Category: Miramar

Day One at the 2026 MCAS Miramar Air Show: A Sky Full of Action

On Friday, September 25, the gates opened at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar for the first public day of the 2026 MCAS Miramar Air Show, bringing aviation fans, military families, and visitors together for the opening day of one of San Diego’s biggest aviation events.

This year’s show, running September 25–27, celebrates America’s 250th anniversary with a weekend built around aviation, military demonstrations, historic aircraft, and civilian aerobatics.

The U-2 Dragon Lady Makes a Rare Appearance

One of the most distinctive moments of Day One came at approximately 1:25 p.m., when the U.S. Air Force U-2 Dragon Lady made its scheduled flypast over Marine Corps Air Station Miramar. The Friday-only appearance gave air show visitors a rare opportunity to see one of America’s most recognizable high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft in flight.

U.S. Air Force’s 9th Reconnaissance Wing at Beale Air Force Base, California

U.S. Air Force’s 9th Reconnaissance Wing at Beale Air Force Base, California

Highlights from Day 1 Friday

America’s Air Show Returns to San Diego: MCAS Miramar Air Show 2026

The sound of jet engines will once again fill the skies over San Diego when America’s Air Show returns to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar from September 25–27, 2026.

For anyone who enjoys aviation, military history, or simply seeing some incredible aircraft up close, the Miramar Air Show is one of the major events on San Diego’s annual calendar. The 2026 show is especially significant because it celebrates the nation’s 250th anniversary.

Visit https://miramarairshow.com for more information, faqs, schedule, and prohibited items

Three Days of Aviation

The Miramar Air Show brings together military aircraft, demonstration teams, civilian performers, historic aircraft, and interactive displays.

One of the major attractions this year will be the U.S. Navy Blue Angels, along with the U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II demonstration. The schedule also includes the Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey, a C-17 demonstration, and the Marine Air-Ground Task Force demonstration.

The MAGTF demonstration is particularly different from a traditional air-show performance. It combines aircraft, ground forces, pyrotechnics, and tactical maneuvers to demonstrate how Marine units can operate together during a simulated battlefield scenario.

Past Miramar Airshow Highlights

A Walk Around Lake Miramar: San Diego’s Scenic Reservoir Escape

Officially known as Miramar Reservoir, the lake offers a peaceful blend of recreation, wildlife, and wide-open scenery just minutes from busy neighborhoods and freeways. Originally constructed as part of San Diego’s water supply system, the reservoir today serves a dual purpose. While it continues to store drinking water for the city, the surrounding recreation area has evolved into a popular local escape where visitors can enjoy nature without leaving urban San Diego behind.

Officially known as Miramar Reservoir, the lake offers a peaceful blend of recreation, wildlife, and wide-open scenery just minutes from busy neighborhoods and freeways. Originally constructed as part of San Diego’s water supply system, the reservoir today serves a dual purpose. While it continues to store drinking water for the city, the surrounding recreation area has evolved into a popular local escape where visitors can enjoy nature without leaving urban San Diego behind.

One of the biggest draws of Lake Miramar is the nearly five-mile paved loop that circles the reservoir. The trail is mostly flat, making it accessible for casual walkers while still offering enough distance for runners and cyclists looking for a good workout. Early mornings are especially popular, when cool air settles over the water and the rising sun reflects across the calm surface of the lake.

Wildlife is another major attraction around the reservoir. Birdwatchers regularly encounter ducks, grebes, cormorants, herons, and gulls on the water, while hawks and kestrels patrol the nearby hillsides. During migration seasons, unexpected visitors sometimes appear, rewarding patient observers with memorable sightings. Despite its popularity, Lake Miramar still manages to feel surprisingly peaceful. A weekday morning walk can bring long stretches of quiet shoreline, interrupted only by birds calling across the water or the distant splash of fish near the surface.

Soaring High in San Diego – Americas Airshow Arrivals 2025

The 2025 Miramar Air Show returns to the skies over San Diego this September 26 through the 28th, 2025. Marine Corps Air Station Miramar will play host to thousands of spectators this weekend who come out to witness the power and strength of the United States Marine Corps. Known as the largest military air show in the world, the Miramar Air Show is a San Diego tradition that blends aviation history, modern technology, and breathtaking aerobatic performances.

Visit the official website the MCAS Miramar Airshow where https://miramarairshow.com

The United States Navy Flight Demonstration Team the Blue Angels arrived Wednesday afternoon in San Diego. Other flight teams were in the air Wednesday to practice their Ground Attack Demo.

There are 2 daily flight demo practices sheduled Wednesday and Thursday mornings and afternoon. And the official Air Show runs Friday, Saturday and Sunday 8am to 4pm.