Thunderbirds are go! Team will come to OC Air Show
The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds confirmed they will perform at the Ocean City Air Show this weekend, officials announced Monday.
The announcement eases questions about whether or not the military jet demonstration team would appear after a June 2 crash when pilot Maj. Alex Turner was flying with his team and had to eject south of Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Turner had just flown over the crowd watching President Barack Obama's commencement address when something went wrong and he was forced to ditch his plane. He parachuted safely and was not seriously injured and later met the president.
The crash occurred on the same day as a U.S. Navy Blue Angels jet crash, killing pilot Capt. Jeff Kuss. Kuss flew three VIP guests on a 45-minute ride from NASA's Wallops Flight Facility in Accomack County. Kuss was also part of the Blue Angels team that performed at the 2015 OC Air Show.
What followed was a temporary grounding of many U.S. military jet demonstration teams.
Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.
BACKGROUND: Jet crashes at Thunderbirds' show
This weekend's The OC Air Show will feature one of the first flight performances of America’s most advanced new superfighter, the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter. The U.S. Navy will also showcase the F/A-18 Super Hornet and the U.S. Coast Guard will perform a Search and Rescue demonstration.
Civilian performers include historic aircraft like the B-25 Mitchell Bomber “Panchito”, L-39 Cold War era jet, Mike Wiskus, David Windmiller and the Jack Links Screamin Sasquatch, a jet powered biplane!
Meeting the pilots can be a challenge at a beachfront air show so the OC Air Show will host three evening social events on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights where the public is invited to come out and meet all the pilots, crews and jump team.
A “Salute to the Armed Forces” will take place Saturday night at Ocean Downs and families are invited to come out for “Flight suit night” as all the performers including the USAF Thunderbirds will be in uniform.
The OC Air Show takes place Saturday and Sunday at noon. The Thunderbirds will be flying at approximately 3 p.m. Flight Line Club VIP and Drop Zone Beach premium viewing tickets are still available online in advance at a discount of 25 percent off the day-of-event price.
With the expected turnout for the Return to Flight of the USAF Thunderbirds additional volunteers are needed.
More information on tickets and volunteering can be found on the event website at OCAirShow.com.