[Scan-DC] Interesting Activity at Andrews

[N3BXV]

Here's a picture of one of the Pioneer Aviaition SA-227s with a pod slung
beneath the fuselage...

http://www.jetphotos.net/viewphoto.php?id=55796



----- Original Message ----- 
From: <Rapbep at aol.com>
To: <milcom at mailman.qth.net>; <scan-dc at mailman.qth.net>
Cc: <cothen at yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Friday, January 21, 2005 12:28 PM
Subject: [Scan-DC] Interesting Activity at Andrews


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




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