thedrifter
10-18-07, 06:07 AM
The 2007 Miramar Air Show shot into the clouds over the weekend marking its 53rd anniversary as the nation’s largest military air show.
The military and civilian aircraft that performed at the event drew a large number of attendees.
Hundreds of thousands of people from around the world paced the flight line with jaws dropping, cameras flashing as the aerial stuntmen performed death defying feats at speeds from 80 to 400 mph.
The aerial acrobatics included crowd awing performances by the Air Force Thunderbirds flying the F-16 Fighting Falcon, Marine Air Ground Task Force demonstration of troop insertion and air support, the Patriots Jet Team in the L-39 jet, Shockley’s Jet Truck, which reached speeds more than of 300 miles per hour, the Smoke-N-Thunder Air Force Reserve Jet Car operated by Bill Braack a retired flight engineer with the Air Force Reserve and the Red Baron Squadron piloting the Stearman A-75.
As well as the 22 live performances per day, patrons got to walk amongst 94 static display aircraft positioned on the flightline.
“This was our opportunity to thank the San Diego community for their support over the last year and to showcase the tremendous aviation capabilities of our armed forces,” said Col. Christopher E. O’Connor, MCAS Miramar’s commanding officer. “Most importantly, it was an opportunity for the community to meet the young Marines and sailors who magnificently serve our great nation.
With plenty to do across the 1.5 miles of tarmac, children and adults enjoyed the static display aircraft, vendor displays selling and advertising everything from tee shirts to new cars and motorcycles.
“Me and my family had never been to an air show before,” said Mike Olson, a San Diego native and air show attendee. “This was a great experience for me and my son. He really enjoyed the company of the Marines almost as much as the jets ripping through the sky.”
As the sun set Sunday evening on the flight line and visitors began filtering out of the gates, Marines, volunteers and civilian employees began cleaning up the area to prepare for normal military operations the next day.
“I would like to thank the Marines, sailors and civilian Marines who helped to make this year’s air show such an outstanding success,” said O’Connor.
The military and civilian aircraft that performed at the event drew a large number of attendees.
Hundreds of thousands of people from around the world paced the flight line with jaws dropping, cameras flashing as the aerial stuntmen performed death defying feats at speeds from 80 to 400 mph.
The aerial acrobatics included crowd awing performances by the Air Force Thunderbirds flying the F-16 Fighting Falcon, Marine Air Ground Task Force demonstration of troop insertion and air support, the Patriots Jet Team in the L-39 jet, Shockley’s Jet Truck, which reached speeds more than of 300 miles per hour, the Smoke-N-Thunder Air Force Reserve Jet Car operated by Bill Braack a retired flight engineer with the Air Force Reserve and the Red Baron Squadron piloting the Stearman A-75.
As well as the 22 live performances per day, patrons got to walk amongst 94 static display aircraft positioned on the flightline.
“This was our opportunity to thank the San Diego community for their support over the last year and to showcase the tremendous aviation capabilities of our armed forces,” said Col. Christopher E. O’Connor, MCAS Miramar’s commanding officer. “Most importantly, it was an opportunity for the community to meet the young Marines and sailors who magnificently serve our great nation.
With plenty to do across the 1.5 miles of tarmac, children and adults enjoyed the static display aircraft, vendor displays selling and advertising everything from tee shirts to new cars and motorcycles.
“Me and my family had never been to an air show before,” said Mike Olson, a San Diego native and air show attendee. “This was a great experience for me and my son. He really enjoyed the company of the Marines almost as much as the jets ripping through the sky.”
As the sun set Sunday evening on the flight line and visitors began filtering out of the gates, Marines, volunteers and civilian employees began cleaning up the area to prepare for normal military operations the next day.
“I would like to thank the Marines, sailors and civilian Marines who helped to make this year’s air show such an outstanding success,” said O’Connor.