Miramar Air Show Kicks Off

The annual Miramar Air Show, which  began today, involves three days of aerial stunts, flight demonstrations by the U.S. Navy's Blue Angels and ground displays of civilian and military aircraft.

The daily shows begin at 9 a.m. through Sunday, with the Blue Angels scheduled for lift off around 2:45 p.m.

A twilight show on Saturday is set to start at 5:30 p.m., featuring F/A- 18 fighter jets making passes with their afterburners engaged, fireworks and the "Great Wall of Fire," which organizers bill as an "incredible, intense inferno."

Other flight demonstrations during the daytime shows include a B-25 bomber of the type used during the Doolittle raid on Tokyo during World War II, and an F-22 Raptor fighter jet.

Brig. Gen. Steven Busby told Fox 5 San Diego that the air show is a great opportunity to give back to the city.

"For us, this is an opportunity for us to show off our young men and women, our Marines and sailors and who they are and what they do every day," said Busby, the commander of the Third Marine Aircraft Wing.

Organizers strongly suggest that patrons wear sunscreen and comfortable shoes. Large bags, large backpacks, large ice chests and coolers are not permitted. Also prohibited are:

-- weapons, including firearms, knives, replica or toy weapons, pepper spray or stun guns;

-- alcoholic beverages, unless purchased from vendors;

-- ice chests or coolers larger than two gallons;

-- pets, other than service animals;

-- glass containers; and

-- bicycles, roller skates, roller blades, scooters or skateboards.

Drivers should expect heavy traffic around the base. Kearny Villa Road will be closed from noon to 5 p.m. each day.

Those who plan to attend need to have a valid drivers license, current registration and proof of insurance to bring their car on the base.

Drivers can enter through the main gate off Miramar Way, or the north and west gates off Miramar Road.

General admission and parking are free. Reserved seating, including grandstand and box seats, are available for purchase on base during the event. These seats can also be purchased in advance at their lowest rate via www.miramarairshow.com.

Reserved seating starts at $8.50 for adults and $5.25 for children on Friday, $7.25 for adults and $4.25 for children on Saturday, and $8.50 for adults and $5.25 for children on Sunday. Prices increase depending on the time and day of the show, when the tickets are purchased and the type of reserved seating.

—City News Service