Air Force Thunderbirds, Para-Commandos to fill Ocean City skies
Pilots are gearing up, parachutes are getting packed and planes are preparing for takeoff for the 11th annual OC Air Show.
The weekend event will be held from June 16-17 on Ocean City’s beach and Boardwalk. Spectators can watch as some of the nation’s most distinguished aerial performers and pilots take to the skies.
“Beach shows inherently are great and exciting,” said Chris Dirato, director of public relations for the OC Air Show. “You’re looking out over the ocean, you’re enjoying the sun and it’s a great opportunity to spend the day at the beach with your family.”
Beginning at noon both days, the show will feature representatives from the United States Armed Forces and several historic World War II aircrafts. This year’s lineup of performers has a larger military presence than in previous years, according to Dirato.
Starting off the show with the National Anthem flag jump will be the United States Special Operations Command Parachute Team, the Para-Commandos, making their landing at the event’s Drop Zone between 15th and 16th streets. The only joint demonstration team in the Department of Defense, the team is made up of volunteers from the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines, plus government civilians.
“This particular one is a great show to watch because it’s a beach landing, which makes it more difficult,” said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Erin Karl, public affairs officer for the Para-Commandos. “It’s usually a smaller drop zone or landing area than what a regular show is.”
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Headlining the event will be the U.S. Air Force’s Thunderbirds. Onlookers can watch as the legendary eight-pilot team, celebrating 65 years as the Air Force's Ambassadors in Blue, performs precise aerial maneuvers and formation flying.
The F-35 Joint Striker and P-51 Mustang will also headline the event as they participate in a rare Heritage Flight.
“The F-35 coming to Ocean City is important because they are actually going to do a heritage flight with the P-51 Mustang to showcase the past and future of air force technology,” said Dirato. “The OC Air Show will be one of only eight air shows this year that the F-35 will be participating in. So, it’s kind of a special occasion for this particular aircraft.”
Several other flight performances will run throughout the weekend, including a United States Coast Guard Search and Rescue Demo, the GEICO Skytpers, the C-17 Globemaster III and a high energy aerobatic demo by Scott Francis.
The OC Air Show will also have a local touch to it, with pilot Larry Kelley of Georgetown flying the “Panchito” B-25 Bomber, a WWII military plane made famous by its part halting Japanese advances after Pearl Harbor.
“Flying these vintage military airplanes is a unique opportunity and an honor,” said Kelley. “These WWII airplanes are just true icons of that era.”
Kelley will be offering B-25 rides all day Saturday and Sunday for the Delaware Aviation Museum. In a unique experience, riders can feel what it was like to be in a WWII bomber.
Displays and exhibits will be open to the public throughout the weekend. Located from 12th to 20th streets on the Boardwalk, beachgoers can check out flight simulators and interactive exhibits as well as multiple vendors.
“For some families, this is a year-to-year tradition. I mean, they plan their vacation around coming to this show,” said Dirato. “That’s why it’s on us to make sure we are giving them a good show each and every year.”
For more information on the “Panchito” B-25 Bomber flights, call 443-458-8926.
For more information on the OC Air Show, visit ocairshow.com or visit the OC Air Show’s Facebook page for live updates.
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If you go:
What: 11th Annual OC Air Show
When: June 16-17; noon to 4 p.m.
Where: 14th Street to 17th Street
Price: Free; Separate pricing for VIP Penthouse, Drop Zone and Flight Line, prices range from $14 to $400.
Info: http://ocairshow.com/