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Parade of Flight on 02/12/11: Interactive Viewing Venue Map of San Diego Bay (Watch Over 250 Aircraft Fly Over the Bay)

History is in the Air!

CORONADO-The largest formation of military aircraft since WWII will fly over San Diego Bay in a history-making flight, Saturday February 12 at 1p.m., commemorating the Centennial of Naval Aviation. The parade of flight will include aircraft from the earliest days of flight up through the latest, most modern tactical aircraft in Naval Aviation.

Rear Admiral Pat McGrath who leads the Centennial of Naval Aviation effort said, "One hundred years ago Naval Aviation was on the heels of the Wright Brothers' first flight at Kitty Hawk. Here in San Diego, experiments with "hydroaeroplanes" set the stage for the flying machine to become an integral part of our Navy."

Today the evolution of technology has taken flight from the speed of a fast jog to well beyond the speed of sound. The inventory, missions and aircraft types have expanded to cover everything from transporting people and parts, to mountain rescue, combat operations and air interdiction.

"Even with all the innovation and technology improvements, America's Navy depends on what it has always relied on.brave and intelligent men and women who volunteer to serve their nation. With the inaugural Centennial event here we honor, celebrate and commemorate those who have and continue to "Fly Navy!"

Naval Base Coronado opens to the public at 8 a.m. and will offer ships tours, entertainment and static displays of aircraft where aircrew will be available to discuss their aircraft and more.

For the latest February 12th Parade of Flight and North Island Open House information, visit www.mwrtoday.com/cona

See the interactive map here.

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Photo Star Comment by SBGrad on February 4, 2011 at 5:49am: More Parade of Flight info, including participating aircraft, from Navy press release:

The Parade of Flight will be composed of 190 aircraft the span the Century of Naval
Aviation. There will be more than 160 current inventory aircraft from the Coast Guard,
Marines and Navy. The finale will be a 30 plus plane formation fly-by from Carrier Air
Wing 9 of the USS John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group. The Blue Angels will lead the
Parade of flight and will be followed by almost 30 historic Navy warbirds including the
STM Ryan, N3N Canary, N2S Stearman, SNJ Texan, SNB Kansan, FM-2 Wildcat, F6F
Hellcat, F8F Bearcat, F4U Corsair, TBM Avenger, SBD Dauntless, PV-2 Harpoon,
SB2C Helldiver, HU-16 Albatross, Four T-28 Trojans, Four T-34B Mentors, A-1
Skyraider, FJ-4 Fury, T-2 Buckeye, and T-33B Shooting Star.

Comment by Alison McClure on February 12, 2011 at 4:44pm

Comment by Alison McClure on February 12, 2011 at 4:46pm

Comment by Katie's Mom Mary Grace on February 12, 2011 at 5:34pm: Being a daughter of a retired Navy parachute rigger, wife of a retired chief avionics technician and daughter of a Navy avionics ordinance man, (woman) I have been around Navy aircraft most of my life. I actually was only a civilian for two years of my life! Anyway, Going to the celebration of 100 years of flight today was to say the least, exciting and impressive! When so much is going wrong in the world today, today made me feel proud. I don't claim to know everything there is to know about the military. I do know some of the aircraft. I do know what it's like to be a Navy daughter, wife and Mom. It's not easy and, it's definatly not for everybody.

       It was really nice to see the expressions on many of the peoples faces today as they got close up to many of the aircraft that were on display today. I think I heard the word "amazing" many, many times!

        To the men and women who have gone to battle and who have been trained and ready to go into battle, I salute you all. (Even though I'm a dependant) What they give up to do their jobs is more than any of us would be willing to give up.

   I know, most of them would say, that's just my job. Well, thank you all for your dedication to your job and country! God Bless you all!   Mary E. Grace