On Friday, October 13, 2017 at 11:34:22 PM UTC-7, Rich Owen wrote:
Guys, I flew fighters for 22 years. The only time I turned my transponder off was in Libyia and during Desert Storm. Can’t say about my fellow fighter pilots but it was not the norm to leave mode C off. I think if you are in an area where military or civilian “fast movers” fly, a transponder is a smart move! It will never make up for good look out doctrine.

Cheers,
Rich

Rich, I don't think any fighter pilots would intentionally turn off their transponder. Radar coverage was good in my area to trigger a nearby transponder for PowerFlarm detection. Perhaps, since the fighter was operating in R2505, it was turned off for a special mission. He had just popped out of the restricted area for a downwind and turn to land at China Lake.

Walt WX