SAN DIEGO (KGTV) -- Officials with the Marine Corps Air Station Miramar Air Show announced this year's air and ground military event has been canceled citing the coronavirus pandemic.
The 66-year-old air acrobatics demonstration is one of the nation's largest military air shows drawing several hundred thousand spectators over the three-day weekend event.
MCAS Miramar tweeted, "Due to the continuing spread and health concerns of #COVID19, @MCASMiramarCA must formally announce the cancellation of the 2020 Miramar Air Show. It is a disappointment to us as well as many across the world, but the safety of our Marines and fellow San Diegans must come first."
This is the first time the event has been canceled since 2013 when the U.S. Department of Defense slashed budgets due to a government shutdown.
This year's event was scheduled for September 25-27. Officials said they are aiming to bring back the event next year.
“While we had initially hoped to host the show and help usher in a re-opened San Diego, there are still a great many risks posed with a mass gathering of this size and scale to do it in a way that ensures our guests absolute safety," said Col. Charles Dockery, Commanding Officer, MCAS Miramar.
"It remains a prudent choice to look ahead to 2021 and make it better than ever," said Dockery.
STAY WITH 10NEWS FOR UPDATES TO THIS DEVELOPING STORY.