THROUGH THE LENS: Naval Air Station Fallon

Report and photos by Steven Valinski

April 20, 2018

Thanks to the movie ‘TOP GUN’ many people associate the U.S. Navy’s TOPGUN School with the former NAS Miramar. Today, Miramar is a Marine Corps Air Station and the United States Navy Strike Fighter Tactics Instructor program, also known as TOPGUN, has been located at Naval Air Station Fallon since 1996.

Located in Western Nevada, about 70 miles from Reno, NAS Fallon is the home of the Naval Aviation Warfighting Development Center (NAWDC), the Carrier Airborne Early Warning Weapons School (CAEWWS) and the Navy Rotary Wing Weapons School. NAS Fallon is also home to a Navy Reserve adversary squadron, Fighter Squadron Composite THIRTEEN (VFC-13) “Saints” flying the Northrop F-5N Tiger II.

NAS Fallon is a common destination for a U.S. Navy carrier air wing (CVW) to train prior to being deployed on a ship. With over 300 clear flying days per year, its own set of ranges with the Fallon Range Training Complex (FRTC), its proximity to an electronic warfare range, CVWs can train to a variety of combat scenarios at NAS Fallon.

APD visited this important base in March and, although the weather was questionable, we were able to capture a steady volume of activity representing the various aircraft often flying at the base. F/A-18 Hornets, F/A-18 Super Hornets, F-16s, F-5s, and E-2s were a common sight.

Now, we take a look “THROUGH THE LENS” at NAS Fallon…

Steven Valinski

Publisher at Aviation Photography Digest

Steven is from Long Island, New York and now resides in sunny Mesa, Arizona. Steven’s love for aviation began when he was a child with a fascination for WWII aircraft. This love of aviation was further fostered by his uncle, a long-time Trans World Airlines (TWA) employee who had a passion for all forms of aviation.

Steven’s interest in photography began when he was 16 years old when he received his first SLR camera, a Minolta XGA. It makes sense that eventually his passion for aviation and photography would merge into a love for aviation photography.

In addition to being the web designer, webmaster and chief editor of Aviation Photography Digest, Steven has been published in numerous magazines worldwide.

Steven has an M.S. from Boston University and uses Nikon photographic equipment.

Steven is a Nikon NPS Titanium member.

Steven can be reached at: [email protected]