MCAS Air Show

Teamwork is Essential for Success

Marine Corps Community Services (MCCS) is working closely with Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort to host nearly 100,000 of its closest friends and neighbors at the MCAS Beaufort Air Show on April 24 & 25, 2021. The show will showcase naval aviation at its best with a headline performance by the United States Naval Flight Demonstration Team, the Blue Angels!

Planning an Air Show takes time, motivation, and a strong team, with meetings between MCCS civilians, Air Station civilians, and Active Duty Marines. These meetings are to discuss air show center stage, military and civilian acts, and parking plans which are always a challenge when you have so many guests arriving for a two-day event. It truly takes every division at MCAS Beaufort to work as a team and accomplish a successful Air Show goal.

The mission of the MCAS Beaufort Air Show is three-fold: to promote the Marine Corps and Navy recruiting efforts, to demonstrate the full force and capabilities of our military, and to say a big “THANK YOU” to all of the members of the surrounding communities who support the men and women who serve this nation and are stationed at the Air Station and in the Tri-Command area.

The Air Show is open to the general public, with free general admission. While MCCS plays a significant role in air shows, MCCS is not designed or intended to play the lead role. The role of MCCS is limited to providing the food, beverage, and entertainment portions of the event.

The MCCS Air Show Team has a solid understanding and oversight of all aspects of the event. Strong communication and organizational skills are a must due to the extensive amount of research conducted with internal and external entities. The personnel on the MCCS Air Show Team are responsible for overseeing individual aspects of the event, such as communications, logistics, layout, personnel, marketing, and sponsorship. The MCCS Air Show Team meets frequently to ensure the planning for each area is running smoothly and to address any issues or road blocks that may be occurring. Developing and managing the event budget is of the utmost importance as the target is to recoup the expenses paid in support of the show. Extensive research on performers, static displays, vendors, and supporting contractors is conducted for each show to provide a variety of sights, sounds, and tastes to the event attendees.

The MCCS Air Show Team attends the annual International Council of Air Shows (ICAS) convention that provides opportunities to learn about industry standards, best practices, and businesses that will be able to support the event. Networking with performers, static display personnel, and supporting elements not only enhances the aspects that are brought to our local show, but also provides a large group of people that have many years of experience in the industry. This is extremely beneficial when facing scheduling issues, last-minute cancelations, and unique circumstances that have not been addressed locally in the past.

Of course, there can be no Air Show without the support from the Fire Department, Police Department, Medical Services, and all of the squadrons that provide the hundreds of volunteers needed. Their support ensures we have adequate medical support, traffic control, as well as information and food stations handled. Every division has a critical role in the Air Show planning and provides their perceptive to the process.

MCCS works with local businesses and corporate sponsors who want to have a presence and support the show. Without Presenting Sponsors such as ServPro of Beaufort County and Lockheed Martin, it would make the process much more difficult.

MCAS Beaufort hosts an Air Show every other year, however, the planning is nonstop! As soon as one show is over, the team is listening to attendee feedback to find ways to improve the next show. The Air Show brings in not only local residents but visitors from neighboring states as well. It is truly a time for all of Beaufort to shine. As the sound of freedom is heard overhead, the Air Show provides a memorable experience for attendees, performers, and event organizers alike.

For additional information, please visit www.beaufortairshow.com