Great Oak Gazette

The Marine Corps Air Station Miramar hosted the largest military airshow in America for the 72nd consecutive year this weekend. Thousands of visitors traveled to San Diego, CA, to witness thrilling aviation performances by aerobatic pilots Aaron Deliu, Vicky Benzing, and Ed Hamill. The event also featured tours of vintage aircraft, showcases of emerging Marine Corps technologies, and many other exciting performances.

Originally from Australia, Aaron Deliu is an airshow and air race pilot known for preforming aerobatic stunts with passion, displaying his aviation skills to audiences worldwide. This past weekend, Deliu flew his Extra 330, amazing thousands of spectators with the aerodynamics and speed of his performance. The energy and precision of his show demonstrated Deliu’s versatility as a pilot, making him a standout at the airshow.

Other aircraft featured in performances include Vicky Benzings P-51, famous for its important role in the U.S. Air Force during World War II, where it served as a ground attack bomber jet, and Ed Hamill’s S-2C, a plane designed for aerobatic aviation. Additionally, demo flights featured the F-35B (a fighter jet capable of vertical landings and short takeoffs), the MV-22 Osprey (a combat aid aircraft and helicopter), and the Ace Maker T-33 (a jet designed for pilot training). However, the stars of the show were the Red Bull Air Force team, the F-22 Raptor (a fifth-generation fighter jet capable of air and ground combat as well as electronic warfare) paired with the P-51D in a heritage flight, and the U.S. Navy Blue Angels featuring the C-130J “Fat Albert” aircraft. The Blue Angels, renowned for their astounding performances, introduced two aviation maneuvers called the Diamond Loop and the Diamond Barrel Roll, putting on an incredible show for the roaring crowd below.

The airshow also featured static displays, where visitors could enter aircraft to see details up close. These displays included aircraft from the Marine Corps, Air Force, Navy, Army, and vintage Warbirds.

A fascinating attraction at the Miramar Air Show was the Innovation and Tech Expo, which highlighted emerging technologies showcasing the capabilities of the Marine Corps’ next-generation fighters, vehicles, drones, and other military equipment. This year, the narrative at the Expo emphasized the Department of Defense’s focus on creating a “greener footprint” in developing military technologies. Many visitors were drawn to the new tech and its immersive experience, which included the opportunity to meet the four-legged prototype robot named “Spot”. Spot is a robotic dog developed by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) for combat use. It stands 33 inches tall, can run up to 3.5 miles per hour, and can transport up to 30 pounds.

The Marine Corps Air Station Miramar provided over 375,000 visitors with a breathtaking airshow, featuring impressive aircraft and cutting-edge military technology. The aviation performances had eyes in the sky and jaws dropped in awe at the fascinating vintage planes. If you missed the event this year, don’t worry–the famous annual airshow will return the Miramar next year from September 26th to 28th.

Piper Theisen, Co-Editor-in-Chief