Thunder over the Boardwalk

The Thunder Over the Boardwalk Airshow (AKA Atlantic City Airshow) is the annual airshow held over the Atlantic City boardwalk every August. Since 2003, it has set the bar for beachfront airshows across the United States and is currently one of the largest airshows in North America. What sets apart Thunder Over the Boardwalk from other shows, aside from being a beach show, is the fact that the airshow takes place on a Wednesday. The show takes place along the beaches of Atlantic City, New Jersey, in front of the world-famous Boardwalk, with the casinos in the background. Flybys and demonstrations as high as 15000 ft and as low as 50 ft over the water in front of the Atlantic City skyline.

It is produced by a joint venture of the Atlantic City Chamber of Commerce, the New Jersey Air National Guard's 177th Fighter Wing, the Borgata Hotel & Spa, David Schultz Airshows, the Press of Atlantic City, and WOND-AM.

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 & 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 their Convair 440, Boeing 727-100, and Gulfstream in the show as well. The New Jersey State Police has also shown off their Bell 206 and Sikorski 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.

Also seen were the USAF Heritage Flight and the US Navy Legacy Flight.

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-).

2003
The first Atlantic City "Thunder Over the Boardwalk" Airshow took place on August 27, 2003, as a way to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of Powered Flight. Over 200,000 people packed the beach and the Boardwalk to witness one of the best airshows in New Jersey in many years. Headlining that show were the Thunderbirds and the Golden Knights, who have been back to every airshow since then. 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, but all of the performers managed to put on their best show.

Performers:


 * USAF Thunderbirds
 * US Army Golden Knights
 * 177th Fighter Wing-F-16 Fighting Falcons (Four-Ship Formation)
 * 111th Figther 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 Team
 * C-17 Globemaster III 2-Ship Flybys
 * C-141B Starlifter Flyby
 * EC-130E Command Solo Flyby
 * F-14 Tomcat Demonstration
 * F-15 Eagle East Coast Demo Team
 * F-16 Fighting Falcon East Coast Demo Team
 * HC-130J Hercules Flyby
 * HH-65 Dauphin 2-Ship Demonstation
 * HU-25 Guardian Flyby
 * KC-10 Extender Flybys
 * KC-135E Stratotanker Flyby
 * KC-135E & 4x F-16 NJ ANG Refueling Demonstration
 * The Horsemen-Jim Beasley & Ed Shipley
 * Ed Shipley F-86 Sabre Demonstration
 * Collings Foundation B-17G Flying Fortress Flyby
 * USAF 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 beachgoers.

Performers:


 * USAF Thunderbirds
 * US Army Golden Knights
 * A-10 Thunderbolt II East Coast Demo Team
 * C-17 Globemaster III Demonstration
 * F-14 Tomcat Demonstration
 * F-15 Eagle East Coast Demo Team
 * F-16 Fighting Falcon East Coast Demo Team
 * HH-60 Jayhawk SAR Demonstration
 * HH-65B Dauphin SAR Demonstration
 * MH-60S Knighthawk Demonstration
 * C-5 Galaxy Flyby
 * C-130E Hercules Flyby (two-ship)
 * C-141B Starlifter Flyby
 * 177th Fighter Wing-F-16 Fighting Falcons (four-ship formation)
 * HC-130 Hercules Flyby
 * KC-10 Extender Flyby
 * KC-135E Stratotanker Flyby
 * KC-135E & F-16 Refueling Pass
 * P-3C Orion Flyby
 * S-3 Viking Flyby
 * The Starfighters
 * Vulture Flight
 * Jim Beasley Jr.-P-51 Mustang
 * FAA Tech Center Aircraft Flyby
 * Horizon Blue Cross Blimp
 * Yellow Book Pitts
 * USAF 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 Thunderbirds
 * US Army Golden Knights
 * US Army SOC Black Daggers
 * 177th Fighter Wing-F-16 Fighting Falcons
 * A-10 Thunderbolt II East Coast Demo Team
 * AETC Flyby-Two T-1A Jayhawks and T-38 Talon
 * AV-8B Harrier Demonstration
 * C-5B Galaxy Flyby
 * C-130 Hercules Flyby
 * CH-146 Griffon Demonstration
 * Connecticuit ANG A-10 Warthog Flyby
 * F-15 Eagle West Coast Demo Team
 * HC-130H Hercules Flyby
 * KC-10 Extender Flyby
 * KC-135E Stratotanker Flyby
 * KC-135E & F-16 Refueling Pass
 * USCG Search and Rescue Demonstration (two HH-65s)
 * Dale Snodgrass
 * Kirby Chambliss
 * Michael Hunter
 * John Klatt
 * NJSP S-76+ Demonstration/Flybys
 * Horizon Blue Cross Blimp
 * FAA Technical Center- (Convair 580 & Boeing 727-25C Flybys)
 * Missing Man Formation (The Vultures)

2006
However, plans for 2006 started nice and early. In December 2005, the Thunderbirds had announced they were returning to Atlantic City for the fourth installment of Thunder Over the Boardwalk. Rumors had started running around the Internet in February 2006 when 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 Thunder Over the Boardwalk Airshow. It was going to be the first time the Blue Angels had ever appeared over Atlantic City and if all of the pieces of the puzzle had fit in place, the biggest airshow in New Jersey.

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. All of the pieces of the puzzle had fit together nicely and both jet teams held their annual reunion at Atlantic City.

Performers:


 * USAF Thunderbirds
 * US Navy Blue Angels
 * US Army Golden Knights
 * 177th Fighter Wing-F-16 Fighting Falcon
 * B-2 Spirit Flyby
 * C-17 Globemaster III Flyby
 * F-15E Strike Eagle Demo Team
 * F-16 Fighting Falcon East Coast Demo Team
 * F-22 Raptor Flybys
 * HH-65 Dauphin & HH-60 Jayhawk SAR Demonstration
 * HU-25 Guardian Flyby
 * KC-135E Stratotanker Flyby
 * KC-10 Extender Flyby
 * P-3C Orion Flyby
 * QF-4E Phantom II Demonstration/Flybys
 * Sean Tucker
 * Michael Hunter
 * Jim Beasley Jr.-P-51 Mustang
 * GEICO Sktypers
 * USAF Heritage Flight
 * FAA Tech Center (Global 5000 and Boeing 727 Flybys)
 * New Jersey State Police (S-76 SWAT Demo)Flybys

2007
Performers:


 * USAF Thunderbirds
 * US Army Golden Knights
 * A-10 Thunderbolt II Flyby
 * AV-8B Harrier Demonstration
 * B-2 Spirit Flyby
 * C-5 Galaxy Flyby
 * C-17 Globemaster III Flyby
 * Ch-46 Sea Knight Flyby
 * EC-130J Command Solo Flyby
 * F-16 Fighting Falcon (Four Ship Formation)
 * F-16 Fighting Falcon East Coast Demonstration Team
 * F/A-18C Hornet Demonstration-VFA-106
 * KC-135E Stratotanker Flyby
 * USCG Search & Rescue Demonstration
 * Matt Chapman
 * Michael Mancuso
 * Rob Holland
 * Horsemen Mustang Demonstration
 * GEICO Skytypers
 * Red Stars Formation Team
 * USAF Heritage Flight
 * FAA William J Hughes Tech Center (Global 5000 Flyby)
 * New Jersey State Police (S-76 and Bell 206 SWAT Demonstration)Flybys
 * Horizon Blue Cross Blimp

2008
Performers:


 * USAF Thunderbirds
 * US Army Golden Knights
 * 106th Rescue Wing-HC-130P & HH-60G
 * 177th Fighter Wing F-16 Fighting Falcons
 * C-17 Globemaster III Flyby-Dover AFB
 * C-17 Globemaster III Flyby-McGuire AFB
 * CH-46 Sea Knight Flyby
 * EC-130J Command Solo Flyby
 * F-15E Strike Eagle Demo Team
 * F-16 Fighting Falcon East Coast Demo Team
 * F/A-18F Super Hornet Demonstration-VFA-106
 * HH-65 Coast Guard Search & Rescue Demo
 * KC-10 Extender Flyby
 * KC-135 Stratotanker Flyby
 * MH-53E Sea Dragon Fly
 * Matt Chapman
 * Tim Weber
 * Greg Poe
 * Ed Hamill
 * Red Eagles
 * Josh Wilson-Yak-50
 * Jim Beasley Jr. (P-51 Demo)
 * Lee Lauderback (P-51 in HF)
 * Northeast Raiders Formation
 * NJ State Police Bell 206 & S-76 Flybys
 * FAA Tech Center DC-3, Global Express Flybys
 * USAF Heritage Flight
 * US Navy Legacy Flight

2009
2009 saw the introduction of 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 the 2009 airshow one of the largest events ever held in Atlantic City.

The 2009 schedule included the USAF Heritage Flight featuring the F-16, A-10 and 2 P-51's and the US Navy Legacy Flight featuring F/A-18F and F4U Corsair.

Performers:


 * USAF Thunderbirds
 * US Army Golden Knights
 * 1st Fighter Wing-F-22 Raptors (Four Ship)
 * 106th Rescue Wing Combat Search & Rescue Demonstration
 * 108th Air Refueling Wing-KC-135R Stratotanker
 * 177th Fighter Wing-F-16 Fighting Falcons
 * NJ ANG Refuelinf Pass- KC-135R & F-16s
 * 514th Air Mobility Wing-C-17 Globemaster III
 * 514th Air Mobility Wing-KC-10 Extender
 * 914th Airlift Wing-C-130 Hercules (two)
 * A-10 Thunderbolt II East Coast Demo Team
 * CH-46 Sea Knight (HMM-774)
 * E-2C Hawkeye Flyby (VAW-120)
 * F-16 Fighting Falcon East Coast Demo Team
 * F/A-18F Super Hornet Demonstration-VFA-106
 * USCG Search & Rescue Demonstration
 * Rob Holland
 * Tim Weber
 * Josh Wilson
 * KYW-3 Chopper 3
 * Red Eagle Aerobatic Team
 * New Jersey State Police Flybys
 * The Horsemen
 * FAA Tech Center Flybys-Global Express
 * US Navy Legacy Flight
 * USAF Heritage Flight

2010
The 2010 Atlantic City Airshow “Thunder over the Boardwalk” was held on Wednesday, August 25 – and it came 100 years after Atlantic City and Asbury Park hosted New Jersey’s very first airshows. Scheduled appearances are as follows: According to the New Jersey State Police there were over 750,000 people in attendance.
 * U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds
 * U.S. Army Golden Knights
 * Brazilian Smoke Squadron
 * Rob Holland MX2
 * USMC Harrier Jump Jet
 * Tom Duffy's B-25 Flybys
 * U.S. Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet
 * Jim Beasley Jr. P-51
 * USAF A-10A Thunderbolt II Demo Team
 * USAF F-16 Viper Demonstration Team
 * U.S. Coast Guard Search & Rescue Demonstration
 * Military Flybys (KC-135, F-16, C-17, KC-10, and many more)
 * FAA William J Hughes Technical Center Aircraft Flybys
 * U.S. Navy E-2C Hawkeye Demonstration

2012
The 2012 Atlantic City Airshow “Thunder over the Boardwalk” is planned for Friday, August 17. This is the first year for the show to be held on a weekend, which when combined with normal summer traffic flows could potentially mean traveling nightmares. Early attendance estimates are for 1 million people.

Performers:


 * USAF Thunderbirds
 * US Army Golden Knights
 * 7th Bomb Wing B-1B Lancer Flyby
 * 106th Rescue Wing-HC-130H
 * 143rd Airlift Wing-C-130J-30 Hercules
 * 166th Airlift Wing-C-130H Hercules
 * 177th Fighter Wing-F-16 Fighting Falcons
 * 305th AMW/514th AMW-C-17 Globemaster III
 * 2 QF-4E Phantom Demonstrations
 * SH-60B Seahawk Flyby
 * USCG Search & Rescue Demonstrations (MH-65s)
 * USCG HC-130J Hercules Flyby
 * Black Diamond Jet Team
 * Hawker Beechcraft Texan II Demo
 * GEICO Skytypers
 * Northeast Raiders
 * Red Eagle Airsports Solo
 * Andrew McKenna (T-6)
 * Jim Beasley Jr. (Spitfire & P-51)
 * USAF Heritage Flight
 * FAA William J Hughes Tech Center (Convair 580 & Global 5000)flybys
 * New Jersey State Police (AW139, Bell 206,S-76) Flybys

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 1000 ft 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.