Waltz41 Posted April 2, 2011 Share Posted April 2, 2011 It finally came. On March 30, 2011, NAS JRB Willow Grove held it's Disestablishment and Final Flight Ceremony. It was a really sad day on Wednesday. They brought in several aircraft that were based at Willow Grove in the past, which I thought was pretty cool. This included a UH-1N and AH-1W from HMLA-773 in Johnstown, PA (they used to be based in WG, and are moving to McGuire in July), a MD ANG A-10 (flown by a former 103rd FS, 111th FW PA ANG pilot, who used to be based at WG), a centenial painted P-3 Orion from NAS Jacksonville, as well as the last former tennants which included a USN C-12, a C-9 from VR-52, a CH-53 from HMH-772, and a C-130 from VR-64. Each aircraft was parked in front of the large VR hanger and were set as a static display. The disestablishment ceremony was held inside the hanger, and then at the end, they opened the hanger doors and each aircraft started, taxied and took off one last time, then making one last pass before the field and crowd. The last aircraft to depart was the P-3, which after it's 'encore' pass, the tower shut down, and they turned off the runway lights forever. The weather started out decent with some sun, and just got really dark and gloomy as the day went on.....kind of fitting for the day I'd say. I've really only been following the day to day ops at WG since I moved close to the base 5 years ago, but like many from the area, I grew up going to the airshows, visiting the museum aircraft outside, and simply seeing the 'traffic' when driving by. It still doesn't make much sense to me for closing the base, and that's not just because I live near it and want it open, but that part is history. I'm just hoping they use the runway for a GA aiport or something, not a Wal-mart or low income housing project. Here's some pics: Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Waltz41 Posted April 2, 2011 Author Share Posted April 2, 2011 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Waltz41 Posted April 2, 2011 Author Share Posted April 2, 2011 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
strikeeagle801 Posted April 2, 2011 Share Posted April 2, 2011 Those are some great shots! I especially like the multiple airframe shots where some are in focus and some are not. Great layout! Aaron Quote Link to post Share on other sites
GreyGhost Posted April 2, 2011 Share Posted April 2, 2011 Great photos of a somber event ... Thanks for sharing them ... Gregg Quote Link to post Share on other sites
HOLMES Posted April 2, 2011 Share Posted April 2, 2011 SUPERB , STUNNING photos of a very sombre day.. Thank you for taking these photos for posterity and the tower and the hangar are also a building that cant be replaced...good photos of them too, Shame that they have to shut these magnificent places and then they are lost forever under some horrible concrete effigy and I like you, hope it remains as it is, and not some horrendous carpark for a supermarket. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
terrysumner Posted April 2, 2011 Share Posted April 2, 2011 The museum is stayiing open though???? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
FAR148 Posted April 2, 2011 Share Posted April 2, 2011 Nice shooting for on an overcast day. :D Steven L Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lenny Posted April 2, 2011 Share Posted April 2, 2011 Great shots. I've got a bunch of time in that C-12M 163840. Nice flying bird. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ken Middleton Posted April 2, 2011 Share Posted April 2, 2011 Nice shots and historical capture Brian. BRAC stinks Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sig Saur & Son Posted April 3, 2011 Share Posted April 3, 2011 In regard to the museum, the ME-262 went to Pensacola and the F-14 went to Great Lakes. Don't know what will become of the remaining aircraft in the museum. My interest in aviation photography began at the Grove fifty years ago. Sad, sad day. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
B-ONE27 Posted April 3, 2011 Share Posted April 3, 2011 Couldn't have said it any better Sig-my interest in military aviation was born at Willow Grove myself at a young age-driving from Trenton, NJ just to spot!! Can't bring myself to believe this. Thanks Walt /Sig and all who have posted pics of in my opinion one of the best airfields to spot at. In regard to the museum, the ME-262 went to Pensacola and the F-14 went to Great Lakes. Don't know what will become of the remaining aircraft in the museum. My interest in aviation photography began at the Grove fifty years ago. Sad, sad day. :wacko: Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Waltz41 Posted April 3, 2011 Author Share Posted April 3, 2011 Thanks everyone...it definitley wasn't the best of weather to shoot them in, but as I said before, the weather 'fit' the mood of the day. And yes, it was a very sad day, a lot of people know Willow Grove and the base and a lot of great memories people have from there.........I still get angry thinking back all the way to when the BRAC decision was made. As far as the museum goes, it's still up in the air. They just found out that they are allowed to stay there till May (which is like a month extension) but they are still fighting to keep it open, all depends I guess with what happens to the 'land' of the base and who is getting to use it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sig Saur & Son Posted April 4, 2011 Share Posted April 4, 2011 Great job covering the closing event. I think the official date of closure is still 15 September. Here are a few shots from the halcyon days at the Grove. http://www.airfighters.com/photo/40979/M/U...A-Orion/152146/ http://www.airfighters.com/photo/47087/M/U...sair-II/156874/ Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Waltz41 Posted April 5, 2011 Author Share Posted April 5, 2011 Great job covering the closing event. I think the official date of closure is still 15 September. Here are a few shots from the halcyon days at the Grove. Thanks Dave. You are right with the official closure date as well. Keep posting up your vintage shots too! I love seeing what the base used to be back in the day. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Aggressor Supporter Posted April 5, 2011 Share Posted April 5, 2011 Seems fitting that all those airplanes and helicopters are present before the base closes. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sig Saur & Son Posted May 22, 2011 Share Posted May 22, 2011 Gonna miss this base. Spent may a happy hour there playing on (and in) the aircraft on display there when I was a kid. http://www.airfighters.com/photo/74122/M/Japan-Navy/Kawanishi-N1K1-Kyofu-quot-Rex-quot/565/ Quote Link to post Share on other sites
43E60 Posted June 20, 2011 Share Posted June 20, 2011 With all the Del Val reservists that drill there,just couldnt see reasoning for closure maybe real estate brokers had something to do with it plus the $375 million generated by the base.I was stationed there in'56 and again in '70. Millions of dollars in upgrades over the years.I worked on SNJ,HUP,SNB,R4D,C54 and my last 14 years on C118's.I understand the DV museum stays. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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