Harrier Party

We got a treat this morning at Rick Husband International Airport. A squadron of a dozen or so Harrier "Jump Jets" stopped over on their way home to North Carolina, and Steve and I were there to see them. They had been at Twentynine Palms, CA for training - "Blowing things up." as one pilot told us. One of the pilots was available and kind enough to take us out to the flight line and give us a tour of one of the Harriers. Never saw one up close until today. Awesome machine! Here are some shots I took of them.

The Harrier "Jump Jets" were accompanied by a C-130 support aircraft. Here, they are warming up its engines.

This pilot gave us a tour of this Harrier. Awesome machine!

A pilot boards his bird in preparation for takeoff.

The Gatling Gun on the Harrier is enclosed in a pod.

The Harriers depart AMA with the Amarillo skyline in the background.

The "tail feathers" of some of the Harriers on the flight line. Note the jet's yaw control ports on the tail.

Each of the pilots waved at us as they passed on their way to the end of the runway.

(As always, click on the photos for a larger view.)

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