August 20, 2008 was a cool sunny blue sky day in the mid 70’s which is not normal for an area that is used to having triple digits on the thermometer during these dog days of summer, but that is exactly what the doctor ordered for this years annual Atlantic City Airshow: Thunder Over the Boardwalk.  Once again the Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa was the presenting sponsor as it has done since this fine airshows conception.  Producing this years airshow was none other than the 177^th Fighter Wing of the New Jersey ANG in conjunction with David Schultz Airshows LLC, also main fixtures since the Atlantic City Airshows conception.

   Once again the best of the best were gathered for this marvelous display of aviation.  With great weather, and a huge weekday crowd, this years event would eclipse almost every other Atlantic City airshow.  From the old to the new, there is always something for everybody at this show.  This year, Josh Wilson in his Yak-50 flew his first ever airshow display before an appreciative crowd.  The FAA brought their DC-3, a retired flight inspection aircraft, and a Bombardier to make a couple passes.  Every year, this show is known for its military flybys, and this year was to be no exception.  Making use of local military hardware, we were treated to flybys from a flight of four F-16’s, a KC-10, a      C-17, a KC-135, a pair of A-10’s, a CH-46 Sea Knight, a flight of three helicopters from the NJ State Police, and a special treat this year, a flight of four F-22A Raptors made a couple of passes.  Another highlight of this year’s airshow were two different rescue displays given by two USCG helicopters demonstrating their hoist rescue capabilities, and a C-130 from the 106^th Rescue Wing NYANG dropping Pararescue paratroopers recovered by an MH-60 Pavehawk helicopter. 

   From solo displays to team work at its finest, Atlantic City had it all. Matt Chapman in his Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Cap Eagle 580, Ed Hamill in his USAFR biplane, Greg Poe in his Fagen Ethanol Kicks Gas MX2, and Tim Weber in his Geico Extra 300, each displayed their aerobatic skills. Poe and Weber teamed up for a dual display early in the show.  The Red Star Demo Team: Northeast Raiders flew various formations in demonstrating their Soviet built aircraft.  The Red Eagle display team showed precision aerobatics.  The USAF sent two of their finest single ship demo teams, the F-15E Strike Eagle and F-16CJ Viper East Demo Teams.  Jim Beasley flew an aerobatic performance in his P-51D Bald Eagle before joining the F-15E and F-16CJ in a Heritage Flight that was lead by Lee Lauderback in the P-51D Little Witch with Beasley in the slot position.  The United States Navy displayed their top fighter by sending to Atlantic City for the first time ever, the F/A-18F Super Hornet East Coast Demo Team.  At the conclusion of the Super Hornet demonstration, a Legacy Flight was formed with the FG-1D Corsair Skyboss.  Headlining this year airshow, were two of the best U.S. military teams, the U.S. Army Golden Knights dropping in on their sandy target from the beautiful blue sky, and the USAF Thunderbirds.

   With steady sponsorship dollars coming in, and maintaining a professional production staff year after year, the Thunder over the Boardwalk airshow should be around for many years to come.