Atlas V 501 NROL-39

 

 

On 6 December 2013, at 2314 hrs. local time, an Atlas V rocket carried a classified payload, known simply as NROL-39, and a host of small, student built CubeSats into orbit from Space Launch Complex-3E (SLC-3E) at Vandenberg Air Force Base, CA. These are shots from my vantage point approximately 2.75 miles from the launch site. It was a frigid night (by California standards) for a launch. So cold in fact that, as temperatures dipped below freezing at some points, there were concerns that it would be too cold to proceed with the fueling process. The pre-launch forecast actually called for a 60% chance of no-go for that reason. Thankfully that didn't happen, and it was definitely a show well worth standing out and freezing for, though.

Click on the thumbnail to view the photos, and enjoy!

James :-)

Just an update on Tomcat Photography...

Hey everybody! As you all probably have noticed, I've been on a sort of "hiatus" here as of late. Tomccat Photography is still going strong, and it will continue to go strong, but I have been blessed with a position on the Lompoc High basketball coaching staff, which over the next few months will take up large chunks of my time. The sport of basketball has always been my passion, but due to chronic knee issues, I was basically told that my body wasn't "built" to play, and that I had to give it up. Needless to say, this opportunity is one that I am beyond excited to have in front of me at this point. Don't worry though, I will never give up presenting the aviation and rocket launch photography that (I hope) everybody here has come to know and love.

On that note, still in the on-deck circle are albums from the 2013 Wings Over Camarillo show and the fantastic Warbirds Over Paso Robles show as well, so make sure you stay tuned for those.

Thanks so much for your continued support. Thank you a million times.

James :-)

Inaugural VAFB Falcon 9 launch

 

On 29 September 2013 at 0900 hrs., the inaugural SpaceX Falcon 9 from Vandenberg Air Force Base roared to life, successfully carrying the Canadian Cassiope satellite into orbit. This launch also marked the first flight of the Falcon 9 v1.1 with upgraded Merlin engines, and the first time a payload fairing has been used on this launch vehicle.

The launch was a huge event that marked many firsts for SpaceX and Vandenberg Air Force base, and I was honored to be there to photograph it. Click on the thumbnail to enjoy the album!

James :-)

Thank You

Hey everyone!

Well, as you are probably aware, I covered the Delta IV NROL-65 launch from Vandenberg Air Force Base on 28 August 2013 and I posted the album here a couple days later. Well, I was playing around over on my photo hosting site today and I could not believe my eyes when I looked at the amount of views that the launch album got. I've been doing this now for two years, I've posted quite a few albums here, and for the most part, I've been thrilled with the amount of views that they get. This one, though? This one absolutely shattered, obliterated, and destroyed every record. Over 3,000 views for the launch album, and over 6,000 (yes, that is SIX THOUSAND!!!!) individual visitors to my website on 30 August 2013. I just wanted to say THANK YOU! Thank you, thank you, thank you! Thank you all SO MUCH for supporting my little endeavor here and checking out my photos. You all totally rock and make this worthwhile. Love you all!

James :-)

Delta IV-Heavy NROL-65

 

On Wednesday, 28 August 2013, at Vandenberg Air Force Base, a massive Delta IV-Heavy launch vehicle successfully carried a classified payload, known only as NROL-65, into orbit for the National Reconnaissance Office.

Click on the thumbnail to check out the album!

James :-)

Off to Camarillo!

Hey everybody! Been a while, huh? Well, believe me, I have kept busy :-) The gear's all prepped, and I'm looking forward to finally getting back into the groove of photographing things that fly this weekend as I head off to the Camarillo Airport. "Wings Over Camarillo" features many vintage World War II warbirds, and this show has quickly become a show that I eagerly look forward to every year. Stay tuned for photos, folks. Tomcat Photography is back, and I guarantee you won't be disappointed! James :-)

Collings Foundation Visit - Santa Barbara Airport, 2013

For the second time in as many years, it was an honor and a privilege to spend a couple days on the ramp at Santa Barbara Municipal Airport shooting a trio of warbirds from the Collings Foundation. Their B-17G Flying Fortress, "Nine-0-Nine", B-24J Liberator, "Witchcraft", and their TP-51C Mustang, "Betty Jane" do a wonderful job of bringing you back to the time of the "Greatest Generation."

Click on the thumbnail to visit the album, and enjoy!

James :-)

Aluminum Overcast, Paso Robles Airport 2013

 

The Experimental Aircraft Association's B-17G Flying Fortress "Aluminum Overcast", an aircraft I was fortunate enough to fly on back in 2011 (see the album of my flight in the "Previous Albums" section here on the site), stopped over at Paso Robles Airport for a visit during it's annual tour. Click on the thumbnail and enjoy!

James :-)

Port San Luis Lighthouse

 

A tour of the beautiful Port San Luis Lighthouse (and some of the surrounding scenery) in Avila Beach, CA with myself and my very superbly talented associate photographer, Syndi Dukes. Click on the thumbnail and enjoy the photos!

James :-)

B-29 Superfortress "FIFI" visits Camarillo, CA

The Commemorative Air Force's Airpower History Tour made a stop at Camarillo Airport in mid-March to showcase some warbirds of days gone by. The centerpiece of the visit was the only airworthy B-29 Superfortress currently in existence, "FIFI". I was honored to be able to photograph these pieces of history up close, and the Commemorative Air Force folks are a pure joy to deal with. Despite the massive crowd, they made me and everybody else there feel welcome with warm smiles and great conversation, and I thoroughly enjoyed every second of this photo shoot.

As always, click on the above thumbnail and enjoy the album!

James :-)

Boston Tragedy

I would like to offer my most heartfelt condolences to anybody affected by the tragedy at the Boston Marathon. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.

-James-

Morro Bay and Montaña de Oro State Park

 

Beautiful scenery from Morro Bay, California and Montaña de Oro State Park. Yes, I took some photos for this album, but the real star of the show here is my incredible friend Syndi Dukes. She took the most amazing photos for this album! Absolutely fantastic stuff...she's a natural at this photography thing :-)

Click the thumbnail and enjoy!

James :-)

Atlas V Landsat Data Continuity Mission

On the morning of 11 February 2013, the ever-reliable Atlas V rocket flying in the 401 configuration (Four meter fairing, no solid rocket motors, single engine Centaur upper stage) successfully thundered into orbit with the Landsat Data Continuity Mission, or LDCM. The operational satellite will be called Landsat 8.

Click on the thumbnail to check out the launch photos!

James :-)

Big Bear, CA

 

 

Was hoping this trip to Big Bear, CA in early December would provide some shots of snow, but alas, that was not to be. It did provide these shots of some of the beautiful scenery there, though.

Click the thumbnail to check out this small album.

I also added THIS shot to my "Weather Photography" album that I took when a brief storm passed through some time ago.

James :-)

Missile Defense Agency CTV-01 launch

On the afternoon of 26 January 2013, the Missile Defense Agency tested a new Ground Based Interceptor missile. The GBI is designed to intercept missiles launched at the United States by hostile nations.

I viewed the launch from Harris Grade Rd. in an effort to avoid the low clouds and fog that plagued the base during a launch once again. I was a little further away than I would have liked, but it worked out OK. As always, click on the thumbnail and enjoy the photos.

I also updated my Lunar Photography album with THIS cool shot of the moon rising on the evening of 26 January 2013.

James :-)

Aviation Nation 2012

Eagles, Vipers, a Heritage Flight, and the final show of the season from the United States Air Force Thunderbirds after spending a chilly Sunday in November at Nellis AFB, Nevada shooting the Aviation Nation 2012 air show. Click on the thumbnail to view the album!

James :-)

California Science Center

A shoot at California Science Center in Los Angeles on the opening day of Space Shuttle Endeavour's display at the facility. Also included, a Lockheed A-12 and an F-20 and T-38 on display inside. Click on the thumbnail and enjoy the photos!

And for those of you just interested in seeing Endeavour, here's a link to a separate album:

OV-105 Endeavour on display at the California Science Center

James :-)