# Thunder over the Boardwalk

Thunder Over the Boardwalk (also known as the Atlantic City Airshow) is an annual airshow held over the Atlantic City boardwalk every summer. It has occurred since 2003 and is currently one of the largest airshows in North America. What sets it apart, aside from being a beach show, is the fact that it usually occurs on a Wednesday. It takes place along the beaches of Atlantic City, New Jersey, in front of the boardwalk, with the casinos in the background. Flybys and demonstrations as high as 15,000 feet (4,600 m) and as low as 50 feet (15 m) 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 Casino & Spa, David Schultz Airshows, The Press of Atlantic City and WOND-AM. In 2020, the airshow had its first cancellation in its history due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2024, due to circumstances outside of the organizers control, the air show had its second cancellation in its history.

## 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 shown 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 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).

## Shows
### 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 hazy for the entire day.

#### Performers

    USAF Thunderbirds
    US Army Golden Knights
    177th 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 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 demonstration
    HU-25 Guardian Flyby
    KC-10 Extender Flybys
    KC-135E Stratotanker Flyby
    KC-135E and 4x F-16 NJ ANG Refueling demonstration
    The Horsemen - Jim Beasley and 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 beach-goers.

#### 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 Formation Team
    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 of photographers getting 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
    Connecticut 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

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 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

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 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 Refueling 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 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 Thunderbirds
    US 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
    USCG Search & Rescue demonstration
    Military Flybys (KC-135, F-16, C-17, KC-10, and many more)
    FAA William J Hughes Technical Center aircraft flybys
    USN E-2C Hawkeye demonstration

### 2011

The show was held on Wednesday, August 17.

#### Performers

    USAF Thunderbirds
    US 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 Stratotanker
    New Jersey Air National Guard (KC-135 & F-16s composite flyby)
    Heavy Metal Jet Team L-39C
    USAF-ANG 166th AW, C-130H Hercules (2-ship flyby)
    NJ State Police Aviation Unit
    MedEVAC 5 Helicopter flybys
    Jim Beasley Jr. Spitfire MK18
    GEICO Skytypers
    USCG MH-65C Search & Rescue
    USAF 514th AMW, C-17A Globemaster III
    US Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet
    Tom Duffy F4U Corsair
    USMC HMM-774 CH-46E Seaknight
    USAF-ANG 103rd RQS (HC-130 & HH-60G para-rescue demonstration)
    USAF-ANG 106th RQS HC-130H Hercules
    Jim Beasley P-51D Mustang
    USAF A-10C Thunderbolt II
    USAF Heritage Flight
    GEICO SNJ-2 vs. GEICO SpeedBoat race
    Heavy Metal Jet Team
    Kendal Simpson Pitts Model 12

### 2012

The 2012 show was held on Friday, August 17. This was the first year the show was held on a weekend. Early attendance estimates were 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
    SH-60B Seahawk
    USCG Search & Rescue Demonstrations (MH-65s)
    USCG HC-130J Hercules
    Black Diamond Jet Team
    Hawker Beechcraft Texan II
    GEICO Skytypers
    Northeast Raiders
    Red Eagle Airsports
    Andrew McKenna (T-6)
    Jim Beasley Jr. (Spitfire & P-51)
    USAF Heritage Flight
    FAA 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 Thunderbirds
    US Army Golden Knights
    USMC Harrier demonstration
    Andrew McKenna P-51
    USCG Search & Rescue
    Jim Beasley Jr. Spitfire
    Jason Flood Pitts S1S
    Jack Kelly 1951 Bell 47 Helicopter Model D1
    AtlantiCare Medical Helo
    MidAtlantic MedEvac Helo
    6ABC News Chopper
    USMC AV-8B Harrier II
    Geico Skytypers (6-ship) & Geico Speedboat race
    Warrior Aviation L-39
    Raiders Demonstration Team
    FAA Flybys
    Andrew 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 Angels
    Jim Beasley III – J3 Cub
    LUCAS Oil Skydivers Flag Jump
    Mike Wiskus – LUCAS Oil Pitts
    GEICO Skytypers
    Jim Beasley Jr. – SNJ Texan
    Jack Kelly – Bell 47D1 Helicopter
    AtlantiCare Medical Helicopter
    MidAtlantic MedEvac Helicopter
    Chopper 6 (WPVI – Channel 6 ABC)
    New Jersey State Police Aviation Unit
    Raiders Aerobatic Demonstration Team
    Jim Beasley – P-51D Mustang
    USAF F-22 Raptor
    USAF Heritage Flight (F-22 & P-51)
    GEICO Skytypers vs. Miss GEICO Speedboat Race
    Matt Chapman Embry Riddle CAP580
    USCG Search & Rescue Demonstration
    Mike Wiskus – LUCAS Oil Pitts
    USN Blue Angels – C-130T Hercules

### 2020

The airshow was canceled for 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

### 2022

The show was held on Wednesday, August 24.

#### Performers

    U.S. Army Golden Knights Flag Jump with National Anthem
    U.S. Army Golden Knights Mass Exit Show
    N.J. Air National Guard 177th FW F-16 Flyby
    N.J. Air National Guard 108th WG KC-135 Flyby
    NBC 10 Helicopter Flybys
    N.J. Air National Guard Composite Wing Flyby (KC-135 & 2 F-16s)
    Chris Thomas SNJ-2 Aerobatics
    U.S. Navy MH-53 Super Stallions Flyover
    U.S. Air Force C-17A Globemaster III Demonstration
    Medical Helicopter Flybys
    N.J. State Police Flybys
    552nd Air Control Wing E-3C Sentry Flyby
    N.J. Air National Guard UH-60 SPIES/FRIES Demonstration
    552nd Air Command Wing E-3C Sentry Flyby
    1st HS, UH-1N Twin Huey (2-ship) Flyby
    FAA William J. Hughes Aircraft Flybys (2-passes)
    Jim Beasley Jr./Ed Shipley Ti-6 (2-ship) Demo
    U.S. Coast Guard Search & Rescue Demonstration
    Paul Dougherty Eagle Aerobatics
    Full Throttle Formation Team
    Army Golden Knights Parachute Demonstration
    Jim Beasley Jr. P-51 Mustang Demonstration
    U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet Demonstration
    U.S. Navy Legacy Flight F/A-18 & FG-1D Corsair
    U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds Enlistment Ceremony
    U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds

### 2024

For the second time in its history, the Atlantic City Airshow was canceled for 2024 due to circumstances outside of the organizers control. First, in the spring of 2024, there had been some skepticism regarding sources of funding to make the air show possible. When the air show's future was up in the air, Gov. Phil Murphy's office said the South Jersey Transportation Authority would give $300,000 to fund the event. Then, came word that the US Air Force Thunderbirds would no longer be supporting weekday air shows due to logistical challenges of having to squeeze in a midweek airshow with an airshow either the previous weekend or a week or so afterwards: along with the Blue Angels announcing they didn't even have Atlantic City on their schedule. The tipping point came on July 10th, when the act that was supposed to fill the shoes of the Thunderbirds announced they couldn't make it. Thus, with no other options available to organizers at the time, they announced the 2024 edition of the airshow was cancelled.

## Photographic challenges

For a photographer, Thunder Over the Boardwalk presents a challenging set of circumstances to get the best shot. The show takes place over the Atlantic Ocean, which means that one is 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.