NAF El Centro

[Kenny]

When NAF El Centro is good, it's excellent. All images, except the CH-46, are taken OUTSIDE the fence. Awesome base!
https://turnnburnaviation.com/2016/12/0 ... he-desert/

[Snoop 95]

Love the evocative narrative, misty morning start-ups and all that. Excellent pics too. Thanks

[johnwayne]

Yeah great post - thanks . Called in Fri 18 Nov mid-morning for an hour or so during recent 'road trip' - 4/5 FA 18's continually in circuit . Great viewing spots against fence .

[Gus0898uk]

Great article and pin sharp pics, I had some of my happiest spotting times at NAFEC.
I first went on Thursday 23rd? February 1995, 13 x TA-4Js from Meridian VT-7,19x T-45A from Kingsville, 3 x C-12s, 5x S-3 Vikings from VS-41, VMFAT-101 T-34C, 6x Harriers from MCAS Yuma, a KC-135 California ANG, Blue Angels plus Fat Albert.
The next day also provided 2x A6E from VA-42, 3x FA-18 VMFAT-101, F-14 from VF24 a H-46 plus 4 Harriers
So close to the action as well, at one time you could stand directly under the approaching aircraft.
This wasn't my best visit here, I will try and find the list when the fleet came in for pre carrier ops.
A wonderful place to go in the winter, nip in to McDonalds at 0645 and take your brekkie down to the fence to watch the action, later for lunch there is a small mini mart just down the road in Sealy.
I last went in 2002 and doubt if I shall ever return, but thanks for the memories, and hundreds of photos.

[powerslave]

Love the place,i've always been in Sept so can be a bit hit or miss,in 2014 i was lucky and vfa-106 where on a tdy,so that was nice and busy.
Sept 2015 was very quiet,just a couple of RAF Chinooks.
This sept was okay,was quite a bit of traffic for the WTi at nearby Yuma,vmfa-224 where flying between the two bases with live weapons.
Would love to go Jan/Feb when its usually really busy.
Its very hot there in sept,god knows what its like in mid summer.

Ian

[Kenny]

Thanks for the positive feedback. It's a superb location and I think it benefits from being a Facility instead of a Base. Meaning many types and forces use it. The heat is unbearable though, but the same can be said for most of the South Western USA