A Growler without the large ALQ-pods.

Strike Fighter squadron (VFA) 87 "War Party" swapped to F/A-18E in 2015.

An adversary F-5N (former Swiss Air Force J-3039) of Fighter Squadron Composite (VFC) 13 "Saints" seen, prior its most probably highly manoeuvreble flight against some F/A-18s, at the platform of NAS Fallon.

Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 213 "Black Lions", normally based at NAS Oceana (VA), visited NAS Fallon for a TOP GUN course during their work-ups for an upcoming deployment with Carrier Air Wing EIGHT on board of the USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77). That deployment started in May 2011 and brought ship and wing to the Mediterrannean Sea and Persian Gulf in support of CENTCOM operations.

Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 31 "Tomcatters" are the second oldest Navy Fighter Attack squadron operating today. The squadron is based at NAS Oceana (VA) and is using the call-sign "Felix" after the emblem and mascot, the famous cartoon character Felix the Cat, running with a large spherical bomb with a lighted fuse. The squadron became the last unit to fly F-14 Tomcats with the Pacific Fleet and saw the last F-14 flight occurring on 4 October 2006. VF-31 transitioned to F/A-18E Super Hornet and was redesignated VFA-31 in late 2006.

Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 141 "Shadowhawks", is an EA-18G Growler squadron of the United States Navy that is based at NAS Whidbey Island (WA). This 'double nuts' (modex five zero zero) is, according to fine US Navy traditions, painted in full colour.

Kept at Miramar prior to respray and transfer to the USS Midway museum in nearby San Diego.

The "double nuts" of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 124 "Bear Aces" is furnished with a special tail. The Hawkeye was seen at Fallon during a work-up period for an upcoming at sea deployment.

Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 124 "Bear Aces" deployed with three (of four) Hawkeyes to NAS Fallon during their work-up cycle for another carrier deployment.

An E-2C of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW)-124 "Bear Aces" is heading for the runway at Fallon.

The Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center (NSAWC) at NAS Fallon, Nevada is using E-2Cs in their Top Gun programme too. This Hawkeye was assigned to that unit in 2010, but stored at 309th AMARG since July 2013.

The Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center (NSAWC) at NAS Fallon, Nevada is using E-2Cs in their Top Gun programme too. This Hawkeye was assigned to that unit in 2010, but stored at 309th AMARG since July 2013.

An E-2C of the Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center (NSAWC) "Top Gun" used for adversary training. The NSAWC trains 4-6 Air Intercept Controllers in each class on advanced command, control, and combat communication skills. They are completely integrated into the course and participate in most of the training missions. These "AIC" students, some of whom are E-2C/D Hawkeye Naval Flight Officers, go back to their Carrier Air Wings after graduation and are given the responsibility of training all the air controllers and fighters in their Carrier Strike Groups in the art of air intercept control.

Photographer: Joseph Handelman.

Photographer: Michael Grove. Assigned to HAL-4.