Miramar Air Show: aerial acrobatics and more

Residents from all over San Diego County were able to enjoy the aerial acrobatics and stunning feats performed at the MCAS Miramar Air Show October 3-5.

The theme of this year’s show was “A Salute to Marine Corps Aviation.” It focused on the men and women who are the essential core of Marine Aviation and the inventory of aircraft they fly and maintain.

The air show featured several static displays, military equipment exhibits and air show memorabilia along with the precision flying of the AV-8B Harrier, F/A-18 Hornet, the F-16 Fighting Falcon and the F-22 Raptor.

Col. Christopher O’Connor, the commanding officer of the Miramar Marine Corps, welcomed guests to event. The air show recently received the International Council of Air Shows Award for the best military air show in the country, he said.

O’Connor stated that one-third of the troops based out of Miramar are currently deployed and the show was a great way to commemorate their efforts.

The air show began with the National Anthem sung by Victoria Robertson, the reigning Miss USO, San Diego, as the American flag was parachuted in.

The Blue Angels also made their return to the air show after a one-year hiatus. They were joined by the Patriots Jet Team, a civilian performance group that flies L-39 jets, performing high-speed precision formation aerobatics and opposing and solo maneuvers.

But the most memorable event may have been the Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF), which is a demonstration of the Marine Corps’ ability on the ground and in the air. It is a simulated combat assault performed for the air show audience.

The audience was able to see exactly how a MAGTF would to respond to a wide range of operations, such as crisis response, security assistance and humanitarian service.

It was easy to see how the United States Marine Corps is able to arrive anywhere in the world and accomplish its missions.

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