NAF El Centro Airshow El Centro, CA    March 13-14, 2009

Photography and report by Brian Emch

  The month of March in El Centro, California means lots of jet noise, and the start of another exciting airshow season in North America. This year’s show featured a variety of performers, ranging from aerobatics to warbirds, to modern military demos, with a pair of welcome surprises. 

  The show began with a flight of three Stearman trainers, then the “Thunder Delfins” took over, flying their Czech-built L-29s. Normally the team flies four aircraft, but only two were able to make it. Bill Cornick, and Spencer Suderman provided the aerobatics. John Collver, a regular at many Southern California airshows, flew his SNJ “Wardog”. 

1
2
3
4
5

  NAS Fallon sent down their SAR demo team for what looks like their last airshow appearance, with the Huey being slated for retirement. Next up was the popular F-15E Strike Eagle demo. After displaying a lot of ‘turning and burning’, the Eagle then formed up with the P-51 “Wee Willy II” for the Heritage Flight. NAS North Island sent over a C-2 “Greyhound”, aka “COD” for a flyby just before the Black Daggers jump team.

6
7
8
9
10

  After a break in the action, the well known B-25J, “Heavenly Body” went up. The F/A-18F Super Hornet (from NAS Lemoore), and C-17 demo team (from nearby March Field ARB) kept everyone looking to the skies with their contrasting speeds and maneuvers. A BIG surprise was the appearance of not one, but TWO B-1 Lancer bombers. The other surprise was  the arrival of two AV-8B Harriers. The CAF’s Southern California Wing, based up the coast in Camarillo, sent their F6F Hellcat, and A6M Zero for a simulated dogfight.  And finally, getting back to the modern era, it was time for the Blue Angels to take over. Their C-130 transport, known as “Fat Albert”, took to the skies and did several flybys before handing it over to its F/A-18 teammates.