Memorial Day Weekend's New Tradition Wows SOBE

MIAMI BEACH, FL — Art Deco met Boeing and Lockheed Martin this weekend as the Miami Beach Air and Sea Show took its maiden flight over South Beach on Saturday and Sunday. The heart-pounding demonstration of America's might ushered in a new tradition of patriotism on Memorial Day Weekend in Miami Beach, which appears to have successfully attracted a family-friendly event on a holiday that has gotten a bad rap in recent years among locals. Check out Patch's photo gallery at the bottom of this article.

"There's probably planes at this one that a lot of people either have never seen or haven't seen in a long time," explained Maria Scott of the National Salute to America’s Heroes presented by Hyundai. "Very few air shows in the country can say that they have three bombers."

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Indeed, the Air Force is the real star of this show as jets twist and turn in the skies above Ocean Drive from Government Cut through 19 Street. Every military branch is represented, including the Army with its Golden Knights parachute team. The Knights absolutely know how to make a dramatic entrance.

"We’re trying to bring the patriotic back to Memorial Day weekend because that’s what the weekend is supposed to be about," Scott told Patch. "There really is no national event for Memorial Day."

Sea events took place from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. followed by air events from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 a.m. on both Saturday and Sunday. The crowd-favorite bombers and Golden Knights were among the first demonstrations on Saturday.

Sea events included jet ski racing and freestyle exhibitions, Hoverboard demonstrations and powerboat racing exhibitions. One jet skier performed a 360-degree flip, which lit up the crowd on Saturday.

The B-2 Stealth Bomber has one of the most unique and recognizable shapes, but also represents advances in technology. The B-1 Lancer is the backbone of long-range Air Force bombing missions and is recognized for its versatility and capabilities. For more than 60 years, the B-52 Stratofortress has represented dependability and flexibility in military operations since 1954.

They're all at the Miami Beach show.

The USAF F-22 Raptor fighter jet reaches speeds of Mach two and combines stealth, supercruise capabilities, maneuverability and integrated avionics. The United States Marine Corps V-22 Osprey is unlike anything else in the sky with its dual-piloted, vertical takeoff and landing tilt-motor aircraft. The Navy F-18 Hornet and the USAF F-16 Fighting Falcon were other crowd favorites as they roared along Miami Beach.

The USAF A-10 Thunderbolt II, which is typically used at night, is another crowd pleaser with its low-flying approach. The USAF MC-130 Commando II showed of its in-flight refueling capability and air drops.

The Golden Knights brought their signature black and gold parachutes. They demonstrated a baton pass at 120 mph before touching down on the beach.

The iconic USAF HH-60 Pave Hawk demonstrated its capabilities in both hostile and civil rescue environments.

The 920th USAF Pararescue/Special Operations was another highlight with its Pave Hawk and specially trained rescue divers.

The USAF brought out some of its memorable aircraft from World War II, Vietnam and Korea with a Heritage Flight featuring the P-51 Mustang, F-16 and F-22.

U.S. Coast Guard helicopters raced above the water to a mock victim during an air sea rescue demonstration with divers entering the water to raise the victim in a safety basket.

The Customs Border Protection drug interdiction unit demonstrated a takedown with a mock high-speed boat chase, boarding and apprehension.

U.S. Navy Destroyer USS Forrest Sherman was also on hand as crew members stood on deck in their Navy whites. The vessel is an Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer that has been dispatched on missions around the world.

Patch wishes to thank the crew of Miami-Dade Fire Rescue's Fastboat for helping us get these eye-catching photos. Photos by Paul Scicchitano. Video courtesy of Miami Beach Police Department.