Antisubmarine Squadron (VS) 33 "World Famous Screwbirds" replaced their S-2 Trackers by the S-3A Viking, like all VS-squadrons within the US Navy. These transitions marked the end of the propeller era and greatly improved the Carrier Battle Groups' Anti-submarine warfare capabilities. VS-33 took delivery of the first S-3As in 1975. In 1993 the designation of the squadron changed into Sea Control Squadron (VS) 33, the abbrivation remained the same. Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 9 commanded the squadron in 1987 - when this picture was made - when the wing was assigned to the USS Nimitz (CVN-68).

This F-16C was assigned to the 58th TTW, 312th TFTS and marked as the Commander's aircraft of the 832nd Air Division at Luke AFB (AZ). Prior to the 1992 USAF reorganization, two or more wings were under the control of an so-called Air Division. Luke has the 58th TTW for F-16 training, as well as the 405th TTW for F-15 training and the 832 AD gained both units. After the USAF reorganization in 1992, the ADs were disestablished, and a Brigadier General of the AD became the Wing Commander of the unit that they were based at.

The F-15 Replacement Training Unit (RTU) at Luke AFB (AZ) operated many single and dual seat F-15s. This F-15B belonged to the 58th Tactical Training Wing, 550th Tactical Fighter Training Squadron "Silver Eagles".

Fighter squadron (VF) 202 Superheats, was a Tomcat squadron under the command of the United States Naval Reserve at NAS Dallas (TX). VF-202 was part of Reserve Carrier Air Wing (CVWR) 20 within the US Atlantic Fleet's reserve carrier air wing. The Superheats were disestablished on 31 December 1994.

Fighter Squadron (VF) 202 "Superheats" was a Tomcat squadron under the command of the US Naval Reserve and Carrier Air Wing Reserve TWENTY. It was based at NAS Dallas (TX). VF-202 was disestablished on 31 December 1994. Only months before this picture was taken, the squadron transitioned from F-4S to F-14A. Some Tomcats were delivered directly from the Grumman production line, others arrived from operational squadrons, creating a mix of aircraft in full colours and toned-down schemes.

This is the largest helicopter in the world, the Mi-26. This helicopter is owned by UTair South Africa but was leased in 2008 to the United Nations mission in support of Darfur. After UN service, the helicopter was flown back to Russia in 2013, where it is reported stored since then in Tyumen-Plekhanovo (Oblast, Russia).

A Russian Mi-8MTV-1 in support of the United Nations. Strikingly, this UTair owned helicopter was severely damaged in July 2006 as ZS-RUC while fighting a fire in the forests near Spitskop (South Africa) when it lost power while uplifting water. The pilot released the bambi bucket but his helo lost altitude, hit the water, turned onto the side and started sinking with all three crew escaping unhurt. The wreck was recovered and the helicopter was cancelled from register on 19 March 2008. It was rebuilt and again taken on charge with UTair for UN-service.

A fine Moldavian Mi-8T seen in eastern Chad, close to the Darfur aera in neighbouring Sudan. The helicopter was assigned to the European Forces mission during the humanitarian crisis in Darfur.

Any F-5 is a good one, but this one is a real good one :-) A rarely seen USAF F-5E of the 425th Tactical Fighter Training Squadron (TFTS) based at Williams AFB (AZ). The camouflaged bird carries 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 4871 or FAB 4872). Late 1992, the squadron was reactivated and now trains Singapore air force pilots with F-16C/Ds.

"That Others May Live", the HH-3E Jolly Green Giant was used in many (behind enemy lines) rescue missions. This HH-3E of the 71st Special Operations Squadron (normally based at Kirtland, NM) was seen at Davis Monthan AFB (AZ) during an exercise. The helicopter was placed in storage at nearby AMARC several years later, in 1992. In 1995 it was sold to the Tunisian Air Force as L82-105/TS-SRE.

Brazil bought several Kuwaiti Air Force A-4Kus for use at their purchased former French aircraft carrier Foch. This N-1004 was former A-4KU 807 (and assigned BuNo 160186). It was delivered to Sao Pedro da Aldeia in jan 2001 and modified for carrier use. Recently the Brazilian Skyhawks, that seldom saw sea born operations, were modified to AF-1A.

An Ecureuil operating from the Brazilian aircraft carrier Sao Paulo (A-12) while sailing off coast Brazil. The helicopter was delivered in the early 1980s to the Brazilian Navy and are designated in the Brazilian Navy designation system as UH-12. In 2002, HU-2 ("Second Helicopter Squadron General Job") of the Brazilian Navy Air Force Command based at São Pedro da Aldeia, operated the UH-12. The squadron transferred their helicopters to other units and is now operating the UH-14 (AS332) and UH-15 (EC725).

A-4KU (BuNo 160196) was delivered to Kuwait as 817 on 13 August 1977 and sold to Brazil in 1999. The aircraft was redesignated into AF-1 with serial N-1011. The Skyhawk is seen here from the safe guard helicopter during its cat shot from the Sao Paulo. N-1011 collided over the sea during a training flight and crashed into the sea off Saquarema (Brazil) on 26 July 2016. The other Skyhawk was able to return to home base São Pedro da Aldeia NAS for a safe landing.

Two SH-3As were based at the Sao Paulo during the very first carrier qualifications of the AF-1 Skyhawks. The helicopters were tasked to protect the carrier during its operations in the Atlantic Ocean.

A-4KU (BuNo 160196) was delivered to Kuwait as 817 on 13 August 1977 and sold to Brazil in 1999. The aircraft was redesignated into AF-1 with serial N-1011. This Skyhawk collided over the sea during a training flight and crashed into the sea off Saquarema (Brazil) on 26 July 2016. The other Skyhawk was able to return to home base São Pedro da Aldeia NAS for a safe landing.

The very first cruise of the Brazilian AF-1s took place in 2002. The former Kuwaiti Air Force aircraft were modified for sea-borne operations.

The European Forces (EUFOR) deployed to Chad in support of a humanitarian crisis in neigbouring country Sudan.

According to the Soviet Transport files (available in the Reference section on this website), the construction number as given in the details is not confirmed. The Soviet Transport files rely on this photo that shows that the last two digits of the registration have been re-applied. This possible former Kazachstan Air Force An-12 could also be c/n 2400406 or 8346010.