California Air National Guard, 144th Fighter Wing, 194th Fighter Squadron’s F-15C Eagle #84-004 preps to take-off from Fresno Yosemite International Airport, California, to participate in the Orange Flag wargame, along with aircrews from Edwards Air Force Base and China Lake Naval Air Station, 10DEC2019.
Photo by Captain Jason Sanchez.
Photo by Captain Jason Sanchez.
2019 California Capital Airshow at Mather Airport near Sacramento.
Photo by Technical Sergeant Charles Vaughn.
84-004 lands at Starokostiantyniv Air Base, Ukraine, for wargame Clear Sky, 06OCT2018.
Photo by Technical Sergeant Charles Vaughn.
#84-004 was painted in an eagle motif for the 194FS’s 75th Anniversary, which was officially in 2018. The 194FS was established in 1946, but was not federally recognized until 1948.
Clear Sky video explainer by Staff Sergeant Christian Jadot:
Photo by Technical Sergeant Charles Vaughn.
A California Eagle taxis past Ukrainian Sukhoi 27s, 09OCT2018.
Video report by Staff Sergeant Christian Jadot, a happy California Eagle pilot talks about “finally” being in Ukraine:
Four different versions of the General Dynamics F-16 shared the ramp at NASA’s Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards, California, in this 1997 photo. At left and right are the only two F-16XL prototypes built. The two-seat F-16XL-2 version to the left, NASA registration number 848, was flown in a supersonic active/passive laminar flow control experiment until late 1996. The single-seat F-16XL-1 at right, NASA registration number 849 (originally USAF 749), was flown in a variety of experiments, including an earlier passive laminar-flown study and sonic boom attenuation research. At center left is a single-seat F-16A, NASA registration number 816, the only civil registered F-16 in existence. At center right is the U.S. Air Force Advanced Fighter Technology Integration (AFTI) F-16A.
Silent NASA video, F-16XL-1 #849 in-flight 1992:
NASA photo published in 1992.
NASA 849 F-16XL-1 in earlier passive laminar flow experiment.
NASA photo by Judson Brohmer, 1995.
By 1993, F-16XL-1 #849 was returned to original configuration to study the performance of the XL’s ‘cranked arrow’ wing.
NASA photo, October 1991.
NASA 848 F-16XL-2 prior to active/passive laminar flow wing glove modifications. 848 was originally a single seat USAF F-16A #75-0747, which crashed at the end of 1980, was rebuilt as the first F-16XL in 1981, then rebuilt again as the two seat F-16XL-2 taking its first flight in 1982.
NASA photo dated February 1995.
Mounting the perforated port ‘active’ laminar flow glove on #848.
NASA photo, June 1995.
This NASA photo shows you how tiny the perforations are in the port glove. The edge of a dime coin is used to show scale, NASA used a laser to drill the 10-million, almost microscopic, holes.
NASA photo dated 1995.
NASA photo dated 1995.
First flight of modified F-16XL-2. NASA photo by Carla Thomas, 1995.
First flight of fully modified F-16XL #848. Notice the wing tip sensors, which were used to study ‘flutter’ on 848 prior to being modified for laminar flow testing. They were not used during the bulk of the laminar flow testing. This NASA video explains the use of the wing tip ‘exciter vanes’ (Excitation System) on 848:
Flying over Lake Mead, Nevada. NASA photo by Jim Ross, October 1996.
A turbo-compressor vacuum mounted in the fuselage, behind the cockpit, draws off a small part of the boundary-layer air flowing over the port wing’s perforated titanium leading edge glove at supersonic speeds, this is known as Supersonic Laminar Flow Control, or active laminar flow system. The turbo compressor exhausts out the starboard side of the fuselage.
NASA photo, 1995.
A turbo-compressor (looking like a axillary power unit, APU) in the aircraft’s fuselage provided suction to draw air through more than 10-million tiny laser-drilled holes in the titanium glove via a manifold system employing 20 valves.
NASA photo published in 1996.
In some photos you’ll notice a small canard, known as a ‘shock fence’, protruding from under the leading edge. In a few photos it’s not present.
NASA photo by Jim Ross, April 1996.
Note that the leading edge on the starboard side is different.
Refueling on its 45th and final data-collection flight, November 1996.
The starboard leading edge was known as the passive laminar flow system.
45th and final data-collection flight of F-16XL 848, November 1996. NASA photo by Jim Ross.
NASA video, one hour of ‘raw’ (unedited) video of F-16XL-2 in flight:
Data obtained during the program was collected in the hopes of developing civilian transport aircraft (specifically Boeing, Rockwell, and McDonnell Douglas) that could cruise at supersonic speeds.
A 13-thousand-pound (5896.7-kilos) Apollo Command Module 19A test mock-up (aka boilerplate) was used to test various systems before the actual Apollo was launched, including parachutes.
NASA photos.
On 03JUL1968, NASA’s C-133 Cargomaster drops the Apollo ‘boilerplate’ for parachute (aka Earth Landing System) testing.
The first ELS test was conducted on 03MAY1963. Between 1963 and 1968, 34 drop tests, using various ‘boilerplate’ modules with different parachute configurations, were completed.
Silent NASA video:
‘Boilerplate’ coming down on the Southern California-El Centro desert, 16JUN1968.
Original Northrop Ventura Corporation documentary film:
NASA also used the C-133 to haul what was called the Centaur Upper Stage shuttle rocket. The Centaur Upper Stage shuttle rocket has been periodically brought back to life as a cheaper alternative to the Space Shuttle. NASA C-133s also transported stages for Atlas, Saturn and Titan rockets to Cape Canaveral, Florida.
U.S. Ramey Sector Border Patrol agents, with the assistance of a U.S. Coast Guard HC-144 Ocean Sentry aircrew, apprehended two male Dominican Republic nationals and seized 157 pounds (71 Kilos) of cocaine near Villa Montana in Isabela, Puerto Rico, 23JAN2021.
Photo by Petty Officer Second Class Amanda Wyrick.
U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Spencer (WMEC 905) credited with capturing more than $10-million of illegal drugs.
Combat Vehicle 90 during NATO wargame in Poland, June 2019.
NATO video, Norwegian CV90s off-loading from ship for wargame in Poland, June 2019:
NATO video, Royal Danish Army Guard Hussars, December 2018:
Swedish Armed Forces photo by Jesper Sundström, 02NOV2018.
Sweden is not a member of NATO but is a NATO ‘partner’, and took part in NATO wargames in Norway (which has a northeastern border with Russia) in November 2018.
NATO video, Royal Netherlands Army’s 45th Mechanized Infantry
Battalion, October 2018:
NATO video, Norway’s Armored Battalion, 2nd Brigade, October 2018:
NATO video, Netherland’s CV90s in Poland for wargame, February 2017:
NATO video, public unveiling of Norway’s latest version of the CV90 (the Mark-3 which can engage multiple targets with multiple weapons at the same time) and live-fire display, September 2015:
U.S. Army photo by Private First Class Lloyd illanueva, 08NOV2014.
CV9035DK of NATO-Denmark’s Royal Life Guards, taking part in wargames on Hohenfels, NATO-Germany, November 2014.
Ukraine Crisis: February 2014 (NATO backed coup) to present.
Finland, not a NATO member but a NATO ‘partner’, has CV-90s:
Portland, Oregon, is proof the United States has been in a slow-burn Civil War since the Obama regime, especially because it appears so-called elected leftist-liberal officials are actually protecting the insurrectionists. Here’s a list of links, and videos, from local Oregon news media:
Seattle, Washington, is proof the United States has been in a slow-burn Civil War since the Obama regime, especially because it appears so-called elected leftist-liberal officials are actually protecting the insurrectionists. Here’s a list of links, and videos, from local Washington news media, from the past week:
In January 2009, the U.S. Navy officially retired (from ‘fleet service’ aboard aircraft carriers, with final USN retirement in 2016) its Lockheed S-3B Viking aircraft. In 2001, one lucky Viking got a new life with the National Aeronautics Space Administration.
Glenn Research Center, Ohio, NASA photo dated 2001.
NASA photo dated 2006, Glenn Research Center, Ohio.
NASA Airborne Science Program’s N601NA Viking before getting its new NASA clothing, still wearing its worn-out U.S. Navy uniform.
NASA photo dated 2007, Glenn Research Center, Ohio.
This NASA image, of Viking N601NA with its new NASA uniform, is from 2007.
NASA photo dated 2007, Glenn Research Center, Ohio.
NASA began using the Viking, to supplement their other aircraft, to fly aircraft SatCom (satellite communication) relay viability missions over Illinois.
NASA photo dated 2007, Glenn Research Center, Ohio.
NASA photo dated 2007, Glenn Research Center, Ohio.
Photo by Louis DePaemelaere.
N601NA stopping in Grand Junction, Colorado, for fuel. N601NA was taking part in icing research.
NASA photo dated 2008.
A 1/3 scale model section of S-3B Viking wing inside NASA’s icing tunnel.
Final approach to the runway at Air Force Plant 42, NASA Dryden’s Aircraft Operations Facility in Palmdale, California, October 2010. The large cargo pod has been modified by NASA to carry electronic sensing devices for various missions.
S-3B Viking taking off from Cleveland Hopkins Airport, Illinois.
The last flight of two U.S. Navy Air Test & Evaluation Squadron 30 (VX-30 Bloodhounds) S-3B Vikings over Point Mugu, California, 18DEC2015.
U.S. Navy photo, 18DEC2015.
According to the information that came with these U.S. Navy photos, in January 2016 one of these Air Test & Evaluation Squadron 30’s Vikings was sent to be mummified in ‘the boneyard’, while the other got a new life working for NASA. However, I can’t find anything from NASA confirming they took possession of another Viking. I’ve even seen some blogs that claim NASA has three Vikings which, again, I haven’t found anything from NASA backing that up. Current NASA information indicates there was only one Viking in their possession, N601NA, operating out of Glenn Research Center in Ohio.
During May 2016, the Oregon Air National Guard spread their F-15C Eagle (Kotkat) wings all the way to Finland (Suomi), for NATO’s Operation Atlantic Resolve.
Oregon Air National Guard photo by Technical Sergeant Jefferson Thompson, 10MAY2016.
One of the 173rd’s Eagles was decked-out with a special one year only paint scheme in commemoration of the 75th Anniversary of the Oregon Air National Guard.
Oregon Air National Guard photo by Technical Sergeant Jefferson Thompson, 10MAY2016.
Oregon’s 173rd Fighter Wing operated out of Finland’s Rissala Air Base, aka Kuopio Airport.
Finnish Defense Forces video of Oregon’s visit:
Kuopio Airport/Rissala Air Base is home to Finland’s Karelia Air Command. This is the flag of Karelia Air Command.
Oregon Air National Guard explainer video report:
Oregon Air National Guard photo by Technical Sergeant Jefferson Thompson, 10MAY2016.
Oregon’s F-15Cs flew alongside Finland’s F/A-18s, fighting against Swedish Saab aircraft during the NATO wargame.
Finland: OREGON KOTKAT LENTÄÄ SUOMEN YLI
Final approach to the runway at Air Force Plant 42, NASA Dryden’s Aircraft Operations Facility in Palmdale, California, October 2010. The large cargo pod has been modified by NASA to carry electronic sensing devices for various missions.
S-3B Viking taking off from Cleveland Hopkins Airport, Illinois.
Kuopio Airport/Rissala Air Base is home to Finland’s Karelia Air Command. This is the flag of Karelia Air Command.
