Four U.S. Navy Blue Angels F/A-18 Hornet aircraft flying in formation against a cloudy sky.

2026 MCAS Miramar AirShow — America’s Air Show

October 27, 2026/Jan Wagner/
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The MCAS Miramar AirShow — America’s Air Show returned for 2026 to thrill large crowds of appreciative spectators. Parking was free and plentiful.

Postcard featuring the text “Greetings from MCAS Miramar Fightertown USA” with collaged images of military aircraft, an air traffic control tower, palm trees, and the city skyline.
A twin-engine P-38 Lightning fighter plane in flight.
A large crowd of people standing behind a fence, looking toward an airfield with mountains in the background.

The Commanding Officer of Marine Corps Air Station Miramar is Colonel R. Erik Hermann.

On behalf of MCAS Miramar — “Fightertown USA,” Colonel Hermann welcomed us to the air show: “This year’s event is a patriotic celebration and a powerful tribute to America’s 250th birthday. See firsthand our unmatched combat power, security, and resilience as the Marine Corps’ premiere aviation power projection platform. We invite the public to join us in this experience as we set the standard for aviation dominance.”

We were invited to “Meet our Marines, Sailors, and civilian personnel who are the foundation for success in our organization. Explore innovative and revolutionary technology that drives our excellence in the battlespace. Witness how the Marine Corps has been winning our nation’s battles since 1775 and why MCAS Miramar is recognized worldwide for excellence in military aviation.”

“Attendees can anticipate thrilling performances, including the Marine Air-Ground Task Force demonstration, the U.S. Navy Blue Angels, and civilian and military aircraft.”

Air show site map and directory for the 2026 event, listing locations for exhibits, food, services, and activities.

Scheduled aerial demonstrations included a USMC MV-22 Osprey demo…

A V-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft in flight with its rotors tilted upward.

… BETA Alia CS300…

A white Beta electric aircraft marked N401NZ in flight.

… USN F-35C TAC demo…

A fighter jet performing a high-speed maneuver, surrounded by a condensation cloud.
A US Marine Corps F-35 fighter jet taking off from a runway near ground equipment.
A US Navy F-35C Lightning II fighter jet in flight with its weapon bay doors open.
A large crowd sits in stadium bleachers under a row of American flags.
F-35 fighter jet in flight with vapor cloud over its wings.
An F-35 fighter jet in flight surrounded by a vapor cloud.
An F-35 fighter jet in a steep climb, generating a vapor cloud over its wings.

… Opening Ceremonies with the USMC Mounted Color Guard…

Four mounted riders in black shirts and jeans carry vertical banners while riding horses on an airfield.
USMC Mounted Color Guard rehearsing

… and USSOCOM Para-Commandos…

A skydiver with a black and yellow parachute descends while trailing a large United States Marine Corps flag.
A skydiver with a yellow parachute trailing red smoke carries a large American flag.

… the thrilling Marine Air-Ground Task Force demonstration (MAGTF), complete with a ‘wall of fire’…

A gray U.S. Marine Corps KC-130J Hercules aircraft taking off, with a person in camouflage uniform standing nearby on the airfield.
Two large fireballs from explosions rising over a flat airfield.
A large explosion resulting in a mushroom-shaped cloud of fire and smoke.
Two large, bright orange fireballs erupt from the ground, sending a thick column of dark smoke into the sky.
Two large, separate fireballs exploding on a flat, open field.
A fighter jet flying in front of a large plume of smoke.
Three military helicopters fly above a large cloud of dust.
A U.S. Marines helicopter hovering above a runway while a soldier fast-ropes down to the ground.
A U.S. Marine Corps helicopter hovering above a runway as a soldier fast-ropes down to the ground.
U.S. Marine Corps CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter carrying an artillery piece slung beneath it in flight.
U.S. Marines in combat gear spread out on an airfield in front of a parked V-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft.
Three soldiers in camouflage uniforms and helmets move through a dry field, with two holding rifles.
Five military helicopters and an Osprey aircraft flying in formation against a cloudy sky.
Five grey military helicopters flying in formation against an overcast sky.
A C-130 Hercules transport aircraft flying in formation with four fighter jets against a cloudy sky.
A long, continuous wall of fire against a grey sky.
A line of military vehicles, including armored personnel carriers and light tactical vehicles, driving on a paved lot.

… Ed Hamill’s “Folds of Honor” in his Pitts S-2…

A blue and red aerobatic plane with “Folds of Honor” branding in flight against a gray sky.

… the RAF Falcons Parachute Team…

A skydiver descends with a red, white, and blue parachute, trailing a large Union Jack flag below them.
A photographer in an F-22 Demo Team shirt aims a large telephoto lens at an air show, standing beside two other people with cameras behind a safety fence.

… Vicky Benzing in her P-51D “Plum Crazy” Mustang…

A purple P-51 Mustang race plane titled “Plum Crazy” in flight.

… USMC F-35B  Lightning II demo…

A US Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II fighter jet in flight with its landing gear extended.
A U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II fighter jet hovering above a runway with its landing gear down.

… and, as the finale, the U.S. Navy Blue Angels F/A-18 Super Hornets.

Four Blue Angels F/A-18 Hornet jets flying in a diamond formation against a blue sky.

As we learned from the souvenir program…

Stacks of promotional flyers for America’s Air Show 2026, featuring a fighter jet and a group of soldiers in formation.

… “for the Marines of the U.S. Marine Corps Mounted Color Guard, the job is more than a ceremonial assignment. Based at Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow, the unit gives a select group of Marines the rare honor of carrying the National Colors and Marine Corps Colors on horseback”

Three riders on horseback carry flags while a Blue Angels F/A-18 Hornet jet flies in the background.

“The Falcons are the United Kingdom’s leading premier military parachute display team, based at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire. Throughout the display season, they appear at venues across Britain and Europe, bringing the Royal Air Force’s airborne expertise into public view.”

Seven skydivers with blue and red parachutes descend, trailing long ribbons of red smoke in the sky.
Seven skydivers descending in a circle, each trailing red smoke against a cloudy sky.
Six skydivers in formation, each using a parachute with red and white stripes and blue “RAF” lettering, descending against a clear sky.
A crowd of spectators sitting in bleachers looking up toward an airfield.
Seven skydivers in a diagonal formation, each using a red, white, and blue parachute and trailing red smoke against a clear sky.
A parachutist descends above three parked Blue Angels fighter jets emitting red and blue smoke.

“Ed ‘Hamster’ Hammill is a retired U.S. Air Force Colonel, fighter pilot, instructor pilot and air show performer known for combining military precision with energetic aerobatic flying… Hamill flies the ‘Folds of Honor’ biplane, a red, white and blue Pitts S-2C that matches sharp aerobatic capability with a patriotic mission… Flying under the motto ‘Honor their sacrifice. Educate their legacy,’ the aircraft represents an organization that provides education scholarships to the families of fallen or disabled service members and first responders.”

A red and blue stunt biplane labeled “Folds of Honor” performing a maneuver with a smoke trail.

“2026 marks the Blue Angels’ 80th anniversary… Since their founding in 1946, the Blue Angels have represented the highest standards of naval aviation, precision flying, teamwork, and public service. Their performance at America’s Air Show 2026 (honored) that eight-decade legacy while helping celebrate America’s 250th anniversary, a national milestone reflecting the country’s history, resilience, and enduring commitment to freedom.”

The words “Blue Angels” in yellow script on a dark blue aircraft fuselage.
A line of U.S. Navy Blue Angels F/A-18 Hornet aircraft parked on a flight line, viewed from the rear, showing tail numbers 1 through 7.
A female U.S. Marine Corps Captain in a blue flight suit and a male Blue Angels maintenance crew member standing in front of an aircraft.
Blue Angels pilot Captain Adam Bryan standing in front of an F/A-18 Super Hornet aircraft.
Three Blue Angels F/A-18 Hornet jets parked on a runway with ground crew in yellow jumpsuits and black uniforms standing nearby.
Two Blue Angels F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter jets parked on a flight line with their canopies open and pilots seated in the cockpits.
Four Blue Angels F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter jets parked in a line with ground crew standing nearby.
Blue Angels F/A-18 Super Hornet aircraft lined up on a runway with ground crew members standing in front of them.
Four U.S. Navy Blue Angels F/A-18 Hornet jets parked in a line on a runway.
A line of white Chrysler Pacifica minivans driving past a group of onlookers at an airfield.
Three people in matching black shirts waving from the windows of a white SUV.
A person wearing a maroon NASCAR San Diego Weekend t-shirt featuring illustrations of three race cars.
Four U.S. Navy Blue Angels F/A-18 Hornet jets taxi on a runway with smoke trails behind them.
A Blue Angels F/A-18 Hornet jet performing a steep climb with vapor trails.
A U.S. Navy Blue Angels F/A-18 Hornet aircraft flying against a clear blue sky.
A crowd of people standing behind a fence, looking up toward the sky.
Two Blue Angels fighter jets flying in formation against a clear blue sky.
Five U.S. Marines in camouflage uniforms sit in a row of white folding chairs, smiling and giving thumbs-up gestures.
Two Blue Angels fighter jets flying in formation against a blue sky with clouds.
A group of photographers stands on an elevated platform, using long-lens cameras to photograph an airfield.
Two U.S. Navy Blue Angels F/A-18 Hornet aircraft flying in close formation against a clear sky.
A young boy drinking from a plastic cup with a straw next to a woman wearing sunglasses.
Four U.S. Navy Blue Angels F/A-18 Hornet aircraft flying in formation against a clear blue sky.
A crowd of people wearing sunglasses and hats looking up at the sky.
Five Blue Angels F/A-18 jets flying in formation against a clear sky, each leaving a white smoke trail.

There was plenty to see and do on the ground, for young and old alike. Inside the Air Show Expo in Hangar 3, booth exhibits brought together innovation, aviation and the community with products and services, STEM stations, a flight simulator and more.

People walk into a large hangar during an Air Show Expo.
A display of U.S. Marine Corps World War II memorabilia, including uniforms, a pith helmet, medals, historical photographs, and informational signs in front of an American flag.
Santa Ana Police Department recruitment booth with officers speaking to prospective applicants.
Display table with racks and boxes of Vital Pals superfood gummy pouches in front of a branded blue backdrop.
People observe a pilot seated in an F-35 flight simulator with three large screens displaying aerial views.

Outside, in addition to numerous food vendors, static exhibits included numerous military and civilian aircraft, and law enforcement agencies, with their flight crews on hand to tell us about what they do and answer our questions.

A red tent selling official air show merchandise, with a price list sign and people browsing the items.
Vintage C-47 transport aircraft named “D-Day Doll” parked on an airfield with spectators nearby.
A vintage silver and blue United DC-3 airplane parked on an airfield with a display tent and people gathered nearby.
Civil Air Patrol recruitment booth at an outdoor event, with two uniformed members speaking to a family.
Four women standing at two blue promotional tents for the San Diego Chapter of the 99s at an airfield.
U.S. Coast Guard helicopter parked on an airfield.
Two children stand near a Coast Guard Auxiliary “Coastie” mascot boat on wheels.
A wooden display case holds rows of military challenge coins, flanked by three wooden beer steins and two white travel mugs on a table with price lists and individual coins.
Olive green armored vehicle parked in front of DEA outreach tents.
A man in an NCIS polo shirt sits at a branded information booth in front of an NCIS Major Case Response Team van.
Three tan California Highway Patrol campaign hats arranged on a table over a CHP emblem, with lanyards and recruiting brochures.
A black San Diego Police Lenco BearCat armored vehicle parked at an outdoor event near a branded tent.
Collection of San Diego Police Air Support unit patches and challenge coins pinned to a display board.
LAPD helicopter with identification number N472LA parked on an airfield.
A pile of tan teddy bears wearing grey flight suits with “LAPD Air Support Division” patches and circular stickers.
A U.S. Border Patrol vehicle with an American flag livery parked in front of a recruitment tent at an outdoor event.
A child and two men examine a large military artillery piece on a paved lot.
A woman and child stand before a San Diego County Fire truck with its equipment compartments open, revealing tools, cases, and a generator.

As we learned at the California Aeronautical University’s exhibit, Vicky Benzing’s beautiful “Plum Crazy” Mustang was “built shortly before the end of WWII… and never left the US before the end of the war.” In 1950 “it was transferred as part of a block of surplus fighters to sea Island (Vancouver) Canada where it served in the RCAF until 1958.” In 1960 it “was converted from a military fighter to a civilian airplane.” In 1964 Clay Lacy raced it in the inaugural Reno Air Races and won the National Championship with it in 1970. Vicky Benzing bought it from Clay in 2019 and had it restored, racing it in the final Reno Air Race. You may even have seen it on “Magnum PI” (in the episode “Two Birds of a Feather”).

A purple P-51 Mustang aircraft, named “Plum Crazy,” in flight against a gray sky.
Infographic about the history of the “Plum Crazy” P-51 Mustang, featuring a large photo of the purple aircraft and a timeline documenting its ownership and restoration from 1944 to 2023.

To explore a wide variety of content dating back to 2002, with the most photos and the latest text, visit “AutoMatters & More” at https://automatters.net. Search by title or topic in the Search Bar in the middle of the Home Page or click on the blue ‘years’ boxes and browse.

Copyright © 2026 by Jan Wagner – AutoMatters & More #950r2

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