't felt like going to the few air shows still flying, due to a lack of military aircraft, and you only shoot the Warbirds from the ground so may times. I also don't want the label as so many aviation photographers are become to be know, you know "Air Show" Photographers.
I was fortunate enough to cover the first US Marine F-35B landing at MCAS Miramar. I was also present earlier to cover the first F-35B to land and be given to the Marine Corps at MCAS Yuma, the year before.
So, mostly on weekends, I've been relying on the various Marine air units training on the weekends, and speaking with the pilots an shooting them as they fly their training missions. I also have been shooting the different US Naval vessels coming and going from San Diego Bay, and any Navy aircraft flying out of NAS North Island.
In July, I entered a photo contest in Vertical Magazine without realizing I had, and ended up winning the darn thing. YEAH!
In early August, I became a member of the White House Press Pool, when President Obama came to Camp Pendleton. I showed up so I could shoot the Marine One helicopter.
Last week, I had the great pleasure of interviewing the new Commanding Officer of VMFAT-101, Lt. Col Chris Hagen.
I am getting fairly excited about an opportunity coming up in early September with the US Air Force, but I can't say anything until after the event. Pcs will also be shown, afterwards
