Military Jets Photography: May 2012

From the moment that it was annouced that VF-31 Tomcatters would be in the flying display at the NAS Oceana Air Show, it was clear that I had to go to the US one more time to see my favorite jet. So, together with Jan, we looked to our options and booked our flight to Newark and drove to long distance to Virginia Beach.
For our first day, thursday 7 September, we had planned to do some spotting at Langley AFB and at NAS Oceana. First we went to NAS Oceana. This base is the sole East Coast Master Jet Base and home to all the east coast strike-fighter (VFA) units. All strike fighter squadrons are equipped with either the F/A-18 Hornets or the F/A-18 Super Hornets exept one, VF-31 is still flying the migthy F-14D Tomcat. Albeit they're flying only for a couple more weeks after the Air Show weekend.
Once we arrived at NAS Oceana we saw that the Blue Angels were flying a three ship for their orientation points. Not much later we had a pair of Tomcats returning from a local mission and also some legacy Hornets. We also tried another spot to have some banking shots. We found a nice spot but the problem was that we were shooting backlit now. After noon we decided to go to Langley AFB.
Langley is home of 1st Fighter Wing, which are currently flying the F-15C and F-15D as well as the new fifth generation jet, the F-22A Raptor. We were lucky to see both the Eagle and the Raptor but unfortunately we were quickly sent away.

F/A-18B US Navy Blue Angels

F-14D US Navy 164603/AJ-101, 164904/AJ-102

F/A-18C US Navy 164628/AJ-407

F/A-18C US Navy 164687/AJ-400

F/A-18F US Navy 166677/AD-221

F/A-18C US Navy 165204/NE-414

F/A-18C US Navy 162869/AF-02

F-22A USAF 04-4072/FF

F-22A USAF

F-15C USAF 83-0024/FF

A week of heat, sun and action can sum up the RIAT 2006 experience. Today was the last day at Fairford with the departures of all aircrafts and helicopters. It's a great joy to see so many take-offs of all participanting countries in a few houres time.
As always at the end of the show there are several trophies to be won. Here're the results.
Paul Bowen Best Solo Jet Display Trophy: Captain Michael Reiner of the Swiss Air Force Fliegerstaffel 11 in a F/A-18C Hornet.
Lockheed Martin Cannestra Trophy (Best Overseas Flying Demonstration): Captain Henric Holm in the SAAB Gripen of F7 Wing, Swedish Air Force.
Steedman Display Sword (Best Flying Demonstration by UK participant): Squadron Leader Matt Elliott in the Eurofighter Typhoon of 29 Squadron Royal Air Force.
Sir Douglas Bader Trophy (Best Individual Flying Demonstration): Captain Alan Wade in a Slingsby Firefly of the Defence Elementary Flying Training School.
King Hussein Memorial Sword for best overall display, presented by Prince Faisal of Jordan and the As The Crow Flies Trophy presented by Friends of RIAT for the best overall flying demonstration: MiG-29OVT, MiG Corporation, Pavel Vlasov and Mikhail Belyaev.