Aviation & Ships Spotting in Malta

Anything from Civil & Military Aviation to Naval Vessels

Naval Flat-Tops in Malta*

USS Nassau (LHA 4) ...from 14th to 18th March 2008

HMS Illustrious (R 06) ...26th to 29th February 2008

USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) ...from 15th to 19th August 2007

SPS Principe de Asturias (R 11) ...from 16th to 17th March 2007

HMS Illustrious (R 06) ...from 21st to 26th November 2005

USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) ...from 29th July to 2nd August 2004

USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67) ...from 26th to 30th June 2004

* since June 2004

USS Nassau (LHA 4)... 14-18 March 2008

Only two helos were embarked on USS Nassau during her port-call in Valletta GH:

  • MH-60S Knighthawk - 166347 / BR-43 
  • MH-60S Knighthawk - 165752

HMS Illustrious (R 06)... 26-29 February 2008

Naval Aviation Assets embarked:

  • Merlin HM.1 (ZH835 / 270)
  • Merlin HM.1 (ZH839 / 266)
  • Merlin HM.1 (ZH841 / 264)
  • Merlin HM.1 (ZH845 / 265)
  • Merlin HM.1 (ZH861 / 267)
  • Merlin HM.1 (ZH864 / 268)

USS Kearsarge (LHD 3)... 15-19 August 2007

U.S. Marines Aviation Assets embarked:

  • 12 x CH-46E SeaKnights (EM-00/01/02/03/04/05/06/07/10/11/12/14)

  • 4 x CH-53E SeaStallions (EM-20/21/22/23)

  • 4 x AH-1W SeaCobras (EM-30/31/32/33) 

  • 2 x UH-1N Iroquois (EM-40/41) 

  • 6 x AV-8B Harrier II/II Plus (EM-50/51/52/53/54/55)

  • 2 x MH-60S Knighthawks (AM-11/13) *U.S. Navy

SPS Principe de Asturias (R 11)... 16-17 March 2007

Naval Aviation assets embarked:

  • AB.212ASW  -  HA.18-12 / 01-316
  • EAV-8B+  -  VA.1B-24 / 01-914
  • EAV-8B+  -  VA.1B-25 / 01-915
  • EAV-8B+  -  VA.1B-28 / 01-918
  • EAV-8B+  -  VA.1B-30 / 01-920
  • EAV-8B+  -  VA.1B-35 / 01-923
  • EAV-8B+  -  VA.1B-36 / 01-924
  • EAV-8B+  -  VA.1B-37 / 01-925
  • EAV-8B+  -  VA.1B-39 / 01-927
  • Hughes 369M  -  HS.13-11 / 01-611
  • SH-3H/AEW  -  HS.9-01 / 01-501
  • SH-3H/AEW  -  HS.9-11 / 01-511
  • SH-3H/AEW  -  HS.9-12 / 01-512
  • SH-3H  -  HS.9-16 / 01-516

HMS Illustrious (R 06)... 21-26 November 2005

Embarked Tailored Air Group:

  • Sea Harrier F/A.2  ZH796 / L-001
  • Sea Harrier F/A.2  XZ440 / L-002
  • Sea Harrier F/A.2  ZE690 / L-003
  • Sea Harrier F/A.2  ZH803 / L-004
  • Sea Harrier F/A.2  ZH813 / L-006
  • Sea Harrier F/A.2  ZH804 / L-007

  • Merlin HM.1  ZH856 / 266 *
  • Merlin HM.1  ZH855 / CU-267 *
  • Merlin HM.1  ZH836 / CU-268 *
  • Merlin HM.1  ZH863 / 270

  • Sea King ASaC.7  ZE418 / 186
  • Sea King ASaC.7  XV714 / 188

Note: * at Malta International Airport during port-call of HMS Illustrious in Malta

USS Kearsarge (LHD 3)... 29 July - 2 August 2004

Only two helos were embarked on USS Kearsarge during her port-call in Valletta GH:

  • MH-60S Knighthawk - 166306 / BR-47
  • MH-60S Knighthawk - 166308 / BR-46

USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67)... 26-30 June 2004

Carrier Wing embarked: CVW-17 (coded: AA)

 Unit  Nickname  Aircraft Type   Unit Code
 VF-103  Jolly Rogers   F-14B Tomcat  AA-1## 
 VFA-34  Blue Basters  F/A-18C Hornet  AA-2##
 VFA-83   Rampagers  F/A-18C Hornet  AA-3##
 VFA-81  Sunliner  F/A-18C Hornet  AA-4##
 VAQ-132  Scorpions  EA-6B Prowler   AA-5##
 VAW-125  Tigertails  E-2C Hawkeye  AA-60# 
 HS-15  Red Lions   SH-60F / HH-60F   AA-61# 
 VS-30  Diamond Cutters  S-3B Viking   AA-7## 
 VRC-40  Rawhides   C-2A Greyhound   ---