Page 10 - Aerotech News and Review, Oct. 18, 2019

MCAS Miramar hosts annual air show

by John Battey featured a simulated combat assault Left: The
special to Aerotech News attack from the air as well as on the U.S. Navy
ground. The demonstration shared al- Blue Angels
The annual MCAS Miramar air most everything in the Marine Corps making a
show had a special surprise this year, inventory including F/A -18 fighter diamond
when the United Kingdom’s Royal Air jets, MV-22 Osprey tilt-rotor-wing pass.
Force aerobatic team the Red Arrows aircraft, helicopters, tanks and ground
performed. troops with the final act being a hover-
The team flew their trademark ing demonstration by the F-35B Light-
nine-plane diamond shape, perform- ning II 6th generation fighter jet.
ing many spectacular maneuvers with The United States Air Force flew
their red, white and blue smoke. The its F-16 Fighting Falcon and the U.S.
Red Arrows have performed more than Army parachute team the Golden
5,000 displays in 57 countries, with Knights did a full skydiving demon-
their first performance in late 1964. The stration. Civilian acts included Sean D.
team flew a very dynamic performance Tucker, John Collver, Vicky Benzing,
in their nine T1A Hawk trainer aircraft. John Melby, and the Red Bull aero-
The United States Navy flight dem- batic helicopter team and a Fire Dept.
onstration team the Blue Angels also Waterdrop. The flight line included
flew, giving the fans in attendance a dozens of static display aircraft in-
rare chance to see two elite aerobatic cluded the F-35A, F-35B, F/A-18,
show teams at the same show on the MV- 22, C-17, T-38, C-130, A-10 and
same day. The Angels demonstrated a rare visit from one of only two flyable
their precision aerobatics in six F/A- B-29 Superfortress the last of 3,970
18 legacy Hornets. Since 1946 the team that were built.
has flown for more than 505 million The 2019 Miramar open house gave
spectators. This year they will perform the Marine Corps a chance to show
61 shows at 31 locations. off their tactical capabilities and gave
The air show, advertised by the Ma- the public a rare opportunity to meet
rines as the largest military air show in the courageous men and women of
the world, showed off the Marine air- the U.S. Marine Corps and get a close
ground task force demonstration. The up look at how they train and perform
four-element firepower demonstration their mission.

Above: The United Kingdom’s Royal Air Force Red Arrows
fly towards the crowd. Below: The U.S Marine Corps MV-22
Osprey prepares to land.

Above: A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon shows
off its afterburner.

Left: An
Erickson
Skycrane
performs
a water
drop.

Photographs by John Battey
The U.S. Army Golden Knights take aim for a precision landing.

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