MARYLAND

F-22 Raptors to perform at 2017 OC Air Show

DELMARVANOW STAFF REPORT, The Daily Times
The U.S. Air Force's F-22 Raptor Demo Team will be coming to the OC Air Show on June 17-18, 2018.

The 2017 OC Air Show will feature the U.S. Air Force's F-22 Raptor Demo Team and will also include an A-10 Thunderbolt.

The A-10 Thunderbolt II, returning to air shows for the first time since 2012, will also participate in the Air Force Heritage Flight along with a P-51 Mustang and the F-22. The 10th anniversary edition of the OC Air Show will take place June 17-18 over the beach and Boardwalk of Ocean City.

The F-22 Raptor is the only operational fifth-generation fighter aircraft in the world today. Its combination of stealth, supercruise, thrust vectoring and integrated avionics represents an exponential leap in fighter aircraft capabilities. With only 186 F-22s in the fleet, the operational demand for them is significant, so the U.S. Air Force limits air show demonstrations to only 24 per year.

BACKGROUND: Blue Angels visit OC, Wallops to prep for 2017 air show

BACKGROUND: OC Air Show one of town's biggest money makers

The A-10 Thunderbolt II is a single-seat, twin engine, ground attack aircraft commonly referred to as the Warthog or Hog. It was designed for close-in support of ground troops. The A-10’s 30mm Avenger autocannon is one of the most powerful cannons ever flown. It fires large armor-piercing shells at a high rate of fire. This has given the A-10 the nickname “Tank killer.”

“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.”

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.ocairshow.com or call 877-722-2927.