An Av-8tor's Dream
An Av-8tor's Dream
Happy New Year everyone!
During one of the recent Weapons and Tactics Instructor (WTI) course at MCAS Yuma, I had an opportunity to work with VMA-214 (Black Sheep) and 231 (Ace of Spades), amongst other units. It was a chance to see how the RAF's former Harrier fleet are being used by the US Marines. MAWTS1 were exceptional hosts throughout my stay in Yuma - so a special thanks to them.
The air op was a first for me from the ramp of an KC-130J. With a cruising and intercept altitude of 12k ft an oxygen mask was required - all part of the experience We were up for nearly four hours circling the nearby ranges, this allowed time to take in the scenery...
1.
KC-130J Hercules by Chris Heal, on Flickr
2.
KC-130J Hercules by Chris Heal, on Flickr
3.
Working at 12k ft, View from the ramp of a USMC KC-130J Hercules 165738 (BH) by Chris Heal, on Flickr
4.
CAG Bird, AV-8B Harrier II, VMA-214, Black Sheep by Chris Heal, on Flickr
5.
"Double Trouble", AV-8B Harrier II, VMA-214, Black Sheep by Chris Heal, on Flickr
6.
"Roomba", AV-8B Harrier II, VMA-214, Black Sheep by Chris Heal, on Flickr
7.
In-flight Refuelling, AV-8B Harrier II, VMA-214, Black Sheep by Chris Heal, on Flickr
8.
"Banking Fuel", AV-8B Harrier II, VMA-214, Black Sheep by Chris Heal, on Flickr
9.
Marines in Action, AV-8B Harrier II, VMA-214, Black Sheep by Chris Heal, on Flickr
10.
"Hooking Up", AV-8B Harrier II, 165001, VMA-214, Black Sheep by Chris Heal, on Flickr
11.
Two Black Sheep, AV-8B Harrier II, VMA-214 by Chris Heal, on Flickr
12.
"Breaking Off", AV-8B Harrier II, 165001, VMA-214, Black Sheep by Chris Heal, on Flickr
13.
"Plugged In", AV-8B Harrier II, VMA-214, Black Sheep by Chris Heal, on Flickr
14.
AV-8B Mono by Chris Heal, on Flickr
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"Eyes on You", AV-8B Harrier II by Chris Heal, on Flickr
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"A Good Day to Fly", AV-8B Harrier II, 165577, VMA-214, Black Sheep by Chris Heal, on Flickr
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"Ready", Ace of Spades, VMA-231 by Chris Heal, on Flickr
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"Ground Crew", AV-8B Harrier II, VMA-231, Ace of Spades by Chris Heal, on Flickr
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"Weapons Check", AV-8B Harrier II by Chris Heal, on Flickr
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"Visual Inspection", AV-8B Harrier II by Chris Heal, on Flickr
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AV-8B Cockpit by Chris Heal, on Flickr
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"Stairway to Heaven", AV-8B Harrier II by Chris Heal, on Flickr
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"Last Light before Take-off", AV-8B Harrier II by Chris Heal, on Flickr
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Dusk Raiders, AV-8B Harrier II by Chris Heal, on Flickr
25.
"On the Move", AV-8B Harrier II by Chris Heal, on Flickr
26.
Dusk Departure, AV-8B Harrier II by Chris Heal, on Flickr
Thanks for looking and all the best for 2020!
Cheers,
Chris
During one of the recent Weapons and Tactics Instructor (WTI) course at MCAS Yuma, I had an opportunity to work with VMA-214 (Black Sheep) and 231 (Ace of Spades), amongst other units. It was a chance to see how the RAF's former Harrier fleet are being used by the US Marines. MAWTS1 were exceptional hosts throughout my stay in Yuma - so a special thanks to them.
The air op was a first for me from the ramp of an KC-130J. With a cruising and intercept altitude of 12k ft an oxygen mask was required - all part of the experience We were up for nearly four hours circling the nearby ranges, this allowed time to take in the scenery...
1.
KC-130J Hercules by Chris Heal, on Flickr
2.
KC-130J Hercules by Chris Heal, on Flickr
3.
Working at 12k ft, View from the ramp of a USMC KC-130J Hercules 165738 (BH) by Chris Heal, on Flickr
4.
CAG Bird, AV-8B Harrier II, VMA-214, Black Sheep by Chris Heal, on Flickr
5.
"Double Trouble", AV-8B Harrier II, VMA-214, Black Sheep by Chris Heal, on Flickr
6.
"Roomba", AV-8B Harrier II, VMA-214, Black Sheep by Chris Heal, on Flickr
7.
In-flight Refuelling, AV-8B Harrier II, VMA-214, Black Sheep by Chris Heal, on Flickr
8.
"Banking Fuel", AV-8B Harrier II, VMA-214, Black Sheep by Chris Heal, on Flickr
9.
Marines in Action, AV-8B Harrier II, VMA-214, Black Sheep by Chris Heal, on Flickr
10.
"Hooking Up", AV-8B Harrier II, 165001, VMA-214, Black Sheep by Chris Heal, on Flickr
11.
Two Black Sheep, AV-8B Harrier II, VMA-214 by Chris Heal, on Flickr
12.
"Breaking Off", AV-8B Harrier II, 165001, VMA-214, Black Sheep by Chris Heal, on Flickr
13.
"Plugged In", AV-8B Harrier II, VMA-214, Black Sheep by Chris Heal, on Flickr
14.
AV-8B Mono by Chris Heal, on Flickr
15.
"Eyes on You", AV-8B Harrier II by Chris Heal, on Flickr
16.
"A Good Day to Fly", AV-8B Harrier II, 165577, VMA-214, Black Sheep by Chris Heal, on Flickr
17.
"Ready", Ace of Spades, VMA-231 by Chris Heal, on Flickr
18.
"Ground Crew", AV-8B Harrier II, VMA-231, Ace of Spades by Chris Heal, on Flickr
19.
"Weapons Check", AV-8B Harrier II by Chris Heal, on Flickr
20.
"Visual Inspection", AV-8B Harrier II by Chris Heal, on Flickr
21.
AV-8B Cockpit by Chris Heal, on Flickr
22.
"Stairway to Heaven", AV-8B Harrier II by Chris Heal, on Flickr
23.
"Last Light before Take-off", AV-8B Harrier II by Chris Heal, on Flickr
24.
Dusk Raiders, AV-8B Harrier II by Chris Heal, on Flickr
25.
"On the Move", AV-8B Harrier II by Chris Heal, on Flickr
26.
Dusk Departure, AV-8B Harrier II by Chris Heal, on Flickr
Thanks for looking and all the best for 2020!
Cheers,
Chris
Last edited by CH79 on Sun 05 Jan 2020, 2:14 pm, edited 2 times in total.
Re: An Av-8tor's Dream
Stunning set of images, love the Harriers
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- UKAR Staff
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Re: An Av-8tor's Dream
An unreal set!
Free straws available to clutch at - PM me. Inventor of the baguette scale
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Re: An Av-8tor's Dream
Truly outstanding, great to see, thanks for sharing
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Re: An Av-8tor's Dream
Absolutely stunning!
- aviationanoraks
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Re: An Av-8tor's Dream
Stunning!
The AV-8B does look very purposeful in that camo.
The AV-8B does look very purposeful in that camo.
Re: An Av-8tor's Dream
WOW...
Some stunning images in there...!
Dan
Some stunning images in there...!
Dan
Re: An Av-8tor's Dream
Super set and cracking images
Andy
Andy
Re: An Av-8tor's Dream
Great shots from those USMC AV-8's, must have been an awesome flight!
Regards, Edwin
www.final-approach.nl
Regards, Edwin
www.final-approach.nl
Re: An Av-8tor's Dream
Many thanks for your comments! It was an experience that I will cherish for a long time to come!
Great you like them - there are a few more on my Flickr pages if interested.
All the best,
Chris
Great you like them - there are a few more on my Flickr pages if interested.
All the best,
Chris
- redbearing
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Re: An Av-8tor's Dream
Chris
your best yet, superb!!!
P.S On the ball City!!
your best yet, superb!!!
P.S On the ball City!!
Re: An Av-8tor's Dream
Great photos. After last years stunning Spanish show wouldn't it be great if one or two of these came over to display the UK this year?! After the lack lustre US F16 effort at RIAT one can but dream I suppose....
- Ian G
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Re: An Av-8tor's Dream
Amazing!!