THUNDER Over The Boardwalk

The sun, surf, and sounds of freedom brought out an estimated 700,000 people to the Thunder Over The Boardwalk show in Atlantic City NJ. The show is the largest mid-week show in America. The Atlantic City Regional Mainland Chamber of Commerce, the Borgata Casino and Spa, and the 177th Fighter Wing of the New Jersey Air National Guard pulled off an amazing show over the beach in Atlantic City. The show was a jam packed non stop thrill ride. The Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard all participated in the show as did the FAA and several civilian acts. It was difficult to pick out a favorite part. For some it was the always precise and thrilling Thunderbirds, while for others it was the four ship F22 Raptor flybys, which were an unscheduled surprise. There was an F15E Strike Eagle demo, along with an F16CJ Viper Demo. The Navy added to the show with the FA18F Super Hornet Demo. There were fly-bys that included a KC-10, KC-135, C17, a DC-3, a 4 ship F16 flyby, and a USAF-ANG 111th FW A-10A Thunderbolt II Flyby. The US Coast Guard performed an HH-65 Search & Rescue Demonstration. Everyone seemed to love the USMC HMM-774 CH-46E SeaKnight Flybys.

The civilian aerobatic displays included Greg Poe in his FAGEN MX-2, Ed Hamill with the USAF Reserve Bi-Plane, Jim Beasley Jr. in a P51 demo, Tim Weber, and Matt Chapman. Making his airshow debut was Josh Wilson with his YAK50 Aerobatic Demonstration. The schedule was non stop. There was seldom more than a minute between acts. David Schultz really knows his stuff. I don’t think 700,000 people in a relatively small space could be handled as well anywhere else.

By Mike Sherba