SALINAS >> The 43rd annual California International Airshow is returning to Salinas this weekend, with the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds headlining. Other performances will include the U.S. Patriots Jet Team and the infamous Wall of Fire.

Beginning at 5 p.m. Friday, the Maverick’s Lounge will feature various chefs and wine, spirit and brew tastings. Lounge guests will also be treated to a special “Twilight Airshow” with civilian and military performers, a fireworks display and “Wall of Fire” show.

Crowds will also get to witness the C-17 Globemaster III flying through the air Saturday and Sunday. The C-17 is the most flexible cargo aircraft in the airlift force and provides rapid delivery of troops and cargo to bases. Along with the C-17, attendees will see five P-51 Mustangs, the FA/18 Super Hornet, the AC-130 J Ghostwriter and more aircrafts soaring over the Salinas Municipal Airport.

John Melby will return to the airshow after a two-year break for an individual performance as well as a duo performance with Brad Wursten. Because both Melby and Wursten are formation certified, there are no restrictions on their aerobatics performance, meaning they will be able to perform at the same time.

Melby will be flying a Pitts S-1B Muscle BiPlane, a lightweight aircraft with a maximum speed of 185 mph and range of 309 miles. Wursten will be challenging Melby’s Pitts with an MX2, a two-seat tandem sport aircraft with a maximum 253 mph.

Through ticket sales, donations and sponsors, the airshow has raised over $9 million for local charities since its first show in 1981. The event brings in around 50,000 people a year looking to appreciate the aviation industry and performers.

The USAF Thunderbirds performance will put on display the F-16 Fighting Falcon, the Air Force’s premier multi-role fighter jet. The headline performance will include six aircraft in formation and solo routines.

The U.S. Patriots performance will consist of six L-39 jets in a formational flight. The in formation and solo routines.

The U.S. Patriots performance will consist of six L-39 jets in a formational flight. The Patriots Jet team is the only civilian-owned aerobatic jet team in the Western Hemisphere.

Other performances include the Sukhoi West Demo Team, with Randy Howell and Cory Lovell flying matching 400 hp Sukhoi SU-26 aerobatic aircraft; the 1,000-foot “Wall of Fire” done by Firewalkers International Pyro; Sean Tucker flying the Bob Hoover Academy T-6 Texan; and the Smoke-n-Thunder Jet Car will put its 400 mph speed to the test against a high performance aircraft.

Gates will open at 9 a.m. Saturday and Sunday, with the air show beginning about 11:30 a.m. Tickets are available online and will also be available the day of the show. For more information, visit https://www.salinasairshow.com/.