Air Show Could Draw a Record Million-Plus

EL TORO —  More than a million Southern Californians are expected to show up this weekend to see the annual El Toro Air Show--to gaze skyward at the precision flying of the Navy’s Blue Angels, aerobatic wing-walkers and an assortment of aerial stunts.

Much of the military machinery used during the Persian Gulf War will also be on display at the show at the El Toro Marine Corps Air Station.

As concessionaires stockpiled tons of hot dogs and hamburgers for the two-day event, local police and the California Highway Patrol braced for what one official quipped could be “the mother of all traffic jams.”

“Last year, we had close to 900,000 people,” said Brig. Gen. Wayne T. Adams, commander of the air station. “With the patriotic fervor and everything that has been happening, my gut-feeling estimate right now based on some pretty good thinking is about 1.2 million.”

The size of the crowds will depend on the weather, according to Lt. Col. Barbara Ellen Hamann, a special-projects officer. She said the largest crowd is expected on Sunday. She added that 20,000 to 30,000 people are expected today for a special show for the elderly, handicapped, military families and other invited guests. It begins at 9 a.m.

Law enforcement officials warned that today’s show could cause gawkers’ block along the Santa Ana and San Diego freeways near the air station, where two highways converge. And the CHP warned that its officers will ticket those who stop on the freeways to watch the air show.

On Saturday and Sunday, the free shows will begin at 8 a.m. with stunt pilots John Collver and Jim Franklin and end each day with the Blue Angels at 3:15 p.m. Parking is free but limited, and air show officials suggest that visitors walk, ride bikes or take special buses to avoid traffic jams.

Twenty-two aerial and ground acts will be presented on Saturday and Sunday, and air show and law enforcement officials urged spectators to arrive early and allow plenty of time to get out of the area after the shows.

Those coming south on the Santa Ana Freeway should exit at Jamboree Road, head north to Irvine Boulevard and travel east to the air station’s Gate 2. The Irvine Police Department urges northbound motorists to take the Alton Parkway exit and follow the signs to Gate 3. Once on the base, cars will be directed to parking areas. Motorists coming south on the San Diego Freeway should exit at Sand Canyon Avenue and take Alton Parkway to the base.

After the shows, state transportation officials recommend that drivers stay away from the Santa Ana Freeway and instead take the San Diego Freeway north to the Costa Mesa Freeway.

The National Weather Bureau and WeatherData Inc., which provides forecasts for The Times, predicted mostly clear skies over the weekend with gusty winds Saturday. Temperatures should be in the 60s Saturday and possibly in the 70s on Sunday.

This year’s show was “touch and go” for a while because of the Persian Gulf War, Adams recalled. The base was on alert and “there was no way we could let a million people on the base to run around essentially loose when we are in threat conditions,” he said. But after the war ended, Adams said, the staff pulled everything together quickly.

Maj. John Hill, air show organizer, said the event--dubbed “The Sound of Freedom”--will be dedicated to the service men and women returning from the Persian Gulf and will offer a “chance to give those victorious warriors a great big welcome home.” More than 52,000 men and women from armed services units in Orange County and nearby Camp Pendleton fought in the Gulf. Eight thousand Marines from the El Toro and Tustin air stations under the command of Maj. Gen. Royal N. Moore Jr. participated in Desert Shield and Desert Storm.

Gillian Schilling, concessions coordinator for the air show, expects food, beverage and novelty sales to exceed all other shows held over the past 41 years. The profits from food and souvenir sales will pay for the show, and leftover money will go to the Navy Relief Society--an organization that helps sailors and Marines--and to the local morale, welfare and recreation fund. Last year, more than $500,000 was raised for the military relief efforts.

As in the past, the main attraction will be the Navy’s Blue Angels. Since the team was organized in 1946, it has performed before 230 million people.

Another favorite is the AV-8B Harrier, which has the unique ability of taking off and landing vertically, while flying like other fighter jets. The Harrier will hover in front of the crowd, take a bow and disappear at jet speed.

Many aircraft--ranging from large military transports to the small, deadly Cobra helicopter gunship--will be displayed on the airfield.

Although festive by nature, the shows can be dangerous for the performers.

In 1985, a stunt pilot flying a vintage plane miscalculated a maneuver and plowed into the El Toro base chapel, killing himself and his civilian passenger.

Three years ago, a Marine pilot performing maneuvers in an F/A-18 miscalculated a loop and slammed into the ground right in front of the crowd. The pilot, Col. Jerry Cadick, survived the accident with multiple injuries.

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