News Summary
The Pacific Airshow in Huntington Beach is set to take place from October 3-5, although it will not feature U.S. military aircraft due to a federal budget deadlock. Organizers aim to provide a memorable event with performances by the British Royal Air Force and Canadian Armed Forces. Audience reactions suggest a mix of nostalgia and excitement, with historical aircraft like a WWII B-29 Superfortress scheduled to captivate attendees. Despite the challenges this year, the airshow continues to uphold its reputation as a premier aviation event.
Huntington Beach Airshow to Continue Despite Military Aircraft Absence
The annual Pacific Airshow in Huntington Beach will proceed from October 3-5 without participation from U.S. military aircraft, due to a federal government shutdown resulting from a congressional budget deadlock. This situation has disappointed many attendees who look forward to the high-energy displays typically highlighted by military performances.
The Pacific Airshow, known for its thrilling civilian and military aerobatic displays, has attracted thousands of aviation enthusiasts since its inception in 2016. This year, the absence of U.S. military assets has led officials to seek alternatives for the show, which has previously faced disruptions from adverse weather conditions and an oil spill that forced a cancellation.
Airshow director Kevin Elliott expressed disappointment about the lack of military participation but reaffirmed that the event will continue as scheduled. Instead of U.S. military displays, the British Royal Air Force and the Canadian Armed Forces will fill the gap, with performances from the Canadian Forces Snowbirds and the Royal Air Force Falcons anticipated by spectators. In addition, an aerobatic helicopter performance featuring Red Bull is set to captivate audiences.
Historical aircraft will play a significant role in this year’s lineup, including a World War II B-29 Superfortress and a B-25 Mitchell bomber, which are expected to draw considerable attention. Despite the contemporary U.S. military fleets being absent, attendees are eager to witness historic aviation achievements. Reactions from the audience, which have included enthusiastic applause and excitement during daring aerial maneuvers, reflect the vibrant atmosphere typically associated with the airshow.
Some regular attendees, such as Air Force veterans, have expressed nostalgia regarding the absence of U.S. military displays. Families and younger spectators have also shown keen interest, with children emulating the aerobatic moves demonstrated by pilots. The atmosphere is expected to echo the festivities of the Fourth of July, creating a sense of camaraderie among those present.
Despite the challenges the event faces this year, organizers aim to deliver memorable performances in a spirit that embodies the tradition of the airshow. With an engaging lineup of performing teams and historical aircraft, the Pacific Airshow is set to provide a thrilling experience for all attendees, upholding its reputation as a premier aviation event.
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Additional Resources
- ABC7 News
- Los Angeles Times
- CBS News Los Angeles
- New York Times
- KTLA News
- Wikipedia: Pacific Airshow
- Google Search: Pacific Airshow
- Google Scholar: Pacific Airshow
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Pacific Airshow
- Google News: Pacific Airshow
Author: STAFF HERE COSTA MESA WRITER
COSTA MESA STAFF WRITER The COSTA MESA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERECostaMesa.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Costa Mesa, Orange County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the OC Fair, Concerts in the Park, and Fish Fry. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce and Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Orange Coast, plus leading businesses in retail, fashion, and technology that power the local economy such as Vans, Experian, and South Coast Plaza. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAnaheim.com, HEREBeverlyHills.com, HERECoronado.com, HEREHollywood.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, HERELosAngeles.com, HEREMissionViejo.com, HERESanDiego.com, and HERESantaAna.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into California's dynamic landscape.
