Phoenix Mesa-Gateway Airport, AZ; 15 Mar 09

A day off in the PHX area gave the opportunity to spend a couple of hours at Mesa-Gateway, formerly know as Williams-Gateway, and before that Williams AFB. The airfield is popular with military aircraft on weekend training sorties.

Most active during the day I was visiting were the McDonnell Douglas AV-8B Harriers of VMA-513 'Flying Nightmares', which happily included their CO's aircraft, which carried special markings.

Also visiting was a rare F-18B from VX-23 'Salty Dogs Strike Test' based at NAS Patuxent River, which stopped at Gateway en route to MCAS Miramar.

The remainder of the military movements were training aircraft, including USAF T-38 Talons, T-6 Texan IIs and a single T-1 Jayhawk. Continuing the training theme was a pair of Goshawks from the US Navy.

Thanks to the usual suspects at Gateway for the banter during the day.

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