By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Thomas E. Coffman,
SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- Marine Corps Air Station Miramar opened its gates to the community to celebrate "A Salute to Teamwork," air show Oct. 2-4.
All branches of the United States military participated in what has become not just an air show, but a joint forces community outreach.
Navy divers stationed at Naval Station San Diego were a big splash with the kids. Throwing Nerf footballs, commemorative coins and splashing water were all part of their display. The biggest spectacle was when the kids could write notes on the glass with grease pencils to the divers, who would respond back under water in the same manner.
"It's hard writing backwards while chatting with the divers," said Nicole Potvin of Redondo, Calif. "But it's the best part of the air show."
Based in Fort Bragg, N.C., The Golden Knights invite all branches of the U.S. military to try out for the Golden Knights. Once accepted, they are crossed over to the Army.
"It's my first year on the team, and it is an honor to represent all the soldiers of the U.S. Army on our 50th anniversary," said Sgt. Rachel Medley of Eureka California. "We have Marines and Air Force members that have crossed over specifically to serve with the Golden Knights. One of the requirements before trying out is having logged over 150 free fall jumps."
Another display in full force was the Virtual Army Experience. Requiring four semi trailers and a large staff to run, it was comparable with any popular theme park.
"The experience was developed so the public could see firsthand with a high degree of realistic representation what life in a combat zone is like," said Sgt. Michael Morphis currently attached to San Diego Recruiting Company. One element of the tour included the unseen element, the hidden sniper.
With just three days left on tour in Iraq, Morphis recalls waking up on the way to an Army hospital in Germany. Morphis was awarded the Purple Heart for being wounded in action.
The Virtual Army Experience concluded with a slide presentation of real life heroes and the Silver Stars and Purple Hearts they proudly earned in defense of their country. The participants realized that the people giving the tour they just experienced were these great heroes.
The most anticipated part of the air show was the performance of a team that has been performing for crowds all over the world since 1946. Home-based at
Naval Air Station Pensacola, Fla., and flying the F/A-18 Hornet, the Blue Angels consist of U.S. Navy and Marine Aviators, accompanied by the all-Marine Corps crew of the C-130T Hercules, known as Fat Albert. The team performed various displays of close formation aerial acrobatics and high speed head to head maneuvers. Fat Albert performed one aspect of its display for the last time, its jet-assisted takeoff (JATO) capability by lighting up the night sky with blazing rockets boosting the aircraft at a 45 degree angle on takeoff.
Hundreds of thousands of spectators gazed skyward as the U.S. Navy Blue Angels, the U.S. Army parachute team Golden Knights and the Canadian Snow Birds, and highlighted the aerial displays.
Marine Corps Air Station is home to the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, and over 10,000 Marines and Sailors on constant rotation in support of combat operations all over the world.
