Confusing Pattern
 

I understand that the callsign "Reach" is used by military aircraft. However, there has been a plane visible on FlightRadar
for several hours identified as "Reach24" which has just been circling Long Beach harbor for that entire time.

Anyone have any idea what it might be up to?

Squinty
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....3e8c87acc8.jpg

It's a C-26B (Metro) of 188th FS, New Mexico ANG, reportedly with lots of spooky stuff on board, used for drug control missions.

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....fc5c101811.jpg

https://www.jetphotos.com/photo/7654701

Mmm not sure...

1. Rudder stuck
2. autopilot lost
3. extra dose of chemtrails
4. any other spook stuff

:p

Calibrating a radar?

No, listening. :O

The RAF in the UK used to be a common sight over major cities with their surveillance Islanders orbiting at FL100 (helpfully tracked on Heathrow's radar website for all to see):

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....c92f629e91.jpg

The mission is now contractorised, I believe, not sure what equipment is currently used.

Likely in support of the ongoing special operations exercise in Southern California called Emerald Warrior/Emerald Trident. There was a P-8 Poseidon noted orbiting a couple of days ago.

See following.

A Navy P-8 Poseidon Jet Has Been Flying Mysterious Circles Over Los Angeles For Hours (Updated) - The Drive

This flight was up for just over 5 hours. It did not use the sign "Reach 24" with ATC, but rather one that sounded like
"Anvil 01."
Is the tower at Long Beach not manned 24 hours? When it came in for landing, the pilot twice notified "Long Beach
Traffic" that he was on final approach, first at four miles, then at two miles.

Squinty Magoo

Listening watching and following. The military are not the the only ones over the big cities. I am surprised the yanks could be seen as a mod to the transponders prevents Live radar 24 etc seeing these aircraft any more.