Southern California Airshow 2025 at March ARB
Spring in Southern California came alive with the roar of jet engines and the sparkle of polished aircraft as March Air Reserve Base hosted the 2025 SoCal Airshow on the week-end of April 12-14, 2025. Nestled in the heart of Riverside County, the base—established in 1918 and rich in aviation heritage—offered a scenic and historically poignant backdrop for this two-day celebration of flight. Towering palm trees, clear blue skies (at least on Saturday), and historic hangars lined with modern aircraft framed an unforgettable aviation experience.
More than 380,000 aviation fans flocked to the base over the weekend, many drawn by the promise of high-performance military aircraft and the unmistakable presence of the United States Air Force Thunderbirds. Saturday’s clear skies were perfect for the team’s precision flying, while Sunday morning’s coastal fog briefly delayed the action before clearing just in time for takeoff.
West Coast Airpower Takes Flight
For aviation enthusiasts, one of the major highlights was the flying demonstration of the KC-135 Stratotanker. This Cold War-era tanker, still essential to the Air Force’s global mission, was shown taking off in minimum separation with a second KC-135—followed by a dramatic in-flight refueling demo with a trailing C-17 Globemaster III. Both aircraft are operated by the resident 452nd Air Mobility Wing, with support from the West Coast C-17 Demo Team out of McChord AFB. This display of aerial logistics offered a rare look at the choreography of mid-air fuel transfer.
Complementing this was a solo flyby by the next-generation KC-46A Pegasus, a glimpse into the future of American air refueling capabilities. Though not featured in the static display, its sleek form and modern systems contrasted starkly with its older cousin, the KC-135.
The airshow’s aerial program was further enhanced by appearances from a B-1B Lancer on Sunday—delivering thunderous low passes—and an E-3 Sentry AWACS aircraft on Saturday. Adding stealth and noise to the lineup, the US Marine Corps brought an F-35B from VMFAT-502 at MCAS Miramar. It demonstrated the vertical lift capabilities of the STOVL Lightning II, although a full hover was not shown. Noisy fighter jets were also complemented by the USAF Thunderbirds with one of their first public displays of the 2025 airshow season.
Fighter Heritage Meets the Future
March ARB’s heritage was on full display with their own aircraft in the flying program, but also in the USAF Heritage Flight. This year’s formation featured the powerful F-35A Lightning II alongside the rarely seen, Vietnam-era F-5E Tiger II in blue camouflage.
The pairing offered a visual representation of the Air Force’s fighter evolution, with Maj. Melanie “Mach” Kluesner piloting the F-35A in a routine that balanced power and precision. Dating even further back in time, an A-37 Dragonfly flew a solo display, as well as numerous warbird of the WW II era, amongst them such rare aircraft as the P-51B Mustang, P-63 Kingcobra or P-38 Lightning.
Ground Attractions & Static Displays
On the ground, the airshow offered a wide range of static aircraft displays, with open cockpits and walk-through opportunities. Among them, a specially painted F-15C Eagle from the 144th Fighter Wing (California ANG) stood out alongside a T-38C Talon from Beale AFB—used to train U-2 pilots.
Other aircraft included an A-10C Thunderbolt II, two F-16D jets from Holloman AFB, and an EA-18G Growler from the VX-9 “Vampires” squadron at NAS China Lake. The static layout was spacious and offered excellent photographic opportunities once flying had concluded in the afternoon.
What Was Missed
While the event delivered on many fronts, a few anticipated highlights were unfortunately absent. Published in the official program but not appearing were the CSAR Rescue Demo with HC-130J and HH-60, a CAL FIRE C-130H demonstration, and a multitype formation flight featuring F-16s, A-10s, a T-38, and an MV-22 Osprey.
Their absence was met with mild disappointment, though the surprise appearance of a black-painted Beale T-38C Talon in the flying display and the fly-in of SoCal’s Firehawk helicopter and OV-10 Bronco observer aircraft on Saturday morning offered some consolation.
More Than Just an Airshow
Visitors who came early or stayed late found the adjacent March Field Air Museum an excellent complement to the event. With its extensive collection of aircraft spanning more than a century, it allowed guests to contextualize the evolution of airpower—from World War I biplanes to supersonic jets. In many ways, the museum and the airshow together told the full story of March Field’s enduring legacy.
With the KC-135 nearing retirement at March ARB — twelve KC-46As are expected to replace the current fleet by 2027 — SoCal Airshow 2025 may be remembered as one of the final times fans could witness Stratotankers in both flight and on the ground in such numbers. This alone made it a must-see for any serious airshow follower.
Final Thoughts
Despite a few no-shows in the aerial program, the SoCal Airshow 2025 stood as a remarkable display of U.S. airpower, heritage, and community engagement. Its setting at one of America’s oldest air bases provided both historical context and visual appeal, making it one of the most memorable aviation events on the West Coast calendar. For those passionate about aviation photography, military aviation, or just a great day out with the family, March ARB delivered a truly outstanding weekend.
For upcoming shows and news, visit the official website: socalairshow.com
March AFB Southern California Airshow 2025 – Photo Gallery
