Naval Air Facility El Centro located in the nearby town and close to the
border between California and Arizona accommodates training for US Navy
and US Marine squadrons. The base with the exception of a T-34C Mentor
doesn't have aircraft stationed.
In January and February the base is home to the USN/USMC aerial
demonstration team the Blue Angels. Stationed across the country at NAS
Pensacola, Florida the team changes its base for its annual winter
training. At NAF El Centro the Blue Angels start to work towards the new
air show season. At the same time NAF El Centro can host other squadrons
to support their training needs. In the vicinity ranges are located
which can be used for air-to-ground missions with both live and dummy
munitions. The Blue Angels operate from a ramp in front of a hangar
which is at their dispersal. Other aircraft operate from the ramps which
have all received sun sheds to protect airmen and aircraft from the sun.
Flying operations start early in the morning with first departures
already taking place at 07:00 As the ranges are located in close
proximity to NAF El Centro missions don't take long with some aircraft
arriving back between 30 and 45 minutes after their departure. The Blue
Angels are assigned training blocks during which they will practice
their formation and solo displays. Each are allocated for one hour.
During these blocks, also in the weekend, no other aircraft are allowed
in the El Centro CTR. It's wise to check the NOTAM before visiting. Both
US Navy and US Marine Corps (also during the weekend) helicopters are
using Imperial County Airport
for (short) refuellings. Depending on your location these can be seen
heading to or from the airport. Travel between the two locations takes
about 15 minutes which is enough to be on time to see or photograph the
departures.
Two runways are in use. Main runway 08-26 for almost all traffic and
cross runway 12-26. The later is used by the Blue Angels. In the
northeast corner between these runways a ramp is situated where aircraft
are fitted with live weapons.
NAF
El Centro is also used by aircraft from MCAS Miramar and NAS
North Island both located at San Diego, California and
MCAS Yuma, Arizona conducting training
approaches, touch ans goes etc.
During our visit to the soutwest area a squadron swop took place during a
weekend. New temporaily residents arrived on Friday and Saturday.
| NAF El Centro, based
aircraft first week: |
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| Wing
/ CAB |
Group |
Squadron |
Aircraft |
Code |
Nickname |
MCAS / NAS |
| NFDS |
|
Blue Angels |
F/A-18B/C/D |
|
|
NAS Pensacola, FL |
| TW-1 |
|
VT-7 |
T-45C |
A-xxx |
Eagles |
NAS Meridian, MS |
| TW-1 |
|
VT-9 |
T-45C |
A-xxx |
Tigers |
NAS Meridian, MS |
| TW-2 |
|
VT-21 |
T-45C |
B-xxx |
Red Hawks |
NAS Kingsville, TX |
| TW-2 |
|
VT-22 |
T-45C |
B-xxx |
Golden Eagles |
NAS Kingsville, TX |
|
MAW-3 |
MAG-16 |
HMH-465 |
CH-53E |
|
Warhorses |
MCAS Miramar, CA |
| 1
ACB |
|
3-227 AHB |
UH-60M |
|
Werewolves |
Fort Hood, Killeen AAF |
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| NAF El Centro, visiting aircraft
first week: |
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| Wing |
Group |
Squadron |
Aircraft |
Code |
Nickname |
MCAS / NAS |
|
MAW-3 |
MAG-11 |
VMFA-323 |
F/A-18C |
NA-4xx |
Death Rattlers |
MCAS Miramar, CA |
| Base
Flight |
|
VMR-2 |
UC-12W |
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MCAS Miramar, CA |
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| NAF El Centro, based aircraft second
week: |
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| Wing
/ CAB |
Group |
Squadron |
Aircraft |
Code |
Nickname |
MCAS / NAS |
|
NFDS |
|
Blue Angels |
F/A-18B/C/D |
|
|
NAS Pensacola, FL |
| |
|
VFA-122 |
F/A-18E |
NJ-2xx |
Flying Eagles |
NAS Lemoore, CA |
| |
|
VFA-122 |
F/A-18F |
NJ1xx |
Flying Eagles |
NAS Lemoore, CA |
| |
|
VFA-125 |
F-35C |
NJ-4xx |
Rough Raiders |
NAS Lemoore, CA |
| |
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VAQ-129 |
EA-18G |
NJ-5xx |
New Vikings |
NAS Whidbey Island, WA |
| |
|
VMA-223 |
AV-8B |
WP-xx |
Bulldogs |
MCAS Cherry Point. NC |
| 1
ACB |
|
3-227 AHB |
UH-60M |
|
Werewolves |
Fort Hood, Killeen AAF |
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| NAF El Centro, based aircraft second
week: |
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| Wing |
Group |
Squadron |
Aircraft |
Code |
Nickname |
NAS Corpus Christi |
|
TAW-4 |
|
VT-27 |
T-6B |
G-xxx |
Boomers |
NAS Corpus Christi |
|
TAW-4 |
|
VT-28 |
T-6B |
G-xxx |
Rangers |
NAS Corpus Christi |
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Abbr. |
Full squadron name |
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| ACB |
Air Cavalry Brigade |
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| AHB |
Assault Helicopter Battalion |
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| HMH |
Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron |
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| MAG |
Marine Air Group |
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| MAW |
Marine Air Wing |
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| NFDS |
Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron. |
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| TW |
Training Air Wing. |
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| VFA |
Strike Fighter Squadron. |
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| VMA |
Marine Attack Squadron. |
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| VMFA |
Marine Fighter Attack Squadron. |
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| VMR |
Marine Transport Squadron |
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| VT |
Training Squadron. |
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