Author: Phil Myers

assignments / fighters / military / navy / photocalls

December 7, 2014

Naval Air Facility El Centro Photocall – Fall 2014

On November 20, approximately 100 photographers arrived outside the main gates of Naval Air Facility El Centro (NAFEC). They were there for one of two annual photocalls held at one of the most active airfield in the country.Naval Air...

air force / Exercises / military

July 20, 2014

Hawgsmoke 2014

On July 9-12, 2014, 14 different A-10 squadrons from across the country participated in the biannual gunnery competition called HAWGSMOKE! The 2014 Hawgsmoke competition was hosted by the 357th Fighter Squadron (The Dragons) based at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base...

air force / bombers / fighters / military / navy / post

May 22, 2012

Red Flag 12-3 – A Different Perspective

Once again, US Air Force units from around the country and coalition forces from around the world gathered at Nellis Air Force Base, Las Vegas, Nevada to participate in Red Flag 12-3. Participants of Red Flag 12-3 included various...

assignments / featured / Marines / military

February 14, 2012

Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course (WTI 1-12)

Weapons and Tactics Instructor In October 2011, Marine Corps Air Station Yuma was once again home for the Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course or as it’s more commonly known as “WTI.” I was fortunate enough to be invited to...

air force / bombers / fighters / military / photocalls / post

February 12, 2012

Red Flag 12-2 Media Day

On Tuesday, January 31, 2012, fifty photojournalist from around the world gathered at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada. They were here to photograph aircraft that were participating in the current Red Flag exercise. Simply stated, Red Flag is an...

chino / military / museums / POF / post

January 16, 2012

2012 Cable Airshow – Birddog Style

On January 7, 2012 at 6:00 am, I made my way to the Planes of Fame Air Museum in Chino, California. There, I was to be a passenger in the museum’s Cessna L-19 Birddog that was scheduled to be...

air racing / fighters / military / post / warbirds

September 26, 2011

Photorecon meets Medal of Honor Recipient Captain Thomas Hudner (ret.)

On September 10, 2011, while on assignment at the National Championship Air Races in Reno, Nevada, I had the unexpected privilege and honor of meeting Medal of Honor recipient Captain Thomas Hudner (retired). Captain Hudner was one of only...

chino / fighters / military / POF / post / warbirds

August 14, 2011

Big Bear Air Fair 2011

On August 6, 2011, Big Bear Airport hosted its bi-annual air fair. Started in 1984, the Big Bear Air Fair is a combination of community a vendor fair, warbird and vintage aircraft static display, and general aviation fly in....

Marines / military

August 6, 2011

HMLAT 303 – Training the Future of Light Attack

Before HMLAT-303 was established in April 1982, Marine Corps helicopter pilots received advanced aircraft training at their fleet squadron after completing basic flight training. Overtime, the Marine Corps realized that this method of training was a drain on squadron...

assignments / featured / Marines / military

July 13, 2011

Major General Tom Conant – 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing Commanding General

At precisely 0830 hours I was ushered into the office of the Commanding General of the Third Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW), Tom “Stash” Conant. Major General Conant, dressed in a tan flight suit, took a minute to finish up...

fighters / friends / Marines / military / navy / post

June 1, 2011

Lt. Col. John McCarthy – The Story of a USMC Combat Pilot

United States Marine Corps Lieutenant Colonel John “JJ” McCarthy started his military career as a submariner. In 1946, a seventeen year old John McCarthy enlisted in the United States Navy. After boot camp he scored high enough on a...

assignments / featured / friends / Marines / military

May 16, 2011

A Reunion of Legends

On April 14, 2011 VMA 214 Black Sheep hosted a historic squadron reunion at MCAS Yuma. The reunion was attended by three of the five remaining original Black Sheep Squadron members (Ed Harper, Jim Hill, and Harry Johnson). In...