Even without Blue Angels, the Salinas airshow carries on
The skies above Salinas were alive with aircraft this weekend as the California International Airshow returned for its 44th year.
Notably absent from the show were performances by the Navy’s Blue Angels and the Air Force’s F-16 Fighting Falcon, which were forced to cancel due to the federal government shutdown. But there were a dozen other performances each day, including aerial maneuvers by five P-51 Warbirds, the P-38 Lightning and a 1944 Douglas C-47 Skytrain used during the 1948 Berlin Airlift to deliver supplies to the people of West Berlin, endearingly titled “Betsy’s Biscuit Bomber.”
There were also “ground performances” by Smoke N Thunder Jet Truck and Precision Exotics. Both Archer Aviation and Joby Aviation were there showing off their respective Electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) capabilities.
“We had to pivot,” said Harry Wardwell, executive director of the show, noting they hired new civilian acts to make sure the show went on. He stressed that making Salinas’ annual airshow a success is not just about displaying fast planes and wild stunts – it’s about giving back to the community.
Spectators watched as the 44th California International Airshow filled the skies of Salinas with aerial stunts. (Chris Hamilton -- Monterey Herald)“The whole mission for the air show is to…donate the net proceeds to charity,” Wardwell said.
Since 1981, Wardwell said the California International Airshow, a registered 501(c)3, has donated almost $9 million to local charities.
The event kicked off just after noon Saturday with a “flag jump” by parachuter Jesse Rodriguez. Rodriguez was circled by stunt pilots Bob Freeman and Ed Hamill as he sailed down toward spectators with an American flag parachute, trailing red, white and blue streamers.
Both pilots followed the opening ceremony with an array of stunts, Freeman sending spirals of smoke from his Extra 330SC as he carreened toward the earth – only to level out at the last moment – and Hamill showing off his “Folds of Honor” biplane with flips and in-air stalls.
The Blue Angels had been the airshow’s biggest name, and for many, the last-minute cancellation was cause for disappointment.
A C47 built in 1944 was on display at the California International Airshow in Salinas. It was used as a cargo plane in the end of WWII and delivered food to Berlin during the Berlin Airlift in 1948. It’s now kept at the Estrella Warbird Museum in Paso Robles. (Chris Hamilton -- Monterey Herald)Photographer Grant Knisely travelled from Steamboat Springs, Colorado, in large part because he hoped to photograph the Blue Angels in flight.
“I’ve been looking forward to (the Blue Angels) for months…it’s disappointing,” said Knisely. Despite this, Knisely said he was impressed with the performers that did fly.
The event also provided volunteer opportunities for scores of high school students from Salinas, Alisal and Alvarez high schools.
Everett Alvarez himself, who the school is named after, was also recognized at the event for his service in the Navy. Alvarez, who is now 87, spent eight years as a P.O.W. during the Vietnam War. On Saturday he was presented the Salad Bowl Award by Salinas Mayor Dennis Donohue.
Wardwell, who has worked for the airshow for roughly 30 years, said that every year, the event brings “a tremendous spirit,” to the community.
