{"id":18330,"date":"2016-03-04T17:09:47","date_gmt":"2016-03-05T00:09:47","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/pwoodford.net\/blog\/?p=18330"},"modified":"2023-01-31T20:32:00","modified_gmt":"2023-02-01T03:32:00","slug":"air-minded-heritage-flight-photoblog-2016","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pwoodford.net\/blog\/?p=18330","title":{"rendered":"Air-Minded: Heritage Flight Photoblog 2016"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Selfie with F-22s and F-35s<\/center><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Once a year, rich guys with extremely expensive toys\u00a0train alongside active duty USAF fighter pilots and jets at Davis-Monthan AFB in Tucson, Arizona. The annual program\u00a0at DMAFB is called the Heritage Flight Training and Certification Course, and over the course of a few days civilian and military pilots practice flying\u00a0close formation. Pilots who complete the course\u00a0will fly together\u00a0during the 2016 USAF air show season.<\/p>\n

This year’s course is underway now at DMAFB and will run through this weekend. As I did last year, I drove to the base to take photos. It’s not publicized, but the flightline by base operations, where participating aircraft are parked, is open to spectators. It’s not really an air show, but it might as well be, and it’s just the right size for me … no\u00a0big crowds, and a great view of the show line down the runway.<\/p>\n

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Viper with Mustangs and a Sabre<\/center><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I finally saw my first F-35. Two F-35As from Luke AFB in Phoenix were\u00a0parked alongside the other USAF jets participating in this year’s training course: two F-22s\u00a0and three F-16s. As with last year, there were no F-15s, not even a Strike Eagle, which was a little disappointing, since both versions of the Eagle are still a primary part of the USAF fighter fleet. But hey, F-35s! Here’s one taking off:<\/p>\n

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