650,000 See Patriotism and Pizazz at El Toro Air Show

With one arm flapping over his head, Lee Oman clung to the wing of his 1940 biplane like a rodeo cowboy. The aircraft bucked right, then left before launching into a perilous ascent, Oman’s fluorescent red suit nearly disappearing in the distance.

“It’s beautiful up there,” the 38-year-old wing-walker from Idaho said between performances Saturday at the El Toro Air Show. “I’ve got the best seat in the house.”

From barrel-rolling stunt planes to the precision and muscle of military fighter jets--including the Blue Angels flying team--pilots painted ribbons of white smoke against a bright blue sky for an estimated 650,000 people who jammed the El Toro Marine Corps Air Station on Saturday.

“I think we have a million people in the bag now,” Marine Maj. John Hill, show organizer, said of projected weekend attendance. “The weather was almost perfect.”

When spectators weren’t locking their necks skyward, most simply reveled in patriotic demonstrations of the military might that contributed to a victory for the U.S.-led coalition in the Persian Gulf War.

“We really kicked his ass big-time,” a delighted Maj. Gen. Royal N. Moore Jr. barked to the crowd from a platform near the station’s airstrip.

The general’s blunt reference to Iraqi President Saddam Hussein drew a roar from the crowd nearly on a par with the thunder of jets flying overhead.

In his brief speech to the spectators, some relaxing on lawn chairs or beach blankets, the commander of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing pointed to one aircraft that has been a particular source of pride to him since his recent return from the Gulf: an Iraqi helicopter seized during the allied assault on the Kuwait International Airport.

The bulky, sand-colored craft with the Iraqi flag painted on its side sat just off the well-traveled Tarmac exhibit area and in the shadows of the sleek U.S. fighting machines. Spectators gathered in small groups to peek inside its windows and snap photographs of the helicopter.

Although the main attraction was clearly reserved for the performance of the Navy’s Blue Angels, show organizers never lost an opportunity to display the host Marine Corps’ role in the Gulf fighting.

A full 40 minutes of show time was devoted to an impressive assault re-enactment by the Marine Air Ground Task Force, complete with helicopter troop drops and fiery airfield explosions.

At one point during the show, the crowd was brought to its feet when two Marine OV-10 Broncos buzzed the reviewing area, pointed their noses into the air and dropped six paratroopers from their bellies.

“Ah, man, that is awesome!” proclaimed Charlie Buchanan, a 37-year-old furniture-maker from Vancouver. “I’m quite impressed with the patriotism and the spirit that I see here.”

Marine officials reported that the crowd was well-behaved and the bright sunshine claimed only “a few” spectators who complained of heat-related illnesses at first-aid stations.

“It has been real quiet and the people have been real cooperative,” said Marine Capt. John Forquer. “We expect more people tomorrow than we had today.”