Norfolk "Chambers Field" NAS - Spotting Guide

Norfolk “Chambers Field” NAS – Spotting Guide

April 1, 2024 - last modified on April 4, 2024

Norfolk “Chambers Field” Naval Air Station NAS (NGU/KNGU) is a Naval airfield located in Virginia along the US East coast. It is home to C2 and E2 squadrons along with CH-53 and UH-60 squadrons. In addition, you can regularly see bigger cargo aircraft like a C5 or C17 along with ATI, FedEx, Atlas air and other. In addition, Chambers does get a lot of foreign military traffic too.

Written by Severin Hackenberger in cooperation with Michael Ganoe Jr, Joe Waxman, Matt Wright and Phenom188. Last Update: January 2024

Rating
Movements
Photo Locations
Weather
Airport Information
Runways
10/28	2551m / 8370ft
Terminals
T1	There is one terminal facility in the south handling the passenger flights.
Spotting Information
Ladder	It is not recommended to use ladders here at all!
Car/Public Transport	A car is definitely needed to get around the airfield and reach the spots.
Drinks/Food
Hotels	Some hotels around, but no specific spotter hotels.
Season	No season in terms of way more traffic, but around bank holidays (christmas, easter, …) traffic may be a bit quieter.
Security	Remember that this is a USAF air base! Always try to keep a low profile (stow your camera at all times e.g.) and be aware of law enforcement. Police and USAF security forces are uneasy of photographers around the base and it is very possible you will be asked to leave. In addition, always keep an ID with you in case you are getting checked: stay friendly, simply explain what you do here and cooperate… Mostly if you just say you are watching planes (and try to not have your camera next to you), they will leave you alone and tell you not to make any pictures. But sometimes they do also run license plate checks, wanna see the pictures on your SD or they will even make you delete shots, so plan on either having throwaway shots or download shots to another device while spotting to be safe. Stay away from the fence! Do not use ladders at all! Be aware that spot 1 and 2 are on military property: spotting is technically not allowed at all and if approached by the military or local city police you can get in trouble! For more information see the following law.
Runway Usage
General Info	10/28 used in both directions according to the winds.

	Spot #1 – Navy fitness pool carpark / Jack Rabbit storage – 10 Arrivals
WHERE	This location can be found right in the parking lot of the Navy fitness pool west of the air base. You are located just outside the base and entrance within many military members. So keep a very low profile, stay in the car at all time and take your pictures in between quickly! You may also try to stand south of the big highway and trainlines in the dead end road west of the Jack Rabbit storage facility. There you have a better angle and are not that close to the fence in danger of being approached by security!

WHAT	Aircraft arriving on runway 10 are passing right by here. Be aware that E2s and C2s may turn in on at last minute and the angle can vary.

TIME	In winter all day, in summer around noon.

MISC.	Keep a very low profile here! Just down south along the road you will find plenty restaurants and similar. Be aware that this spot is on military property: spotting is technically not allowed at all and if approached by the military or local city police you can get in trouble! For more information see the following law.

FOCAL LENGTH	50-250mm A330 = 75mm

Navy fitness pool carpark:

Jack rabbit storage:

	Spot #2 – Military Carpark – 10/28 + Ramp movements
WHERE	This spot is located on the top floors of a military carpark along Signonella Avenue. Anyone is able to enter this carpark, not just military personnel, make your way to the upper floors and take some pictures quickly!

WHAT	All runway movements plus also some movements on the ramp in front.

TIME	In winter all day, in summer around noon – but due to haze issues only recommended from fall to spring.

MISC.	This spot is on military property and thus highly risky: come, take some pictures and leave again! Do not stay for too long to avoid attention! Heat haze is a HUGE issue as you are shooting across an interstate and tarmac for over 1,5 miles… So we cannot recommend this spot in summer, but in winter it is great!Be aware that this spot is on military property: spotting is technically not allowed at all and if approached by the military or local city police you can get in trouble! For more information see the following law.

FOCAL LENGTH	200-500mm

	Spot #3 – Monument of Joy Church – 28 Arrivals
WHERE	This spot is located at the Monument of Joy Church along Granby St a few hundred meters east of the airfield as there is no free space and view onto the arrivals earlier. Position yourself here on the parking lot as there you’ll have free view. The church parking is often closed: we advise to park along East Bayview St and walk back here to the corner by foot.

WHAT	Arrivals on runway 28.

TIME	In winter all day, in summer around midday.

MISC.	Be careful as there can be some traffic on the street so keep a very low profile: come here, take your shots and leave again. A few meters to the east along Tidewater Dr there are some stores and restaurants.

FOCAL LENGTH	100-400mm A330 MRTT = 135mm / E2= 400mm

	Spot #4 – Willoughby boat ramp – Helicopter pads
WHERE	This position is more a lookout and not a real spot for great pictures. It is the Willoughby boat ramp at the end of Bayville St north of the base.

WHAT	From here you can see the helicopters pads across the whole bay…

TIME	Backlit all day except in summer, but then it is way too hot for good pictures.

MISC.	Heat haze is an HUGE issue here. That’s why this position is more a lookout… Nothing real store around here.

FOCAL LENGTH	>400mm