Air Force Week Sacramento ends with air show Published Sept. 14, 2009 By Staff Sgt. Matthew Bates Defense Media Activity-San Antonio SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AFNS) -- Amid tumble dives and barrel rolls, vintage aircraft and modern fighters, the California Capital Air Show concluded Air Force Week here Sept. 12 and 13. The event, which took place at Mather Airport, the site of former Mather Air Force Base, drew more than 50,000 people and offered a variety of military and civilian aerial performances. The most notable of these was the Air Force's official air demonstration team, the Thunderbirds, who dazzled the crowd of spectators with their precision maneuvers. The F-15E Strike Eagle and F-22 Raptor demonstration teams also performed, and the United States Air Force Academy's parachute team, Wings of Blue, parachuted in with the American Flag to officially open the show. "It was a real honor to be a part of this event and be able to represent the Air Force here," said Cadet 1st Class Spencer Schardein, a Wings of Blue team member. As much as there was to see in the air, there was even more on the ground. Static displays were set up across the 40-acre tarmac and offered spectators the chance to get up close and personal with aircraft, vehicles and equipment used by military, civilian and law enforcement agencies. Among these were stunt airplanes, a UH-1 Huey helicopter, a Boeing 747 and a C-130 Hercules. Located in the middle of the flightline were two of the Air Force's giant workhorses, the C-5 Galaxy and the C-17 Globemaster III, both from nearby Travis Air Force Base. The Air Force Week program is designed to showcase the Air Force's people, equipment and mission to local communities throughout the country. Air Force Week Sacramento was the last of three Air Force Weeks held this year. The other two were in Hampton Roads, Va., and Salt Lake City, Utah.