Miramar with an incredible series of afterburner passes in the F/A‐18C. A fireworks display set to the stirring
music of John Philip Sousa set the stage for the concluding act: the Great Wall of Fire.
But the highlight of the show was clearly the MAGTF. Two incredible explosions marked the beginning of the
demonstration, simulating ground bombardment from offshore naval vessels. The action is explained by the
dynamic and over‐the‐top narration of Capt. John Reeves, accompanied by a hard‐driving rock music sound‐
track. Soon the skies were filled with a multitude of aircraft, both fixed‐wing (jet and prop) and rotary
(helicopter and tilt‐rotor). Two KC‐130J Hercules tankers passed overhead, the first refueling two pairs of AV‐
8Bs and F/A‐18Cs, the next trailing two pairs of CH‐53s and MV‐22s. The Hornets and Harriers then made sev‐
eral high‐speed strafing and bombing passes, accompanied by loud and showy pyrotechnics. Two UH‐1Y
Hueys soon appeared with Marines fast‐roping to the ground to the strains of “It's raining men! Hallelujah,
it's raining men” by the Weather Girls. All the while Super Cobras were darting about providing cover.