OC Air Show: Five things you need to know

If you feel like you're seeing a lot of fighter jets and aircraft in the skies over Ocean City this weekend, don't be alarmed: It's just the 2017 OC Air Show.

Regardless of if you've been counting the days for the event to come back to Ocean City or are a first-timer to the air show, which will be held June 17-18, here's five things you need to know.

1. The show is 10 years old

On June 9, 2008, the U.S. Navy Blue Angels did a flyby during the show's first year. Since then, the event continues to be a huge draw in both spectators and big names among performers.

"The OC Air Show keeps getting bigger and better, thanks to the support of the town of Ocean City and the hundreds of thousands of spectators who come out to make it a success, some from as far away as New York, Ohio and the Carolinas,” said Bryan Lilley, president of the OC Air Show.

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The Blue Angels return this weekend with various other military aircraft, including an F-22 Raptor, a B-2 bomber, A-10 Warthog and a V-22 Osprey.

2. It's not all about the military

The GEICO Skytypers hope to answer this question: What’s faster — a World War II-era, open-cockpit SNJ trainer plane at full throttle or the eight-time World Champion offshore racing catamaran?  

Crowds at the OC Air Show will find out on Father’s Day weekend when two GEICO Skytyper planes compete against the superboat Miss GEICO in two one-mile races along the shore.

The race follows the Skytypers’ 18-minute low-level, precision-flying demonstration. 

The squadron of six SNJ aircraft, a perennial Ocean City favorite, will exhibit more than 20 different tactical maneuvers used by Allied Forces to win WWII and the Korean War, including ground strafing, formation bombardment and aerial dogfighting.

As the Skytypers conclude their demonstration in the sky, Miss GEICO makes her entrance on the water. Two pilots will then break away from the squadron and swoop down to an altitude just above the deck of their water-bound counterpart, and the air versus sea duel will begin.

3. It's not all about aircraft

The U.S. Army Special Operations Command Black Daggers parachute team will perform over the beach and Boardwalk.

The Black Daggers are volunteers from throughout the Army special operations community. The team represents the professionalism and dedication of SpecOps forces and will perform aerial demonstrations in support of Army Special Operations outreach and recruiting efforts.

The Black Daggers use the military variant of the ram-air parachute, which allows a free-fall parachutist the ability to jump with more than 100 pounds of additional equipment attached. In addition to the extra weight, the jumper must also withstand high winds, frigid temperatures and low oxygen levels.

The Black Daggers also will jump the American flag for the National Anthem at the beginning of the show each day. They will also jump at two of the evening social events.    

4. The best places to watch

You'll be able to catch glimpses of the performances if you're between 15th and 17th streets, with 16th Street being the "50-yard line."

Organizers recommend the best views come by either purchasing premium viewing or VIP tickets by going to ocairshow.com or calling 877-722-2927.

Watching the show from a boat or watercraft is permitted in a limited area on the eastern perimeter of the United States Coast Guard Safety Zone. The eastern perimeter extends 12,000 feet parallel with the flight path of the performing aircraft. The depth along the eastern perimeter is about 30-35 feet.

No anchoring, hovering or idling of boats or watercraft will be permitted to the north or south of the safety zone.

U.S. Coast Guard and Fish and Wildlife Commission vessels will patrol the perimeter of the safety zone and will be strictly enforcing guidelines and regulations.

5. Seeing the aircraft up close

The OC Air Show displays and exhibits located on 14th to 20th streets off the Boardwalk will feature simulators, interactive exhibits and much more. The displays will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days of the event. Tickets are required.

IF YOU GO

WHAT: OC Air Show

WHEN: June 17-18 starting at noon

WHERE: Between 15th and 17th streets in Ocean City

INFO: ocairshow.com or  877-722-2927

Performance order for the noon show: 

The OC Air Show flight performances will begin at noon on Saturday centered at 16th Street on the Boardwalk; the schedule will be similar for both days. The sequence of flight performances is as follows:

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