Early evening on the flight deck. VAW-124 "Bear Aces" CO jet prepares to launch from USS Theodore Roosevelt CVN-71. Roosevelt and CVW-8 were deployed during 2005 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Operated by Point Mugu based VP-65 (a Reserve unit) this P-3 Orion wore no identifiable markings whatsoever apart from the unit's 'PG' tail code. I think they had stepped up to the P-3C by October 1993, they had previously operated the P-3A version.
Definitely worth getting out of bed to see! This A-4F 'Fox' Scooter was in the static display at the 1993 Point Mugu Open House. Operated by VF-126 as 'NJ-622'. Apparently a quite rare colour scheme.
From the Point Mugu Open House in October 1993 one of NAWC-WD's RP-3A Orions (since redesignated NP-3D). The 'Billboard' radar modification forward of the tail fin is certainly very distinctive.
From the Point Mugu Open House in October 1993 one of NAWC-WD's RP-3A Orions (since redesignated NP-3D). The 'Billboard' radar modification forward of the tail fin is certainly very distinctive.
Brown shirts prep a VF-213 "Black Lions" F-14D for the next mission during a Persian Gulf sunset, note the guided missile destroyer DDG-75 USS Donald Cook keeping watch in the background