On January 14th the Arizona Wing of the Commemorative Air Force, hosted  "A Legacy of Honor, Valor and Pride: A Tribute to the Tuskegee Airman" . Several hundred people turned out to honor the service and sacrifice of the warriors known as the Tuskegee Airman. On hand were several Tuskegee airmen from the Archer-Ragsdale, Arizona Chapter of the TAI. A presentation of colors was performed by re-enactors portraying Buffalo Soldiers. ... Read More

On November 17th 2011 Photorecon was an invited guest of APSOCAL http://www.apsocal.com/ to attend the  NAF El Centro Photocall.  The chance to attend this event is one we look forward to, as this has to be the closest access to live military flight operations anywhere in the world. The event was able to take place due to a wonderful working relationship between  APSOCAL http://www.apsocal.com/ , AZAP http://azaerophoto.com/ and  PAO Michelle Dee. This relationship has ... Read More

  While attending the  Holloman Air Force Base Open House and Air Show this weekend (October 8th), I had the opportunity to meet and chat with the staff of  BAE Systems HAWK AJTS National Road Show. The purpose of the road show is to demonstrate and showcase the capabilities and cost effectiveness of the Hawk aircraft and family of systems. The Hawk AJTS brings 5th generation sensor and information management skills needed by future U.S. ... Read More

                                                                                                                                                                               News Release    September 10, 2011   Stead Airport, Reno, NV. - Visitors to the Reno National Championship Air Races September 14-18 are invited to take a journey through aviation history to see beautifully restored testaments to our rich aviation legacy at the National Aviation Heritage Invitational. Rare planes dating back to the 1920’s along with the powerful warbirds are vying for the prestigious Rolls-Royce Aviation Heritage Trophy.  The National Aviation Hall of Fame’s ... Read More

Vacations are to unwind and relax; nothing can relax me more than being in the company of great people and historic aircraft. This is why I always perform an online search for any museums and airfields in the area I will be visiting. With a family vacation to Florida planned for the last week of June 2011. I started my search and soon found the Valiant Air Command in ... Read More

In celebration of the Centennial of Naval Aviation (CoNA) and coinciding with the CoNA events at Naval Air Station North Island (San Diego, CA) on February 11th and 12th, Marine Corps Air Station Miramar opened its flight line to the media to celebrate this historic event. On Friday at 8am, 20 media personnel were given unprecedented access to MCAS Miramar flight line. We were escorted to Base Operations and there ... Read More

We have been following our friend Mike "MAJ" McDougall of  Fighting Classics, as he and the crew have been working to build/fly  the TA-4J  N518TA. The aircraft is done and looking great. We had arranged to come out and take some night photos of the aircraft as a tribute to all of Maj and the crew's hard work.  Maj and his talented staff at Pacific Aero Ventures LLC have completed ... Read More

Congratulations to Pacific Aero Ventures  and the entire crew at Fighting Classics Aircraft Restoration of Marana, AZ . We have been following our friend Mike "MAJ" McDougall for several years, as he and the crew have been working to build/fly  the TA-4J. The last time we caught up with Maj was at Chino 2010. That was a sweet homecoming for Maj who grew up working around the Chino airport. The aircraft was still in ... Read More

A few weeks ago my brother Steve Kates (drsky) got a call from his good friend Brigadier General Richard Stephen "Steve" Ritchie Ret. The General was in town for a speaking engagement  and invited us to join him for lunch. I was real excited to join them and speak to a legend of modern air combat. Form the moment I first met Gen Ritchie I found out what a great ... Read More

Congratulations to Joe Kates. He called the other day to inform me that the webmaster of the Planes of Fame website had contacted him with a request for use of his Spam Can shot taken at the Valle Air Show last year. Little did we know it would be used in a slider on the front page. Way to go Joe!!! ... Read More

 3-11-2010 was a sad day; we lost a great man and in his personal  words "A Custodian of  Aviation History".  Nazzi Hirani left this world doing what he loved to do. Fly his vintage Warbird  In the skies over Arizona.  My time knowing Nazzi was short but he is a man I will never forget meeting. I first met Nazzi at an air show in AZ ,he was flying and displaying ... Read More

Team members of Photorecon had a rare opportunity to fly with the Arizona wing of the Air National Guards/ 161st Air Refueling Wing,197th ARS. Our flight with the “Copperheads” took place on December 11th, 2009. During our 2hr flight we experienced the dedication that this group offers up, helping to support “thirsty” aircraft, on missions around the world.Our team flew on board a KC135R a modernized version of the ... Read More

While having dinner at The Memphis BBQ just outside the main gate at Nellis AFB who was to walk in but Thunderbird #1. It was Lt Col Greg Thomas last show as a Thunderbird. Charger as he is know stpeed down this year having completed his second year as commander. ... Read More

Joe Kates gets invited by Ed Shipley aboard the ABS.TV (airshowbuzz.com) Tour bus for a little meet and greet!! ... Read More