Military Jets Photography: 2011

Today was a repeat of day 1 at the NAS Oceana Airshow. The only diffirence was that today was the last TAC demo by an US Navy F-14 Tomcat. It was the special painted VF101 bird that had the honours to showcase why the Tomcat was loved by so many enthousiasts. The crew, Lt Jack 'Rocco' Tangredi and Lt Joseph 'Smokin' Joe' Ruzicka, flew a safe but historical demo.
Last time, baby!!!

F/A-18F US Navy 185785/AB-100, 185788/AB-103

US Navy Fleet Fly By
3 F-14B Tomcats, 1 F-14D Tomcat,
2 F/A-18C Hornets and 2 F/A-18F Super Hornets

US Navy Fleet Fly By
3 F-14B Tomcats, 1 F-14D Tomcat

F/A-18F US Navy 166467/AD-206

F/A-18F US Navy 185785/AB-100

F-14B US Navy

F/A-18E US Navy 166607/AG-107

F-14D US Navy 164601/AD-160

F-14B US Navy 161860/AC-101

Shockwave Jet Truck

F/A-18C US Navy 165217/AG-400

USAF Heritage Flight
QF-4E USAF 72-1490/TD
F-16C USAF 94-0048/SW
CL13 Mk.5 Privatly owned N86FS/52-5222/FU-222
CL13 Mk.6 Privatly owned N186FS/57-1461/FU-461

F/A-18F US Navy 166467/AD-206

F-14D US Navy 164601/AD-160

F/A-18A US Navy Blue Angels

F-14D US Navy 164601/AD-160

F-14B US Navy 163216/AC-105

F-14B US Navy 161861/AC-101

F-14B US Navy 162691/AC-112

F-14B US Navy 163410/AC-104

Today was the big day. We entered the base at 8 o'clock to get a good spot at the fence but also to be able to make some photos of the static aircraft without too many people around them.
The static aircraft display was minimal from the home squadrons with only one F-14B Tomcat from VF-32 and one F/A-18E Super Hornet from VFA-106.
I was lucky when I could enter the hot pit to take some pictures of the jets that were taking part in the flying display, including the Tomcats.
The first United States Navy aircraft flying demonstration was performed by a E-2C Hawkeye from VAW-120. After the National Anthem, four F-14 Tomcats were launched, three from VF-32 Squadron and the other from VF-101 Squadron. Also to get airborne was a pair of VFA-136 F/A-18C Hornets and a pair of F/A-18F Super Hornets from VFA-211 to take part in the Air Power Demonstration. Low level fast passes in conjunction with pyrotechnics, all giving the illusion of weaponry being dropped. Plus the humidity at Oceana helped to produce incredible amounts of wing vapour!
After numerous passes from the four Navy units, they disappeared to join together in a formation for the Fleet Tactical Aircraft Flyby. Leading the formation was a four ship of F-14 Tomcats with the F/A-18C Hornet pair on the left side and the F/A-18F Super Hornet pair on the right side of the formation.
The USAF was present with their F-16 East Coast Demo Team. After their demo the F-16CJ formed up with an QF-4E Phantom and a pair of F-86 Sabres to present the United States Air Force Heritage Flight.
The second historical formation fly past of the show included two F/A-18F Super Hornets from VFA-106 and an F-4 Corsair making up the US Navy Legacy Flight.
Other preserved jet aircraft to perform at this years Oceana Naval Airshow were a pair of F-86 Sabres. Flying in close formation, with many topside passes all of which were very low, you had to be very careful not to get the parked aircraft tails in the picture!
The first of two solo Hornet displays was provided by VFA-131 with a F/A-18C Hornet the tail was specially painted black with a cats roaring head. VFA-106 “Gladiators” performed the second Hornet display, this time being the F/A-18F Super Hornet.
The F-14 Tomcat Tactical Demo, quoted as the last ever public display of the F-14 Tomcat. VF-101 is also due to disband in September 2005, meaning the display will be the last flying hours of the Squadron. Fully swept fast passes and reheat climbs, the Crew from VF-101 did not disappoint the thousands of Tomcat fans there just to see the Tomcat fly. Taxiing back the F-14 parked in a refueling area to be hot fuelled with the engines running before taxiing past the crowds with the American flag flying from the open canopy.
The show was closed with the United States Navy display team, the Blue Angels, flying the F/A-18 Hornet painted in royal blue and yellow.