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Burner Friday: Canadian CF-18 Hornet

December 12, 2014
Scott Wolff 1 Comment Photos

If you’ve never shot photographs at NAF El Centro before, you’ve certainly missed out on one of the most exhilarating experiences of any aviation photographer’s career. It’s not that you’re within sight of the runway. It’s not that you’re within a stone’s throw of the runway. You are literally….right there.

Don’t misunderstand. We have never been ON the runway while jets have been taking off and landing, but I will say we’ve been pretty darn close. Our demarcation line for safety is the LSO shack; we were never allowed forward of the imaginary line extending from the front edge of the shack down the entire length of the runway. Let me tell you, when a Hornet or Super Hornet goes by in full blower and the missile rail passes within a few feet of your noggin’….it’s close enough.

Case and point? This shot of a Canadian Forces CF-18 Hornet taking off for a training mission. If it looks like I was close…I was. It was hot, it was loud, and by day’s end we absolutely reeked of jet fuel. But it was awesome.

Thanks to the men and women of 4 WG Cold Lake for being there and entertaining us, to Michelle Dee–the NAF El Centro PAO, and to my good friend Kevin Whitehead for setting up the photo call.

Enjoy!

About the Author

Scott Wolff is an accomplished writer and renowned aviation photojournalist. He has held the position of Managing Editor for a print flying lifestyle magazine, and is the Host and Editor for FighterSweep. Scott's area of expertise is military flight operations, drawing on ten years of experience working extensively with all branches of the armed forces. He holds an FAA pilot certificate, the culmination of a life-long passion for flying airplanes. Scott has received military altitude chamber training, emergency egress training, and has logged time in a variety of civilian and military aircraft. He is also a member of the International Society of Aviation Photographers and Nikon Professional Services.

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