VX-31 Dust Devils F/A-18C Hornet BuNo 165120 on the ramp wearing a retro NAF China Lake paint scheme at the Navy Centennial Kick Off Event, NAS North Island, CA, 12 February 2011. Photo by Mark Von Raesfeld.

VX-31 Dust Devils F/A-18C Hornet BuNo 165120 on the ramp wearing a retro NAF China Lake paint scheme at the Navy Centennial Kick Off Event, NAS North Island, CA, 12 February 2011.

VX-9 Vampires F/A-18F Super Hornet BuNo 166673, XE-250, with a AIM-120C AMRAAM missile, NAS North Island, 12 February 2011. Photo by Ron Artigues.

VX-9 Vampires F/A-18F Super Hornet BuNo 166791, XE-260, with an AGM-88 HARM in retro VX-5 markings at the Naval Centennial Kick off Event, NAS North Island, 12 February 2011. Photo by Ron Artigues.

VX-9 Vampires F/A-18F Super Hornet BuNo 166791, XE-260, with a AIM-9X Sidewinder and an AGM-88 HARM in retro VX-5 markings taxis to the static display area, NAS North Island, 12 February 2011. Photo by Ron Artigues.

VX-9 Vampires F/A-18F Super Hornet BuNo 166673, XE-250, taxiing to the static display ramp loaded with a wingtip mounted AIM-9X air to air missile and an AGM-65 Maverick air to ground missile, NAS North Island, 12 February 2011. Photo by Ron Artigues.

VX-9 Vampires F/A-18F Super Hornet BuNo 166673, XE-250, with a AGM-65 Maverick air to ground missile, NAS North Island, 12 February 2011. Photo by Ron Artigues.

VX-9 Vampires F/A-18F Super Hornet BuNo 166673, XE-250, with a AGM-65 Maverick air to ground missile, NAS North Island, 12 February 2011. Photo by Ron Artigues.

VX-9 Vampires F/A-18F Super Hornets BuNo 166927, XE-231, and BuNo 166925, XE-230, in the pattern at NAS North Island, 12 February 2011. Photo by Ron Artigues.

VX-9 Vampires F/A-18F Super Hornet BuNo 166673, XE-250, based out of NAWS China Lake on the ramp for the Naval Aviation Centennial Kick off Event, NAS North Island, 12 February 2011.

VX-9 Vampires F/A-18F Super Hornet BuNo 166791, XE-260, based out China Lake NAWS CA on the ramp wearing retro VX-5 markings at the Naval Centennial Kick off Event, NAS North Island, 12 February 2011.

VX-31 Dust Devils F/A-18C Hornet BuNo 165120 on the ramp wearing a retro NAF China Lake paint scheme at the Navy Centennial Kick Off Event, NAS North Island, CA, 12 February 2011.

VX-9 Vampires F/A-18F Super Hornet BuNo 166791, XE-260 with designer engine covers. The saying GE brings good things to light is true Seen at the Naval Aviation Centennial Kick Off Event at NAS North Island CA, 12 February 2011.

VX-31 Vampires Lt. Peter McMorrow, right, explains the mission of the F/A-18 Hornet strike fighter aircraft to a spectator during the Centennial of Naval Aviation Open House and Parade of Flight at NAS North Island, Feb. 12, 2011. Official U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Trevor Welsh.

Aviation Ordnancemen assigned to the VX-9 Vampires install AGM-88 Echo advanced anti-radiation guided missiles on an F/A-18D Hornet for test launches at China Lake, 11 April 2011. Official U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Orrin Batiste.

Maj. Robert Leonard hosts a visit by the Faller Elementary School kindergarten classes of Andrea Miller and Jennifer Brown to Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 31, China Lake, 13 April 2011. U.S. Navy photo.

VX-31 Dust Devils SH-60F Seahawk BuNo 163286, DD-460, and HM2 Hernandez assisting in patient litter rescue demonstration, using AWS2 Erik Potter as a victim, during a visit from the local Faller Elementary School Kindergarten classes, 13 April 2011. Official U.S. Navy photo.

VX-31 Dust Devils aircrewmen Jenkins, Podzon and Hawkins help the youngsters get familiar with search and rescue equipment on the MH-60S Nighthawk SAR helicopter, China Lake, 13 April 2011. U.S. Navy photo.

VX-31 Vampires’ historically-inspired, 'retro' painted F/A-18C Hornet BuNo 165210 flies over the snow-capped Eastern Sierra Nevada mountain range near its home base at China Lake, CA, 21 April 2011. Official U.S. Navy photo by Ian Anderson.

In honor of the Centennial of Naval Aviation (CoNA), VX-31's historically-inspired, 'retro' painted F/A-18C Hornet BuNo 165210 flies over its high-desert base at China Lake, 20 April 2011. Official U.S. Navy photo by Ian Anderson.

VX-31 Vampires’ historically-inspired, 'retro' painted F/A-18C Hornet BuNo 165210 flies in formation with F/A-18F Super Hornet BuNo 165668, DD-201, over the snow-capped Eastern Sierra Nevada mountain range near its home base at China Lake, CA, 22 April 2011. Official U.S. Navy photo.

VX-31 Vampires’ historically-inspired, 'retro' painted F/A-18C Hornet BuNo 165210 flies in formation with F/A-18F Super Hornet BuNo 165668, DD-201, over its home base at China Lake, CA, 22 April 2011. Official U.S. Navy photo.

In honor of 100 years of progress and achievement, Josh Rivera, from command artifacts, hangs a ten-foot CoNA banner at the main gate entrance to Naval Air Weapons Station at China Lake, 02 May 2011. U.S. Navy photo.

U.S. Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) 3rd Class Michael Bean and EOD2 Dustin Gardner inspect each others mission oriented protective posture suits during a nighttime chemical decontamination field training exercise at Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, Calif., May 23, 2011. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Benjamin Kittleson.

A Mark 2 man-transportable robot system with Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit One is used to inspect a vehicle for explosives during a training exercise at Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, Calif., May 24, 2011. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Benjamin Kittleson.

U.S. Navy Chief Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Roy Sedano, left, consults with EOD1 Drue Ferguson before beginning a simulated weapons cache search during a field training exercise at Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, Calif., May 24, 2011. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Benjamin Kittleson.

Initial flight integration test for Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile (AARGM) on VX-31 Dust Devils EA-18G Growler BuNo 166642, DD-500, China Lake, CA, 25 May 2011. U.S. Navy photo.

VX-9 Vampires AH-1Z Sea Cobra, BuNo 166761, XE-756, hangar 1, Armitage Field, China Lake, VX-4/5/9 Reunion, 28 May 2011. Photo by Bob Ziesler.

VX-9 Vampires F/A-18F Super Hornet BuNo 166789, XE-162, hangar 1, Armitage Field, China Lake, VX-4/5/9 Reunion, 28 May 2011. Photo by Bob Ziesler.

VX-9 Vampires E/A-18G Growler BuNo 166945, XE-500, hangar 1, Armitage Field, China Lake, VX-4/5/9 Reunion, 28 May 2011. Photo by Bob Ziesler.

VX-9 Vampires F/A-18F Super Hornet BuNo 166791, XE-260, and F/A-18F Super Hornet BuNo 166789, XE-162, hangar 1, Armitage Field, China Lake, VX-4/5/9 Reunion, 28 May 2011. Photo by Bob Ziesler.

VX-9 Vampires F/A-18F Super Hornet BuNo 166791, XE-260, and F/A-18F Super Hornet BuNo 166789, XE-162, hangar 1, Armitage Field, China Lake, VX-4/5/9 Reunion, 28 May 2011. Photo by Bob Ziesler.

VX-4/5/9 Reunion, hangar 1, Armitage Field, China Lake, 28 May 2011. Photo by Bob Ziesler.

VX-4/5/9 Reunion, Armitage Field, China Lake, 28 May 2011. Photo by Bob Ziesler.

VX-9 Vampires hangar 1, Armitage Field, China Lake, VX-4/5/9 Reunion, 28 May 2011. Photo by Bob Ziesler.

VX-9 Vampires F/A-18F Super Hornet BuNo 166789, XE-162, hangar 1, Armitage Field, China Lake, VX-4/5/9 Reunion, 28 May 2011. Photo by Bob Ziesler.

VX-9 Vampires F/A-18F Super Hornet BuNo 166789, XE-162, hangar 1, Armitage Field, VX-4/5/9 Reunion, 28 May 2011. Photo by Bob Ziesler.

Left to right: NAWCWD Commander, Rear Adm. Mat Winter, seen with Cmdr. Brady Bartosh, Capt. Timothy Morey, and Lt. Col. Andre Mercier, delivered the keynote speech at the VX-31 change of command ceremony, 09 June 9, 2011. U.S. Navy photo.

VX-9 Vampires F/A-18F Super Hornet BuNo 166791, XE-260, takes off to participate in the first training mission of Operation Northern Edge 11 at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, June 13, 2011. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Rufus Hucks.

VX-9 Vampires F/A-18F Super Hornet BuNo 166789, XE-162, takes off for a training mission in support of Northern Edge 2011 at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, June 13, 2011. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Rufus Hucks.

VX-9 Vampires F/A-18F Super Hornet BuNo 166791, XE-260, approaches a USMC VMGR-452 KC-130 Hercules Aerial Refueler to conduct a refueling mission during exercise Northern Edge 2011, June 15, 2011, Joint Pacific Alaska Range Complex, Alaska. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Amanda Dick.

VX-9 Vampires F/A-18F Super Hornet BuNo 166791, XE-260, refueling from a USMC VMGR-452 KC-130 during exercise Northern Edge 2011, June 15, 2011, Joint Pacific Alaska Range Complex, Alaska. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Amanda Dick.

VX-9 Vampires E/A-18G Growler BuNo 166945, XE-500, taxis into position at Elmendorf AFB during Northern Edge 2011, 16 June 2011. Official U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ron Kuzlik.

VX-31 Dust Devils HM2 Benjamin Hernandez stands in front of the CoNA inspired retro-painted SH-60F Sea Hawk BuNo 163286, COSO 460, used in local SAR operations in and around the upper Mojave Desert, 14 June 2011. Official U.S. Navy photo.

VX-31 Dust Devils AWS1 Anthony Michalski stands next to COSO 101, the F/A-18C Hornet BuNo 162510 that bears the CoNA retro-theme paint scheme. He was chosen as VX-31’s Sailor of the Year (SOY) an honor that is proudly displayed on the nose landing gear access door of the jet. China Lake, 14 June 2011. Official U.S. Navy photo.

VX-31 Dust Devils AWS1 Anthony Michalski scans the terrain from the open cabin door of Rescue 462, a VX-31 Dust Devils SH-60F helicopter, while searching for survivors, 20 June 2011. Official U.S. Navy photo.

VX-31 Dust Devils AWS1 Anthony Michalski peers outside and talks his pilots into a confined area landing at a high-altitude mountainous terrain training destination. SH-60F pilots cannot see beneath or behind the cockpit and rely completely on their air crewman to guide them around obstacles and position them for landing, 20 June 2011. Official U.S. Navy photo.

The Portable Geospatial Products Library (PGPL), aka "Whopper," deployed with the USS Carl Vinson in December 2010. The PGPL held more than 30 terabytes of targeting data, China Lake, 22 June 2011. U.S. Navy photo.

Squadron Leader Steve Rossiter from 3 Squadron prepares for the last Australian F/A-18 departure from China Lake, 27 June 2011. U.S. Navy photo.

Paul Butler, project team lead for the Royal Australian Air Force at China Lake bids farewell to Susan Walker, foreign military sales case manager, China Lake, 27 June 2011. U.S. Navy photo.

Left to right: Members of VX-31’s SAR team, Lt. Neal Barham, LCdr. Ken Gilbert, AWR2 Hermilio Perez and AWS1 Mark Podzon, were the launch crew aboard SH-60F Seahawk BuNo 163286, COSO 460, that responded to a fire fighting support mission 12 July 2011. Official U.S. Navy photo.

Capt. Chad Hamilton, NAWCWD VX-31 Dust Devils H-1 pilot and project officer, describes his specialized equipment to the second annual Summer Science Camp students who visited the VX-31 flightline at Armitage Field, 14 July 2011. U.S. Navy photo.

VX-9 Vampires F/A-18E Super Hornet BuNo 166927, XE-231, sits on the flight line at Kingsley Field in Klamath Falls, OR during the Sentry Eagle Open House, 23 July 2011. U.S. Air Force Photo by TSgt. Jennifer Shirar.

The flight crew for the VX-9 Vampires F/A-18F Super Hornet BuNo 166925, XE-230, step to their aircraft at Kingsley Field in Klamath Falls, OR during the Sentry Eagle Open House, 23 July 2011. U.S. Air Force Photo by TSgt. Jennifer Shirar.

China Lake’s color guard posts the colors at Capt. Rich Burr’s retirement ceremony. Soloist HM3 Megan Zarate (left) readies to sing the National Anthem, China Lake, 28 July 2011. U.S. Navy photo.

VX-9 Vampires F/A-18F Super Hornet BuNo 166673, XE-250, Rocky Mountain Metro Airport, Jefferson county, CO, 14 August 2011. Photo by Marv Vandeweert.

The 9,000 square-foot Rapid Prototyping Facility (with airfield access) was designed to allow for rapidly prototyping systems for our warfighters, China Lake, 26 August, 2011. U.S. Navy photo.

Capt. Timothy "Eel" Morey, Commander Naval Test Wing Pacific, delivers the traditional salute to his plane captain as he taxies out of the VX-31 flight line to begin his last flight in the Navy, China Lake, 29 August 2011. U.S. Navy photo.

Hundreds of American flags graced both sides of Blandy Avenue to acknowledge and celebrate the promotion of China Lake’s newest chief petty officers Friday, September 16, 2011. U.S. Navy photo.

Maj. Gary “Mouth” Shill flew VX-31 Dust Devils AV-8B Harrier BuNo 164129, DD-88, in an historic biofuels test event over the Land Ranges of China Lake on Wednesday, 21 September 2011. Official U.S. Navy photo.

After preliminary ground test events earlier in the week, VX-31 Dust Devils AV-8B Harrier BuNo 164129, DD-88, was flown by Maj. Gary “Mouth” Shill. According to Hal Bennett, project lead for the AV-8B bio fuel flight test program, the testing was flawless. Harrier #88 rolled down the runway several hundred feet before a short take off, then accelerated into a maximum performance climb, 21 September 2011. Official U.S. Navy photo.

VX-31 Dust Devils AV-8B Harrier BuNo 164129, DD-88, flown by USMC Maj. Gary “Mouth” Shill, going vertical in a climb over China Lake Land Ranges, during the biofuels test flight, 21 September 2011. Official U.S. Navy photo.

Following a successful biofuels test flight, Maj. Gary Shill exits the cockpit of VX-31 Dust Devils AV-8B Harrier BuNo 164129, DD-88, at the China Lake airfield, 22 September 2011. Official U.S. Navy photo.

Left to right, George Ka’iliwai, Andrew Sabin, and Naval Facilities South West Public Works officer Cdr. Rod Tribble in front of one of the many photovoltaic solar panels located aboard NAWS, China Lake, 29 September 2011. Official U.S. Navy photo.

A rainbow heralded the Rapid Prototyping Facility (RPF) ribbon cutting ceremony in a restricted area on Naval Air Weapons Station, China Lake, 05 October 2011. U.S. Navy photo.

F/A-18A Hornet BuNo 163092 port side in the markings of the VX-31 Dust Devils, William B. McLean Laboratory, China Lake, CA, 07 October 2011. Photo by G. Verver.

AGM-84H-1 SLAM ER missile, Dr. William B. McLean Laboratory, China Lake, CA, 07 October 2011. Photo by G. Verver.

AGM-154 Joint Standoff Weapon (JSOW), Dr. William B. McLean Laboratory, China Lake, CA, 07 October 2011. Photo by G. Verver.

F/A-18A Hornet BuNo 163092 stbd side in the markings of the VX-9 Vampires, port side in the markings of the VX-31 Dust Devils, William B. McLean Laboratory, China Lake, CA, 07 October 2011. Photo by G. Verver.

F/A-18A Hornet BuNo 163092 stbd side in the markings of the VX-9 Vampires, William B. McLean Laboratory, China Lake, CA, 07 October 2011. Photo by G. Verver.

GBU-12 PAVEWAY II laser-guided bomb, Dr. William B. McLean Laboratory, China Lake, CA, 07 October 2011. Photo by G. Verver.

AGM-88E Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile (AARGM), Dr. William B. McLean Laboratory, China Lake, CA, 07 October 2011. Photo by G. Verver.

R/UGM-109 Tomahawk Land Attack Cruise Missile, Dr. William B. McLean Laboratory, China Lake, CA, 07 October 2011. Photo by G. Verver.

AGM-154 Joint Standoff Weapon (JSOW), Dr. William B. McLean Laboratory, China Lake, CA, 07 October 2011. Photo by G. Verver.

AGM-65 Maverick, stbd side of F/A-18A Hornet BuNo 163092, William B. McLean Laboratory, China Lake, C, 07 October 2011. Photo by G. Verver.

AIM-7 Sparrow, stbd side of F/A-18A Hornet BuNo 163092, William B. McLean Laboratory, China Lake, CA, 07 October 2011. Photo by G. Verver.

GBU-12 Precision Guided Bomb, stbd side of F/A-18A Hornet BuNo 163092, William B. McLean Laboratory, William B. McLean Laboratory, China Lake, CA, 07 October 2011. Photo by G. Verver.

AIM-120C AMRAAM missile, Dr. William B. McLean Laboratory, China Lake, CA, 07 October 2011. Photo by G. Verver.

AIM-9X Sidewinder missile and port side of F/A-18A Hornet BuNo 163092 in the markings of the VX-31 Dust Devils, Dr. William B. McLean Laboratory, China Lake, CA, 07 October 2011. Photo by G. Verver.

AIM-9X Sidewinder and AGM-88 HARM, port side of F/A-18A Hornet BuNo 163092, William B. McLean Laboratory, China Lake, CA, 07 October 2011. Photo by G. Verver.

AD-4N Skyraider BuNo 125739 in the markings of the VX-5 Vampires, Dr. William B. McLean Laboratory, China Lake, CA, 07 October 2011. Photo by G. Verver.

Five inch HVAR rockets and conventional iron bomb on the stbd side of AD-4N Skyraider BuNo 125739 in the markings of the VX-5 Vampires, Dr. William B. McLean Laboratory, China Lake, CA, 07 October 2011. Photo by G. Verver.

MK-52 mine by AD-4N Skyraider BuNo 125739 in the markings of the VX-5 Vampires, Dr. William B. McLean Laboratory, China Lake, CA, 08 October 2011. Photo by G. Verver.

Five inch HVAR rockets on AD-4N Skyraider BuNo 125739 in the markings of the VX-5 Vampires, Dr. William B. McLean Laboratory, China Lake, CA, 07 October 2011. Photo by G. Verver.

Bombardment Aircraft Rocket (BOAR) 30.5-inch Rocket, Mark 1, Mod 0, unguided air-to-surface rocket for standoff nuclear capability for carrier-based aircraft. on display at the China Lake Museum of Armament & Technology, China Lake, CA, 08 October 2011. Photo by G. Verver.

A-6E Intruder BuNo 152936, Polaris missile and F/A-18A Hornet BuNo 160775 on display at the Museum of Armament and Technology entrance, China Lake, CA, 08 October 2011. Photo by G. Verver.

Blandy Ave. looking west from the Museum of Armament and Technology, China Lake, CA, 08 October 2011. Photo by G. Verver.

Sidewinder-1 missile, China Lake Museum of Armament and Technology, 08 October 2011. Photo by G. Verver.

Five inch liquid propellant target rocket, Museum of Armament & Technology, 08 October 2011. Photo by G. Verver.

NAWS T-39D Sabreliner BuNo 150992, DD-393, Celebration of Naval Aviation Open House, Armitage Field, China Lake, 15 October 2011. Photo by G. Verver.

VX-31 Dust Devils Whose Who, south side of hangar 3, Celebration of Naval Aviation Open House, Armitage Field, China Lake, 15 October 2011. Photo by G. Verver.

NAWS logo, south side of hangar 3, Naval Aviation Centennial, Armitage Field, China Lake, 15 October 2011. Photo by G. Verver.

More than 3,000 Navy military and civilians celebrated the Centennial of Naval Aviation at the China Lake festival, hangar 3, China Lake, 15 October 2011. U.S. Navy photo.

South side of VX-31 Dust Devils hangar 3, Celebration of Naval Aviation Open House, Armitage Field, China Lake, 15 October 2011. Photo by G. Verver.

West side, south end of VX-31 Dust Devils hangar 3, Celebration of Naval Aviation Open House, Armitage Field, China Lake, 15 October 2011. Photo by G. Verver.

VX-31 Dust Devils logo, south side of hangar 3, Celebration of Naval Aviation Open House, Armitage Field, China Lake, 15 October 2011. Photo by G. Verver.

East side, south end of VX-31 Dust Devils hangar 3, Celebration of Naval Aviation Open House, Armitage Field, China Lake, 15 October 2011. Photo by G. Verver.

VX-31 Dust Devils AH-1W Sea Cobra BuNo 159228, DD-002, Celebration of Naval Aviation Open House, Armitage Field, China Lake, 15 October 2011. Photo by G. Verver.

VX-31 Dust Devils AH-1W Sea Cobra BuNo 159228, DD-002, Celebration of Naval Aviation Open House, Armitage Field, China Lake, 15 October 2011. Photo by G. Verver.

VX-31 Dust Devils AV-8B Harrier BuNo 163871, DD-86, Celebration of Naval Aviation Open House, Armitage Field, China Lake, 15 October 2011. Photo by G. Verver.

VX-31 Dust Devils F/A-18E Super Hornet BuNo 166871, DD-200, Celebration of Naval Aviation Open House, Armitage Field, China Lake, 15 October 2011. Photo by G. Verver.

NAWS T-39D Sabreliner BuNo 150992, DD-393, Celebration of Naval Aviation Open House, Armitage Field, China Lake, 15 October 2011. Photo by G. Verver.

VX-31 Dust Devils F/A-18E Super Hornet BuNo 166871, DD-200, Celebration of Naval Aviation Open House, Armitage Field, China Lake, 15 October 2011. Photo by G. Verver.

VX-31 Dust Devils F/A-18E Super Hornet BuNo 166871, DD-200, Celebration of Naval Aviation Open House, Armitage Field, China Lake, 15 October 2011. Photo by G. Verver.

VX-31 Dust Devils F/A-18E Super Hornet BuNo 166871, DD-200, NAWS T-39D Sabreliner BuNo 150992, DD-393, and VX-31 Vampires F/A-18C Hornet BuNo 165210, COSO-101, painted in a retro CoNA paint scheme, Celebration of Naval Aviation Open House, Armitage Field, China Lake, 15 October 2011. Photo by G. Verver.

VX-31 Vampires F/A-18C Hornet BuNo 165210, COSO-101, painted in a retro CoNA paint scheme, Celebration of Naval Aviation Open House, Armitage Field, China Lake, 15 October 2011. Photo by G. Verver.

VX-31 Vampires F/A-18C Hornet BuNo 165210, COSO-101, painted in a retro CoNA paint scheme, Celebration of Naval Aviation Open House, Armitage Field, China Lake, 15 October 2011. Photo by G. Verver.

American flag flying from the ladder of China Lake Fire Department Truck 22, Celebration of Naval Aviation Open House, Armitage Field, China Lake, 15 October 2011. Photo by G. Verver.

Wash rack and fire fighting trainer, south of hangar 3, Celebration of Naval Aviation, Armitage Field, China Lake, 15 October 2011. Photo by G. Verver.

Michael D. Kraus' Vans RV-4 s/n 2036, N223RV, Celebration of Naval Aviation Open House, Armitage Field, China Lake, 15 October 2011. Photo by G. Verver.

Paul Valovich's Vans RV-8A s/n 82243, N912NM, in VA-192 (USS Ticonderoga) markings, Celebration of Naval Aviation Open House, Armitage Field, China Lake, 15 October 2011. Photo by G. Verver.

VX-30 Bloodhounds S-3A Viking BuNo 160581, BH-701, painted in a CoNA retro paint scheme, Armitage Field, China Lake, 15 October 2011. Photo by G. Verver.

Canadian 410 Squadron CF-18 (CF-188B) Hornet s/n 188923, Celebration of Naval Aviation, Armitage Field, China Lake, 15 October 2011. Photo by G. Verver.

VX-9 Vampires F/A-18E Super Hornet BuNo 165780, XE-500, Celebration of Naval Aviation, Armitage Field, China Lake, 15 October 2011. Photo by G. Verver.

VX-9 Vampires F/A-18F Super Hornet BuNo 166886, XE-214, Celebration of Naval Aviation, Armitage Field, China Lake, 15 October 2011. Photo by G. Verver.

General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper UAV s/n 04-014 with AGM-114 Hellfire missiles, Celebration of Naval Aviation, Armitage Field, China Lake, 15 October 2011. Photo by G. Verver.

General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper UAV s/n 04-014 with AGM-114 Hellfire missiles, Celebration of Naval Aviation, Armitage Field, China Lake, 15 October 2011. Photo by G. Verver.

Close-up of AGM-114 Hellfire missile on General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper s/n 04-014, Celebration of Naval Aviation, Armitage Field, China Lake, 15 October 2011. Photo by G. Verver.

VX-31 Dust Devils MH-60S SeaHawk BuNo 165759, DD-463, Celebration of Naval Aviation, Armitage Field, China Lake, 15 October 2011. Photo by G. Verver.

Rescue 1, China Lake Fire Crash Crew, Armitage Field, Celebration of Naval Aviation, China Lake, 15 October 2011. Photo by G. Verver.

VX-9 Vampires F/A-18C Hornet BuNo 164716, XE-300, Celebration of Naval Aviation, Armitage Field, China Lake, 15 October 2011. Photo by G. Verver.

From the back, VX-9 Vampires F/A-18C Hornet BuNo 164879, XE-301, at left F/A-18E Super Hornet BuNo 165780, XE-100, F/A-18D Hornet BuNo 164237, XE-400, and F/A-18F Super Hornet BuNo 166886, XE-214, Celebration of Naval Aviation Open House, Armitage Field, China Lake, 15 October 2011. Photo by G. Verver.

VX-9 Vampires hangar 1 and control tower, Celebration of Naval Aviation, Armitage Field, China Lake, 15 October 2011. F/A-18E Super Hornet BuNo 166957, XE-111, at left. Photo by G. Verver.

VX-9 Vampires hangar 1 and control tower, Celebration of Naval Aviation, Armitage Field, China Lake, 15 October 2011. Photo by G. Verver.

VX-31 Dust Devils F/A-18F Hornet BuNo 165928, DD-211, Celebration of Naval Aviation, Armitage Field, China Lake, 15 October 2011. Photo by G. Verver.

VX-31 Dust Devils F/A-18E Super Hornet BuNo 165669, DD-214, Celebration of Naval Aviation, Armitage Field, China Lake, 15 October 2011. Photo by G. Verver.

VX-9 Vampires E/A-18G Growler BuNo 166945, XE-500, Celebration of Naval Aviation, Armitage Field, China Lake, 15 October 2011. Photo by G. Verver.

West side of hangar 2, Celebration of Naval Aviation, Armitage Field, China Lake, 15 October 2011. Photo by G. Verver.

Air Terminal, SE corner of hangar 2, Celebration of Naval Aviation, Armitage Field, China Lake, 15 October 2011. Photo by G. Verver.

VX-9 Vampires F/A-18F Super Hornet BuNo 166673, XE-250, Celebration of Naval Aviation, Armitage Field, China Lake, 15 October 2011. Photo by G. Verver.

VX-9 Vampires EA-6B Prowler BuNo 160436, XE-510, Armitage Field, China Lake, 15 October 2011. Photo by G. Verver.

VX-9 Vampires E/A-18G Growler BuNo 166946, XE-501, Celebration of Naval Aviation, Armitage Field, China Lake, 15 October 2011. Photo by G. Verver.

VX-31 Dust Devils F/A-18C Hornet BuNo 163459, DD-102, Celebration of Naval Aviation, Armitage Field, China Lake, 15 October 2011. Photo by G. Verver.

VX-31 Dust Devils F/A-18F Super Hornet BuNo 166635, DD-213, Celebration of Naval Aviation, Armitage Field, China Lake, 15 October 2011. Photo by G. Verver.

VX-31 Dust Devils E/A-18G Growler BuNo 166642, DD-500, Celebration of Naval Aviation, Armitage Field, China Lake, 15 October 2011. Photo by G. Verver.

Misc. ordnance including 2.75" 19 round rocket pods and VX-31 Dust Devils F/A-18F Super Hornet BuNo 166843, DD-223, Celebration of Naval Aviation, Armitage Field, China Lake, 15 October 2011. Photo by G. Verver.

VX-31 Dust Devils F/A-18E Super Hornet BuNo 165793, DD-215, F/A-18F BuNo 166843; DD-223 and F/A-18E BuNo 165660, DD-204, and misc. ordnance including 2.75" 19 round rocket pods Celebration of Naval Aviation, Armitage Field, China Lake, 15 October 2011. Photo by G. Verver.

VX-31 Dust Devils F/A-18F BuNo 166843; DD-223 and F/A-18E BuNo 165660, DD-204, Celebration of Naval Aviation, Armitage Field, China Lake, 15 October 2011. Photo by G. Verver.

GT Aeronautics RQ-1 Bandit (Predator) UAV, Celebration of Naval Aviation, hangar 3, Armitage Field, China Lake, 15 October 2011. Photo by G. Verver.

Scan Eagle SUAV, Celebration of Naval Aviation, hangar 3, Armitage Field, China Lake, 15 October 2011. Photo by G. Verver.

RQ-2B Pioneer UAV, Celebration of Naval Aviation, hangar 3, Armitage Field, China Lake, 15 October 2011. Photo by G. Verver.

The Forward Firing Miniature Munition (F2M2), formerly "Spike," weighs about six pounds and is about 24 inches in length, Celebration of Naval Aviation, hangar 3, Armitage Field, China Lake, 15 October 2011. Photo by G. Verver.

The Miniature Guided Bomb Unit (MGBU) weighs less than four pounds and can be utilized by small UAVs such as the STUAS and RQ-7 Shadow, Celebration of Naval Aviation, hangar 3, Armitage Field, China Lake, 15 October 2011. Photo by G. Verver.

GPS-Guided Miniature Munition (G2M) 40mm-sized precision miniature munition, Celebration of Naval Aviation, hangar 3, Armitage Field, China Lake, 15 October 2011. Photo by G. Verver.

Cutaway view of the F2M2 Forward Firing Miniature Munition, Celebration of Naval Aviation, hangar 3, Armitage Field, China Lake, 15 October 2011. Photo by G. Verver.

VX-31 Dust Devils AV-8B+ Harrier BuNo 165305, DD-83, in-flight with an Intrepid Tiger II (IT II) precision Electronic Warfare (EW) pod. IT II is designed to provide U.S. Marine Corps fixed, and rotary wing aircraft with a distributed, adaptable and net-centric Airborne Electronic Attack (AEA) capability that can be controlled from the cockpit or by a ground operator. China Lake, 16 October 2011. Official U.S. Navy photo.

Members of the China Lake maintainers who support NAWCWD’s VX-31 Dust Devils squadron gather for a rare group photo, 24 October 2011. U.S. Navy photo.

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