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  MCAS Miramar Air Show 2024
  27. - 29. September 2024 Part 1
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Text:

Chakrit Samithinan

Pictures:

Chakrit Samithinan & Saichol Kraiamat


 
 

(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan)

   

Brief History of Miramar Marine Corps Air Station

   

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.

   

(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan)

(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan)

(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan)

(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan)

(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan)

   

(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan)

(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan)

(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan)

(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan)

(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan)

   

static exhibition

   

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.

   

(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan)

(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan)

(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan)

(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan)

(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan)

   

(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan)

(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan)

(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan)

(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan)

(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan)

   
   

(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan)

(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan)

(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan)

(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan)

(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan)

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:

 

- 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 

 

(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan)

(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan)

(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan)

   

(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan)

(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan)

(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan)

   

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).

   

(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan)

(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan)

(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan)

(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan)

(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan)

   

(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan)

(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan)

(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan)

(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan)

(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan)

   

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.

   

(Picture courtesy Saichol Kraiamat)

(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan)

(Picture courtesy Saichol Kraiamat)

(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan)

(Picture courtesy Saichol Kraiamat)

   

(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan)

(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan)

(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan)

(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan)

(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan)


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last update 23. November 2024

Written 19. November 2024

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