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| PERFORMERS |
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| MARINE AIR GROUND TASK FORCE (MAGTF) |
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THE IDEAL RAPID RESPONSE TEAM
The MCAS Marine Air-Ground Task Force Demonstration displays the coordinated use of close air support, armor, artillery and infantry forces.
As helicopters, Hornets and Harriers fill the sky, paratroopers drop and infantry platoons move in on their objective. The men and women of the Marine Corps show their finely-honed skills, and the Air Show audience is in the middle of the action.
This is an explosive display of Marine Corps power.
A MAGTF is a self-sustaining combined-arms force organized for a specific mission. The four elements—Command, Ground Combat, Aviation Combat and Combat Service Support—work seamlessly together.
The Command element provides control and coordination for the planning and completion of the mission.
The Ground Combat element handles land-based operations. It is formed around the infantry and reinforced with artillery.
The Aviation Combat element provides air support and is responsible for all air operations within the MAGTF.
The Combat Service Support element provides support to the force, enabling long-duration operations.
Members of the MAGTF train together, deploy together, respond to crises together and, when called upon, fight together.
Because it it formed for a specific purpose, a MAGTF is extremely flexible. Within days, a MAGTF can be anywhere in the world, and arrive ready to accomplish its mission.
It's not all about combat; the MAGTF may be called upon to provide humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, crisis response, security or any of a number of missions.
The MAGTF is the ideal rapid response team, able to quickly answer the call of duty, whatever it may be, wherever it may take them. |
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| MILITARY PERFORMERS |
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AV-8B HARRIER
The Marine Corps' AV-8B Harrier vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft is an amazing piece of aviation technology designed to attack and destroy surface targets under day and night visual conditions. The Harrier can be armed with MK-82 series 500-lb. bombs, MK-83 series 1000-lb. bombs, GBU-12 500-lb. laser guided bombs, GBU-16 1000-lb. laser guided bombs, AGM-65F IR Maverick missiles, AGM-65E Laser Maverick missiles, CBU-99 cluster munitions, AIM-9M Sidewinders and the LITENING II targeting pod to deliver GBU-12 and GBU-16 bombs with pinpoint accuracy. (Photo courtesy of Sean Stell, MCCS.) |
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MARINE AIR-GROUND TASK FORCE (MAGTF) DEMO
The Marine Air-Ground Task Force Demonstration displays the coordinated use of close air support, armor, artillery and infantry forces. Hornets and Harriers provide cover for Marine Corps paratroopers as helicopters bring in platoons of riflemen. C-130's provide aerial re-fueling overhead while M1-A1 tanks and LAV's support the ground offensive. Spectacular special effects simulate air-to-ground explosions. (Photo courtesy of Sean Stell, MCCS.) |
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U.S. Navy Leap Frogs
A typical Leap Frogs performance consists of fourteen jumpers leaping out of an aircraft at an altitude of 12,500 feet. During free fall, jumpers reach speeds of 120 mph and can accelerate up to180 mph by pulling their arms to their sides and straightening their legs into what is called a "track." The jumpers typically open their parachutes at around 5,000 feet by releasing a smaller pilot chute which deploys their main blue-and-gold canopy.
After deploying their chutes, the Leap Frogs fly their canopies
together to build dramatic canopy-relative work formations.
(Photo courtesy of US Navy Parachute Team.) |
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| CIVILIAN PERFORMERS |
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THE PATRIOTS JET TEAM
After painstaking restoration by the Airshows America team, The Patriots’ six L-39 jets were modified for use on the air show circuit with upgraded avionics systems for navigation and communications, removal of excess weight for better air show performance, addition of a 25 gallon smoke oil system, and removal of their previous paint scheme. Sponsored by Fry's Electronics and Hot Line Construction, the Patriots L-39s have electrified spectators with fast-paced formation flying and their signature "Tail Slide" maneuver where the aircraft actually slides backwards toward the ground, something you will not see from any other jet demonstration team.
(Photo courtesy of The Patriots Jet Team.) |
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A TRIBUTE TO BOB HOOVER
Bob Hoover is considered one of the founding fathers of modern aerobatics, and was described by Jimmy Doolittle as, "... the greatest stick-and-rudder man who ever lived." In the Centennial of Flight edition of the Air & Space Smithsonian, he was named the third greatest aviator in history.
The T-39 Tribute to Bob Hoover performance is piloted by Randy Howell and Dean "Wilbur" Wright. They will showcase Bob Hoover's air show T-39 performance from the past. (Photo courtesy of Austin Mormando.) |
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B-25J EXECUTIVE SWEET
Millions of aviation fans have seen this popular 64 year old Warbird perform. Built in Kansas City in 1944 -45 as a B-25J, Executive Sweet saw extensive Stateside service throughout the war as a crew trainer. In 1948,it was turned converted into a USAF VB-25J, a VIP transport until the end of her service. In December of 1954 it was upgraded and designated a VB-25N by Hayes Aircraft, Inc. After several more years in military service at the School of Aviation Medicine at Randolph Field, Texas, the Mitchell was sold as surplus ad became a crop sprayer. Acquired by Hollywood's Filmways Studios in 1968, the B-25 became the lead "on camera" aircraft named Vestal Virgin in the film Catch-22. Placed for sale after completion of filming in 1970, it was purchased by Ed Schnepf (Thank you Ed!!) in 1972 to begin a two-year restorative program back to a wartime J model appearance. |
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SEAN TUCKER "ORACLE CHALLENGER"
Since beginning his air show career in the mid-70s, Sean Tucker has flown more than 700 performances at more than 300 air shows, in front of more than 60 million fans. In the upcoming season alone, Tucker and Team Oracle will entertain nearly 10 million fans at 25 shows throughout North America. "I like to think that I bring the fans' dreams of flying into the plane with me, and there's nowhere I'd rather be than in the cockpit. That's why I train so hard to keep the edge!" Sean has logged over 20,000 hours flying, which if done all at once, would take over two years, 24 hours a day. In 2003, he was named one of the 25 "Living Legends of Flight" by the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum. (Photo courtesy of Oracle Team.) |
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JOHN COLLVER "WARDOG"
John A. Collver and his AT-6 "War Dog" are a crowd-pleasing favorite seen by millions of people at Air Shows every year. Collver, who has logged thousands of hours of airtime in more than 50 types of aircraft over 30-plus years of flying, uses the World War II-era AT-6 trainer to show off the aerial maneuvers taught to dogfighting American pilots more than 60 years ago.
(Photo courtesy of Bernard Zee.) |
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BRET WILLAT "SAILPLANE MAGIC"
Bret Willat flies "Sailplane Magic," based here in Southern California. If you think all a sailplane can do is big lazy circles, wait till you see Bret add some loops and rolls (with smoke). The show is set to music.
(Photo courtesy of Bret Willat.) |
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DAN BUCHANAN
Dan Buchanan flies some of the quieter aircraft on the air show circuit, with a smooth, silent tow-launched hang glider and also a quiet, agile motorized wing for remote performances that are not near airports. Dan was a custom-home builder with an avocational love of flying until 1981, when he became paraplegic due to consecutive sporting accidents. Despite his handicap, Dan returned to flying just a year later and since then, his tenacity and adventurous spirit has allowed him to accrue more than 2,400 hours of flight time in hang gliders. (Photo courtesy of Dan Buchanan.) |
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Hawker Beechcraft
The Hawker Beechcraft Defense Company is proud to bring you the Texan II Demo, Piloted by Michael Rambo. A smoke-on aerobatic demonstration showcasing the most cost-effective military training system available. Flown as the primary flight trainer for the US Air Force and Navy, the Texan II offers a military performance by a civilian performer. |
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SHOCKWAVE JET TRUCK
The ShockWave Jet Truck runs over 300 mph, racing airplanes at airshows; it holds the world record in a quarter mile for trucks at 256 mph in just 6.36 seconds; and holds the world record for full size trucks at 376 mph as recorded by Guinness Book of World Records. At 36,000 horsepower, the ShockWave has enough power to accelerate at three G's vertical, which is as much as the space shuttle!
(Photo courtesy of Shockley's Shockwave Jet Truck Team.) |
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RADIO-CONTROLLED AIRCRAFT
The Miramar RC Flyers will fly their radio controlled aircraft from 8:00-9:30 a.m. each day of the air show and after the Blue Angels land
on Saturday afternoon before the twilight show. |
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RED BULL HELO
Many people are surprised to learn that Red Bull's high performance aerobatic routine is actually performed by a stock helicopter, the BO-105 CBS made by Eurocopter/Messerschmitt Boelkow Blohm (MBB). It uses two 425 hp Allyson Rolls Royce C-20B turbine engines that drive composite rotor blades mounted to a solid titanium fixed rotor head. The normal versions can be configured for a variety of flight operations from air ambulance to off shore oil drilling support. What makes Red Bull's
BO-105 CBS different from any of the others is the man inside
- Charles "Chuck" P. Aaron. |
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Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey
An American multi-mission, military, tiltrotor aircraft with both a vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL), and short takeoff and landing (STOL) capability. It is designed to combine the functionality of a conventional helicopter with the long-range, high speed cruise performance of a turboprop aircraft. |
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| TWILIGHT SHOW PERFORMERS |
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AV-8B HARRIER
The Marine Corps' AV-8B Harrier vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft is an amazing piece of aviation technology designed to attack and destroy surface targets under day and night visual conditions. The Harrier can be armed with MK-82 series 500-lb. bombs, MK-83 series 1000-lb. bombs, GBU-12 500-lb. laser guided bombs, GBU-16 1000-lb. laser guided bombs, AGM-65F IR Maverick missiles, AGM-65E Laser Maverick missiles, CBU-99 cluster munitions, AIM-9M Sidewinders and the LITENING II targeting pod to deliver GBU-12 and GBU-16 bombs with pinpoint accuracy. (Photo courtesy of Sean Stell, MCCS.) |
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SEAN TUCKER "ORACLE CHALLENGER"
Since beginning his air show career in the mid-70s, Sean Tucker has flown more than 700 performances at more than 300 air shows, in front of more than 60 million fans. In the upcoming season alone, Tucker and Team Oracle will entertain nearly 10 million fans at 25 shows throughout North America. "I like to think that I bring the fans' dreams of flying into the plane with me, and there's nowhere I'd rather be than in the cockpit. That's why I train so hard to keep the edge!" Sean has logged over 20,000 hours flying, which if done all at once, would take over two years, 24 hours a day. In 2003, he was named one of the 25 "Living Legends of Flight" by the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum. (Photo courtesy of Oracle Team.) |
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U.S. Navy Leap Frogs
A typical Leap Frogs performance consists of fourteen jumpers leaping out of an aircraft at an altitude of 12,500 feet. During free fall, jumpers reach speeds of 120 mph and can accelerate up to180 mph by pulling their arms to their sides and straightening their legs into what is called a "track." The jumpers typically open their parachutes at around 5,000 feet by releasing a smaller pilot chute which deploys their main blue-and-gold canopy.
After deploying their chutes, the Leap Frogs fly their canopies
together to build dramatic canopy-relative work formations.
(Photo courtesy of US Navy Parachute Team.) |
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BRET WILLAT "NIGHT MAGIC"
Bret Willat flies Sailplane "Night Magic" with a load of pyrotechnics to light up the Miramar sky. The Willat's are a family team — the Mrs. flies the tow plane, and sons Garret and Boyd make up the ground crew, with Garret narrating. (Photo courtesy of Sean Stell, MCCS.) |
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DAN BUCHANAN
Dan Buchanan flies some of the quieter aircraft on the air show circuit, with a smooth, silent tow-launched hang glider and also a quiet, agile motorized wing for remote performances that are not near airports. Dan was a custom-home builder with an avocational love of flying until 1981, when he became paraplegic due to consecutive sporting accidents. Despite his handicap, Dan returned to flying just a year later and since then, his tenacity and adventurous spirit has allowed him to accrue more than 2,400 hours of flight time in hang gliders. (Photo courtesy of Sean Stell, MCCS.) |
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STEVE STAVRAKAKIS "THE WILD THING"
With nearly 20 years of experience as a professional air show pilot and narrator, Steve Stavrakakis is considered a proven entertainment package. Stavrakakis flies the aerobatic IAR-823 (seen left, in camo paint) built by Industria Aeronatica Romania, powered by a 300-hp Lycoming and spinning a Hartzell propeller. The IAR is painted in Air Force jungle camouflage colors and the markings of the 8th Special Ops Squadron stationed at Bien Hoa Air Base, Vietnam in 1970. (Photo courtesy of Bernard Zee.) |
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FIREWORKS
The Twilight Air Show ends with a spectacular fireworks display produced by San Diego Fireworks. |
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GREAT WALL OF FIRE
The Miramar Air Show Great Wall of Fire made the "Guinness Book of World Records" in 2000 for "Longest Wall of Fire." At 2,500 feet, it's an incredible, intense inferno! You can feel the heat! The "Wall of Fire" and the daily special explosives effects for the MAGTF demos are provided by the MCAS Miramar Explosive Ordnance Disposal Team.
(Photo courtesy of Sean Stell, MCCS.) |
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