“A SALUTE TO VIETNAM VETERANS”

Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Miramar hosted their 2017 edition of their annual airshow from Sep 29th-Oct 2, 2017. Home to the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (3d MAW), Miramar boasts one of the largest and most popular airshows on the West Coast.

Famous for their Marine Air Ground Task Force (MAGTF) demo, and the always impressive United States Navy Demonstration Team, the Blue Angels. The show also included several civilian aerobatic acts, as well as a race between John Colver in his AT-6 ‘War Dog’ and Chris Darnell in the ‘Shockwave’ jet truck. The Marines also conducted separate capabilities demonstrations of their MV-22 Osprey, AV-8B Harrier, and F-35B Lightning II.

The theme this year was ‘A Salute to Vietnam Veterans’. I for one am very happy that Miramar chose this theme for their show this year. Being a more recent Combat Veteran, I know the feeling of coming home from a deployment to a generally thankful and appreciative civilian populace. Unfortunately, Vietnam Vets did not come home to that same appreciation. Many were ridiculed or insulted, and in many cases, the treatment was much, much worse. A substantial number of these Veterans didn’t choose to go either, they were drafted, and therefore forced, but they served, and they sacrificed, and many did not return at all. I have always made it a point to thank Vietnam Veterans for their service and their sacrifice, and encouraged my children to do the same. With that I salute all Vietnam Veterans out there, and here at Photorecon, we THANK YOU!

I want to thank 1st Lt Littesy and the entire 3d MAW Public Affairs Office at MCAS Miramar for their hospitality once again this year. I look forward to seeing what they have in store for 2018.