So, I have a confession to make. Can you believe I’ve never been to a Blue Angels Air Show before? Yep, it’s true. I’ve never had the chance to witness one of these incredible shows, and I have to admit, I’ve been seriously missing out.
Recently, I had the opportunity to attend “America’s Air Show” at Miramar, featuring the Blue Angels. I have to say, I was pretty excited. The atmosphere was electric, and seeing all those folks in their flight suits was quite the experience. I even felt a surge of patriotism, thinking about how proud my parents would have been. It was also hard not to notice that all the service members seemed so young, but that might just be my perspective as I get older.
Miramar is a lovely base, quite different from the ones I remember from my childhood as a military brat. The on-base amenities like condos (instead of barracks), restaurants, and gas stations were definitely a change from what I was used to.
Here’s an interesting factoid: Did you know that “Top Gun” was originally the United States Navy Fighter Weapons School and is now known as the United States Navy Strike Fighter Tactics Instructor Program? It used to be located at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in California, but now it’s at Naval Air Station Fallon, Nevada.
On Media Day, we had the chance to be right on the flight line, with unrestricted views of the Blue Angels and all the other aircraft getting ready for the show. I also got to interact with the pilots, take photos, chat with the Life Support crew, and even walk around the jets. It was truly amazing.
The highlight was when we got to witness the Blue Angels practice from the Media tent. Watching those massive jets maneuver in the sky was mind-blowing. Looking at my photos later, I couldn’t help but think of the model airplanes my brother used to build, with their tiny pilots in the cockpit. It was truly awe-inspiring. And let’s not forget Fat Albert, the huge C-130 painted in the Blue Angels’ colors. What an impressive sight!
During one of my interviews with a pilot, I learned that the Blue Angels perform about 20 maneuvers in a 45-minute show. One of these maneuvers, the Diamond 360, lasts only 15 seconds, with the jets’ wings just 12 inches apart! Talk about precision flying! There’s also one other maneuver called the “double sneak pass” where the solos mach knock at speeds approaching 700 mph, just under the speed of sound. It’s one of those things where you can’t watch, but you can’t turn away. Incredible!
On the day of the show, we had fantastic seats in the Grand Stand, where we could capture the entire event. The Precision Exotics (cars) racing the aircraft down the runway was quite a sight, and the Red Bull Air Force’s helicopter aerobatics were jaw-dropping. The civilian aerobatic pilots and their demos were equally impressive. The Marine Honor Guard, the Marine Band, and the MAGTF demo added a special touch to the event, showcasing the diversity and skill within the military.
The F-35B’s hover capabilities and the Raptor F-22’s lightning-fast maneuvers were definitely the showstoppers. Trying to capture the speed of the Raptor F-22 with my camera was a real challenge, but it was exhilarating to witness.
All in all, the MCAS Air Show was an unforgettable experience. The energy, the speed, the incredible displays of skill and technology, and the sense of respect for our military and their supporters left a lasting impression on me. I’m already looking forward to the next one!
Go. You’ll love it. Promise.
Until next time . . .
