The expressions of 5-year-old Liam de la Cruz and his 3-year-old brother, Luke, brightened as they peered into the pilot’s seat of a T-6 Texan turboprop at the Marine Corps Air Station Miramar Air Show on Saturday.
“I enjoy everything at the air show,” Liam exclaimed, eliciting laughter from his father, Janjazon de la Cruz, a U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer stationed at Point Loma, and his mother, Louella.
“I appreciate how they open the airplanes, demonstrating how they function, and it’s great to meet all the pilots here,” Louella added.
The de la Cruz family was part of the large crowd gathered for the second day of what is known as “America’s Air Show.” Established in 1997, this annual event showcases impressive displays of military vehicles, aircraft, troop movements, and pyrotechnics.
Saturday typically sees the highest attendance of the weekend event, with air show officials expecting a crowd of 300,000 on Saturday and around 700,000 over the three days.
With clear skies and temperatures ranging from the mid- to high-80s, many attendees came prepared with ample water to stay hydrated during the six-hour showcase of exhibits and demonstrations, both in the air and on the ground.
Many savvy visitors also brought umbrellas to shield themselves and their children from the sun.
Aaron Zeeb from Del Mar equipped his 6-year-old son, Koa, with noise-canceling earphones—a wise decision, as fighter jets roared overhead throughout the day.
“He got a little frightened last year,” Zeeb shared. “But he has a passion for planes, loves the military, and enjoys watching the soldiers.”
MCAS leadership deemed this year’s air show particularly special as it coincides with the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States.
“For two and a half centuries, Americans have answered the call to serve, and the military is present today as part of that legacy,” U.S. Marine Corps Major General and Commanding General of the Third Marine Aircraft Wing Robert B. Brodie stated.
The Marines showcased their tactical precision with a simulated high-intensity battlefield assault performed by the Marine Air-Ground Task Force, or MAGTF. Brodie referred to it as “the crown jewel” of the Miramar Air Show.
“It’s a full-throttle demonstration of how the Marine Corps operates in combat,” Brodie explained.
As infantry, armored units, and aerial assets collaborated, fighter jets soared overhead, while tilt-rotor MV-22 Ospreys and heavy-lift helicopters inserted Marines for air-to-ground operations. The demonstration culminated, according to Brodie, “in a signature wall of fire, a spectacular pyrotechnic display stretching across the entire flight line.”
The aerial performances of the U.S. Navy Blue Angels served as another major attraction.
Cliff Levy, a resident of Rancho Bernardo, may not be a military veteran, but he is a veteran of the Miramar Air Show. He estimates he’s attended about ten times over the years and credits the Blue Angels for drawing him back.
“There’s nothing quite like it,” remarked the 72-year-old retiree. “It’s truly like adult Disneyland.”
Slicing through the sky in tight formation, the Blue Angels’ F/A-18 Super Hornets showcased a spectacular mix of power, precision, and coordination. Flying just feet apart at incredible speeds, the pilots amazed the crowd with their complex maneuvers.
“It’s the most incredible display of precision flying,” Levy noted, “and it unfolds right in front of your eyes.”
Among the aircraft on display that attendees could approach was an F-15C from the California Air National Guard’s 194th Fighter Squadron in Fresno.
“Very cool, very impressive,” said 13-year-old David Franchiliso, who aspires to become a pilot. “There are so many buttons,” he remarked after his close-up inspection, “it’s really confusing.”
One of the pilots guiding visitors around the jet was 41-year-old Lt. Col. Chris Lacroix, who was raised in Oceanside.
“This is my hometown air show,” Lacroix said. “I came here as a child. During my visit in 2004, these folks informed me about joining the Guard, I applied, and now I’m back.”
A steady flow of attendees explored the massive C-5 Galaxy cargo plane from Travis Air Force Base, which boasts a maximum takeoff weight of 840,000 pounds and a wingspan of around 250 feet.
“With over 100,000 pounds of fuel onboard, it’s a hefty load,” said pilot Cole Sheive, a first lieutenant with the 22nd Airlift Squadron. “However, once it’s airborne, it handles quite well. It’s very smooth.”
Jonathan Carr, who traveled about 120 miles from Alhambra, expressed his surprise.
“I didn’t expect it to be so spacious,” he admitted.
Carr attended with his wife, Meaghan, and their 4-year-old son Logan. When asked for his thoughts on the show, Logan, perched on his father’s shoulders, flashed a broad smile and gave an enthusiastic thumbs-up with his left hand.
The air show will continue on Sunday. Gates open at 8 a.m., and admission and parking are free. More details can be found at miramarairshow.com.
