MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, Calif. -- The two-time award winning, annual MCAS Miramar Air Show marked its 51st successful year with over 130 military static displays, approximately 30 civilian and military aerial-performances and an estimated 620,000 spectators. The Blue Angels were among the main attractions of the show, along with the U.S. Army Golden Knights Parachute Team and the Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon Tactical Demonstration team.The Blue Angels performed 30 tactical maneuvers during their hour and a half shows, including dives, a four-point diamond roll, breaks and other daring feats. This year commemorates the 60th anniversary of the demonstration team, established by Chief of Naval Operations, Chester W. Cunningham in 1946.The twilight performance wowed the crowds with Bret Willat’s “Sailplane Night Magic,” Dan Buchanan’s Special Effects Power Glider and Shockley’s “Shockwave” Jet Truck. After Buchanan illuminated the sky with trails of fireworks emitted from his glider’s wings, Shockwave set the flight line afire, blazing past the audience at over 300 mph. During the firework’s display, Sgt. Juan R. Torres, Marine Wing Communication Squadron-38, Transmission Platoon, Company A, MCAS Miramar stood next to his girlfriend’s niece and nephew as they stared in amazement at the colorful display. “The best part of the show is being back from deployment, the fireworks display and the entire show in general,” said Torres. As the fireworks concluded with a monumental finale, Torres laughed at the car alarms triggered by the explosions adding, “That’s gotta be one of the best parts, too.” The air show also attracted many celebrities, including California congressman Brian Bilbray and members of the San Diego Chargers. Local school organizations and youth groups, including the Blue Angels Youth Group, also filled the stands. While on base doing research for a future television series, actor and producer Blair Underwood took advantage of the air show as an opportunity to teach his children about his past. Underwood and his brother are planning a television series based on the lives of military children; lives they once lived when growing up with their father, who was an Army colonel. “The armed forces are near and dear to our hearts,” said Underwood of his brother and himself. After watching the aerial performances with his children, Underwood declared the air show “a chance to have fun, be inspired, to have honor and pride in America, our country, and a chance to teach my children something.” Amidst the flying, free-falls and fireworks, children and adults alike were awed by the daring and entertaining performances of the night show.To finish the night, an incredible, intense inferno known as “The Wall of Fire” sent a 2,500 foot wide wall of flames into the night sky and a blast of warmth into the chilled crowd.The day show provided the same aerial feats as the night show, despite low cloud coverage. Tanks aircraft and interactive presentations at the recruiting stations and the X-games demonstration booths were also at the show. The daytime show provided thrills and excitement for spectators while the night show warmed the community to the local Marines. Just like the warmth provided by the Great Wall of Fire, Miramar’s 51st air show has come and gone. The one thing that remains is the billowing excitement and anticipation of next year’s show.