In regard to the post about Ellington Field from Michael C, the Air National Guard currently bases a number of F-16A's with the 147th fighter squadron. KEFD occaionally has aircraft on the ramps that are in en route on a cross countr, stopped for fuel and such. Some of the aircraft on field that I've seen consist of QF-4 Phantom Drones (on the field from Florida during some storm a couple of months back), C-130 Hurricane Hunters, Army Blackhawks, Canadian F/A-18s, and many others. KEFD also has NASA T-38 Talons (as mentioned by Michael C.) and a Super Guppy. KEFD also has a CGAS (Coast Guard Air Station) on field. They fly HH-65A Dauphins. I've also seen two Coast Guard C-130s on field (I don't know where they are from). The Wings Over Houston Airshow (which happened on a weekend in early October) had a static display that was very nice. They had a KC-10, KC-135, AV-8B Harrier, T-38 Talon (from Laughlin, the 87FTS), F/A-18, F-16, F-117, C-5 Galaxy, and many, many other aircraft including a HUGH warbird static display. They also had many flying displays, as well, including Tora, Tora, Tora (a Pearl Harbor reenactment, with pyrotechnics), and the Canadian Forces Snowbirds. They had an absolutly WONDERFUL F/A-18F Super Hornet Demo. Although I wasn't there on Sunday, I believe that they had a A-10 Warthog demo. Anyway, with regard to the 147th ANG F-16s, the BRAC has made the decsion to retire the 147th's F-16s in effort to consolidate and to save money. Anyway, it's about time those F-16s are retired since they are A models, and are becoming obsolete. However, KEFD will be recieving a (or more) Predators, the UAV's. They will not be controlled from KEFD (probably somewhere far away, such as Nellis?). These proposed Predators are pretty bad consilations for the ANG's F-16s, but what can I do? Anyway, thanks, Michael, for recognizing KEFD!!!
Brian P.
Cessna 172S Skyhawk
West Houston Airport (KIWS)
www.westhoustonairport.com