Gulf War Displays Draw Big Crowd at Van Nuys Air Show

About 110,000 people attended the Van Nuys air show Saturday for a salute to Desert Storm patriotism that drew throngs of spectators around a Patriot missile launcher and other military equipment.

Although a wide variety of vintage and modern aircraft lined the Tarmac at Van Nuys Airport for the two-day Aviation Expo-91, the largest crowds gathered around a Patriot missile launcher, an F-117A Stealth fighter, a Bradley Fighting Vehicle and several tanks.

“It’s the biggest turnout I’ve ever seen in all the years I’ve been coming here,” said Northridge resident Matt Gutierrez, 23, who was discharged from the Air Force two months ago.

“I guess people want to see what we used to win the war,” said Gutierrez, who was not stationed in the Middle East.

There were no arrests or crimes reported at the event despite the large crowd, police said.

U.S. Army Sgt. Patricia Tiffany stood atop the high-tech Patriot launcher Saturday, protecting the apparatus from the few children who tried to climb on it. Tiffany tracked Iraqi Scud missiles during the Gulf War.

“This is lots more fun,” Tiffany said.

Tiffany, a native of Rockford, Ill., was part of a large contingent of armed forces personnel who dressed in desert camouflage fatigues and answered questions.

Displays of patriotism abounded, with many people sporting T-shirts with stars and stripes or bearing messages such as “When It Rains, It Pours: Operation Desert Storm.”

The curious of all ages gathered around the soldiers, not just to ask questions, but to thank them for serving the country.

“Mechanics don’t get much glamour . . . we’re not used to all this,” said Spec. Vic Lechuga, 21, of Houston, Tex., who answered questions in English and Spanish about the Highly Mobile Multi-Wheeled Vehicle on display. He also autographed T-shirts for several children.

Tiffany, a single mother who left her two small children with their grandparents while she went to war, said she received as many questions about her experiences as a woman in combat as queries on the Patriot missile system.

“They want to know how I juggled motherhood and war--it wasn’t easy,” she said.

The air show will be open today from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.