Check Out This Rare Formation Of Navy Reserve Fighters Over Gorgeous Key West

Published Feb 19, 2021 7:44 PM EST

The Navy’s Tactical Support Wing is a reserve element, but collectively its five squadrons have among the highest concentration of experienced aircrews in the service. Of the five units, four are primarily tasked with adversary support, flying F-5N/Fs and F/A-18A-D Legacy Hornets (for now), while one is the Navy’s sole reserve EA-18G Growler squadron. While they are tied together in terms of command, they are dispersed across the entire country, from Washington State to Nevada to Louisiana to Virginia to Key West. That’s why the images in this post are so rare, seeing aircraft examples from each squadron all in one place, and over gorgeous Key West, is truly a treat!

While Fighter Squadron Composite 13 (VFC-13) and VFC-111 will continue to fly the F-5 for the foreseeable future, VFC-12 is transitioning to the Super Hornet, a process you can read all about in these exclusive features of ours . There is also talk that New Orleans-based Strike Fighter Squadron 204 (VFA-204) may be trading in their Legacy Hornets for something else, possibly even F-16s. On the other hand, the Growlers belonging to Electronic Attack Squadron 209 (VAQ-209), the Star Warriors, are very new. However, this unit also went through a huge change in the last decade, relinquishing their EA-6B Prowlers for the EA-18Gs and moving across the country from their prior home at Andrews Air Force Base just outside Washington, D.C., to Naval Air Station (NAS) Whidbey Island in Washington State .

Courtesy photo by Commander Peter Scheu/Released

NAS Key West is a mecca for Navy tactical jet crews from across the United States, but especially for those based at NAS Oceana in Virginia. The squadrons take advantage of the vast range complexes right off the coast, the base’s laid-back atmosphere and beautiful surroundings, and, above all else, the great flying weather year-round. Visiting units also leverage the services of VFC-111, the Sundowners, who provide adversary air support for fleet aviators and those on their way to a front-line squadron.

You can read more about what it is like serving in one of the reserve units that make up the Tactical Support Wing in this in-depth feature from a VFC-13 aggressor’s point of view.

In the meantime, here are some more awesome shots of the formation over the Florida Keys’ turquoise waters:

The formation flying high over Fort Jefferson., Courtesy photo by Commander Peter Scheu/Released

Contact the author: Tyler@thedrive.com

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发布于美国东部时间2021年2月19日晚上7:44。

海军战术支援联队是一支预备役部队，但其下辖的五个中队却拥有全军最丰富的经验丰富的飞行员资源。这五个中队中，四个主要负责假想敌支援任务，目前装备F-5N/F和F/A-18A-D“大黄蜂”战斗机；另一个则是海军唯一的预备役EA-18G“咆哮者”电子战飞机中队。虽然它们隶属于同一指挥部，但实际上分散在全国各地，从华盛顿州到内华达州，从路易斯安那州到弗吉尼亚州，再到基韦斯特。正因如此，本文中的图片才如此珍贵——能够同时看到来自各个中队的飞机，而且是在风景如画的基韦斯特上空，真是一种难得的体验！

虽然第13战斗机中队（VFC-13）和第111战斗机中队（VFC-111）在可预见的未来仍将继续使用F-5战斗机，但第12战斗机中队（VFC-12）正在换装超级大黄蜂战斗机，您可以在我们独家报道中了解这一过程的详细内容。另有传言称，驻扎在新奥尔良的第204攻击战斗机中队（VFA-204）可能会用其他机型替换其传统的F-18大黄蜂战斗机，甚至可能是F-16战斗机。另一方面，隶属于第209电子攻击中队（VAQ-209，绰号“星战勇士”）的“咆哮者”电子战飞机是新近装备的。然而，该中队在过去十年中也经历了巨大的变化，他们放弃了EA-6B“徘徊者”电子战飞机，换装了EA-18G电子战飞机，并从位于华盛顿特区郊外的安德鲁斯空军基地搬迁至位于华盛顿州的惠德贝岛海军航空站。

照片由彼得·舍伊指挥官提供/已发布

基韦斯特海军航空站是全美海军战术喷气机机组人员的圣地，尤其是驻扎在弗吉尼亚州奥希阿纳海军航空站的机组人员。各中队充分利用了近海广阔的靶场、基地轻松的氛围和优美的环境，以及最重要的——全年适宜飞行的气候。来访部队还可以借助VFC-111“日落者”中队的支援，该中队为舰队飞行员和即将前往前线中队的飞行员提供假想敌空中支援。

从 VFC-13 假想敌部队的角度，您可以阅读这篇深入的专题报道，了解在组成战术支援联队的预备役部队服役是什么样的体验。

与此同时，这里还有一些佛罗里达群岛碧绿海面上空壮观的云层照片：

编队高空飞越杰斐逊堡。（图片由彼得·舍伊指挥官提供/发布）

联系作者：Tyler@thedrive.com

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