MCAS Yuma/Yuma International Airport (YUM, KNYL, NYL)

[Tower Guy]

Beautifully lit Harrier Joe, great capture!

[Joe Copalman]

SHADY CHARACTER

Technically not Yuma, but it was out on the ranges.  Shot almost two years ago for an article that just got published in the September 2016 issue of AFM.  Only had about five minutes total with this bird, as the Marines who had just recovered it were eager to get it into the 'hangar' (a large-ish tent open on all sides) to get it turned around for another flight.  Not the best exposure of the three I got from this angle, but it was fairly windy out there, so the wingtips in the other two were blurry messes.  Pretty much owe being able to get this shot in the very short window I had to all the night shoots at PASM.

[Joe Copalman]

WEATHERED WARRIOR
Seems like just yesterday the Marines started painting Harriers in this dark gray paint scheme, so it's weird seeing one look all weathered and faded.


VALLEY OF THE SHADOW OF DEATH
Another VMU-1 Shadow shot from my RQ-7B article in AFM.

[Joe Copalman]

DARK NECESSITIES

[Joe Copalman]

DESERT CAT

From my article on 847 NAS in the November issue of AFM.  Technically not Yuma, but these guys were flying out of Yuma and this seemed like the closest thread.

[Joe Copalman]

THE MARTIAN

This area north of Yuma and west of the Colorado River is mindblowing.  It looks a lot like the landscape Matt Damon's character had to traverse in the movie The Martian - almost completely devoid of vegetation (little bit of Where's Waldo involved to find it in this shot) and just jagged as hell. 

[Joe Copalman]

FLEMISH FREIGHT FLIER

Belgian Herk on final.  Navarro with the assist!

[Jonathan Navarro]

FLEMISH FREIGHT FLIER
Belgian Herk on final.  Navarro with the assist!

Glad to help

[Joe Copalman]

GENERATION GAP

Harrier guy, Lightning guy.

[Joe Copalman]

'ALLO, GUV'NAH!

Friendly wave from an RAF C-17 co-pilot on final.

"UP FRONT!"

Tuesday just seemed to be transient Apache day in Arizona.  This was one of ten that passed through on a gas-and-go that morning.  I thought those birds at Scottsdale were from this same group, but these were 17th Cav aircraft, and the ones at Scottsdale were 6th Cav. 

[Jeff D. Welker]

LAST FLIGHT

[Tower Guy]

Great shot Jeff, this is a pretty rare event. I'm glad you were there to capture it, perfect location.

[Jeff D. Welker]

Great shot Jeff, this is a pretty rare event. I'm glad you were there to capture it, perfect location.

As always, thank you for the kind words my friend.  It was an honor to be there and a very special experience for me.

[Anna M. Wood]

Great shot Jeff, this is a pretty rare event. I'm glad you were there to capture it, perfect location.

As always, thank you for the kind words my friend.  It was an honor to be there and a very special experience for me.

Well done Jeff....

[Joe Copalman]

COMMANDO CAT