Subject: Re: VFA-122 - NAS Lemoore
From: "Submissions for ARC" <[email-masked]>
To: "Jeremy Gould" <[email-masked]>
Date: Sat, 8 Jun 2013 13:08:52 -0700

Hi,
I just wanted to let you know your article went on ARC today.  Thanks again for sending it in.

Steve Bamford
ARC Air - Aircraft Resource Center
http://www.arcair.com

Live like there is no tomorrow;
Love like you've never been hurt.
Work like you don't need the money.
Dance like nobody's watching.
Sing like nobody's listening.
Live like it's Heaven on Earth.

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Jeremy Gould 
  To: [email-masked] 
  Sent: Monday, May 13, 2013 11:55 AM
  Subject: VFA-122 - NAS Lemoore

  West Coast Massive

  VFA-122 Flying Eagles (and others) at NAS Lemoore

  Article by Jeremy Gould

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  Naval Air Station (NAS) Lemoore in California is home to most of the US Navy's Pacific Fleet Hornet and Super Hornet squadrons. During mid April 2013, I was fortunate to spend a couple of hours with Strike Fighter Squadron 122 (VFA-122).

  VFA-122 are the West Coast Hornet and Super Hornet Fleet Replacement Squadron (FRS) and their role is to train Navy and Marine pilots and Weapons System Operators (WSO) to ensure that they are combat ready prior to being assigned to an active squadron and ultimately, deployment. The squadron is the largest on the West Coast and operates in excess of 80 aircraft. Airshow goers will no doubt be familiar with the squadron as they provide both the crews and jets for both the Legacy and Super Hornet demonstration teams on the West Coast. However, due to sequestration, demonstration team activities have been suspended until further notice and flying hours have been reduced to cut costs.

  Lemoore's PAO met me at the decal and pass office and after obtaining the necessary permits, we proceeded to the VFA-122 hangar to meet my escort for the visit. After securely storing any loose items that may pose a Foreign Object Damage (FOD) risk and quickly stopping to grab a "cranial" (helmet/goggles/ear defenders), we proceeded out through VFA-122's hangar and onto the flightlines.

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  The Neighbours

  After walking around the VFA-122 ramp, we ventured across to the east side of the base to see what some of the neighbours were up to. VFA-2 "Bounty Hunters", VFA-22 "Fighting Redcocks" and VFA-25 "Fist of the Fleet" were present along with one of Lemoore's Search and Rescue (SAR) MH-60S Knighthawks.

          
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  Visitors

  I wasn't the only visitor to the flightlines: A group of Hornets, Super Hornets and an F-16B Fighting Falcon from Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center (NSAWC) based at NAS Fallon, Nevada were conducting operations. Other visitors included an F/A-18E Super Hornet from VFA-136 "Knighthawks" from NAS Oceana, Virginia and an F/A-18D Hornet from VMFA(AW)-224 "Fighting Bengals" from MCAS Beaufort, South Carolina.

          
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  Equipment Used

  Nikon D7000 with Nikkor AF-S 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6 G IF-ED VR.
  Nikon D90 with Nikkor AF-S 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 G IF-ED VR.

  Acknowledgements

  This article would not have been possible without the assistance and especially the patience of: 
  Melinda Larson, PAO.
  LT Chris "Leash" Waskey, VFA-122.
  LT Graham "Heed" Scarbro, VFA-122.

  Jeremy Gould

  Photos and text © by Jeremy Gould