Aviation Nation 2017 - Nellis AFB

[RAFEngO74to09]

Aviation Nation 2017 was staged at Nellis AFB 11-12 Nov 17. As usual, organization was first rate with no traffic queues to the free parking at the adjacent Las Vegas Speedway, extremely efficient security screening and free shuttle bus to the base (15 minutes total for parking / security / shuttle).

The excellent "Warfighter Demo" followed the same format as last year but with the addition of F-35A for CAS. Aggressor F-16Cs attacked, a pair of F-15Cs launched to intercept from strip alert at the end of the runway then chased the F-16s around against the mountain backdrop and in the vertical. The F-35As did plenty of manoeuvring - going in and out of reheat frequently - and complemented the A-10s for CAS. HH-60Gs performed CSAR. A Hind flew backwards and forwards in the distance sensibly staying out of the way. Then everyone landed and taxied by for tea and medals.

Coverage of the "Warfighter Demo" here courtesy of the excellent aerospace videographer "spencerhughes2255": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jBSYONbRok4

F-22A Solo + USAF Heritage Display: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jvgGNBJzOk&t=556s

An F-15C and an F-16C were both painted in special schemes commemorating the USAF 70th Anniversary on the RHS and "Vegas Strong" on the LHS in memory of the 1 Oct 17 mass shooting.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4dTL1cmIqk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2OHtAPTVPkE

F-16C "Vegas Strong"


F-16C Solo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cKWuWcTwtBI&t=31s

F-15C "Vegas Strong"

[Lyneham Lad]

Thanks for the info and the links.

[fltlt]

Originally Posted by RAFEngO74to09

Coverage of the "Warfighter Demo" here courtesy of the excellent aerospace videographer "spencerhughes2255": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jBSYONbRok4

F-22A Solo + USAF Heritage Display: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jvgGNBJzOk&t=556s

Just a quick correction to the Hind’s participation.
The scenario as per the organizers request was that the Hind approach from show right to show left at low level, initiate a 180 deg turn to port, fly show left to show right at low level, drop the gear, another 180 to port, land at the taxiway intersection, the “insurgents” on board, led by a young female airman jumped out and proceeded to run toward the show line to take cover just off the active.
This was the “attack” part on the airfield.
Unfortunately unless you were stood in front of the large monitor you probably didn’t/couldn’t see that part, or where the Humvees pulled up to oppose them.
The feedback from the spectators to the organizers thence back to the folks involved was extremely positive for all involved.

[RAFEngO74to09]

fltlt. Thanks - that explains it. I was down the other end by the barriers near the B-52 which enabled close up photography of taxying aircraft again this year (that section was blocked off for participant aircraft parking in 2016).


I did indeed miss what the Hind was doing down the other end.

[gums]

Salute!

Hey, FLT!!!!!

Some reason you have to duplicate the previous post that had all the graphics and text?

Most of us have read and seen that one before we got to your post, ya think? And some do not have ultra-highspeed 'net connects and such. and I pay by the byte when at my cabin and use the Hughes satellite.

Just my whine.....

Gums whines...

[India Four Two]

Me too, Gums. Really irritating. I sometimes quote something from a previous post, but usually just mention the poster’s name.

Having said that, the videos are great. Does Nellis put on that show every year? If so, I’ll have to go.

I42 tries to whine, but Chipmunks just can’t compete with a Viper.

[fltlt]

Hey Gums, whine noted.
Will do better next time.
Fltlt.

[RAFEngO74to09]

India Four Two.

Aviation Nation had been every year for some time until the 2015 show was cancelled early (April ?) due to defense budgetary cuts. Hopefully it is back to annual now as shows have taken place both in 2016 and 2017. It is always on the Veterans' Weekend in November.

Check the Thunderbirds schedule at the beginning of each season for a clue.

Then eventually it turns up on the Nellis AFB website a few months into the year like this: Air and Space Expo

Whatever budgetary restrictions get applied to visiting military assets or funding privately owned classics, the USAF Warfare Center has enough assets of its' own put on an excellent show.

[India Four Two]

Thanks RAFEngO,

In the unlikely event that I fly myself down to Nevada, can I land at Nellis?