PHOTOS: California International Airshow returns to Salinas

The 42nd California International Airshow will return to the Salinas Airport Saturday for a weekend of exciting air and ground entertainment (Molly Gibbs - Monterey Herald).

Created in 1981, the airshow has showcased aviation excellence for over 40 years and raised over $8 million for local charities, as well as about $4.4 million in economic impact to the Salinas Airport (Molly Gibbs - Monterey Herald).

The volunteer-run event entertains 40,000 to 50,000 spectators annually and brings some of the top military and civilian performers to Monterey County (Molly Gibbs - Monterey Herald).

The volunteer-run event entertains 40,000 to 50,000 spectators annually and brings some of the top military and civilian performers to Monterey County (Molly Gibbs - Monterey Herald).

Attendees had the chance to inspect and explore a variety of high-powered planes and military jets (Molly Gibbs - Monterey Herald).

Attendees had the chance to inspect and explore a variety of high-powered planes and military jets (Molly Gibbs - Monterey Herald).

This year's ground acts included a jet-engine firetruck, dueling monster trucks and the fan-favorite, "Wall of Fire." Over 100 static aircraft exhibits and displays were also available for airshow fans to enjoy during the weekend (Molly Gibbs - Monterey Herald).

This year's ground acts included a jet-engine firetruck, dueling monster trucks and the fan-favorite, "Wall of Fire." Over 100 static aircraft exhibits and displays were also available for airshow fans to enjoy during the weekend (Molly Gibbs - Monterey Herald).

The volunteer-run event entertains 40,000 to 50,000 spectators annually and brings some of the top military and civilian performers to Monterey County (Molly Gibbs - Monterey Herald).

New this year, the Red Bull Air Force team performed high-energy aerobatics. The team was led by aerobatic champion, Kirby Chambliss, and featured an elite skydive team and a Eurocopter BO-105 CBS 4 twin-engine helicopter performing extreme maneuvers (Molly Gibbs - Monterey Herald).

The airshow's opening ceremony featured the Red Bull Air Force skydive team and jumpers carrying the American Flag (Molly Gibbs - Monterey Herald).

The airshow's opening ceremony featured the Red Bull Air Force skydive team and jumpers carrying the American Flag (Molly Gibbs - Monterey Herald).

The Red Bull Air Force Team was led by Kirby Chambliss in an Edge 540 and the Red Bull helicopter (Molly Gibbs - Monterey Herald).

Anna Serbinenko from Ukraine flew the Super Dehaviland to the Ukrainian national anthem (Molly Gibbs - Monterey Herald).

The USAF C-130 joined this year's entertainment (Molly Gibbs - Monterey Herald).

The USAF C-130 joined this year's entertainment (Molly Gibbs - Monterey Herald).

Monster trucks returned to this year's airshow in an exciting duel of obstacles and tricks between the trucks "Playing for Keeps" and "Survivor" (Molly Gibbs - Monterey Herald).

"The mission is to create a family oriented event, showcase aviation and then turn over the net proceeds to charities," said Harry Wardwell, the Salinas Airshow executive director. "The social benefit that the airshow brings to the community and the airport is really immeasurable" (Molly Gibbs - Monterey Herald).

The volunteer-run event entertains 40,000 to 50,000 spectators annually and brings some of the top military and civilian performers to Monterey County (Molly Gibbs - Monterey Herald).

Monster trucks returned to this year's airshow in an exciting duel of obstacles and tricks between the trucks "Playing for Keeps" and "Survivor" (Molly Gibbs - Monterey Herald).