“If you haven’t been, get here:” OC Air Show makes return to boardwalk

OCEAN CITY, Md. –  The 15th Annual OC Air Show took flight Saturday afternoon and made a swift return.

“We’re very, very fortunate that we’re back and having a great time out here on the beaches and the boardwalk of Ocean City,” OC Air Show Director of Public Relations Chris Dirato said.

“We’re having a great time. We always love it. We come each year so its wonderful,” Attendees Reagan and Trini Crawford said.

Several performers took to the sky to showcase their talents, as visitors got to witness many formations and maneuvers.

I caught up with one of those team members, Lieutenant Commander Zach Drum with the U.S Navy Rhino Demo Team, who says they look forward to putting on a good show. “One of our primary mission sets that we do is to showcase those maneuvers and we do them really low and really fast for the crowds so you guys can see what your tax dollars are buying,” Lieutenant Drum said.  “It is so much fun. Words kind of can’t describe how awesome it is to be up there.”

Drum tells 47ABC, many of the maneuvers they perform are actually based on ones used in combat, which requires extensive training. “We were selected to be apart of the Demo Team, so that training syllabus is about 14 simulator events and then 9 flights events. We have do all those before we can come anywhere near a crowd.” “It took me a little over 3 years to get through flight school and then from there we never stop learning, we are always training to be the best.”

Although the yearly event is a big economic booster for the area, organizers say the biggest reward is the smile seen on show goers faces. “It’s a challenging task but one that we welcome and we’re glad that we’re able to put on a show year in and year out for the great folks of Ocean City,” Dirato said.

“To be here with my family and friends is the most exciting thing,” First-time attendee Jennifer Levan said. “If you haven’t been, get here.”

Organizers say that planning is already underway for next year.

For those who missed their chance Saturday, there’s still have time to join in on the fun Sunday, June 12th.