On Oct. 12-14th the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps teams showcased their combat skills in flight at the annual Miramar Air Show. Located at the Marine Corps Air Station Miramar North of downtown San Diego.  Although specialty seating reached close to two hundred seventy dollars per person, the three-day weekend event was free and open to the public.

The  Miramar Air Show has had great success in the past. Having held the title of  ‘Best Air Show’ for three years it was clear the performers would be expecting a large audience.

Among a large crowd of about 50,00 to 75,00 people who attended each day, was fellow Lancer Kelli Vaupel, who has been to the air show every year since she was two.

“Every year they try and add to the crowd’s demand,” senior Kelli Vaupel said.

The event showcased over thirty-five performances including Osprey MV-22, Air Force F-22 Raptor, F/A-18 Hornets, B-52 and a B-1 bomber, AV-8B Harrier, U.S. Army Golden Knights Parachute Team and U.S. Air Force’s F-16 Fighting Falco. Vaupel found the best performance was from the Air Force F-22 Raptor.

“Minimum speed is 400 miles per hour,” Vaupel said.

Besides the diverse performances, the Marines organized yet another experience for those who attended the air show.

“You get to meet pilots and sit in their aircraft and get to watch them fly and ask them any questions you want,” Vaupel said. “It’s a cool thing if you want to learn about the military.”

The theme of this years event was ‘Marines in Flight, 50 years of Space Exploration’ in honor of the First American John Greene’s successful endeavor to fully travel around the Earth. Besides entertaining the crowd with an exhibition of their incredible flying capabilities and aircraft, the Marines have greater motives behind their event.

“[The Mira Mar Air Show] is supposed to inspire kids,” Vaupel said.

With these high goals, The U.S. Navy and Marine Corps teams are already planning 2013-2014 show, so that viewers like Vaupel can have a memorable time. For more information about past shows and upcoming events you can visit the Miramar Air Show.