Thursday, October 22, 2009

Miramar Airshow











On Friday, October 2, I attended the annual air show at MCAS (Marine Corps Air Station) Miramar for the third year in a row. It was just as thrilling this time as the other times. There is always something exciting about the roar of jets overhead. As usual, the show was full of amazing aerial acrobatics. I didn't see every performance, but the ones I did see were well worth it. Among the performances I saw were, The Oracle Challenger, The Red Bull MIG jet, a legacy flight of an F-16 fighter jet and the P-51 Mustang fighter plane from World War II, The Patriot Team whose jets trail red, white, and blue smoke as they perform their stunts, a helicopter that performed some amazing stunts, such as loops (I had never seen a helicopter able to do loops, and have never seen one able to go upside down), and the AV-8B Harrier jet. It is always a sight to see a jet fighter take off and land vertically. But, the headliners of the show are the Navy Blue Angels. They put on another spectacular show. The excitement builds as the Blue Angels start up their engines and then start their slow taxi in pairs past the viewing stands and then they take to the skies with a roar. As usual, their performance was a spectacular demonstration of great skill and precision, The planes fly so close together at times that it appears that they might crash into each other or touch wingtips. It is an awe-inspiring sight to see the Blue Angels. I look forward to seeng them next year.

3 comments:

Unknown said...

John, it's awe-inspiring just to hear you describe it!

Wheelchair Hiker said...

Great pictures, thanks John.

Diane J Standiford said...

We get the Blue Angels here in Seattle every year, never grows old. Great pics!!