Hi again.
This third part is about a morning visit to NAS Meridian and and afternoon visit to Columbus AFB, on the same day.
I was not a happy camper when I noticed many more people were at the Meridan gate. The group consisted of over thirty people. That is to many for a decent visit. Nevertheless, we are always happy with the opportunity of even entering the base and getting close to the flightlines.
My first stop were the hangars and check their contents. This large base only has two hangars, so this was quickly done.
We then headed for the flightlines. Because of the size of the group we were not allowed to go on the flightline, only stay at the edges. A few decent shots could be taken.
Then the accompanying pilot suggested to go to the runway, more specific the touch-and-go point! That is something we liked a lot. Twelve guys got in the van and drove to the runway. Until then there was a lot of activity in the air. But you guessed it, it stopped when we were at our destination. After twenty minutes we heard only one Goshawk was coming within five minutes for a straight in approach. We were happy with this aircraft, disappointed it was only one and very nervous if we could get a sharp and focussed picture.
After a couple of minutes local Goshawk A-142 came overhead and into the circuit for its approach. It was carrying a travel pod, so had been away for a couple of days.
Yes, this is what I was afraid of.... 
We got back in the van to the rest of the group. After some time 'suddenly' more aircraft appeared in the sky and the second group of twelve was up to go to the runway. Some space remained in the van and I went for a second chance.
The little aircraft come by very fast, but I got the hang of it.
As a bonus the centennial Goshawk also made several approaches. Soon you will see it on the cover of your favourite aviation magazine!
Needless to say we had a great time next to the runway. I believe four aircraft made a couple of passes each and it was unbelievable to witness it from this short distance. As we had some time to spare the next day we asked if we could come again, this was no problem.
It was time to go, as we had another fantastic base to visit in the afternoon. Columbus AFB houses the 14th FTW with T-1A, T-6A and T-38C aircraft. The number of clouds increades slowly and it was a bit overcast when we arrived at Columbus.
Almost all the T-1As of the 48th FTS were seen from the bus. The tour did not include this part of the ramp. Almost 30 were seen and most also photographed.
I had visited this base before, but then they operated T-37s. Over 80 T-6As were noted and about halve could be pictured decently.
The base has three runways, one for each aircraft type. The T-6s came overhead the flightline and some broke very nicely, like this 37th FTS example.
Final type of this huge base is the T-38C, operated by the 49th FTS and 50th FTS. Almost 70 were noted and they also flew like idiots.
Besides a single Vance T-38C awaiting maintenance and the below US Navy Test Pilot School T-38C there were no visitors. But who cares if you see 180 aircraft in a couple of hours!
After conclusion of these great visits we headed back to our hotel in Meridian. But first a little detour to Key Field to see what is going on here. Five band new MC-12Ws were on the flighline as well as a C-26. A navy T-6B was at the general Aviation ramp and the below Chinook was with the Mississippi National Guard.
The next day, on Friday morning, we were again at the gate of Meridian. We were now the only group and were allowed to wonder around the ramp, between the aircraft. Contact with the public affairs over here is very good and in November we will return to NAS Meridian!
All these were gone within minutes after this picture was taken. A lot is going on at all US training bases.
I will not bore you with pictures of each of the dozens of T-45C we saw these two days. This is a visiting example from Kingsville.
It was time to go south, but not before we had one more peak at Key Field. At the General Aviation ramp we found a T-1 and this T-38C from Randolph AFB.
We now really said goodbye to Meridian and drove to New Orleans. We stopped at four more locations on the way.
This old C-53 sits by the side of the road in the town of Petal.
Next stop was Hattiesburg Regional Airport for these three beauties.
Location three and four were Camp Shelby, for an impressive museum with a couple of Army helicopters and an OV-1, and Slidell, just north of New Orleans, for a preserved UH-1H. Then it was time to check into the hotel and get some drinks and food at Bourbon Street, New Orleans!
Soon the final instalment with some pictures from the New Orleans show.
SeeYa
Jurgen
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