Photo courtesy USAF Thunderbirds
The United States Air Force Thunderbirds will headline the 2018 Ocean City Air Show, this weekend.
By Morgan Pilz, Staff Writer
(June 14, 2018) The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds will headline the 11th annual Ocean City Air Show this weekend, which showcases a number of military aircrafts performing acrobatic displays over the beach downtown on Saturday and Sunday.
Although the show does not officially begin until Saturday, events kick off Friday with a Jack Daniels Take Off Party at Brass Balls Saloon, located between 11th and 12th streets on the Boardwalk, at 7 p.m. It is free to attend and open to the public. It will feature musical entertainment and a chance to meet pilots, jumpers and flight crews.
“The finale will be the OC Air Show Performer Party at Ocean Downs on Saturday, June 16, at 7 p.m.,” said Chris Dirato, director of public relations for the OC Air Show. “It will feature a twilight parachute jump by the “Para-Commandos” and a fireworks display.”
On Saturday, performers include the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, C-17 Globemaster III, L-39 Cold War Era Jet Demo, U.S. Coast Guard Search & Rescue Demo, P-51 Mustang Demo, GEICO Skytypers, United States Special Operations Command Parachute Team – the “Para-Commandos,” B-25 Mitchell “Panchito” WWII Bomber and aerobatic pilot Scott Francis.
The display village lining the Boardwalk from 14th to 20th streets will open at 9 a.m. for guests to visit various information booths and talk to military recruiters about the Thunderbirds and other performances.
“Air Show Center (or the “Aerial 50-yard line”) for the OC Air Show is at 16th Street on the beach,” Dirato said. “The event site extends from 14th Street to 17th Street.”
Weather permitting, the air show will officially start at noon with the Thunderbirds taking to the sky at around 3:15 p.m. for a 30- to 40-minute performance.
Onlookers can watch as the eight-pilot team, celebrating 65 years as the Air Force’s Ambassadors in Blue, performs precise aerial maneuvers and formation flying.
“We are ecstatic the Thunderbirds will be performing in Ocean City,” Dirato said. “They are world renowned and will certainly put on a great show. They are great representatives of our U.S. Air Force.”
A new demonstration by the GEICO Skytypers will take place Saturday and Sunday. The GEICO Skytypers fly six SNJs powered by 600-horsepower Pratt and Whitney engines. As WWII training aircraft, the SNJs were designed to perform all the maneuvers of fighter planes from the same era, but at slower speeds.
“We are excited to reveal a new routine to our supporters for the 2018 Air Show season,” Lead Solo Pilot Steve Salmirs stated in a press release. “There is more dynamic maneuvering from the various aircraft, additional interaction between the plans in the air show air space, and some surprise elements developed to enhance and highlight the aircraft and pilots’ capabilities.”
A majority of the team’s low-level flying demonstration takes place in front of the crowd. The team will demonstrate more than 20 period-specific tactical maneuvers during its 18-minute performance.
“We consider it an honor to demonstrate the amazing abilities of these vintage warbirds on behalf of our sponsor, GEICO, while sharing some rarely seen aviation history with air show crowds,” Team Flight Lead Larry Arken stated in a press release.
A performance from the B-25 Mitchell “Panchito” WW II Bomber will commemorate the 76th anniversary of the Doolittle Raid on Japan in April of 1942.
The Northern American B-25 Mitchell is a twin-engine medium bomber plane used by many Allied air forces during World War II. In addition, it was also used after the war over four decades.
Ocean City Air Show fans will have a rare opportunity to take a ride in the B-25 Mitchell “Panchito” WWII Bomber for a donation of $425 per seat to the Delaware Aviation Museum. The flights will take off from the Ocean City Airport, Friday through Sunday.
The plane can seat up to five people and children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. To reserve a ride, call 443-458-8926 or e-mail panchitoB25@aol.com to save a seat on the 30-minute flights.
After Saturday’s Boardwalk activities, an OC Air Show Performer Party featuring a “Salute to the Armed Forces” will take place at Ocean Downs Casino, off Route 589 near Ocean Pines, starting at 7 p.m.
Look forward to a twilight parachute jump by the Para Commandos, presentations from the American Legion Post #166 Color Guard and American Legion Bike Riders, face painting, giveaways, live music and fireworks display at dusk.
The Air Show continues Sunday at noon with more performances by the Thunderbirds, C-5M Super Galaxy, F-35 Joint Strike Fighter and other favorites.
In addition, the Coast Guard will bring along its HH-65 Daphine helicopter to demonstrate search and rescue missions for the crowd.
Depending on the weather, hundreds of thousands of people watch the Ocean City Air Show from the Boardwalk, hotels, on the beach or on a boat in the ocean and bay each year, Dirato said.
“While I can’t speak for the city, I can tell you that the Ocean City Air Show has clearly become an event that families plan for each year,” Dirato said. “In fact, many schedule their vacation around the show. It’s become a tradition in a sense. The show attracts fans from the entire region which clearly provides an economic benefit to the city in the form of filled hotel rooms and busy restaurants.
“People should come to the show because of the family atmosphere it offers as well as having the opportunity to experience the sound of freedom,” Dirato added. “Air shows [are] inherently patriotic in theme.”
As of Tuesday morning, all special packages were available for the Air Show, but they sell out every year. Tickets start at $22 for “Drop Zone” seating, and $159 on Saturday and $149 on Sunday for a Flight Line Clubhouse ticket. There are also tickets available in the VIP Skybox and Penthouse areas both days.
Visit www.ocairshow.com to purchase a show package. For more information, go to www.facebook.com/ocairshow.
Air Show Schedule
Friday, June 15:
7 p.m.: Air Show Jack Daniels Take Off Party, Brass Balls, between 11th and 12th streets on the Boardwalk
Saturday, June 16:
9 a.m.: Display Village and Premium Viewing open, 14th to 20th streets on the Boardwalk
10 a.m.: Flight Line Club VIP and Corporate Beach Chalets open, Show Center Beach, 14th to 17th streets
12 p.m.: Air Show begins featuring the National Anthem – Flag Jump, F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, C-17 Globemaster III, L-39 Cold War Era Jet Demo, U.S. Coast Guard Search & Rescue Demo, P-51 Mustang Demo, GEICO Skytypers, United States Special Operations Command Parachute Team – “Para-Commandos,” B-25 Mitchell “Panchito” WWII Bomber and aerobatic pilot Scott Francis.
3:15 p.m.: U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds performance
7 p.m.: A “Salute to the Armed Forces” Air Show Performer Party, open to the public, Ocean Downs, featuring the Army Special Ops Black Daggers, live music, fireworks display
Sunday, June 17:
9 a.m.: Display Village and Premium Viewing open, 14th to 20th streets on the Boardwalk
10 a.m.: Flight Line Club VIP and Corporate Beach Chalets open, Show Center Beach, 14th to 17th streets
12 p.m.: Air Show begins featuring the National Anthem – Flag Jump, F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, C-5M Super Galaxy, L-39 Cold War Era Jet Demo, U.S. Coast Guard Search & Rescue Demo, P-51 Mustang Demo, GEICO Skytypers, United States Special Operations Command Parachute Team – “Para-Commandos,” B-25 Mitchell “Panchito” WWII Bomber and aerobatic pilot Scott Francis.
3:15 p.m.: U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds performance