INTRODUCTION
CGAS Traverse City is nothing without its brave men and women and their unwavering dedication to their mission.
There are a few things one comes to learn about Traverse City, Michigan when you first visit. First - it's a stunning place. From the crystal clear water to the beaches to the dunes, there's no shortage of picturesque vistas. Second - the annual National Cherry Festival, hosted in Traverse City, is a great way to celebrate the area and enjoy some Michigan hospitality. Finally, and certainly not least: Traverse City is a Coast Guard City. During the National Cherry Festival, USCG Air Station Traverse City serves as the heart and soul of the event. It's a chance for the air station to host its neighbors during their annual open house, and a chance for the area to honor its Coast Guard heroes who keep them safe all year round. A pilgrimage to Traverse City has become an annual tradition for Aviation Photojournal, and 2018 was no exception. The hospitality and partnership from every person at the air station was awe inspiring.
In 2018, the air station hosted a variety of aircraft for the open house and air show including the US Navy Blue Angels and their Hornets, 2 A-10 Warthogs from the Michigan Air National Guard and 2 5th-generation F-35As from the 33rd Fighter Wing based at Eglin AFB, FL. These visitors provided APJ with some of our best photography opportunities to date, including the world's first air-to-air photographs taken of an F-35 alongside an MH-60T Jayhawk. We hope you'll enjoy reading this Special Issue as much as we enjoyed creating it.
Dan & Ricardo
September 2018