Naval Air Facility (NAF) El Centro (NJK/KNJK) is a military facility run by the US Navy forces in the south of California. It is located close to the Mexican border (roughly 20km) and is home to units training military bombing and air-to-air as well as the Blue Angles training base in winters. They are normally here from the 1st January week untill the first Airshow in March (El Centro Airshow), then train for their flight program for the upcoming air shows. Training times are from (MO-FR) 08:00 to 10:00 and from 13:00 to 15:00. In addition, the air base is also home to the US Joint Helicopter Forces/Command, that’s why you will see some Bells and similar around sometimes.

The air base was opened in May 1946 and served as home to the Marines most of the time. However, since the 80s the facilities are being used by the Navy.

Written by Severin Hackenberger in cooperation with Christian Preinl and Joost De Wit (Spot 3). Last Update: March 2021

Rating
Movements
Photo Locations
Weather
Airport Information
Runways
08/26	2897m / 9503ft – Asphalt concrete
12/30	2080m / 6824ft – Asphalt concrete
Spotting Information
Ladder	Recommended at all points to be safe. Only use a small (2-3 steps) one and just put it up once actually needed.
Car/Public Transport	Car needed, no public transport around.
Restrooms – Drinks/Food – Hotels	Nothing around, just fields. Bring everything you need.
Season	Summer is very hot and hazy, winter is awesome with smooth light, nice temperatures and the Blue Angels training.
Security	Spotting is tolerated here, however you should keep a low profile and adjust to the common “military spotting rules”. Do not be at the fence all the time, carry an ID with you, greet the stuff friendly and always just explain asking people what you do honestly. As NAF El Centro had a very good connection to spotters in the history, every site tries to keep allowed as much as possible. Do not try to push the local boundaries, just adjust to them! Therefore please take a closer look at the most recent piece written by the base’s public affairs office to use aviation photographers: LINK
Runway Usage
08/26	Used by the “normal” Marine fighters, transporters and mostly helicopters also fly in this direction in/out.
12/30	Blue Angles mostly use this runway here.

	Spot #1 – Elm Canal – Taxi and line-up 26
WHERE	This spot is at the end of W Aten Rd, which ends in front of the airport fence, so just drive this dirty street to the end. The Elm Canal is on the left side then, park your car there and spot from the fence then or from you car’s top a few meters away from the fence.
WHAT	All runway 26 movements are visible from here plus taxi and line-up jets to runway 26 and also heavy aircraft when vacating runway 08 after arrival.
TIME	Sunrise till later noon.
MISC.	Spotting is no problem here normally, base security gives you a friendly greeting. A small stepladder (2-3 steps) is recommended. Bring what you need, no restrooms, no food, no drinks. Haze can be an issue on hot days.
FOCAL LENGTH	24-400mm Osprey side on = 105mm / Fighter = 300mm

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	Spot #2 – Runway 30 Head – Taxi and line-up 30
WHERE	This spot is located at runway head 30 and you can easily get there by following the Elm Canal further south from spot #1. The car can be parked on the eastern side of the small canal again and then just spot from the fence here.
WHAT	All runway 30 movements are visible from here. Taxi and line-up jets to runway.
TIME	Sunrise till later noon.
MISC.	A small stepladder (2-3 steps) is recommended. Bring what you need, no restrooms, no food, no drinks. Haze can be an issue in summer
FOCAL LENGTH	50-400mm Runway overview = 175mm / Blue Angle face to face = 290mm

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	Spot #3 – Silsbee Rd – 26 arrivals
WHERE	A few hundred meter east of spot #1 at the intersection to Silsbee Rd is this location. Just stay on the side of the road.
WHAT	This is for banking shots when a/c turn final for runway 26.
TIME	Best time is late afternoon until sunset
MISC.	Bring what you need, no restrooms, no food, no drinks.
FOCAL LENGTH	Air: At least 400mm for fighters. Ground: Shot was taken at 265 but side-on for F18 is around 105mm.

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	Spot #4 – Farmer fields – 08 + 26 movements
WHERE	This spot is located along the fence and the farmer fields in the west of the base. These fields are located on a slightly elevated area, so ladder not absolutely needed. The easiest way to get to the spot is to take the road to the main gate of the base, but do not enter the base. Turn left onto the sandy paths and following the base fence along the paths to the northwest, so always stick to the elder canal and airport fence as shown on the map.
WHAT	All runway 08/26 movements are visible from here. Taxi to line-up 08 and jet exit the runway 26. And also departures of runway 08 and 26.
TIME	Depends on the runway usage, but actually all day (except the extreme times/hours of the day).
MISC.	Bring what you need, no restrooms, no food, no drinks.
FOCAL LENGTH	200-400mm C130 = 330mm

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