It started with a bang.

Colorado National Guard troops fired rockets, shot howitzers, blasted away with machine guns and blazed overhead in F-16 fighters at Fort Carson Saturday during a training exercise.

And, unlike most military training, this one came with a live studio audience. Scores of fans cheered the destruction.

“We use this event to demonstrate to the general public what the Colorado National Guard is capable of doing,” said Lt. Scott Goff, a Guard spokesman. “One of the purposes is to show the bosses, the people, what we can do.”

The show even drew a royal observer: Princess Aisha Bint Al Hussein of Jordan, sister of Jordan’s king and a major general in the Jordanian military.

Since 2004, the Colorado National Guard has had a partnership with Jordan. “We exchange ideas, information; but ultimately we build understanding between our countries,” said Air Guard Maj. Nicole David.

The princess had plenty to watch. A convoy of Humvees was hit with a simulated roadside bomb. The Guard’s newest helicopter — the UH-72 Lakota — swooped in for a simulated medical evacuation.

The training concluded with a fly-over from F-16 Falcons.

“A lot of preparation goes into demonstrating the abilities of the various units,” said Goff. “About six months of planning goes into an event like this.”

The Guardsmen used real ammunition to simulate combat scenarios. Most of them have plenty of experience with live ammunition: All of the units involved has served overseas.

The Colorado National Guard has been involved in every federal engagement since the Civil War.

“It’s something to be proud of,” said Lt. Goff.