Miramar Air Show Lifts Off, Runs Through Sunday

The three-day 2014 Miramar Air Show got underway at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar Friday, a year after it was shuttered by the federal government.

This year's show runs from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Friday through Sunday, with a special twilight show scheduled from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Saturday, according to officials at the central San Diego air station. Tickets range from free to up to $250 for preferred seating.

The U.S. Navy's Blue Angels flight demonstration team is among the performers. They are scheduled to take flight at 2:45 p.m.

"We're excited about opening our gates and welcoming in the San Diego community, but the highlight is probably the Blue Angels," Marine Maj. Gen. Mike Rocco told NBC7.

The show will also highlight the U.S. Navy Leap Frogs and the U.S. Army Golden Knights parachute teams, base officials said.

The Vietnam-era aircraft CH-46 Sea Knight will also fly its final time in an airshow at the 2014 Miramar Air Show.

This year's show will also include some civilian performers.

Last year's show was canceled one day before it was suppose to start, surprising show organizers, even Miramar's Commanding Officer, Col. John Farnam. At the time, he said the timing could not have been worse.

Even before it was canceled, plans for the 2013 show were scaled back from its usual three-days to two after the Defense Department decided to pull the Blue Angels from the line-up due to automatic spending cuts known as "sequestration."

Proceeds from the show go to programs that support local military families. The 2012 show netted $1.6 million in profits.

Because of the last-minute cancellation last year, Miramar was left holding the bag for more than $500,000 in contract reimbursements for performers and vendors who had already traveled to San Diego.