While more northern States where still battling the cold and wintery conditions Marine Corps Air Station Yuma held the first big airshows of 2019 mid March. With an interesting static display and more than five US Marines and United States Air Force flying displays MCAS Yuma opened their gates to the public on Saturday March the 9th after a short twilight show on the Friday evening.

After the public entered the showground on the full showday from 9 am they could enjoy the static displays, dance groups, military performers and vendors during the morninghours. Besides lots of US Marines helicopters (AH-1Z, HH-1N, CH-53E), jets (AV-8B, F-5N, F-35B, F/A-18C) and transport aircraft (MV-22B, KC-130J) there where also two USAF A-10 to be found in the static area as well as several WWII planes.

After the National Anthem and the Commanding Officer's Remarks the flying program started at 11:39am with an impressive AV-8B demonstration. The pilot showed the speed and manoeuvrability of the Harrier from the Yuma based VMA-214 'Blacksheep' jet followed by its characteristic vertical performances. Thereafter it was time for the 'new kid' to show its capabilities, the F-35B Lightning II. After its very short and noisy take off run the VMFA-122 5th generation fighter made several passes overhead the runway showing the interesting lines and panels of its topside, followed by its belly with opened doors. This was followed moments later by showcasing its hovering capabilties and the ability to land this 'B' version of the stealth fighter vertically.

After this noisy start of the airshow it was time for one of the oldest and soon to be retired helicopters from the Marines to showcase its Searh and Resque capablilties, the HH-1N. After simulating resquing a downed pilot using the winch the MV-22B Osprey demo took over Yuma's airspace. The demonstration showed the full range of performance capabilities with vertical take offs, high speed passes and hovering manoeuvres, tilting its wings and turboprop engines time after time.

More helicopters took to the skies overhead Yuma when a AH-1 and a UH-1 started their infiltration demonstration, covered overhead by four colorful F-5N Tigers from the Yuma based VMFT-401 aggressor or adversary squadron. This year also the United States Air Force was present with a demo-team, this time showing the A-10C Thunderbolt II. After the 'Warthog' as the tank-killer is also called, took to the skies it flew an impressive demonstration supported by a pyrotechnic crew on the ground. Thereafter the Davis Monthan based jet joined up with a beautiful P-51D Mustang warbird making several beautiful passes as a heritage flight.

In between Shockwave, the fastest jet engine equiped truck in the world, made several widely applaused rides and after some warbirds demonstrations gates closed at 4 pm.