Jonathan Derden, Author at Fighter Sweep - Page 3 of 11

About Jonathan Derden

Jonathan Derden is an Airline Transport Rated-pilot with a regional airline in the mid-Atlantic region. Chair flying since being spoon fed as a child, Jonathan is a graduate of the aviation program at Jacksonville University and has been an airline pilot since 2007. When he's not flying for work, he's traversing the planet in search of the next opportunity as an aviation photojournalist. Jonathan began his photographic pursuits as a teenager while learning how to use his father's camera at a local general aviation airport, and has since broadened his horizons to include and now focuses on military aviation.

Aircrew Flight Equipment: Saving Lives Daily!

Heading out to the aircraft, it’s one of the last places an aviator stops on the way out the door. This one particular TLA (three-letter acronym) operates for the most View More ›

Burner Friday: VFA-113 Legacy Hornet

For this week’s edition of Burner Friday, we’re taking a little trip to Stingtown – meet the Stingers of Strike Fighter Squadron 113 from Naval Air Station Lemoore. Flying the View More ›

USMC F/A-18 Crashes in England

Unfortunate news out of the United Kingdom this morning, as a USMC F/A-18 Hornet has crashed on a farm near RAF Mildenhall, reportedly killing the pilot. The crash occurred around 1030am View More ›

Feet Wet: F-35C DT-II aboard the Mighty Ike!

As I stepped off the C-2 Greyhound, I was immediately welcomed aboard the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower by a blast of hot exhaust pouring out of two Pratt & Whitney View More ›

From The Cockpit: RDAF F-16s over Greenland

We never tire of watching our military friends in action, be it of a door gunner on a Huey or a C-130 driver playing follow the leader in Alaska. Not View More ›

Last of the “Phrogs” Retired

The USMC said goodbye to a longtime friend last week, as September 25th marked the final flight of VMR-1’s HH-46E Sea Knights. For years they’ve been known affectionately as Pedro, View More ›

From The Cockpit: Eagle Airlifters in Alaska

Aside from being home to phenomenal salmon fishing, North America’s tallest mountain, and some of the biggest mosquitoes in existence (it’s the state bird, right?), Alaska boasts some of the finest View More ›

Remembering YUKLA 27

We all love to celebrate various milestones occurring along mankind’s endless journey into, and even beyond the earth’s atmosphere. For the most part we like to commemorate our successes, the View More ›

Happy Birthday to the 179th Fighter Squadron!

If you follow USAF aviation closely, you know this week is a big week in the service’s history. While you might have noticed the C-17’s first flight anniversary earlier this View More ›

Milestone Tuesday: Boeing C-17A First Flight

On September 15, 1991, a camouflage-painted, pointy-nosed Boeing C-17A took off for the first time from the Long Beach, California airport. The initial prototype, dubbed T-1, lifted off with throngs of View More ›