MCAS Miramar Air Show
Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Miramar Air Show
by John Thow
We have been attending the air show at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar since 2004, and it remains one of our favorite events of the year. Miramar is billed as the world’s largest “Combat Air Show” and while the show today is a bit smaller than that of years past, it is the only show we attend that rolls tanks and trucks as well as featuring modern-day aircraft.
The Marines bring their own brand of excitement to crowds year after year with the amazing MAGTF (Marine Air Ground Task Force) demonstration. MAGTF offers a chance to get a brief look at a wide variety of Marine hardware and tactics. Everything from attack helicopters to inserting personnel on the mock battlefield, followed by high-speed strafing runs with F/A-18 Hornets and AV-8B Harriers, lighting up the field with pyrotechnic explosions.
Annual attendance at Miramar is estimated to be as high as 800,000 people over the course of the three-day event.
FA-18F Super Hornet approaches the speed of sound over Miramar Dan Thow ©
AV-8B Harriers line the tarmac at MCAS Miramar in the early morning prior to the air show. Photo: John Thow ©
Marine soldiers exit an MV-22 Osprey during the MAGTF demonstration at MCAS Miramar Air Show. Photo: John Thow ©
Dan is shown here trying out one of the remote bomb diffusing robots from the Navy Bomb Squad. Photo: John Thow ©
A wall of fire erupts behind Blue Angel number 5. Dan Thow ©
The featured show headliner remains the always amazing, United States Navy Flight Demonstration Team, better known as the Blue Angels. The Blues have been joined by such acts as the Canadian Forces Snowbirds, the U.S. Army Golden Knights Parachute Team, and the Patriots Jet Team. The Patriots fly black L-39 Albatross jet trainers and are a civilian jet team, made up primarily of retired military demo team pilots.
In addition to the jet teams, the show typically includes many of the acts we have come to expect at Southern California shows, including the late, great, Dan Buchanan in his hang glider, Chuck Aaron and the Red Bull Helicopter, Sean D. Tucker in his modified Pitts Special known as the Oracle Challenger, Silver Wings Wing Walkers, and a variety of warbirds flying in Heritage and Legacy Flights. Even our favorite B-25, Executive Sweet has occasionally gotten into the act.
There are always a wide variety of static displays featuring an array of U.S. and foreign military and civilian aircraft past and present. Some of the displays have even included the Eurofighter Typhoon and German Luftwaffe Panavia Tornados.
PRO TIPS FOR A GREAT DAY AT MIRAMAR:
So in an effort to help get as many of you out to the air show for the best experience possible, here are a few pro tips.
1. Check the weather! This is a bigger deal than you may think, the fall weather in San Diego can be a mixed bag, we have been on base when temps were hovering around 100 degrees and have also been there in the rain. If rain is scheduled don’t worry too much, our experience is that it always clears enough to fly in a couple of hours or less and the clouds make for some great shots.
2. Have a look at the Air Show website. The last few years have seen major changes that include an increased level of security. The last we heard, the base does not allow you to bring coolers or bags. Be sure to have a look before you go, so you know what to expect. Visit the official air show web site
3. Admission to the air show is free to the public, but be sure to have some money on hand for food, souvenirs, and bleacher seats if you prefer.
4. Get there early if you are interested in staking out a good spot to sit. There are plenty of free areas to sit, and there is also paid grandstand seating for an even better view.
Marine C-130 crew members take a break on the wing to watch the show. Photo: Dan Thow ©
B-25J Executive Sweet taxis into the hot pit area after flying. Photo: © Dan Thow
Marine Corps tank crew waves to the Miramar crowd after the MAGTF demonstration. Photo: © John Thow
Luke joins the AAF crew for a parade lap in front of the Miramar crowd! J.Thow ©
Blue Angel Diamond Photo: J.Thow ©
A trio of Marines Super Stallion helicopters during the MAGTF demo. Photo: J.Thow
The featured show headliner remains the always amazing, United States Navy Flight Demonstration Team, better known as the Blue Angels. The Blues have been joined by such acts as the Canadian Forces Snowbirds, the U.S. Army Golden Knights Parachute Team, and the Patriots Jet Team. The Patriots fly black L-39 Albatross jet trainers and are a civilian jet team, made up primarily of retired military demo team pilots.
In addition to the jet teams, the show typically includes many of the acts we have come to expect at Southern California shows, including the late, great, Dan Buchanan in his hang glider, Chuck Aaron and the Red Bull Helicopter, Sean D. Tucker in his modified Pitts Special known as the Oracle Challenger, Silver Wings Wing Walkers, and a variety of warbirds flying in Heritage and Legacy Flights. Even our favorite B-25, Executive Sweet has occasionally gotten into the act.
There are always a wide variety of static displays featuring an array of U.S. and foreign military and civilian aircraft past and present. Some of the displays have even included the Eurofighter Typhoon and German Luftwaffe Panavia Tornados.
PRO TIPS FOR A GREAT DAY AT MIRAMAR:
So in an effort to help get as many of you out to the air show for the best experience possible, here are a few pro tips.
1. Check the weather! This is a bigger deal than you may think, the fall weather in San Diego can be a mixed bag, we have been on base when temps were hovering around 100 degrees and have also been there in the rain. If rain is scheduled don’t worry too much, our experience is that it always clears enough to fly in a couple of hours or less and the clouds make for some great shots.
2. Have a look at the Air Show website. The last few years have seen major changes that include an increased level of security. The last we heard, the base does not allow you to bring coolers or bags. Be sure to have a look before you go, so you know what to expect. Visit the official air show web site
3. Admission to the air show is free to the public, but be sure to have some money on hand for food, souvenirs, and bleacher seats if you prefer.
4. Get there early if you are interested in staking out a good spot to sit. There are plenty of free areas to sit, and there is also paid grandstand seating for an even better view.