Above the parade route, a US Park Police helicopter constantly patrolled our section. Unseen off on the horizon flew F-16 fighters ready to intercept any aircraft with hostile intent. Up in the stratosphere somewhere circled an E-3 Sentry airborne warning and control system (AWACS) aircraft to guide the fighters to any bogies. I just never thought I'd see the day when the Air Force would be CAPing (Combat Air Patrol) our own freaking capital. It's outrageous.

I know there were also radiation sensors in the crowd. There were undoubtedly lots of hidden sensors and defenses and teams of guys with guns ready to kick ass that nobody could see. All the defenses were run from a war room a dozen miles to the west in Fairfax, Virginia.