VX-31 F/A-18F Super Hornet BuNo 165669, DD-214, Nellis AFB. Photo by Kristopher Trajano - Nellis Spotters.

VX-31 F/A-18F Super Hornet BuNo 166635, DD-213, Nellis AFB. Photo by Kristopher Trajano - Nellis Spotters.

VX-31 F/A-18F Super Hornet BuNo 165668, DD-201. Photo by Franz L.

VX-31 EA-18G Growler BuNo 166642, DD-500. Photo by Franz L.

The people and equipment of the NAWCWD Weapons Survivability Lab., China Lake, 25 February 2009. U.S. Navy photo.

This scene at the NAWCWD Weapons Survivability Lab shows the setup for a live fire test with the Missile Engagement Threat Simulator and an F-14 Tomcat. A Man Portable Air Defense System is fired at the desired location as strategically placed high-speed cameras capture the necessary data. U.S. Navy photo.

An F-18 is hidden behind this explosion during the first live Man Portable Air Defense System launch using an operating aircraft with realistic intercept velocity, and realistic airflow provided by the Weapons Survivability Lab's High-Velocity Airflow System at NAWCWD. China Lake, 25 February 2009. Official U.S. Navy photo.

VX-31 F/A-18F Super Hornet BuNo 166635, DD-213. Photo by Franz L.

VX-31 EA-18G Growler BuNo 166642, DD-500, Red Flag, Nellis AFB, 27 February 2009. Photo by Bruce Smith.

VX-31 F/A-18F Super Hornet BuNo 166680, DD-221, Red Flag, Nellis AFB, 27 February 2009. Photo by Bruce Smith.

Dilapidated RV, Coles Flats, China Lake, 06 March 2009.

Copyright photo from my collection.

VX-31 EA-18G Growler BuNo 166642, DD-500, is silhouetted against the afternoon sun during a test mission.

The Growler is configured with three ALQ-99 jammer pods, two external fuel tanks and a telemetry/tracking pod, 25 March 2009. U.S. Navy photo by Cdr. Ian C. Anderson.

VX-31 EA-18G "Growler" flies overhead the city of Ridgecrest, CA as it returns to NAWS China Lake at the conclusion of a test mission on Echo Range.

The Growler is configured with three ALQ-99 jammer pods and two external fuel tanks. July 2009, U.S. Navy photo by Cmdr. Ian C. Anderson, 25 March 2009. U.S. Navy photo by Cdr. Ian C. Anderson.

VX-31 FA-18F Super Hornet BuNo 166680, DD-221, about to engage the refueling probe into the refueling drogue basket of a KC-130, 27 March 2009.

U.S. Navy photo by Cdr. Ian C. Anderson.

VX-31 F/A-18F Super Hornets BuNo 165668, DD-201, and BuNo 166680, DD-221, receive fuel from VX-30 KC-130F Hercules aerial tanker BuNo 148891 #403.

27 March 2009. U.S. Navy photo by Cdr. Ian C. Anderson

VX-31 F/A-18F Super Hornet BuNo 166680, DD-221, over Ridgecrest, 02 April 2009.

U.S. Navy photo composite by Cdr. Ian C. Anderson.

China Lake SH-60F Blackhawk SAR helo BuNo 163286, China Lake, 5 April 2009. Photo by Larry McCarley.

China Lake SH-60F Blackhawk SAR helo BuNo 163286, China Lake, 5 April 2009. Photo by Larry McCarley.

VX-31 F/A-18F Super Hornet BuNo 165669, DD-214, and AV-8B+ Harrier BuNo 165305, DD-83, in formation over the Sierras, 08 May 2009.

U.S. Navy photo by Cdr. Ian C. Anderson.

VX-31 F/A-18F Super Hornet BuNo 166680, DD-221, in flight with HARM Missile, 14 May 2009.

U.S. Navy photo by Cdr. Ian C. Anderson.

VX-31 AV-8B+ BuNo 164549, DD-81, in flight over Searles Lake, 22 May 2009.

U.S. Navy photo by Cdr. Ian C. Anderson.

VX-31 AV-8B+ BuNo 164549, DD-81, in flight over Searles Lake, 22 May 2009.

U.S. Navy photo by Cdr. Ian C. Anderson.

VX-31 AV-8B+ BuNo 164549, DD-81, in flight over Searles Lake, 22 May 2009.

U.S. Navy photo by Cdr. Ian C. Anderson.

VX-9 CO Doster giving a wave from the cockpit of FA-18F Hornet BuNo 166791, XE-260, as he departs the Fort Smith Regional Airport, 26 May 2009. Photo by Nick Thomas.

Northern Edge 2009, Elmendorf AFB, Alaska -- Deanna Word, a civilian plane captain with VX-9, looks on as F/A-18F Super Hornet BuNo 166673, XE-250, powers up on the flightline here 19 June 2009. U.S. Air Force photo/Marine Corps Sgt. Zachary Dyer.

Northern Edge 2009, Elmendorf AFB, Alaska -- Max Carrasto, a civilian plane captain with VX-9, gives hand signals to communicate with the pilot of F/A-18E Super Hornet BuNo 166789, XE-162, before it takes off from the flightline here 19 June 2009. U.S. Air Force photo/Marine Corps Sgt. Zachary Dyer.

Northern Edge 2009, Elmendorf AFB, Alaska -- Deanna Word, a civilian plane captain with VX-99, signals the pilot of F/A-18F Super Hornet BuNo 166673, XE-250, to move the flaps of the aircraft before it takes off from the flightline here 19 June 2009. U.S. Air Force photo/Marine Corps Sgt. Zachary Dyer.

Northern Edge 2009, Elmendorf AFB, Alaska -- VX-9 AO2 Kevin Rooney gives the hand signal to arm the misses on F/A-18E Super Hornet BuNo 166789, XE-162, before it takes off from the flightline here 19 June 2009. U.S. Air Force photo/Marine Corps Sgt. Zachary Dyer.

Northern Edge 2009, Elmendorf AFB, Alaska -- VX-9 pilots Lt. Mark Huber and LCdr. William Lane prepare to take their F/A-18F Super Hornet BuNo 166673, XE-250, onto the flightline here 19 June 2009. U.S. Air Force photo/Marine Corps Sgt. Zachary Dyer.

Northern Edge 2009, Elmendorf AFB, Alaska -- Deanna Word, a civilian plane captain with VX-9, also known as the Vampires, looks to the rear of n F/A-18F Super Hornet BuNo 166673, XE-250, to make sure everything is clear before giving the pilot the signal to taxi out onto the flightline here 19 June 2009. U.S. Air Force photo/Marine Corps Sgt. Zachary Dyer.

VX-31 F/A-18F Super Hornet BuNo 165668, DD-201, turns tightly over the Jawbone Canyon area of the Mojave Desert during a test mission, 15 July 2009.

U.S. Navy photo by Cmdr. Ian C. Anderson

Danville Tactical Battle Management Site on NWS China Lake during U.S. Joint Forces Command’s Empire Challenge 2009 experiment (EC09), 16 July 2009. Photo Illustration by Mr. Daniel O’Conner.

Inside NWS China Lake's Battle Management Center during U.S. Joint Forces Command’s Empire Challenge 2009 experiment (EC09), 16 July 2009. Photo by Mr. Daniel O’Conner.

A member of U.S. Joint Forces Command’s Joint Battlespace Awareness/ISR Integration Capability team sets up operations on NWS China Lake’s Slate range during the Empire Challenge 2009 experiment (EC09), 16 July 2009. Photo by: Mr. Greg Turnbaugh.

A role-player simulates firing his weapon towards a convoy on NWS China Lake during the U.S. Joint Forces Command’s Empire Challenge 2009 experiment (EC09), 16 July 2009. Photo by Mr. Greg Turnbaugh.

A role-player simulates firing a Rocket Propelled Grenade towards a convoy on NWS China Lake during the U.S. Joint Forces Command’s Empire Challenge 2009 experiment (EC09), 16 July 2009. Photo by Mr. Greg Turnbaugh.

Role-players simulate constructing and placing a roadside Improvised Explosive Device in the path of an allied forces convoy on NWS China Lake during the U.S. Joint Forces Command’s Empire Challenge 2009 experiment (EC09), 16 July 2009. Photo by Mr. Greg Turnbaugh.

Role-players simulate detonating a roadside Improvised Explosive Device in the path of an allied forces convoy on NWS China Lake during the U.S. Joint Forces Command’s Empire Challenge 2009 experiment (EC09), 16 July 2009. Photo by: Mr. Greg Turnbaugh.

Mr. Richard Burkland conducts the daily “hot wash” briefing to recap the days success, failures, and areas for improvement on Naval Weapons Station, China Lake during U.S. Joint Forces Command’s Empire Challenge 2009 experiment (EC09), 16 July 2009. Photo by Mr. Daniel O’Conner.

VX-31 F/A-18E Super Hornet BuNo 165660, DD-203, flies in the Isabella Military Operating Area (MOA) near Walker Pass, 21 July 2009.

Pilot is LT Albert "Shank" Prebula. U.S. Navy photo by Cmdr. Ian C. Anderson.

VX-31 F/A-18F Hornet BuNo 166635, DD-213, launches a Raytheon Joint Standoff Weapon Extended Range air-to-surface precision guided missile. This marks the first free-flight demonstration of the JSOW-ER. The weapon is a powered variant of the combat-proven glide JSOW. PRNewsFoto/Raytheon Company.

CO ANG Huey s/n 71-20191 will be departing HAATS, Eagle, CO, for NAWC China Lake, CA, 07 September 2009. Photo courtesy of Marc Belo.

CO ANG Huey s/n 71-20191 departs HAATS, Eagle, CO, for NAWC China Lake, CA & s/n 74-22482 departs HAATS for White Sands Missile Range, NM, 07 September 2009. Photo courtesy of Marc Belo.

CO ANG Huey s/n 73-222082 flies through it's final hose as it leaves HAATS, Eagle, CO for NAWC China Lake, CA, 07 September 2009. Photo courtesy of Marc Belo.

CO ANG Huey s/n 73-22082 pulls out to Bravo taxi-way for the last time before leaving HAATS, Eagle, CO, for NAWC China Lake, CA, 07 September 2009. Photo courtesy of Marc Belo.

The Colorado Army National Guard bids farewell to the UH-1 Iroquois “Huey” one last time at the High-Altitude Army Aviation Training Site (HAATS) in Eagle, CO., Sept. 8, 2009. The last five Hueys at HAATS will be retired at the end of September. Two Hueys (s/n 71-20191 & 73-22082) will be handed over to NAWC China Lake, CA, and the other three (s/n 70-16350, 74-22430 & 74-22482) are going to the White Sands Missile Range in NM. Photo courtesy of Marc Belo.

The Colorado Army National Guard bids farewell to the UH-1 Iroquois “Huey” one last time at the High-Altitude Army Aviation Training Site (HAATS) in Eagle, CO., Sept. 8, 2009. The last five Hueys at HAATS will be retired at the end of September. Two Hueys (s/n 71-20191 & 73-22082) will be handed over to NAWC China Lake, CA, and the other three (s/n 70-16350, 74-22430 & 74-22482) are going to the White Sands Missile Range in NM. Photo courtesy of Marc Belo.

VX-31 AV-8B+ Harrier BuNo 165305, DD-83, Phoenix-Mesa Gateway airport, 13 September 2009. Photo by Rob Silliman. Note /1.

VX-31 Dust Devils SH-60F Blackhawk SAR helo BuNo 163286, DD-460, 11 September 2009. Photographer unknown. Photographer unknown.

VX-31 AV-8B+ Harrier BuNo 165305, DD-83, Phoenix-Mesa Gateway airport, 13 September 2009. Photo by Rob Silliman. Note /1.

VX-31 AV-8B+ Harrier BuNo 165305, DD-83, Phoenix-Mesa Gateway airport, 13 September 2009. Photo by Rob Silliman. Note /1.

VX-31 AV-8B+ Harrier BuNo 165305, DD-83, Williams-Gateway airport, 12 September 2009. Photo by Jack McGorray.

VX-31 AV-8B+ Harrier BuNo 165305, DD-83, Williams-Gateway airport, 12 September 2009. Photo by Jack McGorray.

VX-31 AV-8B+ Harrier BuNo 165305, DD-83, Williams-Gateway airport, 12 September 2009. Photo by Jack McGorray.

Capt. Rich Burr, military director for NAWCWD’s Weapons and Energetics Department, accompanies 10 members of the Engineer and Scientist Development Program on a site visit to Raytheon Missile Systems in Tucson, Ariz. on Sept. 22 as part of a new-employee exchange with the contractor. Photo by Jon Black, Raytheon.

VX-31 F/A-18F Super Hornet BuNo 165793, DD-215, Red Flag, Nellis AFB, 10 October 2009. Photo by Bruce Smith.

Capt. Eric Holmberg, VX-31 CO, gives visiting Raytheon engineers an up-close look at some of the squadron’s aircraft. Tom Pearl, left, the squadron’s technical director, accompanied the group on a tour of the facility. Photo by John Perrige.

Rex Krugman seated at the VX-31 Duty Desk he built with help of the VX-31 aircrew (Pilots and NFOs) and their families. It displays the VX-31 Squadron logo and the symbols of the Navy and Marine Corps. It also has several of the modern weapon systems on the front of the desk. There is no paint or stain, all the colors are inlayed woods with a clear finish. China Lake, 02 November 2009. Official U.S. Navy photo.

Overhead view of the VX-31 Duty Desk showing the flight deck and elevator. China Lake, 02 November 2009. Official U.S. Navy photo.

Overhead view of the VX-31 Duty Desk showing the VX-31 logo. China Lake, 02 November 2009. Official U.S. Navy photo.

Overhead view of the VX-31 Duty Desk showing the lighted USMC emblem. China Lake, 02 November 2009. Official U.S. Navy photo.

Navy aviation fuel technicians from the USS Green Bay refuel NAWC AV-8B Harrier BuNo 164549, DD-81, at Auxiliary Airfield 2 before tests are carried out aboard ship. Image by Lance Cpl. Austin Hazard/USMC.

Naval Air Forces Commander VAdm. Thomas J. Kilcline, center, is welcomed aboard China Lake by VX-9 XO Cmdr. John Speredelolzzi, left, Air Operations Officer Cdr. Dan Harmon, VX-9 Chief Operational Test Director Capt. Don Berry and VX-9 CO Capt. Dan Doster.

During the U.S. Air Force-sponsored tests at the NAWC in China Lake, CA, the Mobile Active Targeting Resource for Integrated experiments MATRIX , which was developed by Boeing under contract to the Air Force Research Laboratory, used a single, high-brightness laser beam to shoot down five UAVs at various ranges.

VX-9 EA-18G Growler BuNo 166896, XE-571, ME phase of Weapons School, Nellis AFB, 03 December 2009. Photo by Bruce Smith.

This retired Southwest Airlines 737 lands at Armitage Field 14 December 2009 to become part of the live-fire test and evaluation program for NAVAIR’s P-8A Poseidon, the Navy’s replacement for the P-3C Orion. Photo by Gary Brown.

The ribbon is cut Dec. 15 for the Weapon Systems Center for Integration (WSCI), marking the completion of the first BRAC-related new construction project at China Lake. Pictured from left are NAWS CO Capt. Jeffrey A. Dodson, NAWCWD Executive Director Scott O’Neil, Systems Engineering Department Chief Operating Officer Dwayne Heinsma, NAWCWD Commander Capt. Mark Storch and NAVFAC Assistant Operations Officer Capt. Martin Smith.

Lockheed Martin test pilot Jeff Knowles flies AA-1 on its ninety-first and final flight. The mission takes AA-1 from Edwards AFB to NAS China Lake, California, where it will undergo live-fire testing later in 2010. Lockheed Martin photo.

VX-31 SAR crew consisting of LCdr. Ken Gilbert, Lt. Neal Barham, AWSC John Jennings, AWS1 David Finn and HM2 Ben Hernandez participate in a rescue in the eastern Sierra Nevadas, 28 December 2009. Official U.S. Navy photo.