Outside of APD’s feature articles, from time to time we will feature photo essays that tell the story visually. These photo essays will be part of our “Through the Lens” series.
Recently, Todd Miller visited Naval Air Station Fallon, home of the United States Navy Strike Fighter Tactics Instructor program (SFTI program), also known as TOPGUN.
Todd shows us some of the sights of NAS Fallon…..Through the Lens…
Words and Photography by Todd Miller
Naval Air Station Fallon is the US Navy’s premier tactical air warfare training center. Located in Nevada’s high desert only 65 miles East of Reno NV, NAS Fallon offers over 300 clear days a year for flying activities such as TOPGUN training, as well as a number of nearby ranges utilized for bombing and electronic warfare training. NAS Fallon is utilized by US Navy Carrier Air Wings to hone their Air to Air and Air to Ground skills prior to deployment and is similar in function to the USMC Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course, and the USAF Weapons School.
A visit to NAS Fallon ensures seeing some of the US Navy’s unique aggressor aircraft, currently active aircraft and aircraft from any given USN & USMC strike fighter wing.
Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center NSAWC flies and maintains F/A-18C/D Hornets, F/A-18E/F Super Hornets, E/A-18G Growlers, F-16 Fighting Falcons and SH-60R/S Seahawk helicopters.
F-5E Tiger II of the VFC-13 Fighting Saints touching down at NAS Fallon
EA-18G Growler of the NSAWC at NAS Fallon
F-16A US Navy Aggressor Lineup NAS Fallon – firing up in the morning
FA-18D Colorbird of VFMA(AW)-225 Vikings, MCAS Miramar, CA ready for launch at NAS Fallon
FA-18F of VFA-2 “Bounty Hunters” of NAS Lemoore touches down at NAS Fallon
NAS Fallon Flightline – waking up in the morning, everybody is in go time.
F-5E of the VFC-13 Fighting Saints NAS Fallon, NV
F-16A Aggressor used in TOPGUN school taxis to launch – NSAWC
F-5E Tiger II of the VFC-13 Fighting Saints staged for launch at NAS Fallon
ECM Jamming pod – I believe an AN/ALQ-167 “Thor!”
F/A-18A NSAWC – Top Gun Aggressor, NAS Fallon
FA-18D Colorbird VFMA (AW)-225 “Vikings” of MCAS Miramar taxis to launch at NAS Fallon
NSAWC EA-18G Growlers – NAS Fallon, NV
F-5E Tiger II VFC-13 Fighting Saints being readied for a days work at NAS Fallon – TOPGUN school
NSAWC F-16A Aggressors used in “Top Gun” Training, NAS Fallon, NV
F-5E Tiger II VFC-13 Fighting Saints being readied for a days work at NAS Fallon – TOPGUN school
F-5E Tiger II VFC-13 Fighting Saints being readied for a days work at NAS Fallon – TOPGUN school
Heartfelt thanks to the PAO of NAS Fallon, Zip Upham and 1st C Joseph R. Vincent.
Todd Miller resides in rural Maryland west of Baltimore. Given less than required eyesight Todd's dreams of fighter pilot were grounded, but the love of military aviation has never subsided. Todd enjoys capturing military aircraft through photography, with a particular desire to capture them in mission action. When not busy chasing jets, Todd works in the area of Business Development for a prominent flooring materials company.
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