March Air Force Reserve Base - March Air Reserve Base, California

Xavier O. R.

Airshow at March AFB: A 5/5 show in a 3/5 place.

March Air Force Base is a great destination for aviation enthusiasts. The base hosts an amazing yearly airshow that draws visitors from far and wide. The airshow is a super fun event that provides a thrilling experience for people of all ages. The pilots perform incredible stunts in the air, showcasing their skills and the capabilities of their aircraft. The ground displays are equally impressive, featuring a variety of aircraft, vehicles, and equipment used by the Air Force.

However, the parking organization on the way out of the airshow could use some improvement. Exiting the base can be a frustrating experience due to the heavy traffic and disorganized parking arrangements. Visitors may find themselves stuck in long lines for hours, which can take away from the overall experience of the event.

Another aspect of March Air Force Base that may disappoint visitors is the condition of the base structures and grounds. The facilities are not well kept and are decaying, which detracts from the overall appeal of the base. The infrastructure may benefit from some repairs and renovations to improve the appearance of the base and provide a better experience for visitors.

Despite the drawbacks, the airshow itself is excellent and deserves a 5/5 rating. The show is a must-see event for aviation enthusiasts and provides a memorable experience for everyone. The pilots' skills are awe-inspiring, and the ground displays are equally impressive. The airshow is a great opportunity to learn more about the Air Force and its mission, as well as to enjoy some thrilling entertainment.

In conclusion, March Air Force Base is a 3/5 place that hosts a 5/5 airshow. Visitors to the base should be prepared for some parking and infrastructure challenges but can expect an incredible airshow experience. The airshow is a fantastic opportunity to see the Air Force in action and witness some awe-inspiring displays of aviation prowess.

Debbie S.

Are my husband and I had never been to an airshow at March before this was our first year attending. We bought reserve seats, which were folding chairs by the runway. The location was very good for planes, flying low, right in front of us, we were in Road G about seven rows back. in this area, you could not have umbrellas, it was a warm day, so for people going next year, make sure you bring sunscreen, hats, and sunscreen. Other areas for the show you could bring your own chairs and umbrellas, there is also tables and chairs you could reserve together, which Could be costly, but if you want a table that could be something you might want to look into. The airplanes were great to watch, from vintage airplanes to the Thunderbirds. There were a lot of planes in the show that did loops,flips, flying close to each other, one upside down, the other flying upright. There were lots of planes on the pavement where people could view them inside and also look at them up close. It was very well managed, we will be back again next year.

Anthony T.

Had a great time learning some history in my hometown of Riverside. & Man, does this place have a lot of history! I took my niece and nephew. They had a blast. Here's a summary of some of things i learned:

The aircraft and vehicles here were all in use and operating at one time. For almost 50 years, March AFB was a Strategic Air Command base during the Cold War. The facility covers 2,075 acres of land. March is one of the oldest airfields operated by the United States military, being established as Alessandro Flying Training Field in February 1918. Amelia Earhart, the famous aviator; was known to frequent here in the 30's as the spot became more of a public tourist attraction frequented by some famous hollywood actors. Seemingly out of nowhere, military camps began to pop up across the United States. Two such camps that were established in Riverside included: Camp Haan and Camp Anza.
Camp Haan was a US Army training camp that began construction in early 1940, near March Air Force Base in Riverside County. The United States began to prepare troops for the possibility of entering World War II. Camp Haan was officially opened in January 1941 as a training camp for Coast Artillery Antiaircraft gunners. However, the attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941 quickly brought March Field back into the business of training aircrews. Throughout World War II, many soon-to-be-famous bombardment groups performed their final training here before embarking on duty in the Pacific. At its peak, it had a population of 80,000. It was typical, like many other camps all over the country that trained recruits to be soldiers. As the wounded arrived from the Pacific War, an 800-bed Army hospital was built at the camp. Camp Haan, at its peak, had 80,000 troops, POWs, inmates, and hospital personnel. At the end of the war, Haan became a separation center; a temporary housing space for troops returning from Operation Magic Carpet, while also providing a final military stop for the troops returning to civilian life. Today, the land that was known as Camp Haan includes the Riverside National Cemetery and the March Air Reserve Base. Camp Haan was officially closed on August 31, 1946, after having invested nearly $18 million into the camp. The US government declared the camp a "surplus." & as quickly as the Camp rose, it disolved. All buildings and supplies left on the base were sold, The land was given back to March Air Base in 1976.

Jay H.

The airshow there is always a fabulous time but I must commend our service women and men that where doing the security details where absolutely "Phenomenal" all of our service staff there where so professional and personable at the same time! I really hope that someone in upper ranks reads this. Your security staff I personally felt that they all dealt with so many various situations I personally saw that went above and beyond being fair and just with pushy civilians and just keeping it cool and under control that could have ended up bad with a motorcyclists being mouthy. Much respect and still carrying on a conversation with another lady asking for help. You Sir or Ma'am have wonderful people working for you below the ranks. Just reassurance that our soldiers are still human at the end of the day.

Ann H.

I visited it three years ago, and checked photos I took, I was impressed with the collections, Specially B-52D Stratofortress and SR-71 Blackbirds.
I am proud of our strong and well equipped air force.

Robin

They doubled the price of the Famcamp sites . It is not what it used to be. Very rundown, washer and dryers sometimes work, they don’t mow or water the grass at the sites, there is no longer a host so they just let the place go. It’s horrible.

Robert S.

I’ve always wanted to fly an airplane, and I have, but the last flight was in 1995, and it’s been a long time since then. March Air Force Base Museum is a great location for this museum. Thanks

Asian B.

It was pretty cool. Air Show was nice, planes were so loud car alarms went off. If you can I recommend going to the Air Show's or inside the museum