Aerowephile

07/18/2026

U.S. Army Sikorsky VH-60M Black Hawk "Gold Top" made a couple of visits to Tri-Cities Airport this week.
14-16Jul26

single U.S. Army Sikorsky VH-60M...

07/15/2026

A "Gold Top" Black Hawk makes a stop at Tri-Cities Airport.

This is one of four U.S. Army Sikorsky VH-60M Blackhawks assigned to 12th Aviation Battalion/Command Aviation Company Alpha based at Davison Army Airfield, also known as Fort Belvoir (VA).

Known as the "Vipers". These Black Hawks are used for executive transport of U.S. Army leaders, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, political leadership, dignitaries, selected officials of the US DoD, and combatant commanders.

The A Co is also specialized in evacuating those executives from the US Capitol in the event of a national emergency.

14July26

07/11/2026

While waiting around to see if the newly arrived Douglas A-26B Invader might go up for another flight, I shot some photos of the commercial and GA aircraft operating at Tri-Cities Airport.
09Jul26

07/10/2026

I was super surprised to discover that the Douglas A-26B Invader "Rum and Coke" was coming to Tri-Cities Airport. Sure enough, later in the day she arrived and pulled up for what turns out to be an extended summer stay at TRI. Going to be a fun summer trying to get photos of her when she goes flying!
09Jul26

07/08/2026

On my way back home after my weekend visit in Knoxville, I stopped by Tri-Cities Airport to check on the T-38C Talons. Still parked on the ramp. They departed early Monday morning before I could get to the airport.
I did return to TRI Monday afternoon to catch a United States - Army Priority Air Transport - Gulfstream C-37A (FORGE63, 02-01863) that stopped by around lunchtime. A Breeze Airways Airbus A220-300 was also at the airport in the middle of its turnaround process.
05-06Jul26

07/08/2026

I spent the July 4th weekend down in the Knoxville area visiting family. To my surprise, the America's Bash flyover T-38C Talons were also visiting the Knoxville area Saturday. I made a run by McGhee Tyson Airport Knoxville, TN and grabbed a couple of shots of the Talons before they departed back to the Tri-Cities to perform their flyover duties.
Turns out they were in Knoxville to avoid the expected severe weather in the Tri-Cities area.
04Jul26

07/03/2026

Talons at McGhee Tyson Airport Knoxville, TN!

A pair of USAF Northrup T-38 Talon...

07/03/2026

Arrival of two USAF T-38C Talons to Tri-Cities Airport. They are in town to perform the flyover at the July 4th America's Bash celebration in Johnson City.
02Jul26

06/13/2026

While waiting for some USAF military trainers to land at McGhee Tyson Airport Knoxville, TN, I captured several civilian and commercial aircraft landing. Aircraft in this video include: Beechcraft B200 Super King Air, Cirrus SR20, American Airlines Boeing 737-800, Allegiant Air Airbus A320, American Eagle Embraer ERJ-145.

17Apr26

While waiting for some USAF milita...

06/11/2026

A quick stop at Tri-Cities Airport by another rescue USN Bell-Boeing CMV-22B Osprey (BISON63, 169438) from VMF-40 Sqn based in Norfolk, VA. The Osprey stopped long enough to drop off some supplies for the stranded Osprey and then immediately headed back to Norfolk.
The stranded Osprey repairs continue. It appears that the engine/gearbox has been removed by a crane and lowered to the ground for the crews to complete the repairs. The propeller has been removed, and a jack has been placed under the opposite wing for support. Looks like this Osprey is getting closer to being back in the air, where it belongs.
11Jun26