Arriving on the Friday

"WARCAT 12" EA-18G makes it's way onboard NASNI for a soon to be last ever cruise with USS Nimitz

Arriving for static display at the 2025 NAF El Centro Air Show.

Whilst there is an element of this being a museum, much of the site is like a scrap yard, albeit a fascinating place for enthusiasts

A gate guard at Gate 8, unfortunately obstructed by the light post

An EP-3E Airborne Reconnaissance Integrated Electronic System (ARIES) II seen taxiing towards the US Forward Operating Location (US FOL) at Hato, Curacao, Dutch Caribbean. This aircraft belonged to Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron (VQ) 1 "World Watchers". Its role is aerial reconnaissance and gathering electronic and signals intelligence. The EP-3Es of this squadron were based at NAS Whidbey Island (WA).

On display on the flight deck of CV-10 USS Yorktown at Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum. Normally two fixed wing ASW squadrons were embarked on a CVS, with requirements subsequently changing for the CVA and CV. This S-2E belongs to VS-23 "Black Cats" which did three Vietnam deployments aboard USS Yorktown. Along with VS-25 "Golden Eagles" also flying the Tracker, the two fixed wing ASW units with tail code 'NU' flew under CVSG-55 that was operational till 27 Sep 1968. The 70 million candlepower searchlight is visible on the starboard wing. This variant had 16 JEZEBEL sonobuoys / nacelle.

Later to Taiwan as 3302

A rather anonymous P-3C AIP+ Orion seen at Hato, Curacao, Dutch Caribbean where it was deployed for counter drug missions over the Caribbean Sea.

On display at AAM Duxford. The success of the Avenger as a sub-killer during World War II led to the TBM-3E being modified to the dedicated ASW TBM-3S. The turret was removed and faired over, new electronics were added and the AN/APS-4 radar pod was retained under the starboard wing. This former RCN TBM-3S Avenger represents the TBM-1C of future President George H. W. Bush who flew with VT-51 from CVL-30 USS San Jacinto. Lt Bush was shot down over Chichi Jima on 2 Sep 1944 after completing the bombing run in the flak damaged Avenger, losing his crew. He was awarded the DFC for the attack.

Sadly this helicopter crashed on February 16th 2005