MIRAMAR – The rain made the Beechers pause before they decided to drive down from Fullerton yesterday, but in the end they came, just as they have for the past five years.
JOHN GIBBINS / Union-Tribune
A pair of Air Force Thunderbirds went belly to belly under threatening skies during the annual Miramar Air Show yesterday at Miramar Marine Corps Air Station. The three-day event concludes today.
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“We're not too far from awnings if we have to run for cover,” said Kath Beecher, who was at the Miramar Air Show with her husband, Tony.
The Kims of Eastlake watched the Weather Channel before deciding to make the 30-minute drive. Dawn Nyblade of Escondido brought an umbrella, but said: “It's not going to rain that much. We're in San Diego.”
The stars of the show, the Air Force's Thunderbirds pilots, pondered the weather as they toured the USS Midway Museum yesterday morning. Clear skies mean a high show – loops, turns, the full repertoire. Low clouds force them to cut the loops out of the show. A downpour limits them just to passes.
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Miramar Air Show
When: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. today; gates open at 8 a.m.
Where: Miramar Marine Corps Air Station
Cost: Free general admission and parking. Blanket seating is free; prices vary for preferred seating.
Info: www.miramarairshow.com
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The clouds delayed the start of the show slightly and the arrival of the audience that would build throughout the day. The chaplain who offered the benediction called on God to “grant that the sun continue to shine and that your magnificent clouds roll away.”
They never did fully, but the planes flew and the people congregated by the thousands on the tarmac.
After all, said Tony Beecher, “you don't get to see this sort of thing at LAX – except on the ground.”
The second day of the air show proved that blue skies and Blue Angels aren't required to draw people from all over Southern California.
JOHN GIBBINS / Union-Tribune
Enthralled spectators gazed skyward as the Thunderbirds screamed past during their performance, the highlight of the afternoon.
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Umbrellas were just one more thing to pack for people who hauled blankets, canopies, tents and wagons laden with snacks. One man wore a massive sombrero to protect him from rain or sun.
Air Force recruiters recognized the weekend as a prime opportunity for exposure.
“It's a big deal, because this is a Marine Corps and a Navy town,” said Staff Sgt. Jeremy Gomez, who oversaw the booth staffed by the 362nd Recruiting Squadron.
Just before the Thunderbirds took to the air in the afternoon, about 80 Air Force recruits were sworn in on the tarmac.
Capt. Elizabeth Kreft, Thunderbirds spokeswoman, said: “It's not just planting seeds of, 'Hey, come into the Air Force.' It's planting seeds of, 'You can do anything you want to do.' ”
Although the Marine Corps will not release attendance estimates until Monday, officials project that 750,000 people will attend the air show over three days. The final day is today.
Chris Moran: (619) 498-6637; chris.moran@uniontrib.com
