OCEAN CITY – Military demonstrations, air-sea races and a variety of aerial displays will highlight this year’s 10th Annual OC Air Show.
Returning to this year’s air show are the U.S. Navy Blue Angels, who will headline this year’s event following several demonstrations, races and flyovers from both military and private performers.
Chris Dirato, director of public relations for the OC Air Show, said this year’s lineup will celebrate the military’s rich history and the show’s ongoing success.
“It’s the 10th anniversary, so it’s a milestone of sorts for the show,” he said. “We feel it’s important to put forth a quality list of performers. All of those elements come together and make it a special, special weekend.”
The U.S. Army Special Operations Command Black Daggers parachute team will kick start the OC Air Show and national anthem, where they will perform a jump with the American flag. The team will also demonstrate their skills in a special performance during the show.
The U.S. Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey will also take center stage throughout the weekend for a demonstration that showcases the aircraft’s versatile capabilities. Similar to a helicopter, the MV-22 can take off and land vertically and converts into a turboprop plane once in the air.
To commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Doolittle Raid, Dirato said the “Panchito” B-25 World War II Bomber will also make an appearance. This model aircraft was used throughout much of the war and by the end of its production boasted almost 10,000 varying models.
On both Saturday and Sunday, attendees can also witness an air-sea race between two GEICO Skytyper planes and the Miss GEICO superboat. The two one-mile races will take place along the shoreline at 16th Street and will place the two crafts against each other following the Skytypers’ flying demonstration.
“The SNJs flown by our team were originally used as training aircraft for WWII and Korean war pilots,” says Team Flight Lead Larry Arken. “We consider it an honor to demonstrate the amazing abilities of these vintage war birds on behalf of our sponsor, GEICO, while sharing a bit of aviation history.”
The team also delights crowds by demonstrating the “Skytypers” portion of their name. Flying in a tight, line-abreast formation, five aircraft “type” dot matrix-style letters as tall as the Empire State Building that can be seen from 15 miles away.
The U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor Demo Team will be at the show to feature the aircraft’s full capabilities demonstration. Because there are 186 F-22s in the fleet, show officials say the Air Force limits air show demonstrations to 24 a year, making it a rare performance.
For the first time since 2012, the A-10 Thunderbolt II, also known as the Warthog, will return to the OC Air Show to participate in the Air Force Heritage Flight following the F-22 Raptor. The Warthog is designed to support ground troops and can fire large shells that pierce armor.
Prior to the headline performance on Saturday, the B-2 Spirit Stealth Bomber will take flight over the beach and Boardwalk to commemorate the show’s 10th anniversary. The Stealth Bomber gets its name from its technology, which allows the aircraft to enter hostile territory undetected. The Stealth Bomber can also perform attack missions up to 50,000 feet for 6,900 miles, 12,000 miles with one mid-air fueling. The U.S. Air Force currently has 20 B-2 Bombers in service. The aircraft has been used in combat missions in Kosovo and in conflicts in Iraq, Afghanistan and Libya.
The U.S. Navy Blue Angels will conclude this year’s show and will demonstrate delta and diamond formations and showcase the fleet’s capabilities using F/A-18 Hornet planes.
“We’ve pulled off the air show version of a hat trick for our 10th anniversary,” said Bryan Lilley, President of the OC Air Show. “With the U.S. Navy Blue Angels, Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey and now the addition of the Air Force F-22 Raptor we have three of the best military demonstrations all at the same show in the same year.”
Dirato encourages families to come enjoy the air show and its surroundings.
“As long as the weather cooperates … you can’t beat the setting having the beach and the Boardwalk,” he said. “It lends to a family oriented atmosphere. You can bring families out and sit on the beach and, if you are so inclined, get VIP viewing tickets and enjoy the afternoon in a terrific setting. It is a relaxed atmosphere having the ocean there at your fingertips and air show above you.”
General viewing from the beach and Boardwalk will be free, but tickets are on sale for show center seating on 16th Street.
For more information on the OC Air Show, or to purchase tickets, visit www.ocairshow.com or call (877) 722-2927. For updates and changes to the show’s performances, visit the OC Air Show Facebook page.
“We think this is a great show and has a storied history,” Dirato said. “We encourage families to come out and enjoy it.”
Schedule of Events
Friday, June 16
Afternoon: Rehearsal day
7-10 p.m.: Jack Daniels Take Off Party at the Brass Balls Saloon – free and open to the public
Saturday, June 17
Noon-4 p.m.:
National Anthem – Flag Jump
Army SpecOps Black Daggers
Mike Wiskus in the Lucas Oil Pitts
USCG Search and Rescue Demo
USMC MV-22 Osprey Demo
David Windmiller in the Zivko Edge 540
B-25 Mitchell “Panchito” WWII Bomber
GEICO Skytypers
Miss GEICO versus the Skytyper Race
Mike Wiskus in the Lucas Oil Pitts
USAF F-22 Raptor Demo
USAF Heritage Flight featuring the A-10 Warthog
B-2 Stealth Bomber
Army SpecOps Black Daggers
U.S. Navy Blue Angels
7-10 p.m.
Air Show Performer Party at the Casino at Ocean Downs – free and open to the public
Sunday, June 18
Noon-4 p.m.
National Anthem – Flag Jump
Army SpecOps Black Daggers
Mike Wiskus in the Lucas Oil Pitts
USCG Search and Rescue Demo
USMC MV-22 Osprey Demo
David Windmiller in the Zivko Edge 540
GEICO Skytypers
Miss GEICO versus the Skytyper Race
B-25 Mitchell “Panchito” WWII Bomber
Mike Wiskus in the Lucas Oil Pitts
USAF F-22 Raptor Demo
USAF Heritage Flight featuring the A-10 Warthog
Army SpecOps Black Daggers
U.S. Navy Blue Angels
7-10 p.m.
RumHaven Afterburner Party at Coconuts Beach Bar & Grill
