NAS Lemoore is the Navy's main master jet air station for the Pacific Strike Fighter Wing.

The base is large – very large – so large that once you get inside it’s still a good drive to get to the airfield itself.

The station encompasses almost 30,000 acres and the operations and runway areas are located 7 miles from the administrative and housing areas of the base.

The station is also surrounded by a "Green Belt" which extends for 3 miles completely around the base. It was established as a way to control urban development in order to prevent future problems with jet noise with regards to population build-up adjacent to the station.

All things it seems have been thought of to combat the kind of issues bases such as NAS Oceana, VA and Buckley AFB, CO have had to deal with lately.

The day we visited the mist was hanging around for the whole time we were on base, and only started to be broken up by the sun as we left – isn’t that always the way?

Many aircraft had left the base the day before we arrive and so activity was limited to shooting aircraft on the ground.

The base has some very nice gate guards, including the smartest Skyraider I have seen for a long time.

Thanks to Dennis McGrath for his hospitality, humour and funny walks, and to Martin Keen from CAG for the organisation.