Photography by Hank Plumley » Hank Plumley

Photos of AEHF-2 Satellite Launch at Cape Canaveral, May 4, 2012

Hank Plumley — Fri, 11 May 2012 14:20:10 +0000

On May 4th I attended the AEHF-2 Satellite launch at Cape Canaveral, Florida. The satellite was carried to space atop an Atlas V rocket. It was my first time attending a launch, and it did not disappoint at all ! Amazing what the USAF Space Wing as well as all aerospace companies and NASA have done and continue to do.

Here are photos of the launch.

The Atlas V carrying the AEHF satellite lifts off from Cape Canaveral, Complex 41 on May 4, 2012.

By Chris Calkins

Chief media Relations 45th Space Wing

5/4/2012 - CAPE CANAVERAL AFS, Fla. –

The 45th Space Wing successfully launched the second Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) satellite onboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V vehicle here today from launch pad 41 at 2:42 p.m. AEHF-1 was launched from here in August of 2010.
The rocket flew in the 531 vehicle configuration with a five-meter fairing, three solid rocket boosters and a single-engine Centaur upper stage.
The commander of the 45th Space Wing praised the work of all those involved
in making this launch a success.

Full story can be found on the Patrick Air Force Base website – Air Force Launches 2nd Advanced Satellite

The Atlas V carrying the AEHF satellite clears the lightning towers on Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral, Florida. May 4, 2012.

The Atlas V rocket carrying the AEHF satellite streaks towards space during launch at Cape Canaveral Complex 41, Florida. May 2012.

Hobe Sound, Florida Photos part one April 2012

Hank Plumley — Sun, 15 Apr 2012 14:40:30 +0000

First of two posts featuring photos from Hobe Sound, Florida. Yet another must visit location when visiting Florida !

Enjoy !

(clicking on the photos will take you to the full store gallery)

A path on the dunes at Blowing Rocks Preserve, Hobe Sound, Florida. March 27, 2012.

A low view of the Atlantic Ocean through a railing at Blowing Rocks Preserve in Hobe Sound, Florida. March 27, 2012.

Waves crash on teh rocky beach at Blowing Rocks Preserve in Hobe Sound, Florida. March 27, 2012.

Fishing poles lined up on the beach at Blowing Rocks Preserve in Hobe Sound, Florida. March 27, 2012.

Stuart, Florida Sunset Photos April 2012

Hank Plumley — Sat, 14 Apr 2012 14:28:25 +0000

Some more sunset photos from my recent visit to Florida. This time the location is Stuart looking west towards the Roosevelt Bridge. Great setting for sunset photos!

Enjoy !

(clicking the photos will take you to the full gallery store)

The sun just touches the Roosevelt Bridge during a sunset in Stuart, Florida. March 30, 2012.

The sun hides behind a tree which is behind the Roosevelt Bridge in Stuart, Florida. March 30, 2012.

Big sky during sunset behind the Roosevelt Bridge in Stuart, Florida. March 30, 2012.

Wide shot of a sunset in Stuart, Florida. The Roosevelt Bridge is in shadow. March 30, 2012.

Hutchinson Island, Florida Photos April 2012

Hank Plumley — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 14:41:53 +0000

Some photos from Hutchinson Island, Florida. Hutchinson Island is on the east coast of Florida and is a barrier island. The island hosts amazing beaches and is pretty un-congested as far as Florida goes. A great place to get lost for a day or three.

Enjoy !

(clicking on the photos will take you to the full gallery or store)

A seagull takes in the afternoon sun on Santa Lucea Park/Beach on Hutchinson Island, Florida. April 2012.

Parts of Santa Lucea Park are very rocky. Waves continually crashing against them eroding them to create more sandy beaches. Hutchinson Island, Florida. April 2012.

Shells litter the beach at Santa Lucea Park, sort of like little gifts from the Atlantic Ocean. Hutchinson Island, Florida. April 2012.

The boardwalk to Santa Lucea Park beach, Hutchinson Island, Florida. April 2012.

Nettles Island, Florida Photos April 2012

Hank Plumley — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 14:41:29 +0000

Nettles Island is a small island off of Hutchinson Island on the east coast of Florida. It’s more or less a “snow birds” resort type of island, but every season a few more decide to stay.

The island is on the lake or inlet side of the barrier island, so no ocean views are available. That being said, many, many spectacular views await !

Enjoy !

(clicking the photos will take you to the full store gallery)

A pelican sits on a pole waiting for the correct fishing conditions on Nettles Island, Florida. April 2012.

A palm tree blows in the ocean breeze on Nettles Island, Florida. April 2012.

Boats docked in the bay on Nettles Island, Florida. April 2012.

Homestead Air Reserve Base Flight Ops, April 2, 2012 part two

Hank Plumley — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 15:09:15 +0000

The final post of flight operations photos from Homestead Air Force Reserve Base in Homestead, Florida on April 2nd, 2012.

Enjoy !

(clicking the photos will take you to the full store gallery)

FM AF 87 0337, General Dynamics F-16C Fighting Falcon Block 30E c/n 5C-443, banks while on approach to Homestead Air Reserve Base, April 2012.

FM AF 88 0402, General Dynamics F-16C Fighting Falcon Block 30K c/n 5C-616, dropping out of the clouds on approach to Homestead Air Reserve Base, Homestead, Florida. April 2012.

N16281, Piper PA-34-200 c/n 34-7350122 registered to Dean international, on approach to Homestead Air Reserve Base, April 2012.

N92324, Cessna 172M c/n 17261562 regitered to Christian Air Inc., on approach to Homestead Air Reserve Base, April 2012.

Homestead Air Reserve Base Ops, April 2nd, 2012 part one

Hank Plumley — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 14:31:25 +0000

First of two posts featuring some flight operations photos from Homestead Air Reserve Base on April 2, 2012.

Enjoy !

(clicking the photos will take you to the full store gallery)

An F-16 Fighting Falcon gets a wash before heading out at Homestead Air Reserve Base, Homestead, Florida.

FM AF 86 0053, General Dynamics F-16D Fighting Falcon Block 30E c/n 5D-56, on approach to Homestead Air Reserve Base, Homestead, Florida.

FM AF 86 0307, General Dynamics F-16C Fighting Falcon c/n 5C-413, on approach through the palms, to Homestead Air Reserve Base, Homestead, Florida.

Side shot of FM AF 87 0337, General Dynamics F-16C Fighting Falcon Block 30E c/n 5C-443, on approach to Homestead Air Reserve Base, Homestead, Florida.

Homestead Air Reserve Base Static Display Photos

Hank Plumley — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 15:07:52 +0000

Photos of the static display aircraft at the main gate to Homestead Air Reserve Base in Homestead, Florida.

Enjoy !

(clicking on the photos will take you to the full store gallery)

OY AF 60-0267 F-4D Phantom, McDonnell Douglas, wide head on shot at Homestead Air Reserve Base, Homestead, Florida. April 2012.

OY AF 60-0267 F-4D Phantom, McDonnell Douglas, standing guard at Homestead Air Reserve Base, Homestead, Florida. April 2012.

FM AF 79 0326, General Dynamics F-16A Fighting Falcon, Block 10 at the entrance to Homestead Air Reserve Base in Homestead, Florida.

Wide Shot of FM AF 79 0326, General Dynamics F-16A Fighting Falcon, Block 10 at the entrance to Homestead Air Reserve Base in Homestead, Florida.

Hutchinson Island, Florida Sunset Photos – Part Two

Hank Plumley — Sun, 08 Apr 2012 14:59:19 +0000

The final post featuring sunset photos from Hutchinson Island, Florida.

Enjoy !

(clicking on the photos will take you to the full gallery and store)

The sunset turns the sky burnt orange on Hutchinson Island, Florida

The sun peeks out one last time during a sunset on Hutchinson Island, Florida

The sun slips behind a cloud deck during the sunset at Hutchinson Island Inlet

Hutchinson Island, Florida Sunset Photos – Part One

Hank Plumley — Sat, 07 Apr 2012 14:15:50 +0000

Beginning the edits on many photos from my recent trip to Florida. I was pretty overwhelmed by all the photo ops that are down there, seems to be more than Vegas and if you’ve followed this blog, you know that is a huge statement for me to make !

Hutchinson Island is on the East coast of Florida near Stuart and Palm City. It’s a barrier island bordered by the ocean to the East, a lake to the West and an inlet on the North. To say there are great sunrise and sunset locations is a gross understatement !

(clicking the photos will take you to the full gallery and store)

Orange reflections on the bay from the sunset on Hutchinson Island

The clouds make wings as the sun sets between them on Hutchinson Island

Sunsetting on Hutchinson Island, Florida