In The Wild, November 2014 |
The Mojave desert is the site of nearly continuous military aircraft operations. The R-2508 Restricted Airspace Complex stretches from Bishop to Edwards Air Force Base and from Tehachapi to the Nevada State line. Approximately 18,000 low level test and training missions are conducted within the R-2508 Complex annually.
Under the R-2508 Complex, the Saline Valley, adjacent to Death Valley, is used by military aircraft to transit between China Lake NAWC, Edwards AFB, and test ranges in Nevada. Aircraft from Fresno ANG Station and Lemoore NAS aircraft use the area for training.
I camped out in the Saline Valley photographing airplanes in the wild in November. Camp was buzzed by several Boeing F/A-18 Hornets, General Dynamics F-16s, McDonnell-Douglas F-15s, and Lockheed Martin KC-130Js.
A flight of jets flew through the valley trailing smoke as if practicing for an airshow. I have never seen activity like this in the valley before.
Smoke trails
California Air National Guard McDonnell-Douglas F-15 Eagle.
Boeing F/A-18E Hornet from Lemoore Naval Air Station
Lockheed-Martin KC-130J Hercules BuNo 166765 of VMGR-352 Raiders based at MCAS Miramar.
Lockheed-Martin KC-130J Hercules BuNo 168073 of VMGR-234 Rangers based at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth, Texas.. — at Saline Valley, California.
Lockheed-Martin KC-130J Hercules BuNo 166765 of VMGR-352 Raiders based at MCAS Miramar.
Boeing F/A-18F Hornet from Lemoore Naval Air Station.
Boeing F/A-18F Hornet from Lemoore Naval Air Station.
Boeing F/A-18F Hornet from Lemoore Naval Air Station.
Boeing F/A-18F Hornet from Lemoore Naval Air Station.
Link to the In
the Wild index page for more pictures of jets in the
desert.
Mojave Desert, California displays.
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