The 2023 Marine Corps Air Station Yuma Air Show is geared up and ready to take off.

Open to the public for the first time since 2019, the event features aerial demonstrations, static exhibits, and opportunities to interact with Marines.

On Friday, KAWC attended the show’s mock run and spoke with Captain Brett Vanier.

“At the air show, we will be displaying both the F35-A and the F35-B in Lightning 2 … different variations, the Air Force and the Marine Corps,” he says. “Those are the show stealers, in my opinion.”

Technically on the same team, it’s up to the audience to decide whether an Air Force pilot or a Marine Corps pilot can fly the F-35 better.

Marine Corps FA-18-C fighter pilot Peter McDonald (call sign TIF) is scheduled to attend Saturday’s air parade and says it’s a difficult call.

“I don’t know. I’m a little biased. The Marine Corps version has that hover working great. The F-35-A is definitely a very capable platform. Both are waves of the future and I We are thrilled to have them both by our side.

In addition to cutting-edge military technology, audiences will also have the opportunity to retrace memory lane as WWII-era fighter planes take to the skies.

In this case, modern meets old like a P-51 Mustang and an F-35-A flying together.

Here’s just some of what visitors can expect at the 2023 MCAS Airshow on Saturday.

The main event takes place on Saturday from 9am to 2pm.

Visit yumaairshow.com for details, programs and parking guides.