MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, Calif. -- The 2015 MCAS Miramar Air Show kicked off with an opening ceremony aboard Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, Oct. 2.
The MCAS Miramar Air Show is the largest military air show in the world. Marines and Sailors with the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing and MCAS Miramar open the gates of the air station to the public each year to showcase both military and civilian aviation.
The ceremony began with a brief introduction to the air station and a request from the commanding officer of the air station.
“This is our opportunity to show off a little bit what the Marines and Sailors of MCAS Miramar do every day to you,” said Col. Jason Woodworth, commanding officer of MCAS Miramar. “Our theme this year is ‘A Salute to Veterans and Their Families,’ so what I ask of all the civilians in the crowd who are visiting today [is to] take a minute to grab one of the young men and women in uniform today and say hello to them and get to know a little bit about them and their families.”
The opening ceremony featured an ensemble performance by the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing Band.
Near the close of the ceremony, visitors watched as a parachutist with the U.S. Army’s Golden Knights landed on the flight line trailing the American flag as the 3rd MAW band played the national anthem.
“We have a great show for you,” said Brig. Gen. Edward Banta, commanding general of Marine Corps Installations West. “Have a wonderful fay today, welcome to Miramar, and semper fidelis!”