Mexican Independence Parade 2021
On 16 September 2021, Mexico celebrated its 211th Independence Day with a huge military parade.
The new facilities of the first Military Air Base at Santa Lucia, which were only opened on 10 February 2021, were used for the very first time in the preparations of a parade.
After rehearsals, the final inspection of the parade took place on 11 September, and the go-ahead was given for the parade on 16 September.
In total, 99 (71 fixed wing aircraft and 28 helicopters) took part in this year’s parade. Beside the Fuerza Aeréa Mexicana (FAM, Mexican Air Force), also the Secretariat of the Navy and the National Guard participated with aircraft and helicopters in this great event.
Enrique Giese was invited to board Mi-17 ANX-2200 and make air-to-air shots of the helicopters during the parade and send us these stunning pictures.
Five passes were made during the formal ceremony, with an approximate effective flight time over the capital's heart, the Zócalo of 2 hours and 7 minutes and a real flight time, from the take-off of the first aircraft until the last landing of almost 3 hours! During the formal ceremony, PC-7 and T-6C+ aircraft participated, throwing tricolour smoke. Subsequently, the navy and air force paratroopers jumped from a helicopter, to land precisely in front of Zócalo in front of the National Palace; continuing with an infiltration and exfiltration exercise of Special Forces in two EC725 helicopters. After this grand opening the air parade over the Zócalo of Mexico City started.
It is worth mentioning that with so many aircraft gathered at Santa Lucia, expectations for the upcoming FAMEX 2021 air show are running high. The location of this year’s edition being changed only two weeks ago from Queretaro airport to the newly constructed Santa Lucia.
Photos by Enrique Giese