The Blue Angels are a hard act to follow (or precede), but the Royal Air Force Red Arrows will do their best in their MCAS Miramar Air Show debut Saturday.
The Brits (on an 11-week North American tour) fly BAE Systems Hawk jets at 2:42 p.m. Saturday and Sunday — just before the Navy’s squad of F/A-18A Hornets at 3:19 p.m.
On Friday, thousands thrilled to Blue Angel maneuvers on a partly cloudy day, but weren’t able to see the U.S. Navy Leap Frogs. Conditions didn’t permit parachuting.
Weekend action starts at 8 a.m. for the free event (with gates opening at 6 a.m.)
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The clouds moved on and the sun shone just before the Blue Angels made their first appearance at MCAS Miramar Air Show. Photo by Chris Stone
The Blue Angels approach from east as they get ready for a formation. Photo by Chris Stone
The Blue Angels make a signature maneuver during Friday demonstration at MCAS Miramar Air Show. Photo by Chris Stone
Water vapor streams off a jet during the first day of MCAS Miramar Air Show as engines glow. Photo by Chris Stone.
Water vapor streams off a jet during Day 1 of the MCAS Miramar Air Show. Photo by Chris Stone
The Blue Angels demonstration was delayed as maintenance crew members make a correction. Photo by Chris Stone
Blue Angels pilot Lt. Cmdr. Cary Rickoff waves just before takeoff. Photo by Chris Stone
Blue Angels soar above San Diego during MCAS Miramar Air Show. Photo by Chris Stone
Blue Angels make a sharp ascent in the afternoon light on Day 1 of MCAS Miramar Air Show. Photo by Chris Stone
Blue Angel jet 7 lifts off at the beginning of precision flight demonstration. Photo by Chris Stone
Blue Angel maintenance workers wait in jet fumes as one of the jets taxis for takeoff. photo by Chris Stone
Blue Angel jets 6 and 7 create a mirror image as they pass over the runway. Photo by Chris Stone
Tank personnel get praise from the crowd after the Marine Air-Ground Task Force demonstration. Photo by Chris Stone
Aftershock jet fire truck rumbles down a path before racing an airplane. Photo by Chris Stone
Thousands gathered near the tarmac to watch a day filled with flights and aerobatics. Photo by Chris Stone
Red Bull wingsuit jumper and parachute jumper leave red smoke trails as they descend. Photo by Chris Stone
Red Bull Aerobatic Helo flies rotors down during a daring demonstration. Photo by Chris Stone
An F-16 Viper caused spectators to cover their ears as it streaked through the sky. Photo by Chris Stone
Water vapor circles the cockpit of a jet under cloudy skies at the MCAS Miramar Air Show. Photo by Chris Stone
Spectators wave to Marines in a tank after the Marine Air-Ground Task Force demo. Photo by Chris Stone
Marines in a UH-1Y Huey/Venom helicopter get ready to bring in troops. Photo by Chris Stone.
Marines drop from a helicopter during Marine Air-Ground Task Force demonstration at MCAS Miramar Air Show Friday. Photo by Chris Stone
Marines advance on the “enemy” during the Marine Air-Ground Task Force demonstration on Day 1 of the MCAS Miramar Air Show. Photo by Chris Stone
Helicopters and an MV-22 Osprey fly as part of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force demonstration on Day 1 of the MCAS Miramar Air Show. Photo by Chris stone
Fuel is ignited to simulate bombing during the Marine Air-Ground Task Force demonstration of Day 1 of the MCAS Miramar Air Show. Photo by Chris Stone
Water vapor can be seen off the wings of an F/A-18 Hornet during the Marine Air-Ground Task Force demonstration. Photo by Chris Stone
Water vapor can be seen off the wings of an F/A-18 Hornet during the Marine Air-Ground Task Force demonstration. Photo by Chris Stone
Water vapor can be seen off the wings of an F/A-18 Hornet during the Marine Air-Ground Task Force demonstration. Photo by Chris Stone
Fuel is ignited as planes drop “bombs” in the Marine Air-Ground MCAS Miramar Air Show. Photo by Chris Stone
Jerome LeBlanc, a Tom Cruise lookalike, poses for photos at the Miramar Air Show Friday. Photo by Chris Stone
Reminders from the Marine Corps Air Station: “Show a photo ID to expedite access into the Air Show. You can carry keys, makeup, feminine products, comb, phone, wallet, credit cards, etc., in your pockets if you choose not to put them in a clear bag or clutch.”
PERMITTED ITEMS
- Binoculars and cameras.
- One large clear bag per person.
- A one-gallon Ziploc-style bag, or commercially purchased clear bag plus a small clutch for personal items.
- Clear seat cushions and seat pads without pockets, zippers, compartments or covers.
PROHIBITED ITEMS
- Large seat cushions with pockets, zippers, compartments or covers.
- Bags, purses, totes, backpacks and other types of baggage not meeting the new Clear Bag Policy.
- Weapons of any kind, including firearms, knives, replica or toy weapons, pepper spray, mace, stun guns and martial arts weapons.
- Outside alcoholic beverages.
- Ice chests or coolers that are not medically required.
- Pets other than service animals.
- Glass containers.
- Bicycles, roller skates, roller blades, (kick and electric) scooters, skateboards or hover boards.
- Personal drones (quad or hex copters).
- Lasers or laser pointers.
- Federally banned substances such as illicit narcotics and California legal substances like marijuana.