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MCAS Miramar Air Show 2024 |
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27. - 29. September 2024
Part 1 |
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Text: |
Chakrit Samithinan |
Pictures: |
Chakrit Samithinan & Saichol Kraiamat |
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(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan) |
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Brief History of Miramar Marine
Corps Air Station |
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The
Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) , the site of the annual “America’ Air
Show” has an interesting history worth mentioning briefly. The first
airstrip was built in Miramar in 1917 by the US Army. After years of
neglect, the base was used jointly by the US Navy and by the US Marines
although they used different locations within the base. In 1947, The
Marines moved to MCAS El Toro, leaving the base in the hands of the
Navy. In 1952, the Navy offered the base to the Town of San Diego for
the princely sum of USD 1.00 but the town council declined the offer,
citing that the base was too far from the town although it is only 23
km. |
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(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan) |
(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan) |
(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan) |
(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan) |
(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan) |
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(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan) |
(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan) |
(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan) |
(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan) |
(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan) |
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static exhibition |
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In 1969, the Navy
established the US Navy Fighter Weapons School also known as “Top Gun”.
In those days the base was also known as “Fighter Town USA” and served
also for the training of F-8 Crusader pilots and later for future F-14
Tomcat pilots. In 1993, MCAS El Toro was closed and the Marines were
ordered back to Miramar while at the same time, the Navy moved to other
bases on the East- and West Coast. Also, the famous ‘Top Gun” school was
moved to NAS Fallon where it has remained until this day. |
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(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan) |
(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan) |
(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan) |
(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan) |
(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan) |
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(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan) |
(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan) |
(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan) |
(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan) |
(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan) |
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(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan) |
(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan) |
(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan) |
(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan) |
(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan) |
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Today, Miramar is the
home of the 1st Marine Logistics Group and above all the important 3rd
Marine Aircraft Wing. In terms of space, it is the largest military base
in the USA and perhaps even the World. Apart from the fixed and rotary
wing aircrafts stationed at Miramar, a number of military and civilian
visitors were gracing the static display. More specifically, the
following aircrafts were observed: |
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- Boeing B-29 Super Fortress
- Douglas A-26 Invader
- Douglas C-17 Globemaster II von March AB
- Boeing B-52 Stratofortress von Barksdale AB
- Boeing EA-18 Growler
- Lockheed EP-3A Orion (ARIES II)
- Boeing FA-18 Super Hornets
- Boeing FA-18 Legacy Hornet der NASA
- 3 Mc Donnell Douglas F-15C der California Air National Guard aus Fresno
- T-1A Jayhawk
- Aero L-39 Albatross
- Sikorsky HH-60 Seahawk
- Fairey Firefly |
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(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan) |
(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan) |
(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan) |
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(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan) |
(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan) |
(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan) |
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In
addition, two twin seat Super Hornets in the colors of the Blue Angels
were parked nearby, serving as back-up aircrafts. Fortunately, they did
not need to be in action as the Blue Angels experienced a problem-free
weekend. A detail which deserves mentioning is the fact that both
twin-seat Blue Angels Super Hornets were designated Nr. 7.
As is usual at airshows in
the USA, ground activities took place within or right in front of the
spectator area. In particular, there were motorcycle stunts and races
between an Extra 330 and Ferrari and Lamborghini super cars (see
photos). |
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(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan) |
(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan) |
(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan) |
(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan) |
(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan) |
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(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan) |
(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan) |
(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan) |
(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan) |
(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan) |
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The
start was made by the Red Bull Air Force which consisted of a Bo-105, an
Edge 540 and a STOL Carbon Club. Thereafter, a welcome ceremony took
place which included the participation of the US Air Marine Corps
Mounted Color Guard and the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing Band. The Ace
Makers, a civilian team with two T-33 Shooting Stars showed attractive
formation flying which was followed by another civilian participant,
i.e. Aarron Deliu’s Extra 330 who especially came all the way from
Australia for this show. He was racing the supercars and showed
daredevil low flying which would be impossible to stage at European
Airshows. |
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(Picture courtesy Saichol Kraiamat) |
(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan) |
(Picture courtesy Saichol Kraiamat) |
(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan) |
(Picture courtesy Saichol Kraiamat) |
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(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan) |
(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan) |
(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan) |
(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan) |
(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan) |
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