What a mess

Cetraca Aviation Service was formed in 2003 and based in Beni, Congo. One of their L410s is seen here during its landing at Goma International Airport in eastern Democratic Republic Congo. This Turbolet sustained substantial damage in a runway excursion accident at Butembo Airport (DRC) when operating out of Goma. Fifteen passengers and three crew members survived the accident. The L410 was substantially damaged, and was not seen flying after 30 October 2012 when the incident happened.

This all white C212 belonged to Kivu Air up to 2005, then it is reported with Samaritan Purse from 2007.

Seen from the bow of the USS Enterpise (CVN-65), this flight line of Hornets. Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 86 Sidewinders transferred from the legacy Hornet, like this one seen on the picture, to F/A-18E Super Hornet in 2011.

New refueling old... the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet refuels an S-3B Viking overhead the USS Enterprise (CVN-65) during operations in the Persian Gulf. The Super Hornet replaced the Viking in this role from 2007 onwards. In the near future, the refueling task will be transferred to the Boeing MQ-25 Stingray, an unmanned aerial system (UAS) that will deploy with a Carrier Air Wing. This relieves the Super Hornet a bit from their busy multi-role task.

Within several Carrier Air Wings, the US Marine Corps embedded some F/A-18C Hornet squadrons. Within Carrier Air Wing ONE in 2007 this was Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 251 Thunderbolts. This baby Hornet roars off the deck of the USS Enterprise (CVN-65) during Operation Iraqi Freedom. So close with this incredible speed... a challenge to photograph... this one was made with 1/2000 sec, F/4,0, ISO 320, with only 50mm.

An overshoot of a Taiwanese trainer. The serials of the Taiwanese F-5s can be found on the intake, while the code is painted on the tail. Both are connected for life.

Seen during its landing at Goma from a bar in the city of Goma. Drinking a local Simbabel beer and spotting aircraft...

During a rare base visit at Taitung, this rolling and very clean F-5E was seen.

Beautiful painted Tomcat of Fighter squadron (VF) 213 Black Lions on the deck of the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) in the Persian Gulf during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

the 46th Tactical Fighter squadron acts as the adversary unit within the Taiwanese air force. Some of their aircraft are very colourful (see my other pictures), but some of them are extremely boring grey. But the tail markings will do it ! The fin serial is barely visible.

The cat launch... you have to see it (and feel it)! Especially from deck level near one of the four steam catapults of an American super carrier. The steam pressure builds up and pushes an average aircraft in just two seconds from 0 mph to some 150 mph (240 km/u) in 310 feet (94 m) with up to 3.5g's (recalculating this acceleration compared to an average car, that would be something as an acceleration from 0 mph to 60 mph (100km/u) in 0,8 sec!

This Turbo Dakota flew over the city of Goma in Eastern Congo, the aircraft belongs to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and is used for airdropping, medical supplies, passenger and medical team transports as well as reuniting people over long distances with their families.

From outside the field, Taitung has a marvelous spot to photograph aircraft movements. Normally, the Taiwanese government accepts aviation photography, as long there is no base-infrastructure photographed.

Double Nuts S-3B Viking manoeuvering to the cat of the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) in the Persian Gulf during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

This 1966 An-12B flew with many different companies, but it started its career with the Soviet Air Force. It was commercially sold to AFL/Privolzhsk in the late 1990s, and then companies as Aeroflot, Avial, Southern AirGroupe, Eurasia Airlines, Pochta Rossii and Aeriantur-M (as shown on this picture) followed. In October 2007, the An-12 suffered a ground incident at Kisangani (DRC) damaging an engine and the starboard main undercarriage. The owners rebuilt the aircraft but it unfortunately crashed with Aerolift as S9-SVN at Luxer (Egypt) on 20 February 2009. Thanks Soviet Transports database!

An exclusive picture of a Mi-35 Hind of the Force Aérienne Congolaise at Goma International Airport. The attack helicopters of the FAC are rarely seen and it is believed that a dozen or so were delivered, Mi-24s, Mi-24Vs and this sole Mi-35.

The squadron commanders aircraft on the cat of the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) during Operation Iraqi Freedom. The ship was sailing in the Persian Gulf and operations continued 24/7 with multiple launches and recoveries during the day. This baby Hornet was launched during first light.