MCAS Miramar Airshow 27-29 September 2024

[Berf]

Vicky Benzing and Plum Crazy P51 are confirmed on her website.

[CWS]

Reading some of the stuff on here regarding other US shows, mainly at a USMC base. I note that on the site it does state that non US nationals have to go through extra security checks etc. For those that have been before, was it not too bad or way more than you thought, in terms of checks getting into the base? I have read up that we will need our passport and then get scanned etc. Also wear a lanyard around the base once through security.

[verreli]

Just don't expect to be first in and you'll be fine. Base security will be super courteous, you'll stand in a queue, pass a few details and you're away, free to mingle with all the locals.

The one thing I would highlight, when they play the Star Spangle Banner the place will come to a respectful standstill, many making a hand on heart gesture. This isn't usual for the UK. It's up to you but I always find myself pausing for a moment if walking for the sake of a minute. It's the least I can do for being a guest at their free show.

[CWS]

Just don't expect to be first in and you'll be fine. Base security will be super courteous, you'll stand in a queue, pass a few details and you're away, free to mingle with all the locals.

The one thing I would highlight, when they play the Star Spangle Banner the place will come to a respectful standstill, many making a hand on heart gesture. This isn't usual for the UK. It's up to you but I always find myself pausing for a moment if walking for the sake of a minute. It's the least I can do for being a guest at their free show.

Thanks for the heads up.
Yep totally agree, same at sporting events, always respectful to the anthem. Cheeeeers

[boff180]

I've not been since this rule came in.

One that has been at Miramar for about 7 years is that you can only bring in clear bags up to one gallon in size. They're easily available on amazon, I keep one specifically for US shows. They won't let you on with a camera bag.

They didn't require one at Lemoore in 2019 but wouldn't let backpacks in and were searching bags - the security saw my clear bag and praised it.

[Tangoringo]

Just to add my two penneth after a few recent trips, I can echo the points above but things do seem to vary between marine and air force stations, but the overriding bit of advice is probably the most obvious- don’t forget your passport as for us Jonny Foreigners only that ID will do.
Two recent MCAS visits have had full NCIS checks with fingerprints, passport scans and a nice little ‘I’m not from round here’ lanyard worn around our neck. Davis Monthan and March last year and Luke this year were a lot more relaxed with just a quick check of passports. We did however see a couple of camera clad foreign nationals ( of a certain ethnicity ) escorted away from a seating area by armed base personnel. Normally there’s a seperate queue with the longest wait probably being Miramar where we were waiting and being printed for maybe 20 mins. At all times though the agents were really chatty and pleasant with no issues encountered.
Ref the camera bags that is most definitely enforced as well having seen several enthusiasts turned around for large camera bags. As Boff says however the clear bags work really well.
BTW if you haven’t been before you’ll have a hoot at Miramar and the MAGTF demo is spectacular. Hopefully see you there in September

[CWS]

Thanks for your messages!! Sorry for so many questions, only ever done shows in the UK. I will definitely get some of the 1 gallon see through bags. I'm not a photographer so I don't need to worry about cameras etc. Hopefully will just need to bring sun-cream!

[spellow3010]

I am now hopefully attending this show. Flights, vehicle and accommodation all booked at least. Whilst I would never tire of seeing any Blue Angels action, I am really looking forward to the B-29 in the air (a first for me) and also the beefed up MAGTF demo - especially if there's another chance to catch a legacy Hornet screaming through with a half decent vapour cone (Red Devils '08' tail code in 2019 was awesome).

EDIT - to add, we should consider a UKAR members meet up at some point for this show... Looks like plenty of us hoping to be there...

[Berf]

Website now says tickets for stuff you have to pay for go on sale 4 July week.

[CWS]

Thank you, I will look to get Grandstand tickets I think.

I'll be up for saying a hello at the show if all works out. The way my plans are so far I should be going on the Saturday, if any tech problems or weather etc I will go on the Sunday as well.

[Tangoringo]

Certainly hoping to be there again this year hopefully with my learned ( and far more able ) photographic friend ChrisM if we can get work to play ball. Would be good to catch up and share a cold one on the day,

[Tangoringo]

Thanks for your messages!! Sorry for so many questions, only ever done shows in the UK. I will definitely get some of the 1 gallon see through bags. I'm not a photographer so I don't need to worry about cameras etc. Hopefully will just need to bring sun-cream!

Was in the same boat until a couple of years ago ref UK only shows but work very fortuitously opens up a whole smorgasbord of US shows now. Believe me, you won’t be disappointed!
If you have any more questions fire them over.

[Berf]

Schedule now on website

Only addition as far as I can see is the Greg Collyer T33 - sadly no B29 flying (yet?)


The performer lineup and times will be the same for each day of the event. Performers are scheduled within the hour/time slot as listed below. Please note that schedules are subject to change.

8:00am Gates Open to the Public

11:00am Precision Exotics Runway Races and Ed Hamill / USMC F-35B Lightning Demo

11:30am Welcoming Ceremony

11:45am Aarron Deliu

12:00pm USMC MV-22 Osprey Demo

12:10pm Vicky Benzing P-51 Demo / Greg Colyer 2 – T-33 “Ace Maker”

12:40pm Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF)

1:30pm Ed Hamill – Folds of Honor

1:50pm F-22 Raptor Demo with P-51D Heritage Flight

2:20pm Red Bull Air Force

2:40pm The United States Navy Blue Angels and Fat Albert

4:00pm End of Show

[Berf]

And static:

A finalized listing of static displays will be coming shortly so stay tuned for the full listing! Here are a few notable displays that will be present. Please note that displays are subject to change.

MARINE CORPS STATIC DISPLAYS

F-18 Hornet
F-35B Lightning II
MV-22 Osprey
CH-53E Super Stallion

AIR FORCE STATIC DISPLAYS

F-15E Strike Eagle
T-38 Talon
F-16 Fighting Falcon
B-1B Lancer
C-17 Globemaster
C-5M Super Galaxy
C-130

NAVY STATIC DISPLAYS

F-35C Lightning
T-34C
CIVILIAN

B-29 “Doc”
T-34A
T-34B
PT-17 Stearman
T-28
T-6

[CWS]

Niceeeee, last time I saw a C5 would have been its last appearance at RIAT, however long ago that was. Also nice to see a B1 on static again. Also be good to see the F-35c in comparison to the a and bs that we have had over here

[CWS]

For those that have been before, is there likely to be more added to the static line up? Also is there any chance of extra participation in the flying program? Even if not a 'proper' full display, but a flypast etc

[Berf]

Static - as it says above A finalized listing of static displays will be coming shortly so stay tuned for the full listing! Here are a few notable displays that will be present.

[Tangoringo]

For those that have been before, is there likely to be more added to the static line up? Also is there any chance of extra participation in the flying program? Even if not a 'proper' full display, but a flypast etc

I would say pretty unlikely that there will be any change in the flying given my limited experience but never say never.
Ref the statics USAF participation was very limited last year with quite a few no shows however there were a lot of political shenanigans going on at the time which did lead to the threat of a govt shutdown around the time of the show. It was also quite frustrating last year with a lot of the Marine aggressors parked up outside of the show area where it was very difficult to photograph.
Fingers crossed for a few more additions though this year.

[boff180]

For those that have been before, is there likely to be more added to the static line up? Also is there any chance of extra participation in the flying program? Even if not a 'proper' full display, but a flypast etc

It's actually a good point, whilst Miramar is the biggest US military airshow, their military shows are not anywhere near the scale of European military shows - especially on the static side of things.

[CWS]

Thank you for the replies! Makes me appreciate Riat even more seeing how big and varied the static line up is compared to shows around the world. But this is going to be a real treat. Really really looking forward to seeing a show in the states, never seen the blue angles, also some of the static line up I have never seen and probably won't see anywhere else! Trying not to look to far ahead with other events before this holiday and airshow, but hard not to!! Going to be an amazing trip!

[JW22]

Evening all, looking at potentially doing this one and wondered if anyone has ever done it before without using a car. Was looking at staying in one of the hotels near the base which is about a 15 minute walk from the north gate and was hoping you’d be able to just walk then to one of the shuttle buses that take you to the main entrances. I’ve reached out to the show and not yet had a response so any guidance on this would be great.
Cheers
Joe

[boff180]

Evening all, looking at potentially doing this one and wondered if anyone has ever done it before without using a car. Was looking at staying in one of the hotels near the base which is about a 15 minute walk from the north gate and was hoping you’d be able to just walk then to one of the shuttle buses that take you to the main entrances. I’ve reached out to the show and not yet had a response so any guidance on this would be great.
Cheers
Joe

According to their website there is no public transport to the show so I assume that means no shuttle busses either.

I must admit I’ve never seen anyone come in to the show on foot - it’s a massive base and a big walk especially from the gate closest to the nearby hotels. Its even a long walk from the public car parks (usually the golf course).

Their website currently states access is via car and arranged bus (coach) only, so I would work on that.

Tbh knowing the area, there are much nicer hotels in San Diego (avoid Hotel circle) and it doesn’t take long to travel to/from. They will probably be cheaper too.

I’m staying in a hotel on the bay front overlooking North Island NAS where’s there’s loads of bars (and I’m hoping for a room with a “view” lol).

Andy

[JW22]

Evening all, looking at potentially doing this one and wondered if anyone has ever done it before without using a car. Was looking at staying in one of the hotels near the base which is about a 15 minute walk from the north gate and was hoping you’d be able to just walk then to one of the shuttle buses that take you to the main entrances. I’ve reached out to the show and not yet had a response so any guidance on this would be great.
Cheers
Joe

According to their website there is no public transport to the show so I assume that means no shuttle busses either.

I must admit I’ve never seen anyone come in to the show on foot - it’s a massive base and a big walk especially from the gate closest to the nearby hotels. Its even a long walk from the public car parks (usually the golf course).

Their website currently states access is via car and arranged bus (coach) only, so I would work on that.

Tbh knowing the area, there are much nicer hotels in San Diego (avoid Hotel circle) and it doesn’t take long to travel to/from. They will probably be cheaper too.

I’m staying in a hotel on the bay front overlooking North Island NAS where’s there’s loads of bars (and I’m hoping for a room with a “view” lol).

Andy

Thanks for the response , on the website it says you can take a ride share to a drop off location and there’s a shuttle bus to take you to the main entrances so I don’t think it’s impossible to do without a car. A view of North Island would be excellent!

[Berf]

Can't wait for the Blue Angels? Try the new documentary now out on Amazon Prime

[CWS]

I subscribed to the email list and got an email that seems to suggest that on the 1st of July you can book tickets for the preferred seating. Although it is free entry, as we are coming from a fair old distance ! I will try and book seats in the grand stand.