Key West NAS (KNQX/NQX) - 2012 MIL

[Hans van Herk]

Today, Sunday 5 February, started FCLP (Field Carrier Landing Practice) at Key West.
The FCLP will continue through Wednesday, Monday they are training at sea with aircraft carrier George H.W. Bush off the coast of the Florida keys.

The weather is terrible today, heavy showers, occasionally dry.
The student aviators brought at least 20-25 Goshawks with them, I managed to log 10 whilst doing circuits.

T-45C TW-1
165457/A-114
165463/A-120
165470/A-127
165473/A-130
165620/A-178

T-45C TW-2
165638/B-284
165639/B-285
165640/B-286
167074/B-294
167077/B-297

Also seen, but not managed to log were:
2x USN(?) C-130
1x CAF A310
2x USAr UH-60

Regards,
Hans

[Hans van Herk]

Monday, 6 February 2012.
In the morning overcast, in the afternoon sunny conditions.

09.15 – 10.15 hrs
T-45C TW-2
165062/B-262
165638/B-284
167074/B-294
167085/B-307

C-2A VRC-40
(162165)/40


16.00 – 17.45 hrs
F-5N VFC-111
761562/AF-102
(761574)/AF-103
(761547)/AF-105
(761565)/AF-110
761560/AF-111
761585/AF-115
(761533)/AF-117

VFA-106 (nice surprise!)
166643/AD-130 F/A-18E
165672/AD-205 F/A-18F
166467/AD-206 F/A-18F
165674/AD-212 F/A-18F
166978/AD-253 F/A-18F
166974/AD-256 F/A-18F
166982/AD-257 F/A-18F
164226/AD-306 F/A-18C
163770/AD-316 F/A-18C
163483/AD-321 F/A-18C
163105/AD-347 F/A-18A+
164905/AD-353 F/A-18C

T-45C TW-1
(165598)/A 1-TW-101 special markings
(165081)/A-102
(165082)/A-103
(165085)/A-106
(165479)/A-136

T-45C TW-2
167100/B-322 special markings

CF-188 CAF 410sq
188785

The Canadian Airbus departed in the morning, but was back on the ramp in the afternoon. Still visible was one C-130H model, which turned out to be Canadian. According to the Radio Activity section, three Canadian transport aircraft were playing around in the south of the USA. Most probably the two Hercules aircraft seen on Sunday were both Canadian.

Noted arriving at 17.00 hrs were two Black Hawk helicopters, both with a refuelling device attached. They left again half an hour later.

Regards,
Hans van Herk

[Hans van Herk]

Tuesday, 7 February 2012.
Today the Navy pilots decided to use runway 07 for take-off and landing. This one is not ok to read off the small Bureau numbers. I managed to log some codes only, but did not stay very long as heat waves started to block decent reading.
Last Sunday and Monday they used runway 13, which is far more convenient.

10.00 – 10.30 hrs
T-45C TW-1
(165472)/A-100

T-45A TW-2
(163621)/B-221

C-2A VRC-40
(162144)/50

VFA-106
(166978)/AD-253 F/A-18F
(166974)/AD-256 F/A-18F
(164226)/AD-306 F/A-18C

The Canadian Airbus departed again, but returned in the afternoon.
Hopefully more Canadian Hornets are at Key West and will fly the coming days.

Regards,
Hans van Herk

[Hans van Herk]

Wednesday 8 February 2012, overcast all day (good for reading).

08.15 – 10.15 hrs, runway 13
T-45C TW-1
165083/A-104
165092/A-113
165473/A-130
165606/A-164
165627/A-185

T-45C TW-2
165057/B-229
165065/B-265
167073/B-293
167077/B-297
(167085)/B-307

VFA-106 (all waiting for take-off, but returned to the ramp after some 15 minutes)
(166467)/AD-206 F/A-18F
(166978)/AD-253 F/A-18F
(166974)/AD-256 F/A-18F
(163770)/AD-316 F/A-18C
(163105)/AD-347 F/A-18A+

C-20B 99th AS
60206

CC-150 CAF 437sq
15005

At 10.15 hrs a USN Sea Hawk took off, but remained unidentified.


16.00 – 17.30 hrs, unfortunately runway 07 in use
T-45C TW-1
(165598)/A 1-TW-101 special markings
(165083)/A-104
(165088)/A-109 special markings
(165089)/A-110
(165467)/A-124
(165475)/A-132
(165494)/A-151
(165498)/A-155
(165606)/A-164

T-45A TW-2
(163621)/B-221

F-5N VFC-111
(761574)/AF-103
(761531)/AF-104
(761547)/AF-105
(761557)/AF-112
(761585)/AF-115
(761532)/AF-116
(761533)/AF-117

VFA-106
(165663)/AD-111 F/A-18E
(166643)/AD-130 F/A-18E
(166467)/AD-206 F/A-18F
(166978)/AD-253 F/A-18F
(166982)/AD-257 F/A-18F
(xxxxxx)/AD-302 F/A-18C
(164226)/AD-306 F/A-18C
(163105)/AD-347 F/A-18A+

C-2A VRC-40
(162144)/50

C-17A 183rd AS MS ANG
60007

HC-103H USCG Clearwater
1711

MH-47 unit unknown
code 11 and code 12, serials not readable
These special forces Chinooks took off at 16.22 hrs and headed northwest.

Today, I finally managed to see two of the gate guards, the F-4N (153019) and the EA-6A (148618). Visible from the south side (runway 31), was the dump, which contained an A-3 Skywarrior, an EA-6A, a TA-4J and an unknown helicopter. This one looked like an SH-3 Sea King.

Please fill in the blanks (Hornet AD-302 and the two special forces Chinooks).

Regards,
Hans van Herk

[Hans van Herk]

Thursday 9 February 2012.
Sunny, strong east wind, so unfortunately runway 07 in use. Heat waves blocked decent reading, so I did not stay very long.

10.00 – 10.45 hrs
T-45C TW-1
(165472)/A-100
(165494)/A-151

T-45A/C TW-2
(163621)/B-221
(165065)/B-265
(167077)/B-297

P-3C VP-30
(158570)/LL-570

HC-144A USCG Miami
2310

About six VFA-106 Hornets were flying, but I could not read them off.

I took the opportunity to check the dump again and discovered an A-7 next to the TA-4J.

Regards,
Hans van Herk

[Hans van Herk]

Friday 10 February 2012.
Sunny, but again eastern wind and (unfortunately) runway 07 in use.
As we drove by, a C-2A Greyhound was seen leaving. We were heading for Miami again, so I did not stop at the spotters place.

Regards,
Hans van Herk

I changed the days of the previous updates, as they were not exactly corresponding with the dates -))