Question. Every other year (in the even years) there has been a big exercise with test units in April. Does anybody know if it will take place this year and what the dates will be?
No idea about the exercise, but went for a visit on January 24. Rather quiet from 8am to noon.
Sitting idle on the CA ANG pan were C-130J-30s: 11462 and 51465; last one coded 6
Flying were AAS-equipped P-8As: 169565 and 169567. No specific markings.
Leaving on a training mission was local VAW-116 E-2D 165828/NH-601
Doing some practice approaches was USCG MH-65D 6545 with San Francisco titles.
Finally a couple of Phoenix Air Brasilias were active: N460PA and N465PA
Also seen taking off on Jan 24 was C-130 coded '405', as shown on the slide
So presumably VX-30 KC-130T 162311, but any confirmation would be much aprreciated.
Test and Eval exercise is going on at the moment, around 50 aircraft participating. Started Monday 22nd, ends Sept 2nd.
Two F-117s participated in yesterdays mission.
The DJ wrote: ↑24 Aug 2022, 16:58
Two F-117s participated in yesterdays mission.
The F-117s are getting a run for their money as far as most unique aircraft at the base. I've seen photos of 64th AGRS F-35s, a 'chrome' VX-9 F-35C, and a Dust Devil Growler hauling the new jamming pod, all at Mugu over the past few days.
Hhhmmmm, been thinking about this. There's just too much going on up there to miss out. Drive time little less than 4 hours. Let's hope everybody is still there Monday.
I've only seen 2 chrome -35Cs, XE-105 and XE-100. The other 2 VX-9 F-35Cs were XE-102 and XE-106, definitely not chromed.
Sadly, of the 3 dozen jets that launched this morning, only the 'red' F-117 (841, thanks Melchior) landed on runway 21, the rest came in on 3. I've already decided to stay another day.
Highlights of the launch, taken from my notes:
2xF-117, 811 and 841 (per Melchior, with the heat haze, all I could tell was one white and one red tail code)
2xF-35B, tail paint looked like VMX-1
3xF-35A, tail code OT
2xEA-18G VX-31, 507 with NGJ-MB, 502 carrying ALQ-99
4xVX-9 F-18E/F, including VX-9 CAG with black tail
plus more jets I didn't take notes on, at the time I assumed I'd catch them all landing. Didn't see the 65AGRS F-35 aggressor, but I might've missed it.
P-3C modex 304 took off as well, no other markings I can pick out
Following aircraft all landed on runway 21 during the day, reg numbers/ BUNOs verified with photos
Homeland Security Super King Air N541G
N460PA, and N405PA EMB-120ER, Phoenix Air
VAW-117 GRUMMAN E-2D HAWKEYE, NG 603/BUNO 169063 CAG bird
ATAC Hawker Hunter N335AX, N328AX, N336AX
VX31 Dust Devils F-18F Super Hornet
DD-217/BUNO 166450 //carrying AGM-88G Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile – Extended Range
DD-302/BUNO 169751 //Block III Super Hornet, IRST pod/drop tank combo on centerline
