NAS North Island July 2021 MIL --Indian Navy MH-60R

[SBGrad]

We've had a low marine layer all week, so when the blue skies came out, I went to the beach to try and catch some of the jets I've been hearing. Missed the jets but caught a pair of Indian Navy MH-60Rs in the pattern. The first one came in right overhead so I missed the number, the second was IN751. From what I found online, the Navy is providing some training before the aircraft are shipped overseas. DEFINATELY will try to catch them at OLF Ream in the near future.

[SBGrad]

I didn't see it, but yesterday, the following post was made to the city's FB page:

Celebration of Life Event at Star Park: The City of Coronado has approved a memorial service at Star Park that will be held from 8 to 11 a.m. on Friday, July 9. The City permitted the Celebration of Life event, to include a live string quartet, bagpipes, a bugler, Navy rifle detail and a Navy flyover, on behalf of the family of retired Navy Capt. E. M. Moore Jr. who died in Coronado on Nov. 17, 2020. The City was notified that all military service actions, including the rifle detail and flyover, were approved by the Navy. Moore, who lived in Coronado most of his flying career, was a pilot for the Navy during the Korean and Vietnam wars. He was shot down over Vietnam and held for six years as a prisoner of war.

Well, the Navy pulled out all the stops this morning honoring Capt. Moore by flying a Missing Man formation over the city using F-35s. Every car alarm and dog in the city went off when the jets passed over. One F-35 is loud, 4 are AWESOME!

RIP Capt. Moore.


This afternoon I heard a jet make an overhead break that I didn't recognize the sound of (after 30+ years, you can tell by sound if it is Navy, Lear jet, cargo or something else-- this was something else). Went downstairs and pulled out my binoculars in time to catch a pair of Calif Air National Guard F-15Cs from Fresno turn from their base leg to final. With any luck they will do some local flying before returning home.

[Bennie]

This afternoon I heard a jet make an overhead break that I didn't recognize the sound of (after 30+ years, you can tell by sound if it is Navy, Lear jet, cargo or something else-- this was something else). Went downstairs and pulled out my binoculars in time to catch a pair of Calif Air National Guard F-15Cs from Fresno turn from their base leg to final. With any luck they will do some local flying before returning home.

Having grown up near Soesterberg AB in The Netherlands, I would certainly have recognized the sound of the mighty Eagle! Let alone two!

[SBGrad]

The One that Got Away-- my encounter with ________ (Bigfoot, UFO, Nessie, fill-in-the-blank).

Yesterday I went out to the beach, but kept delaying my departure because I didn't want to spend all day in the hot sun, and was hoping for some later afternoon arrivals. Sadly, I should've been keeping an eye on ADSB-exchange.

Sunset Park is right across the street from Dog Beach, and just as I came around the corner and looked over the park, I heard a jet approaching. No time whatsoever to get my camera out, even if I knew what was coming.

I look up, and almost as if its a dream, NASA 601, the last flying S-3B, glides by on final. It even made its signature whoop-whooooop sound as the pilot jockeyed the throttles. 15 minutes earlier and I would've had her in front of my lens.

Sic transit gloria mundi

Post script-- the jet was on the ground for less than an hour (as I told a friend, probably some admiral wanted to see her flying one last time) and she made a short hop to her final resting place at the San Diego Aerospace Museum at Gillespie Field. I'll go over there next week to see her and check if the F-14 is still wearing her Top Gun Maverick paint.

[blazesixate]

N601NA // BuNo 160607
NASA S 3B Viking did one t & g off 36 & made 1 gear down missed approach for 29
NASA 601 NEVER landed aboard NASNI;,NASA 601 recover aboard Gillespie Field after her 2 pass NASNI way point

[Key]

Thanks for keeping us updated, gents. And a VERY recognizeable story that is SBGrad, with varying subjects of your liking..!

Erik

[SBGrad]

from the front door mat, using the 10x50s...

US Navy VFA-22 Fighting Redcocks
Boeing F-18F Super Hornet
CAG + dash 2