I heard about the crash of the US Air Force's top fighter the F-22 on March 25, 2009. Unfortunately, the Lockheed Martin test pilot retired USAF Lt Col David "Cools" Cooley was killed while ejecting supersonic just seconds before impact. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_P._Cooley
I started going over maps and reading reports from the news websites. They put the accident 35 miles NE of Edwards AFB. Another news outlet reported that the site was 6 miles N of Harper Dry Lake. Drawing two lines on a map, where those two lines intersected, I had a rough idea where it was at.
I apologize in advance for not having more photos. I didn't dare take any photos of the USAF Security Forces when I encountered them. I didn't want them to know I was taking photos. I didn't have any high tech cameras either.
Below is a Google Earth Map that gives you an overview of what is to transpire. South is at the top of the photo, so you get a better view of my observation point.
I gathered together all my optics, my ham radios and my GPS units. I also brought my laptop with mapping software and paper maps. I headed out towards Fremont Peak and Cuddeback Dry Lake, hoping to get some high ground to get a good overview. I didn't see any military activity at Cuddeback Dry Lake and saw plenty of ATVs and off road vehicles on a typical Sunday Afternoon.
First Encounter
I then started to head east along the southside of Fremont Peak. As I pulled into a road intersection, I saw orange cones to my left and to my right. I figured I was in an area I wasn't supposed to be in. I then noticed a White Ford Explorer with red and blue lights racing towards me. I backed up and stopped. It was a USAF Security Police truck with two guys in it. The driver told me to kill my engine by moving his hand across his neck. I complied.
He told me, "I don't know if you this, sir. But we had a plane crash here last week and this area is closed."
I said, "No, I'm sorry. I'll go back the way I came."
He said, "No problem." He then extended his arm in all directions and said, "This whole valley is closed due to a possible health hazard. If you see anyone else tell them the same thing." I noted that he wasn't wearing any protective clothing.
I said, "Ok." And I turned around and started heading back. In the distance I could see two ATVs with USAF security forces on them.
I figured that I had found the north part of the secured area and plotted their location on my map. I had already been north of this position and didn't see anything. I knew I had to find high ground north of here.
I then began the long trek around Fremont Peak. I tried taking a short cut and found myself boxed in a tight canyon that had a dead end. Luckily I was able to find a spot to turn around and get out.
After making my way across the north side of Fremont Peak, I started to look for high ground on my maps. I found a trail that took me to a good vantage point. Once I got there, I put myself on the military crest, so that I didn't profile myself against the clear sky while on top of the hill.
I could then see the silver Quonset type buildings that are part of a law enforcement training range. I had read of some cops rushing to the downed pilot upon his ejection. So I knew the site was close to these huts.
To the SW of these huts, I could see military tents and vehicles. I used a map and figured out that it was almost four miles away.
The photo quality is poor, but you can still make some of it out. I was using my digital point and shoot on macro mode through a 20x spotting scope. Hey, I'm a Marine... we improvise. You can make out two porta potties (men and womens?) a Military GP tent and various GOV SUVs. I also saw several people in white suits walking near that area.
I went into observation mode. I located the Security Police truck I encountered earlier. I also found another one.
The wind was really kicking and it was hard to hear anything. I was thinking that they had to have a UAV overhead for this. Their top fighter crashed and I doubt the GOV wanted anyone close to it. Those thoughts were confirmed via another internet trip report where some people were camping at Fremont Peak and noticed a high slow flying plane overhead at night. They were then visited by USAF Security Forces in a truck with a FLIR unit onboard. The Security Force guy confirmed a UAV was overhead.
I then phoned my boss who went to the USAF Academy and was interested in my trip. I talked to him for about 20 minutes about what I was seeing. Then a thought suddenly came to mind...I then began to wonder if they had signal interception going as well due to the Patriot Act and all. I ended my phone call and took the battery out.
Second Encounter
About two minutes later, I saw two ATVs headed in my direction. I thought they were recreational ATVrs at first and got turned away by the Security Forces guys. As they got closer, I took a look in my binos and saw that they had stopped and were looking at me in their binos.
I was bought and paid for at that point. I wondered if I should delete the images on my camera? Erase my map markings? Hide my optics?
I wasn't going to try and outrun them and draw even more suspicion. As they got closer, I could see the weapons cases strapped to the rear of their ATVs. They then started driving right up the side of the steep hill I was on.
One ATV went to the rear of my Jeep. The other pulled alongside my driver door.
We had a short conversation and I left. I left out the details of the conversation on purpose.
I then figured my day was over at this point. I didn't want to piss them off anymore. I knew from previous military experience that they couldn't legally detain me on public land due to posse comitatus. I did know that they can phone or radio to Civilian LE to take care of me.
I headed back across Cuddeback Dry Lake and to Twenty Mule Road and east towards California City. I let out a sigh of relief after making it relatively unscathed and with photos in my possession. Just as that happened, here comes a 4wd Police Truck from California City PD coming right towards me. I wave and he waves as he passes by. Whew!
Though I am still awaiting a visit from men in black.
