SAN DIEGO COUNTY, Calif. — As the 2022 Miramar Air Show is set to return to the skies this weekend after a nearly a three year hiatus, we’re taking a look back at some of our News 8 archive clips of Miramar Air Show highlights from the 1970s, ‘80s and ‘90s in San Diego.
This year’s air show's theme is “Marines: Fight, Evolve, Win” and will be held Sept. 23 – 25. MCAS Miramar said "It is a direct reflection of the Commandant of the Marine Corps Force Design 2030 program and the technical innovations the service is undertaking to remain the 21st century’s force in readiness."
Gates open at 8:00 a.m. each day with the show wrapping up at around 4:15 p.m., according to MCAS Miramar. You can find the full show schedule here.
Be sure to watch CBS 8 at 6 p.m. during Fleet Week, starting on Sep. 19, for special preview coverage on the Miramar Air Show! CBS 8's Marcella Lee will be fulfilling a lifelong dream, flying with the Blue Angels!
NAS Miramar Air Show 1976
On October 23, 1976, amazing tricks and stunts and impressive feats by the Blue Angels -- all the things expected at the annual air show in San Diego. Cathy Clark reported for us at the '76 show.
The Blue Angels perform at the Miramar Air Show in San Diego in 1978 and 1980
For decades, one highlight of the Miramar Air Show has been the Blue Angels who perform gasp-inducing stunts high in the sky. These videos from 1978 and 1980 show some of the Angels’ tricks – along with tragedies. In 1978, a Blue Angel pilot perished in a fiery crash – but the other Angels said the show must go to honor their fallen comrade. News 8’s I.J. Hudson went along for a few loops and rolls with the Blue Angels and talks about his experience in the footage from 1980.
1991 Miramar Air Show in San Diego highlights aircraft used in Gulf War
The 1991 Miramar Air Show highlighted aircraft used in the Gulf War – also known as Operation Desert Storm – which had ended earlier that year. News 8’s Margaret Radford reported on the “victory machines” that were on display and in the air for that year’s air show. The clip includes an aeronautical engineer talking about seeing the planes he worked on entertaining the large crowds.
NAS Miramar Air Show 1993
August 14, 1993 Nearly 200,000 people crowded onto the runways at Miramar to see the show. It wasn't a record crowd, but a very good one. What they got to see is some of the best stunt flying in the world. News 8's Doug McAllister has more from the 1993 edition of the Miramar Air Show.
CBS 8 reporter flies high with the Blue Angels in San Diego ahead of 1998 Miramar Air Show
In 1998, CBS 8 reporter Taylor Baldwin got a special look at the Miramar Air Show by taking flight with the world-famous Blue Angels. Taylor got to experience supersonic speed, an aileron roll and more on her journey. The pilot even let her steer the aircraft before he landed them safely back at MCAS Miramar.
CBS 8's Steve Price takes to the San Diego skies in an Extra 300 ahead of 1999 Miramar Air Show
CBS 8’s Steve Price got a behind-the-scenes look at the Miramar Air Show in 1999 when he boarded an Extra 300 – a German aerobatic plane – with Tim Weber. Tim gave Steve a preview of what he would perform at that year’s airshow. Some of the tricks and turns left our reporter a little dizzy and he was happy to return to earth after sailing the skies.