In 1975 a re-organisation at Patuxent River saw the Naval Air Test Centre transform into the Naval Air Systems command main facility. The new units consisted of antisubmarine aircraft, rotary wing aircraft, strike aircraft, systems engineering test and the USNTPS, which had remained unchanged.
During the early 1990’s two Naval Air Warfare Centres were established. The Aircraft Division, which was based here at Patuxent River and the Weapons Test Division, based at Naval Air Station China Lake in California. By 1997 Naval Air Systems Command known as (NAVAIR) had fully re-located its headquarters to Paxtuxent River. The base now hosts three major commands, NAVAIR, NAWC (Aircraft Division) and the Air Test Wing (Atlantic).
NAS Paxtuxent River (known locally as just Pax River) is now known as the centre of excellence for the Naval Aviator. It boasts a runway in excess of 2.5miles long, which is more than long enough for any fighter, bomber or transport to land. For the local community the base is the largest single employer in the area, with more than 22,000 military and civilian personnel stationed. On the East coast of the United States, NAS Pax River is one of the largest of any of the air stations with in excess of 13,000 acres of land.
Based Squadrons
VX-1 “Pioneers”
VXS-1 “Warlocks”
VX-20 “Force”
VX-23 “Salty Dogs Strike”
HX-21 “Rotary”
USNTPS
Visit - September 2008
For this visit we were allowed access to the following locations, the tower, VX-1, VX-20 and HX-21. Even with no visit to the USNTPS it was hard not to miss the many Test Pilot School aircraft that were active on the shared active ramp. It was unfortunate that no visit was granted here as almost all types carried the red/white test scheme and looked very photogenic in the Maryland sunshine.
VX-20
Our first point of call for the day was the ramp of VX-20 “Force”. Noted with the unit were C-2, KC-130, E-2, P-3 aircraft and a visiting Norwegian P-3. Whilst visiting the hanger we noted a trio of T-2C Buckeyes formerely assigned to CTW-6, one of these was noted flying later in the day with the USNTPS and now only used for spin training on the TPS course.
VX-1
The next point of call just on the other side of the ramp was the anti submarine unit of
VX-1 “The Pioneers”, here we were met by Lt Charlie Watkins who is assigned to the P-3Cs with the unit, Lt Watkins gave us an access all areas tour of the hangars and ramps with many photo opportunities of the VX-1, P-3C, SH-60 and new MH-60 “Seahawk” which were lined up on the flight line.
HX-21
Rotary Test Wing HX-21 gave the team the chance to view and photograph many different variants from the USN inventory. For the us it was a chance to see and photograph many of the new types for the first time.
On show were new variants of the USMC “Cobra” and “Huey”, AH-1Z (four bladed), UH-1Y (four bladed) with the engines of the AH-1Z. MV-22Bs “Osprey” in various test configurations, seven aircraft were seen with some being Ground Instruction Aircraft (GIA). Five variants of the “Seahawk” helicopter, including early models of the SH-60 and the new MH-60. Older types with HX-21 were the CH-46E, CH-53E and the TH-57. Also operating from the HX-21 flight line was the base Search And Rescue (SAR) flight with the ageing UH-3H “Sea King”, it was great to get a chance to photograph these in service, as the type was being retired to the “Boneyard” in Arizona early 2009.
USNTPS
Noted active on the TPS ramp were FA-18B, OH-58, UH-60, T-38, NP-3D and many T-6 “Texan II” trainers, with the T-6 being the replacement for the USN ageing T-2 Buckeye. Many of the TPS’s rare types could be seen hangared but these were not identified or photographed.
TOWER
Final stop of the day was the 195ft high tower and viewing balcony, after a short presentation by the tower chief we were granted access onto the viewing platform outside, this gave a panoramic vantage point of the base and runways, for all apart from myself (who suffers from vertigo) this was fantastic. Vertigo was soon put to the side when a pair of VX-23 F/A-18E “Super Hornets” screamed past the balcony, shortly followed our first EA-18G “Growler” which carried F-22 kill marks. Many helicopters used the tower as a turning point, which provided great photos for the team. To finish our afternoon photo session we photographed “Chilly Willy”, this MV-22B is so named as it performs ice testing trials, once this “Osprey” had departed it was time to say our goodbyes to the tower team.
A great day was had with all the squadrons we visited on NAS Pax River and to say we had a perfect day would be an understatement. A big thank you to Brian Seraile and his PAO team for escorting us around the base in very hot temperatures and the Director of the MV-22 test program for allowing access onto this very special Naval Test Base.
Author/photography: Mark Forest
