Red Flag 10-4

[NickPeterman]

Time to dust off some old files from the archives ladies and gentlemen.

I am in the process of hopefully building to the launch of a site to display my work, and have begun re-editing the highlights from various outings that occurred before I got newer editing software, and just plain got better at post processing. As there seems to be little Military Aviation posted here, I figured I may as well share :wink:

Red Flag 10-4 took place July of 2010, and included aircraft from the USAF, USMC, ANg, AFRC, Singaporean, Saudi, and Pakistani Air forces

It was hot out there, but fun.

An MC-130 of the California ANG landing after the afternoon sortie

http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4118/4917884912_4f6169f3fa_b.jpg



An F/A-18D Hornet from VMFA(AW)-225. This aircraft is equipped with ATARS for tactical reconnaissance.

http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4113/5171288357_d71b938ed9_b.jpg



Interestingly enough, the Pakistani's participated with F-16B's instead of A models. I didn't complain, however.

http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4128/5086977243_eea1bf5326_b.jpg



Not a "great" photo by any means, but included for the sake of showing all the participants. A Singaporean CH-47. Sadly, this was all the closer they ever came

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5081/5360618311_39b9b9003e_b.jpg



The Singaporean F-16DJ's a just awesome looking birds, and are based in Arizona for training purposes.

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5217/5477126991_0b3f1e6096_b.jpg



I'm not sure there could be a more photogenic 4-holer than the KC-135 (hey did some gorgeous pattern work for us too) This guy is heading in for the overhead break.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7242/7009541987_fbb5b9cdb5_b.jpg




Of course it isn't Nellis without a little bit of Aggressor Action

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7054/7009541903_8b7c4168a5_b.jpg



I didn't realize I had caught the moon until almost 6 or 7 months after I took this photo. Always nice to find a gem

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7117/6863426696_9f2281b41b_b.jpg



So much of shooting recoveries is luck-what angle are you gonna get? This guy dd me some favors for sure

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7061/7009541831_ff576b9a2d_b.jpg



As did this guy

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7268/7009541693_b49a36292b_b.jpg



Perhaps not Flag related, but he's a Nellis local

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7133/7009541507_d16a78d987_b.jpg



This guy came in with a mechanical issue that night, thankfully pushing his arrival up to before sunset

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7076/6863426256_f070027497_b.jpg



The Eagles definitely were everywhere to say the least

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7096/6863426132_0d92656a17_b.jpg



These Saudi Strike Eagles are much better looking than their American counterparts

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7072/6863426214_d8d37105f6_b.jpg



Even the Eagle's cut in pretty tight some times

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7192/6863425884_cfdba74c70_b.jpg



The Scorpions brought their new EA-18G Growlers. These same jets and this same squadron would soon be engaged in combat over Libya

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7050/7009541243_bcb0d1bd7b_b.jpg



The end result of an Overhead break, a great topside view when turning final

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7205/6863425854_8e1baf6895_b.jpg



The Moondogs of VMAQ-3 also played, with their EA-6B Prowlers

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7037/7009541047_63b585f519_b.jpg



Some of the Stratotanker drivers liked to show off on departure with some great turns

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7266/7009540253_447c922461_b.jpg



http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7071/6863425662_0126c8efef_b.jpg



And in my opinion, the most unfair "player" in the exercise. The unpainted jet had just been delivered to the 65th Aggressor Squadron by the Oregon ANG, who's F-15s were also participating. I wonder if the Aggressors scored some kills by subterfuge...

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7120/6863425950_494cc816cb_b.jpg




Hope you enjoyed. If posting military aviation photos is frowned upon, I am sorry and can take it down.

Nick

[moose135]

Outstanding photos, Nick!


Hope you enjoyed. If posting military aviation photos is frowned upon, I am sorry and can take it down.
You take them down, and I will find you!

[Zee71]

Nick..........I am wow'ed by your images! Thank you.

[gonzalu]

OMG this is a drool fest... be still my heart. My true love is Military Aviation and Commercial fills in the dead months in winter nicely. Man I have to spot NEllis during one of these events... last time I was there it was so dead, there was tumbleweed on the rwy :-(

Excellent light and excellent exposures make for terrific pictures. Well done Nick! If I had to pick one favorite it would have to be

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7205/6863425854_8e1baf6895_b.jpg

although the AWACS is sweet too!

[NickPeterman]

Hah! Thank you both. It was an awesome experience. I think I will be going back this coming July, granted maybe not on base.

Manny, that shot was one of those "Holy @#$%" moments while it was happening. I may have to post the rest of my west coast tour, as these photos were the small appetizer to what came later


:)

[nssd70]

I'm not a huge fan of fighter jets,but after looking at your photos,you might have changed my mind. Nice set!!!!!

Doug

[moose135]

I'm not a huge fan of fighter jets...
Afterburners, baby, afterburners! :cool:



I'm not sure there could be a more photogenic 4-holer than the KC-135...

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7266/7009540253_447c922461_b.jpg

Sweet shot - now there's a real airplane!

[NickPeterman]

Oh I know Moose. Where it not for my injury and discharge, I might have been flying them in a few years like I had always dreamed

[chrisparypa]

Lovely air over Nellis.. I miss this place so much..... Great stuff

[NickPeterman]

Thanks Chris. Nellis rocks!

[Big Tim #70]

Great stuff!

[megatop412]

That banked KC-135 is insane man, well done