MCAS Miramar Air Show Wraps Up Fleet Week Fun

The world's best military and civilian pilots will take to the skies Friday through Sunday, performing spectacular aerial stunts for the MCAS Miramar Air Show.

The three-day event will wrap up the popular two-week Fleet Week San Diego, which salutes local troops and offers the public a rare glimpse at the military in action.

From "The Race at the Base" on Coronado to a boot camp that allows visitors to test their toughness, Fleet Week San Diego has grown into one of the country's largest military celebrations.

MCAS Miramar Air Show

The Navy Blue Angels are back and will soar through the skies. And for aviation fans, the fun continues with plane displays and more than 200 exhibits showcasing the latest military aviation technology.

Gates for the air show open at 8 a.m. General admission and parking are free. The air show runs Friday through Sunday.

Fleet Week Highlights

Major stars and big attractions drew thousands to the Big Bay Family Festival for the start of Fleet Week, which kicked off Sept. 17 down at the city's harbor.

Actors LL Cool J and Chris O'Donnell−stars of NCIS: Los Angeles−headlined the event. Fans got a chance to ask questions and watch a sneak peak of the show's second season.

For the first time, the USS Freedom−one of the U.S. Navy's premier combat ship−was opened to the public. Live music, food and a kids' play zone were also part of the excitement.

Here on Coronado at NAS North Island, the theme was cars, cars and more cars.

Racing legends and vintage cruisers were among the highlights at the 13th annual Speed Festival.

The car parade down Orange Avenue jump-started the two-day festival, which ran Sept. 25-26.

More than 1,200 cars were on display, along with Navy hovercraft and boats.

Racers of all levels put their speed and skill to the test, participating in nine different categories and showing off the coolest speedsters from around the country.

Speed Festival Chair Larry Blumberg said while the races are family-friendly events, they're always a crowd-pleaser for a particular age group in the military.

"The under-30 group has a close association with cars−especially those that go fast," Blumberg said. "Many of these young men and women are themselves car aficionados and have done things to make their own cars more attractive and go faster−so I know they're going to enjoy the festival."

Vintage race cars zoomed around a 1.7-mile track−built right on the Naval Air Station's runways and taxiways.

"It's pretty spectacular−no other festival does that," he said.

Fleet Week also gave local military a chance to shine. During a luncheon Sept. 21 at Sea World, 200 enlisted service members were recognized for their outstanding achievement within their command.

Businesses throughout San Diego County also chipped in, thanking troops and their families for their sacrifice by offering discounts at Operation Liberty Call Sept. 17 at Dick's Last Resort in the Gaslamp Quarter.