REQ: Point Mugu

[Oscar01]

Hi,

Question. Every other year (in the even years) there has been a big exercise with test units in April. Does anybody know if it will take place this year and what the dates will be?

Thanks!
Oz

[fire28]

I thought this took place in August? Or is that the Odd years?

[Oscar01]

Hi

AFAIK, that's another one and indeed in the odd years.....

Oz

[CJ]

No idea about the exercise, but went for a visit on January 24. Rather quiet from 8am to noon.

Sitting idle on the CA ANG pan were C-130J-30s: 11462 and 51465; last one coded 6
Flying were AAS-equipped P-8As: 169565 and 169567. No specific markings.
Leaving on a training mission was local VAW-116 E-2D 165828/NH-601
Doing some practice approaches was USCG MH-65D 6545 with San Francisco titles.
Finally a couple of Phoenix Air Brasilias were active: N460PA and N465PA

[Oscar01]

Thanks for the log!

[CJ]

Also seen taking off on Jan 24 was C-130 coded '405', as shown on the slide
So presumably VX-30 KC-130T 162311, but any confirmation would be much aprreciated.

[blazesixate]

last iteration of that test & eval exercise occurred in ‘21, and @ a super small scale

[The DJ]

Test and Eval exercise is going on at the moment, around 50 aircraft participating. Started Monday 22nd, ends Sept 2nd.
Two F-117s participated in yesterdays mission.

[SBGrad]

Two F-117s participated in yesterdays mission.

The F-117s are getting a run for their money as far as most unique aircraft at the base. I've seen photos of 64th AGRS F-35s, a 'chrome' VX-9 F-35C, and a Dust Devil Growler hauling the new jamming pod, all at Mugu over the past few days.

[Melchior Timmers]

F-117As are 811 (white code) and 841 (red code) (If anyone wanted to know)...

[SBGrad]

Hhhmmmm, been thinking about this. There's just too much going on up there to miss out. Drive time little less than 4 hours. Let's hope everybody is still there Monday.

[SBGrad]

29 Aug

0902 local--14 cars in the Missile Park lot, and 2 F-117s on the ramp by the CALIF ANG hangars. One F -117 just started taxiing.

[GoldenPlane]

It looks that there are at least 3 ‘Chrome’ coated F-35’s, coded XE-…

One of them is XE-105

[SBGrad]

I've only seen 2 chrome -35Cs, XE-105 and XE-100. The other 2 VX-9 F-35Cs were XE-102 and XE-106, definitely not chromed.

Sadly, of the 3 dozen jets that launched this morning, only the 'red' F-117 (841, thanks Melchior) landed on runway 21, the rest came in on 3. I've already decided to stay another day.

Highlights of the launch, taken from my notes:

2xF-117, 811 and 841 (per Melchior, with the heat haze, all I could tell was one white and one red tail code)
2xF-35B, tail paint looked like VMX-1
3xF-35A, tail code OT
2xEA-18G VX-31, 507 with NGJ-MB, 502 carrying ALQ-99
4xVX-9 F-18E/F, including VX-9 CAG with black tail
plus more jets I didn't take notes on, at the time I assumed I'd catch them all landing. Didn't see the 65AGRS F-35 aggressor, but I might've missed it.
P-3C modex 304 took off as well, no other markings I can pick out

[SBGrad]

29 Aug

Following aircraft all landed on runway 21 during the day, reg numbers/ BUNOs verified with photos

Homeland Security Super King Air N541G
N460PA, and N405PA EMB-120ER, Phoenix Air
VAW-117 GRUMMAN E-2D HAWKEYE, NG 603/BUNO 169063 CAG bird
ATAC Hawker Hunter N335AX, N328AX, N336AX
VX31 Dust Devils F-18F Super Hornet
DD-217/BUNO 166450 //carrying AGM-88G Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile – Extended Range
DD-302/BUNO 169751 //Block III Super Hornet, IRST pod/drop tank combo on centerline