Thunder over the Boardwalk

About

The airshow itself primarily showcases military aviation, with demonstrations from the USAF Thunderbirds, United States Navy Blue Angels, US Army Golden Knights, as well as demonstrations from current Air Force and Navy aircraft, such as the A-10 Thunderbolt II, AV-8B Harrier, F-14 Tomcat, F-15 Eagle, F-15E Strike Eagle, F-16 Fighting Falcon, and the F/A-18F Super Hornet. Military flybys over the four years of the airshow have included the B-2 Spirit, C-5 Galaxy, C-17 Globemaster III, C-130 Hercules, C-141 Starlifter, F-22 Raptor, KC-10 Extender, KC-135 Stratotanker, and the P-3 Orion. Helicopters that have showed up over the years include the MH-60S Knighthawk, the HH-60 Jayhawk, the CH-146 Griffon, and the HH-65 Dauphin (the HH-60 and HH-65 - usually two HH-65s - perform a simultaneous search and rescue demonstration over the water).

Aerobatic performers over the years have included Kirby Chambliss, Doug Dodge, Michael Hunter, John Klatt, and Sean Tucker. The Horseman Mustang Demonstration by Jim Beasley and Ed Shipley have also appeared along with the Skytypers and the Vultures Formation Team. The FAA's William J Hughes Technical Center at Atlantic City International Airport has showcased itsConvair 440, Boeing 727-100, and Gulfstream in the show as well. The New Jersey State Police have also shown its Bell 206 and Sikorsky S-76 helicopters in the airshows.

Show center is marked in front of Boardwalk Hall (Florida Avenue) and the beach. Aircraft staging for the airshow is done at Atlantic City International Airport and at McGuire AFB, both of which are off-limits to the public.

The USAF Heritage Flight and the US Navy Legacy Flight have also been performed at the show.

Announcers

The announcers for the Thunder Over the Boardwalk Airshow have included Gordon Bowman-Jones (2003 and 2005), Howdy McCann (2004 and 2006) and Pinky Kravitz (2003-2014).

2003

The first show took place on August 27, 2003, in celebration of the 100th anniversary of powered flight. Headlining the show were the Thunderbirds and the Golden Knights. The show also featured demonstrations from the A-10, F-14, F-15, and F-16, all jam packed into a five and a half hour flying display. The weather was not very favorable, as it was very hazy for the entire day.

Performers

USAF ThunderbirdsUS Army Golden Knights177th Fighter Wing-F-16 Fighting Falcons (Four-Ship formation)111th Fighter Wing-A-10 Thunderbolt II (Four-Ship formation)118th Fighter Wing-A-10 Thunderbolt II (Two-Ship Demonstration/Flybys)A-10 Thunderbolt II East Coast Demo TeamC-17 Globemaster III 2-Ship FlybysC-141B Starlifter FlybyEC-130E Command Solo FlybyF-14 Tomcat DemonstrationF-15 Eagle East Coast Demo TeamF-16 Fighting Falcon East Coast Demo TeamHC-130J Hercules FlybyHH-65 Dauphin 2-Ship demonstrationHU-25 Guardian FlybyKC-10 Extender FlybysKC-135E Stratotanker FlybyKC-135E and 4x F-16 NJ ANG Refueling demonstrationThe Horsemen-Jim Beasley and Ed ShipleyEd Shipley F-86 Sabre DemonstrationCollings Foundation B-17G Flying Fortress flybyUSAF Heritage Flight

2004

The 2004 show was held on August 18, and featured the same four demonstrations, as it would be the last time an F-14 Tomcat would fly over Atlantic City, along with the last airshow appearance of a C-141B Starlifter from McGuire AFB, as the type was being withdrawn from active duty service. The skies were about the same as they were in 2003, and all of the performers were able to put on their best shows for over 350,000 airshow fans and beach-goers.

Performers

USAF ThunderbirdsUS Army Golden KnightsA-10 Thunderbolt II East Coast Demo TeamC-17 Globemaster III DemonstrationF-14 Tomcat DemonstrationF-15 Eagle East Coast Demo TeamF-16 Fighting Falcon East Coast Demo TeamHH-60 Jayhawk SAR DemonstrationHH-65B Dauphin SAR DemonstrationMH-60S Knighthawk DemonstrationC-5 Galaxy FlybyC-130E Hercules Flyby (two-ship)C-141B Starlifter Flyby177th Fighter Wing-F-16 Fighting Falcons (four-ship formation)HC-130 Hercules FlybyKC-10 Extender FlybyKC-135E Stratotanker FlybyKC-135E & F-16 Refueling PassP-3C Orion FlybyS-3 Viking FlybyThe StarfightersVulture FlightJim Beasley Jr.-P-51 MustangFAA Tech Center Aircraft FlybyHorizon Blue Cross BlimpYellow Book PittsUSAF Heritage Flight

2005

The 2005 show was held on August 31, and featured the Thunderbirds once again, but the show was threatened by bad weather inland (caused by the remnants of Hurricane Katrina), which kept many of the performers from showing up, including Dale Snodgrass. High winds curtailed the Golden Knights and Black Daggers from jumping and caused sea spray coming off the ocean to ruin any chances for photographers to get decent pictures. The show was still a success, with over 200,000 people attending.

Performers

USAF ThunderbirdsUS Army Golden KnightsUS Army SOC Black Daggers177th Fighter Wing-F-16 Fighting FalconsA-10 Thunderbolt II East Coast Demo TeamAETC Flyby-Two T-1A Jayhawks and T-38 TalonAV-8B Harrier DemonstrationC-5B Galaxy FlybyC-130 Hercules FlybyCH-146 Griffon DemonstrationConnecticuit ANG A-10 Warthog FlybyF-15 Eagle West Coast Demo TeamHC-130H Hercules FlybyKC-10 Extender FlybyKC-135E Stratotanker FlybyKC-135E & F-16 Refueling PassUSCG Search and Rescue Demonstration (two HH-65s)Dale SnodgrassKirby ChamblissMichael HunterJohn KlattNJSP S-76+ Demonstration/FlybysHorizon Blue Cross BlimpFAA Technical Center- (Convair 580 & Boeing 727-25C Flybys)Missing Man Formation (The Vultures)

2006

In December 2005, the Thunderbirds announced they were returning to Atlantic City for the fourth installment of the show. In February 2006, the Blue Angels announced they had a show site listed as "TBA" for August 23 - the same date as the Atlantic City show. In March, it was formally announced that the Blue Angels would be joining the Thunderbirds for the 2006 show.

Joining the Blues and Birds were a slew of performers making their Atlantic City debut, including Sean Tucker, the new F-15E Strike Eagle Demonstration Team, the B-2 Spirit, the F-4 Phantom, and the F-22 Raptor. The weather had turned out to be fantastic, with over 600,000 people attending the airshow, making the 2006 airshow one of the largest events ever held in Atlantic City up until that time. All of the pieces of the puzzle had fit together nicely and both jet teams held their annual reunion at Atlantic City.

Performers

USAF ThunderbirdsUS Navy Blue AngelsUS Army Golden Knights177th Fighter Wing-F-16 Fighting FalconB-2 Spirit FlybyC-17 Globemaster III FlybyF-15E Strike Eagle Demo TeamF-16 Fighting Falcon East Coast Demo TeamF-22 Raptor FlybysHH-65 Dauphin & HH-60 Jayhawk SAR DemonstrationHU-25 Guardian FlybyKC-135E Stratotanker FlybyKC-10 Extender FlybyP-3C Orion FlybyQF-4E Phantom II Demonstration/FlybysSean TuckerMichael HunterJim Beasley Jr.-P-51 MustangGEICO SktypersUSAF Heritage FlightFAA Tech Center (Global 5000 and Boeing 727 Flybys)New Jersey State Police (S-76 SWAT Demo) Flybys

Performers

USAF ThunderbirdsUS Army Golden KnightsA-10 Thunderbolt II FlybyAV-8B Harrier DemonstrationB-2 Spirit FlybyC-5 Galaxy FlybyC-17 Globemaster III FlybyCh-46 Sea Knight FlybyEC-130J Command Solo FlybyF-16 Fighting Falcon (Four Ship Formation)F-16 Fighting Falcon East Coast Demonstration TeamF/A-18C Hornet Demonstration-VFA-106KC-135E Stratotanker FlybyUSCG Search & Rescue DemonstrationMatt ChapmanMichael MancusoRob HollandHorsemen Mustang DemonstrationGEICO SkytypersRed Stars Formation TeamUSAF Heritage FlightFAA William J Hughes Tech Center (Global 5000 Flyby)New Jersey State Police (S-76 and Bell 206 SWAT Demonstration) FlybysHorizon Blue Cross Blimp

Performers

USAF ThunderbirdsUS Army Golden Knights106th Rescue Wing-HC-130P & HH-60G177th Fighter Wing F-16 Fighting FalconsC-17 Globemaster III Flyby-Dover AFBC-17 Globemaster III Flyby-McGuire AFBCH-46 Sea Knight FlybyEC-130J Command Solo FlybyF-15E Strike Eagle Demo TeamF-16 Fighting Falcon East Coast Demo TeamF/A-18F Super Hornet Demonstration-VFA-106HH-65 Coast Guard Search & Rescue DemoKC-10 Extender FlybyKC-135 Stratotanker FlybyMH-53E Sea Dragon FlyMatt ChapmanTim WeberGreg PoeEd HamillRed EaglesJosh Wilson-Yak-50Jim Beasley Jr. (P-51 Demo)Lee Lauderback (P-51 in HF)Northeast Raiders FormationNJ State Police Bell 206 & S-76 FlybysFAA Tech Center DC-3, Global Express FlybysUSAF Heritage FlightUS Navy Legacy Flight

2009

The show was held on Wednesday, August 19. It debuted the Flightline Club which provided public seating on the beach and also featured a la carte food and beverage service. The weather had turned out to be fantastic, with over 750,000 people attending the airshow, making it one of the largest events ever held in Atlantic City. The schedule included the USAF Heritage Flight featuring the F-16, A-10 and 2 P-51s and the US Navy Legacy Flight featuring F/A-18F and F4U Corsair.

Performers

USAF ThunderbirdsUS Army Golden Knights1st Fighter Wing-F-22 Raptors (Four Ship)106th Rescue Wing Combat Search & Rescue Demonstration108th Air Refueling Wing-KC-135R Stratotanker177th Fighter Wing-F-16 Fighting FalconsNJ ANG Refueling Pass- KC-135R & F-16s514th Air Mobility Wing-C-17 Globemaster III514th Air Mobility Wing-KC-10 Extender914th Airlift Wing-C-130 Hercules (two)A-10 Thunderbolt II East Coast Demo TeamCH-46 Sea Knight (HMM-774)E-2C Hawkeye Flyby (VAW-120)F-16 Fighting Falcon East Coast Demo TeamF/A-18F Super Hornet Demonstration-VFA-106USCG Search & Rescue DemonstrationRob HollandTim WeberJosh WilsonKYW-3 Chopper 3Red Eagle Aerobatic TeamNew Jersey State Police FlybysThe HorsemenFAA Tech Center Flybys-Global ExpressUS Navy Legacy FlightUSAF Heritage Flight

2010

The 2010 show was held on Wednesday, August 25 – 100 years after Atlantic City and Asbury Park hosted New Jersey’s very first airshows. According to the New Jersey State Police there were over 750,000 people in attendance.

Performers

USAF ThunderbirdsUS Army Golden KnightsBrazilian Smoke SquadronRob Holland MX2USMC Harrier Jump JetTom Duffy's B-25 FlybysU.S. Navy F/A-18F Super HornetJim Beasley Jr. P-51USAF A-10A Thunderbolt II Demo TeamUSAF F-16 Viper Demonstration TeamUSCG Search & Rescue demonstrationMilitary Flybys (KC-135, F-16, C-17, KC-10, and many more)FAA William J Hughes Technical Center aircraft flybysUSN E-2C Hawkeye demonstration

2011

The show was held on Wednesday, August 17.

Performers

USAF ThunderbirdsUS Army Golden Knights Parachute Team (Flag Jump w/US National Anthem followed by Mass Show)Canadian Skyhawks Parachute Team (Full Show w/ Canadian National Anthem)USAF-ANG 177th FW F-16 Fighting Falcon (4-ship flyby)USAF-ANG 108th ARW KC-135 StratotankerNew Jersey Air National Guard (KC-135 & F-16s composite flyby)Heavy Metal Jet Team L-39CUSAF-ANG 166th AW, C-130H Hercules (2-ship flyby)NJ State Police Aviation UnitMedEVAC 5 Helicopter flybysJim Beasley Jr. Spitfire MK18GEICO SkytypersUSCG MH-65C Search & RescueUSAF 514th AMW, C-17A Globemaster IIIUS Navy F/A-18F Super HornetTom Duffy F4U CorsairUSMC HMM-774 CH-46E SeaknightUSAF-ANG 103rd RQS (HC-130 & HH-60G para-rescue demonstration)USAF-ANG 106th RQS HC-130H HerculesJim Beasley P-51D MustangUSAF A-10C Thunderbolt IIUSAF Heritage FlightGEICO SNJ-2 vs. GEICO SpeedBoat raceHeavy Metal Jet TeamKendal Simpson Pitts Model 12

2012

The 2012 show was held on Friday, August 17. This was the first year for the show to be held on a weekend. Early attendance estimates were for 1 million people.

Performers

USAF ThunderbirdsUS Army Golden Knights7th Bomb Wing B-1B Lancer Flyby106th Rescue Wing-HC-130H143rd Airlift Wing-C-130J-30 Hercules166th Airlift Wing-C-130H Hercules177th Fighter Wing-F-16 Fighting Falcons305th AMW/514th AMW-C-17 Globemaster III2 QF-4E PhantomSH-60B SeahawkUSCG Search & Rescue Demonstrations (MH-65s)USCG HC-130J HerculesBlack Diamond Jet TeamHawker Beechcraft Texan IIGEICO SkytypersNortheast RaidersRed Eagle AirsportsAndrew McKenna (T-6)Jim Beasley Jr. (Spitfire & P-51)USAF Heritage FlightFAA William J Hughes Tech Center (Convair 580 & Global 5000)New Jersey State Police (AW139, Bell 206,S-76)

2013

In 2013, the show returned to a Wednesday but it was held in June instead of its traditional month of August. This year, spending cuts by the United States federal government due to budget sequestration forced the US military to cancel all appearances at airshows, including this show. As a result there were no US military flybys, jet demonstration teams, parachute teams, or solo demonstrations by select fighters. While many airshows elsewhere were canceled due to the absence of US military support, Atlantic City organizers decided the show was going to be held regardless. At the same time, they had a challenge: more commercial acts meant that organizers were looking for more donations to cover the costs of this airshow. Overall, they still managed to put on a good show even without the US military to provide the "thunder" that gave this airshow its name.

2014

The show returned to its traditional month of August. It was held on Wednesday, August 13. With the end of sequestration, US military participants returned to the show.

Performers

USAF ThunderbirdsUS Army Golden KnightsUSMC Harrier demonstrationAndrew McKenna P-51USCG Search & RescueJim Beasley Jr. SpitfireJason Flood Pitts S1SJack Kelly 1951 Bell 47 Helicopter Model D1AtlantiCare Medical HeloMidAtlantic MedEvac Helo6ABC News ChopperUSMC AV-8B Harrier IIGeico Skytypers (6-ship) & Geico Speedboat raceWarrior Aviation L-39Raiders Demonstration TeamFAA FlybysAndrew McKenna P-51 & Jim Beasley Jr. Spitfire (2-ship routine)Rob Holland MX-2 Aerobatics (World Unlimited Aerobatic Champion)

2015

The show was held on Wednesday, September 2. The Blue Angels were the first announced participant. The Star-Spangled Banner was delivered by Lee Greenwood.

Performers

USN Blue AngelsJim Beasley III – J3 CubLUCAS Oil Skydivers Flag JumpMike Wiskus – LUCAS Oil PittsGEICO SkytypersJim Beasley Jr. – SNJ TexanJack Kelly – Bell 47D1 HelicopterAtlantiCare Medical HelicopterMidAtlantic MedEvac HelicopterChopper 6 (WPVI – Channel 6 ABC)New Jersey State Police Aviation UnitRaiders Aerobatic Demonstration TeamJim Beasley – P-51D MustangUSAF F-22 RaptorUSAF Heritage Flight (F-22 & P-51)GEICO Skytypers vs. Miss GEICO Speedboat RaceMatt Chapman Embry Riddle CAP580USCG Search & Rescue DemonstrationMike Wiskus – LUCAS Oil PittsUSN Blue Angels – C-130T Hercules

Photographic challenges

For a photographer, Thunder Over the Boardwalk presents a very challenging set of circumstances to get the best shot. The show takes place over the Atlantic Ocean, which means that you will be facing the sun all morning and into the afternoon. Getting decent pictures of the aircraft as they pass by the casinos is not difficult at all, as well as getting pictures of the Golden Knights as they land, with the casinos in the background. Photographers on the beach at show center cannot get that many pictures of aircraft when they are at show left because the Pier at Caesars juts out into the ocean about 1,000 feet (300 m) and is a virtual obstruction either way. Because of the Pier, aircraft are forced to fly almost half a mile away from the shore line for safety reasons.