And we have returned from the desert once again

originally posted by: penroc3
a reply to: mightmight

depending on what they got, regardless of where it was there is a reason things are hidden or not shown in public yet.

Just in general, I'd argue that here is little to no valid reason to keep various SAPs locked up.
It’s one thing to acknowledge their existence and quite another to spill all the beans about it. One things for sure, China and Russia do know much more about what the US does with the countless billions disappearing behind mysterious line items every year, than the US taxpayer does.
I don’t think that’s a healthy arrangement and I'm glad when secrets get dragged out into the open, even if it represents a minor security hit. Doesn’t mean there should be no secrets of course, but far too often the secrecy exists just because of bureaucratic fiat to hide incompetence, waste, corruption and crimes from the people.

being in a area that prohibits photography might just be enough for them to lose their pictures and get a major headache in the form of AFOSI and litigation

If thats the case they shouldnt be posted obviously. But if its just a case of *but the US military would really keep their toys secret, so we oblige* than yeah, whatever. Not my decision, not my place to criticse.

a reply to: penroc3

As far as location goes, I'm pretty sure we'd be ok. Where we were the first night up there should have been far enough clear to be public land. The second night is much murkier.

But, if they go public, we're burning that spot, and that's not a good thing. That's a really good spot. And if our photo interpretation skills are even close to what we think they are, it's one of two things, either of which could have interesting fallout if they got a stick up their ass about it.

originally posted by: mightmight
but far too often the secrecy exists just because of bureaucratic fiat to hide incompetence, waste, corruption and crimes from the people.

Did you ever think that might just be another form of cover?

a reply to: JIMC5499
Yeah once upon a time. Before i saw how the sausage is made. Its the same everywhere. Ill leave it at that.

a reply to: mightmight

The world is nothing if not soul-crusingly predictable sometimes.

a reply to: Sammamishman

Yeah, I'd say the consequences should weigh heavily...

Great pictures, guys!! Always enjoy 'em. A real shame that I couldn't hook up with you two for that Moses Lake/Fairchild trip...

I took a picture of a hovercraft sitting out in the open at a military contracter/ship builder yard, there was two sets of barb wire fences and I happened to have my camera gear in the car and even a drone, wisely took the camera out instead of the drone. Few weeks later got contacted and told never to walk up to that fence again but nothing about the photo so it's still on my imgur.

Shame my 600mm has been gathering dust on a shelf here, cool photos.

a reply to: mightmight

just look at what we here have deduced.

new sub orbital platforms, hypersonic flights, and black triangles. and that is all with individual sightings, if we had access to radar and field observers all over the place we would know only when they happen but not what they are.

so unless NK and russia have spies deep in our aerospace industry(i highly doubt) they probably only know the same amount of info we do i.e they exist, and they are ours(the U.S's). they probably have some ideas on how they work but knowing how something works and making the instruments and devices and manufacturing processes is a whole different ball game.

That always give me some chills...

Astr0
Oh, and as a side note, the partner aircraft was often at RAF ##### ######

I'll leave you to do the digging. (hint - the now deceased Graham Birdsall had a pair of photosof it and the MoD slapped him down like a tonne of bricks - from from RAF ##### ####### and one from hill walkers in the Pennines)

Astr0
We need VLO escort jammer... just like (see Graham Birdsall's photo collection)

originally posted by: Zaphod58
a reply to: BASSPLYR

HAH! Good luck with that one. They nuked, with extreme prejudice every single copy of those pictures that they didn't outright buy from him, for a RIDICULOUS amount of money. I've tried every way I could think of to find them, and they are just gone.

and this(about Boscombe Down incident aircraft type)

originally posted by: Zaphod58
a reply to: Woody510

There were pictures of the aircraft, not this specific incident, but the aircraft. I don't know if they made the media, but an obscene amount of money changed hands to make them go away.

As for covering your spot location. I remember Agent X and Jim Goodall used to watch flight path in and out of Groom from north side of Bald Mountain. They covered their spot place so they could used it numerous times and it was almost their private location as it wasn't public revealed.

I don't post here too often but just had to login again to comment on this.

Great pictures. What an adventure! I would give you my non-existent firstborn to come join you on a trip.

You guys tasing us about what else you've seen always sends my mind light-years into imagination. Paired with what I remember about Astr0 it goes even farther. It's a mixed feeling though. I think I know what you've seen but I'm also absolutely clueless. Well except for the little tidbits you offered. Does this count as torture? Sure feels like it!

On a slightly unrelated note: I remember reading about Astr0 giving a member pretty exact info when to look to the skies. Anyone able to find a link? I'd be glad about a short message.

If you guys could visit any site in Europe on your next trip what would it be?

a reply to: stoneborn

The Mach Loop is at the top of my bucket list. As much fun as Jedi is, that would be awesome to visit.

a reply to: Zaphod58

You know, we are living out an Indian Jones movie on just about every trip to the desert we make. I think I'll pack a bull whip next time.

a reply to: Zaphod58

Yeah, The Loop, and some of the bigger airshows for me. I'd like to see some of the aircraft that we never get to see in the states.

a reply to: Zaphod58

I've never done the mach loop but I encountered harriers doing similar low maneuvers over southeastern Wales back in 2001-2003 and yeah, it was #ing spectacular seeing them against the beautiful Welsh scenery like that.

a reply to: Sammamishman

Too bad the Vulcan isn't flying anymore. Hopefully they get that Victor flying again, though. I was always more of a Victor guy, anyways.

a reply to: Sammamishman

Seriously. We keep saying it will be hard to top each trip, and then we do. This one is gonna be a bitch to beat though.

I think sometimes it is overlooked that the Air Force is not the only entity that operates and plays with toys in the desert. Catch the right thing at the right time and you could be subject to the scrutiny of several different three letter agencies, all of which have very different methods of how they deal with intel. leaks and the oversight of said methods.

a reply to: Sammamishman

So you're saying you got one of those… triangles ?

a reply to: mightmight

Actually yes. There were two B-2s in the area that we saw.

a reply to: Zaphod58

I speak for all of us here that when u make comments like this it's like crack we want more !!! It's just not fair !!!!