NAS Patuxent River
Visit to the Webster Field Annex
End of May 2002
The Patuxent River [known to the Navy as "Pax River"] Naval Air Station Complex stretches across 25 miles of shoreline at the mouth of the Patuxent River, overlooking the picturesque Chesapeake Bay, 65 miles southeast of Washington DC and 90 miles south of Baltimore. The Complex supports naval aviation operations by researching, developing, testing and evaluating aircraft, aircraft components and related products. The facilities are also used by foreign governments, academic institutions and private industry for similar projects.
NAWC Patuxent River continues to serve as the Navy's principal research, development, test, evaluation, engineering and fleet support activity for naval aircraft, engines, avionics, aircraft support systems and ship/shore/air operations. In addition the installation hosts the Navy Test Pilot School, and both NAS Patuxent River and the nearby OLF Webster host Unmanned Aerial Vehicle operations, all of which regularly use the installation's airspace complex.
The Complex covers approximately 6,500 acres at the station itself with an additional 850 acres at the Webster Field Annex, located about 13 miles southwest of the station in St. Inigoes, Maryland. The Patuxent River complex encompasses five acres at Point Lookout, the southern most tip of St. Mary's County. Of this acreage, the federal government acquired roughly 7,500 acres through eminent domain, inheriting a considerable inventory of pre-historic and historic resources.
I visited the Webster Field Annex where a transmitter of CPI's is being used in a precision approach radar that aids pilots to land aircraft on various types of ships . . . mainly aircraft carriers at night and in poor visibility conditions. The airfield at the Webster Annex is certainly very interesting and it occupies some of the most beautiful landscape in Southern Maryland. I wish I had been allowed to take pictures while on the Webster air field . . . of the facility itself and the people I worked with. They are a hospitable bunch of people too. But, because of security concerns . . . mostly evolving from the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack on our soil, that was not to be. But, I did get these pictures below in the immediate southern Maryland area. I think you'll agree they are lucky people to be living in such a beautiful and historic place.
See . . . I really was there. Well, this only proves I got a vehicle pass I guess. LOL.
I just happened to be there when flight testing resumed on the V-22, Osprey aircraft at PAX on Wednesday, May 29th. Because of several well publicized crashes of these prototype aircraft and the high visibility of the program, it has been grounded the last 18 months or so. The aircraft (a tilt-rotor) combines the characteristics of an airplane and a helicopter in one aircraft. It is noisy . . . but I assume its main advantage is speed over the typical helicopter. So, the enemy may hear it on its final approach to their position but they may not have time to react to it. This is not a picture I took, but I did see this aircraft flying all over the area . . . most of the time it was accompanied by an FA-18. NEAT!!!
Isn't that a beautiful sunrise through the ground fog? I think it is. The fog was like this both mornings I drove from California, MD down to St Inigoes, MD to work. This was taken looking to the east over a wheat field toward a wooded area in the background.
Neat marshy area just off the road on the way to work in the morning near St Inigoes and Webster Field.
OK . . . A 4-leaf clover means I'm going to have good luck. Right? So what does a 5-leaf clover mean? If it means bad luck . . . it's wrong. This trip and visit to Webster Field and southern Maryland was just great.
Amber Waves of Grain
She's a little blurry . . . but I think you can make out the lady-bug on the wheat head.
There are places in New England where they use this old-style construction method for split-rail fences . . . but fences like this are more numerous in southern Maryland.
For some reason I did not learn on this visit, many barns have vines growing all over them. Why do you suppose they do that?
St Mary's City, MD
"Here for the first time in America, men and women of differing faiths lived in peace and goodwill." So says a sign along the highway here. Apparently this was the place where Roman Catholics first settled in America. There are some very old Catholic and Episcopal churches in this area. The original city is long gone, but today's people have erected frame structures on the original foundations of the old structures. Certainly a very historic area of this country.
I guess they call these "personal watercraft" rather than "jet skis" these days.
Doesn't matter what they're called . . . looks like fun to me.
Stoney's, Broomes Island, MD
Mom . . . I love your crabcakes. However, the crabcake sandwichs I got here along the Patuxent River were the best I've ever had anywhere. Thanks for the recommendation Bill.
Stoney's is in a beautiful setting right on the river not too far from the mouth of the Patuxent River where it empties into the Chesapeake Bay.
Boat-tail Grackle looking for a handout.
Not sure if those boats are outfitted for catching crabs, clams, oysters or something else entirely. They are sure different looking compared to the typical Gloucester fishing boat I know well. Must be a reason for it.
Inlet area along the St Mary's river near it's mouth where it empties into the Chesapeake Bay.
Lazy hazy morning (6 AM) at a small marina on the St Mary's River near Webster Field.
Still Water
Taken from a slightly different position along the river bank at that same marina as in the above photo.
Wild Flowers
I'm sure the state must plant these wild flowers along the roads. They sure are beautiful aren't they.
More super flowers along the road.
And, still more flowers.
Thanks to everyone I worked with at Webster Field. You're sure lucky to live and work in such a beautiful part of this country. Thanks for that good old southern Maryland hospitality.
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