By DREW LAWSON
The airspace over Sacramento, California, was filled with a thunderous roar March 23-24, 2025, as F-18s and NextGen fighters took to the skies.
From the sleek U2 “Dragon Lady” spy plane to a cadre of vintage warbirds, air show fans had no shortage of excitement at the 21st annual California Capital Airshow at Mather Airport (KMHR).
A record crowd of more than 140,000 attendees enjoyed the mild spring weather, despite a few raindrops on the first day.
Many planes and helicopters were on display at the historic airfield, which served as a supply hub for Allied Forces during World War II.
Tucker’s Air Patrol opened the show with a hair-raising landing on a moving ambulance, after some very advanced stunt flying.
Restored P-38s and bombers then took over, buzzing the tower at full speed as pyrotechnics exploded below.
Cal Fire made an appearance with rescue planes, a Fire Scout, and a large helicopter that was a crowd favorite.
Then came the part of the show the crowd had been anticipating.
Jet engines fired up with the F-16 Viper Demo team starting the aerial domination. Screaming past show center at 400 miles an hour, it shook nearby buildings with the shock of its sound waves.
The crowd oohed and aahed as the Viper shot straight up, creating a mass of vapor on its wings.
Next the F-35B Jaguar took off and showed the crowd why it is the cutting edge of military technology. Hovering over the runway, it then accelerated away with deafening power and force.
The adrenaline continued as the Navy’s Blue Angels walked onto the field.
On the air show circuit the Blue Angels are the rock stars of any event where they perform. The night before their performance, they were busy signing autographs and posing for pictures with hundreds of fans and VIPs.
Everything they do is embodied by precision, from the preflight to maneuvers in the air.
Once the six jets took to the air and began their signature routine, Blue Angels 5 and 6 split off and gave everyone heart palpitations with their near miss passes, crossing at several hundred miles per hour.
After several near super sonic “sneak passes” and the grand finale, the performance closed the show each day.
With only 32 shows each year spread out across the U.S., getting to see them in person is an honor and an experience you won’t soon forget.
Details about the 2026 California Capital Airshow are expected to be released soon.
For more information: CaliforniaCapitalAirshow.com
