The Dawn Blitz Exercise 2013

This is a major multi-national military exercise taking place off of the San Diego/Camp Pendleton coastline for most of the month of June. Along with the US Marines and Navy, the Japanese Navy and Army, the New Zealand Army, and the Royal Canadian Navy and Army are also participating.

They are training on amphibious landings, raids, moving large bodies of troops by air, showing the allies that the MV-22 Osprey is safe, as Japan is looking at buying some. The units are also training together to learn how to work with each other if the need arises, and not just for a conflict but also for natural disasters and other emergencies that might arise.

On June 14th, I was invited along with other Media fro the US and Japan, onto the JS Hyuga, to witness the MV-22 Osprey land onboard the ship. We went out to the 9 mile bank off of the San Diego coastline and waited for the Osprey to arrive. In the mean time, we were able to watch the Japanese fly their SH-60 and CH-47 helicopters. After the Osprey arrived, and did it's show for the Japanese military, a second Osprey arrived and took those of us from the American media off of the ship and flew us to NAS North Island, a pretty cool trip.

 

Today, on June 19th, I was back at Camp Pendleton at the 25 Area Combat Town, with both Active Duty and Reserve Marines training with the Canadian and New Zealand infantry, and one of the few occasions when the Marines bring their M1A1 Abrams tanks to Pendleton for training.

 

The Marines showed the visitors their tactics on how to approach a small town and clear it to make sure that the town was safe, and then it was up to the Canuks and Kiwis to decide if they wanted to do it the Marine way for their way. Both visiting country accompanied Marine tanks into the town and clear the town within 20-30 minutes.

 

On the 20th, a mass movement of troops by air will be attempted as 500 Marines will fly in over 30 MV-22's and CH-53's. More to come tomorrow.

 

 

Wings Over Gillepsie 2013 Airshow

Was at this airshow on Saturday and you could not have asked for better weather. I was able to get in a little early due to my media credentials and went to find an area where I could get some decent images. Well I may have messed up and will probably head for the other end of the runway this time.

I also may use the west end of the airport away from the crowds next year, as I have made friends with several people who have hangers at that end, and have given me the gate codes to get onto the flight line.

The show was much smaller this year as were Saturday's crowd. There was no military present to add to the show, and most of the planes came from private owners like Michael Slattery, who owns an amazing collection of planes.

This airshow isn't big on stunt planes, but this year, they had a wing walker which was very entertaining. The other acts, just did some formation flying. The WWII planes did what they do best. Flying fast and buzzing the crowds.

Two things that bothered me. As with most airshows, this is a family event with a lot of veterans showing up with their families including grandchildren. The girl who sang the National Anthem, had a great voice, but looked like a hooker. Tight white shirt with breast popping out, short black shorts, and a huge tattoo going down her right leg. She also decided to add several words to the "Star Spangled Banner". The second thing is the constant practice of having a parachutist jumping out a plane with a giant American Flag flying with the. It's a beautiful site until the jumper and the flag hit the ground. The AMERICAN FLAG IS NEVER TO HIT THE GROUND. It's out of respect and these airshows just keep doing it.

What a week!

I'm officially tired...

Last week, one busy week. On Wednesday, I spent most of the day with the Collings Foundation, before they left the Ramona Airport. On Thursday, I met with my boss from Photorecon.net and we were invited to MCAS Yuma to shoot some planes, where we had the F-35B Lightning II, The F-5 Tiger II, and AV-8B's Harrier flying around. Friday and Saturday were spent with a group of Boeing/Sterman pilots and the Allen Airways Annual fly in. I first shot them on the Polo Grounds near Del mar and then on Saturday over Mt. Soledad and finally on Saturday night at Gillespie Field.
On Sunday, I was doing my Motorcycle photo business in 100 plus degree temps. On Monday, I headed back out to the desert near Brawley, where I was invited again by the Marine Corps to come and witness their training of the Maritime Strike Force making a raid to secure a high value target. man was it hot!. Tuesday, it was back to the coast, where I was able to get the USS Peleliu, Green Bay, and the Mt. Rushmore came home from a 8 month deployment. Now it's time for a rest.

Today, the USS John C. Stennis Battle Group arrived in San Diego Bay after an 8 month deployment to the Western Pacific and Persian Gulf. The Stennis will leave to head up to Washington State where she is home ported. The USS Mobile Bay is home ported here in San Diego.

The Planes of Fame Media Day

On Wednesday, the 24th of April, the Planes of Fame Museum in Chino, CA opened their doors to the Media for an Air2Air event to help promote their annual air show, which will be held May 4-5, this year.

We were promised up to 4 P-38 Lightning fighters to fly in formation for our Air2Air photo session, but it was not to be, so we were fortunate to get a P-51 Mustang and one P-38 Lightning. Anytime  you get to fly and shoot any Warbird, it's a great day.

It was partly cloudy and just a little wind, at least on the ground. Three of us got into a Cessna and went up to meet up with the fighters who were already airborne. After about 15 minutes of very bumpy flying conditions, we met up with the P-51 first and then was joined by the P-38. They flew with us singularly and then in formation. After about 10 minutes of shooting, we separated and landed back at the Chino Airport.

This is a wonderful airshow, and truly appreciate the time that the pilots and staff of the Plane of Fame gave tom us to share in this event.

Busy Day on San Diego Bay

Today, US Navy ships seemed to passing each other as some were deploying and some were coming home from deployment.

The USS Decatur DDG-73 came home from a 8 month deployment to the western Pacific Ocean and the Persian Gulf. As she arrived, the USS Preble DDG-88 left shortly thereafter on her way to the western Pacific.

While waiting for the Preble to depart, the USS Carl Vinson CVN-70 arrived at NAS North Island, where the USS Ronald Reagan CVN-76 and the USS Nimitz CVN-68 were anchored. The USS Nimitz had her flight deck completely covered with aircraft, as she departed in the early afternoon, on her way, also to the western Pacific, maybe even later to be seen sitting off the coast of the Korean Peninsular.

After the Nimitz left San Diego Bay, the USNS Henry J. Kaiser, a fleet oiler (fuel ship) arrived with an unknown Los Angeles Class Attack submarine following behind the large tanker.

Famous B-17 arrives

The Liberty Belle arrived earlier in the week at Gillespie Field in El Cajon, CA. for a short tour by the Liberty group. Now the reason why this plan is famous is that it's currently called the "Memphis Belle" and portrayed the Original Memphis Belle for the Movie by the same name.

The plane is on tour and allowing the public several opportunities to fly for a fee. When I went to see the plane, unfortunately they were working on it and the ladder and other crap was in the way.