VMFT-401 ” Snipers” is the Marine Corps only “Adversary or Aggressor ” Squadron in service. Currently located at MCAS Yuma AZ. This small unit flies the Northrop F-5n Tiger II with aircraft painted in the Eastern Bloc type adversarial Camouflage pattern. Most of these F-5n were ex-Swiss Air Force aircraft and the reason for choosing the jets is that she has the characteristics close to the MIG-21 fighter that our “potential” enemy is flying. “Snipers” mission it to provide instruction to Active and Reserve Fleet Marine Forces and Fleet squadrons through dissimilar adversary combat tactics.
This Saturday morning (2-4-2018), 8x F-5n from VMFT-401 came through Ft Worth Alliance Airport ( KAFW ) when they were on their way back to MCAS Yuma flying via El Paso, TX. We caught 7x F-5N from VMFT-401 and 1x F-5N from VFC-13 “Saints” . Also on the tarmac we spot a single T-38C from Laughlin AFB , a T-6 “Texan II from Sheppard AFB and a lone F/A-18F from VFA-41 “Black Ace” base at NAS Leemore, CA.
The beauty of the Aggressors F-5n comes from their diverse on their camouflage patterns. These camouflage schemes usually depicts certain adversary aircraft types from the cold war era Eastern bloc fighters to Middle eastern camouflage patterns. Some also depicts newer Russian jets like the SU-27 and SU-30 jets currently being use. . Please note these pictorial illustration and credit of these pictures are indicated on the pictorial respectively.
Lizard Camo Pattern by Thierry Le Masson ( 101AIRBASE.COM)
Blue Grey Camo pattern by Thierry Le Masson ( FOX-TWO.COM)
White Grey Camo Pattern by Thierry Le Masson ( FOX-TWO.COM)
Brown sand Camo Pattern by Thierry Le Masson ( FOX-TWO.COM)
8x of the F-5n was schedule to launch right at about 1000hrs and the pilots show up like a clockwork. Here are the air-crafts that was photographed.
Aircraft by Serial Number caught in this event
| Aircraft Type | Unit | Bord and S/N | Color scheme |
| F-5N | VMFT-401 | 01-761583 | Blue |
| F-5N | VMFT-401 | 04-761546 | lizard |
| F-5N | VMFT-401 | 11-761526 | lizard |
| F-5N | VMFT-401 | 07-761572 | Yellow Splinter |
| F-5N | VMFT-401 | 10-761589 | White Grey |
| F-5N | VMFT-401 | 09-761579 | White Grey |
| F-5N | VMFT-401 | 03-761541 | brown desert |
| F-5N | VFC-13 | 00-761549 | White Grey |
| F-18F | VFA-41 | 104-166847 | TPS Scheme |
| T38C | 87th FTS | 66-385 |
Hotramp Actions
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- F-5 from VMFT_401 and VFC-13 on hot ramp KAFW
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- 03-761541 brown and 07-761572 Yellow splinter on the hot ramp
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- 07-761572 getting ready
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- 07-761572 pilot ready
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- AFW hot ramp VNFT-401
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- British Aggressor pilot making hand sign
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- VFC-13 761549 and 761589 VMFT401
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- 03-761541 brown and 07-761572 Yellow splinter taxi
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- 07-761572 Yellow splinter and 09-761579 white F5 on hot ramp
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- 09-761579 white F5 on hot ramp
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- VFC-13 761549 and 761589 VMFT401 on the hot ramp
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- VFC-13 761549 and 761589 VMFT401 on the hot ramp
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- 01-761583 pilot getting ready
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- lizard schem 761526 on hot ramp
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- 01-761583 and lizard schem 761526
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- lizard schem 761526 and VFC-13 761549
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- lizard schem 761526 taxi
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- VFC-13 761549 and lizard schem 761526 taxi
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- Hot ramp shots of T38, VFC-13 and VMFT-401 f5n
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- hot ramp actions KAFW
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- lizard schem 761526 taxi
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- 01-761583 taxi
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- 01-761583 taxi starboard side
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- twin grey F-5n 10-761589 and 09-761579
VMFT-401 Launching actions
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- 09-761579 launching runway 17R
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- 11-761526 and 01-761583 launching
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- 11-761526 and 01-761583 launching
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- 11-761526 and 01-761583 launching closeup
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- VFC-13 00-761549 launching
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- launching VFC-13 00-761549
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- 761526 Lizard scheme on the move
Static Aircraft on the hotramp
We caught some T38, T6 and FA/-18F on the hotramp
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- 104-166847 VFA-41 F-18F hot ramp with 07-761572 VMFT-401 and 03-761541
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- 104-166847 VFA-41 F-18F side view
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- 104-166847 VFA-41 F-18F closeup
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- 104-166847 VFA-41 F-18F rear view
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- T-38C 66-385 on the hot ramp KAFW
Article and Photograph by Dave Chng