[Scan-DC] Interesting Activity at Andrews

[Rapbep at aol.com]

All,

In the last few days there's been some interesting activity taking place at 
Andrews. It involves one and possibly two C-26/SA-227 aircraft using civilian 
registrations and military-style callsigns.

On 18 January, Anvil 09 landed at Andrews. In chat with SAM CP (141.55) he 
identified himself as C-26 Merlin, registration N6131Z.. According to the 
Landings database, N6131Z is SA-227DC registered to PIONEER AVIATION INC, 5025 N 
CENTRAL AVE, PHOENIX, AZ.

On Inauguration day, 20 January, aircraft Merlin 01 and Merlin 02 were both 
active out of Andrews. In the morning both aircraft departed Andrews to set up 
their "stations" at 7,500 ft outside the restricted areas set aside for the 
Inauguration. Merlin 02 even told the Potomac controller that he was flying 
"Inaugural support."  I even noted Merlin 01 checking in with Huntress on AICC 
(364.2). At the time I thought that Merlin might be a JSTARS aircraft supporting 
the DC CAP set up for the Inauguration.

Today (21 Jan) I heard Merlin 01 landing at Andrews. In chat with the SAM CP 
he gave his registration as N6131Z with a four-man crew.   

I don't know who they belong to or where they are based, but these two 
C-26s/SA-227s are obviously specially configured for some sort of 
surveillance/tracking mission. 

RON
MARYLAND, USA