A F-5E of the 425th Tactical Fighter Training Squadron (TFTS) based at Williams AFB (AZ). The Tiger II carries the LA-tailcode as the squadron was under command of the 405th Tactical Training Wing (TTW) of nearby Luke AFB. But, as that base faced shortage on ramp space, the unit was moved to Williams. The 425th was disbanded in September 1989, and most of their F-5E/Fs were sold to Brazil (this one became FAB 4856). Late 1992, the squadron was reactivated and now trains Singapore air force pilots with F-16C/Ds.

An F-5E of the 425th Tactical Fighter Training Squadron based at Williams AFB (AZ). The F-5E carries the LA-tailcode as the squadron was under command of the 405th TTW of nearby Luke AFB. But, as that base faced shortage on ramp space, the unit was moved to Williams. The 425th was disbanded in Sep'89, and most of their F-5E/Fs were sold to Brazil. This Tiger belongs to a batch of 27 F-5s that had originally been delivered to South Vietnam, several of which escaped back to the USAF after the war and also "escaped" a sale to Brazil. It was moved to the USN and USMC as BuNo 730881.

A F-5F of the 425th Tactical Fighter Training Squadron (TFTS) based at Williams AFB (AZ). The Tiger II carries the LA-tailcode as the squadron was under command of the 405th Tactical Training Wing (TTW) of nearby Luke AFB. But, as that base faced shortage on ramp space, the unit was moved to Williams. The 425th was disbanded in Sep'89, and most of their F-5E/Fs were sold to Brazil (this one became FAB 4808). Late 1992, the squadron was reactivated and now trains Singapore air force pilots with F-16C/Ds. This F-5F was the first to be converted to F-5FM in the Brazil F-5BR modification programme

A F-5F of the 425th Tactical Fighter Training Squadron (TFTS) based at Williams AFB (AZ). The Tiger II carries the LA-tailcode as the squadron was under command of the 405th Tactical Training Wing (TTW) of nearby Luke AFB. But, as that base faced shortage on ramp space, the unit was moved to Williams. The 425th was disbanded in September 1989, and most of their F-5E/Fs were sold to Brazil (this one became FAB 4806). Late 1992, the squadron was reactivated and now trains Singapore air force pilots with F-16C/Ds. This F-5F was damaged at Santa Cruz (Brazil) on 5 July 2016 and was withdrawn

A F-5E of the 425th Tactical Fighter Training Squadron (TFTS) based at Williams AFB (AZ). The Tiger II carries the LA-tailcode as the squadron was under command of the 405th Tactical Training Wing (TTW) of nearby Luke AFB. But, as that base faced shortage on ramp space, the unit was moved to Williams. The 425th was disbanded in September 1989, and most of their F-5E/Fs were sold to Brazil. Late 1992, the squadron was reactivated and now trains Singapore air force pilots with F-16C/Ds. Strikingly, the fate of the Tiger II is not known, it was last reported in 1987, anyone?

A USAF F-5F of the 425th Tactical Fighter Training Squadron (TFTS) based at Williams AFB (AZ). The long nose dual seat Tiger II carries the LA-tailcode as the squadron was under command of the 405th Tactical Training Wing (TTW) of nearby Luke AFB. But, as that base faced shortage on ramp space, the unit was moved to Williams. The 425th was disbanded in September 1989, and most of their F-5E/Fs were sold to Brazil (this one became FAB 4809). Late 1992, the squadron was reactivated and now trains Singapore air force pilots with F-16C/Ds. IN FAB service 4806 was written off on 1 November 1996.

A USAF F-5E Tiger II of the 425th Tactical Fighter Training Squadron (TFTS) which was based at Williams AFB (AZ). The Tiger carries the LA-tailcode, as the squadron was under command of the 405th Tactical Training Wing (TTW) of nearby Luke AFB. But, as that base faced shortage of ramp space, the unit was moved to Williams. The 425th was disbanded in September 1989 and most of their F-5E/Fs were sold to Brazil (this one became FAB 4861). Late 1992, the 425th was reactivated and now trains Singapore air force pilots with F-16C/Ds.

The nearer Talon is 70-1559 (ex 'Big Sexy') from the 2nd FTS 'Beagles' at Tyndall and stripped ready for repaint at Gateway with a 13th BS example, 67-14920, from the Whiteman B-2 unit visiting alongside.

Very lucky timing at Phoenix-Mesa Gateway to catch this colourful Osprey which dropped in from NAS North Island, apparently on a training flight designed to take in the restaurant in which my travelling colleague and I later also ate.