MILITARY: Blue thunder takes to the skies
Miramar air show features 'Salute to Marine Aviation'
By MARK WALKER - Staff Writer | ∞
Chelle McIntyre-Brewer, who is the Military Spouse of the Year, hugs Patriots Jet Team pilot Jon "Jughead" Counsell after Counsell took her up on a flight aboard the L-39 Albatros jet behind them during Media Day for this weekend's air show at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego on Thursday. Brewer, whose husband is Army Lt. Steven Brewer stationed at Ft. Bragg, North Carolina, was nominated and selected as Military Spouse of the Year which means she gets to fly on a jet, as well as several members of the local media, on Media Day. (Photo by Hayne Palmour IV - Staff Photographer) 
Member of the ground crew Hank Kosko guides in Patriots Jet Team pilot Jon "Jughead" Counsell after Counsell took up a civilian on a L-39 Albatros jet during Media Day for this weekend's air show atMarine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego on Thursday. (Photo by Hayne Palmour IV - Staff Photographer) 
Ground crew member Hank Kosko closes the cockpit canopy for Patriots Jet Team pilot Jon "Jughead" Counsell as Counsell and Patriots Jet Team pilots prepare to take up members of the media and other civilians on L-39 Albatros jets during Media Day for this weekend's air show at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego on Thursday. (Photo by Hayne Palmour IV - Staff Photographer) The Blue Angels will highlight this weekend's annual air show at Miramar Marine Corps Air Station.
The six F/A-18 Hornets and their pilots will perform Friday through Sunday at the West Coast's largest show.
Watch the video
The Blue Angels are the Navy's precision aerial demonstration squadron. They have been entertaining air show patrons since the unit was formed in 1946.
Their powerful $41 million airplanes can reach speeds of 1,200 miles per hour and perform a variety of aerial maneuvers while flying just inches apart.
With a 40-foot wingspan, the F/A-18 features more than 17,000 pounds of thrust when its pilot fires up the afterburner in support of the plane's two turbofan jet engines.
The gates open at 8 a.m. each day with free admission and parking. Tickets for preferred seating range from $108 to as low as $10 for an adult grandstand seat for a Saturday evening twilight show.
This year's theme is a "Salute to Marine Aviation" and the show includes a demonstration of a Marine air-ground task force assault, the new Osprey tilt rotor aircraft and numerous static displays of leatherneck aircraft.
Other military aerial demonstrations include an AV-8B Harrier jet, an F-16 Fighting Falcon, an F-22 Raptor and the U.S. Army's Golden Knights parachute team.
Civilian performances include demonstration flights of a Russian MiG-1 and an AT-6 Texan "War Dog."
There are also flights by a World War II-era P-51 Mustang, a special effects glider and a wingwalker.
The Blue Angels cap the daylight performances on Friday and Saturday taking to the air at about 3:30 or so.
Saturday's twilight show includes a massive fireworks and "Great Wall of Fire" demonstration as well as a "jet truck" performance.
The free admission offers "blanket seating" on the airfield's paved area where patrons can stand or sit on their own blankets.
A forecast of clouds and possible rain this weekend won't stop the show, but could alter some of the planned performance routes and times.
In addition to the overhead show, there are more than 100 military and civilian display aircraft to explore up close.
A number of local businesses have booths, and the show offers a variety of food and beverages as well as novelty and souvenir stands.
Contact staff writer Mark Walker at (760) 740-3529 or mlwalker@nctimes.com.
Miramar Air Show schedule
Friday, Saturday and Sunday
8 a.m. gates open
9 a.m. show start
Radio-controlled aircraft
"Shockwave" Jet Truck
AT-6 Texan "War Dog"
Special Effects Hang Glider
Red Bull Helicopter
Silver Wings Wingwalker
Russian MiG-17F
Sailplane Magic
Patriots Jet Team
Marine air-ground task force assault demonstration
Blue Angels (starts about 3:30 p.m.)
Show ends about 4:30 p.m
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