GL: VHF coverage crossing the gulf and question about restricted areas

[Albin43SDtr]

>'Lo Jake and All,

>....when we were suddenly illiminated by a searchlight from some 
>sort of silent aircraft. A
>few second later, a second, then a third and then yet a 4th. So, 
>what were we doing wrong, and what was going on?

I can only guess, But: Much of the Gulf of Mexico near Tyndall and 
Eglin AFBs use the Gulf as a target range. Flight operations can be 
in daylight hours or in darkness. This is the restricted areas shown 
on the charts. The AF controls those areas. The usual procedure (at 
least when I worked with the Drone Program) when setting up for a 
"live fire" mission where fighters actually fire missiles (with dummy 
warheads) and/or guns at drone aircraft (either full or sub-scale), a 
look-down radar is operated from a high-flying aircraft to find any 
type of marine vessel crossing or fishing in the area. All surface 
traffic is plotted for speed and direction. A "shoot box" is then 
created where the firings can take place and no DETECTED surface 
craft will be endangered. At night, flares are dropped to help 
identify surface craft if there is any doubt. Range Safety is 
paramount. Then the game is on. Since these are high performance 
aircraft, sonic booms are quite common. Locally, the sonic booms are 
called "The Sounds of Freedom".

The Air Combat Maneuvering Instrumentation Range (ACMI) towers are 
also located in the Gulf between Carrabelle and Apalachicola. Well, 
one tower is on land. They are 100' tall towers (Labled "Air Force" & 
"Letter" on charts) that allow pilots to practice dog fights with 
each other using either missiles or guns. It is all simulated, of 
course, but the reality is there. Each participating aircraft carries 
an ACMI pod that "talks" to the towers. If the ACMI says you were 
hit, you would have been hit in real life had the missiles or guns 
been actually fired at you. And, a miss is a real miss, not a maybe. 
Astounding accuracy that has ruined many pilot's egos.... ;) Again, 
sonic booms are quite common here, too. Fun to watch 'em go at it.

This is not to say that you couldn't have had the USCG checking you 
out, too, but the loud noises makes me believe that it was night 
flight ops doing their thing - or maybe both doing their own things. 
Who knows..... THE SHADOW KNOWS.....    (Telling my age.....)


Take care and be safe.

Wayne
M/V Celestial
Albin43 Sundeck
Panama City, FL area