Marine Week 2015

Joe Copalman · September 14, 2015, 12:24:48 AM

Quote from: Matt Ottosen on September 13, 2015, 04:38:29 PM
Returning to Willie after today's MAGTF Demo.

Awesome. Wish I was there for this, but James wanted to see the tanks downtown.

Joe Copalman · September 14, 2015, 12:25:40 AM

DEATH RATTLER

Joe Copalman · September 14, 2015, 08:13:31 AM

FROM THE HALLS OF MONTEZUMA . . .

Tower Guy · September 14, 2015, 09:41:36 AM

We had Marines all over the valley last week, good to see them. by Harvey Brugger, on Flickr

Mike Margolis · September 14, 2015, 04:52:57 PM

Awesome images guys!! Almost like being there!!

Joe Copalman · September 15, 2015, 08:29:51 AM

WHISKEY-A-GO-GO

Jeff D. Welker · September 15, 2015, 09:29:46 AM

^^^ Joseph - Your brace of Marine helo photographs from downtown are a wonderful deviation from the norm. The "big city" backgrounds help create a totally different "feel". It's not often you see these flying tools of war juxtaposed with the graphical lines and textures of modern high-rise buildings. Imagery you typically only see in Hollywood productions. Well done sir.

Joe Copalman · September 15, 2015, 10:21:44 AM

Thanks Jeff. Catching these birds operating downtown was my main goal during Marine Week. Glad I went back with my son on Sunday morning, as that's when I got the heads-up they were leaving that evening instead of on Monday morning. Kind of gambled on the location, but had I stayed north of Jefferson and shot from the balcony above Tilted Kilt, I would have gotten maybe 3 or 4 shots before it was all belly, and I wouldn't have gotten the aircraft against any skyscrapers, as the tallest building in the background when looking south is a six-story brownstone. Plus, though it was backlit from where I was, the light was consistent, so I didn't have shots where the nose is in the shadow of a building, but the tail is lit up brightly by the sun. Oh, and having talked to the Huey pilots that morning, they knew I was going to be at the garage, and that's the side of the aircraft they put the American flag on. Nobody on the north side got that shot. Lots of compromises, but I think I made the right call.

Matt Ottosen · September 15, 2015, 05:38:00 PM

Dang Joe, your determination for skids last week truly paid off!

Matt Ottosen · September 15, 2015, 06:00:03 PM

Bell/Boeing MV-22B Osprey
Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 764 (VMM-764) "Moonlight"

Joe Copalman · September 16, 2015, 08:32:20 AM

Quote from: Matt Ottosen on September 15, 2015, 05:38:00 PM
Dang Joe, your determination for skids last week truly paid off!

Thanks Matt! I prioritized this because Marine stuff hits Willie all the time, and we already have opportunities to see a MAGTF-esque operation at Kiwanis in Yuma that is way better for photography than what went on at UOP Stadium. Figured this was the one really unique op of the weekend, was pretty surprised there weren't more shooters out there.

Solid Osprey shots, glad you could at least make it out to Willie.

Joe Copalman · September 16, 2015, 08:39:45 AM

MOONLIGHT BY DAYLIGHT

Matt Ottosen · September 16, 2015, 05:16:38 PM

Quote from: Joe Copalman on September 16, 2015, 08:32:20 AM
Solid Osprey shots, glad you could at least make it out to Willie.

Thanks Joe! The last time I saw "Moonlight" they were flying Phrogs, and I think this was my first time ever catching skids at Willie.

Matt Ottosen · September 16, 2015, 05:38:06 PM

McDonnell Douglas F/A-18C Hornet
Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 323 (VMFA-323) "Death Rattlers"

Matt Ottosen · September 17, 2015, 05:30:50 PM

Bell AH-1W SuperCobra
Marine Light Attack Helicopter Training Squadron 303 (HMLAT-303) "Atlas"

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Marine Week 2015