Air Expo Day for Military Families: Friday, April 8 2022
Military families, Friday, the 8th of April is an Air Expo showcase specifically reserved for you. The Air Expo will be functioning just as it will be over the weekend, with all of the aerial acts (including the Blue Angels), static planes, and active pyrotechnics. The STEM hangar will be fully loaded with awesome STEM displays for the entire family. Concessions will be available. The base will NOT be open to the public, which means you can avoid the substantial amount of traffic we are expecting on Saturday and Sunday.
If you are military family (ie: you have base access as a military sponsor/family member/CAC holder) and planning to attend, we strongly suggest you attend on Friday, April 8th, 2022. Gates open at 9am (and you will be able to visit the STEM hangar but performances do not begin until 12pm).
Joint Base Charleston is really excited for our free Air Expo. It's been a few years since we've hosted this event, and we are working harder than ever to make it amazing for attendees.
If you come out on on Friday April 8th, 2022:
- You don't have to reserve a parking pass.
- You won't struggle with traffic and parking.
- With fewer crowds, you'll be able to move around/see more
- You can walk to the show if you live on base
- You won't miss out on ANY of the acts
We will keep you updated with the schedule once it becomes available. Until then, block off Friday April 8th and follow us so you don't miss a thing!
EDITED TO ADD: There have been many comments posted regarding base access. Security forces at the gate will be functioning as they do on a daily basis. This means if you have a valid, DoD-issued form of ID, you can get through the gate just as you do to visit the commissary or other facilities on base. If you do not have a valid, DoD-issued identification card, you will not have access beyond the gate. We do have a "Trusted Traveler" program, which means a driver with a valid DOD ID can sponsor passengers in a vehicle, and is responsible for them and their activities on base.
The Blue Angels
The Blue Angels represent the Navy and Marine Corps to Air Expo audiences, showcasing naval aviation with expertise and power.
F-16 Viper Demo Team
The F-16C is a compact, highly maneuverable aircraft. It was built to deliver its weapons with supreme accuracy and defend itself against enemy aircraft.
T-28
Used by both the Air Force and the Navy in the 1950s, the T-28 continues to be a terrific aerobatics performer.
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Comments 47
Guest - Melissa Engdahl
on Monday, February 07, 2022 15:29
Hi. What time does the event start?
Larissa Lord - Marketing
on Wednesday, February 09, 2022 13:20
We'll release more on this soon, but the parking lots are opening at 9am. Please keep an eye on this page (and our social media pages) for updates.
Guest - Marvin Johns
on Wednesday, February 09, 2022 11:49
Looking forward to the air show and visiting our grandson who is stationed there. Our first visit to the area.
Larissa Lord - Marketing
on Wednesday, February 09, 2022 13:22
That's terrific - Charleston is great; you'll really enjoy it! And of course, we can't wait to see you at the Air Expo!
Guest - Cheryl
on Friday, February 11, 2022 14:48
Crazy question. My dad is a retired Navy CPO. He was in for 23 years. He is now 91 and loves the Blue Angels. Would we be allowed access to come on Friday with his military ID or do we need to plan for Saturday or Sunday? It would be a 6 hour drive for us so I want to be as informed as possible before heading that way.
Larissa Lord - Marketing
on Monday, March 07, 2022 09:00
Cheryl, I asked for further guidance on this and haven't heard back; my apologies for the delay. I would contact security forces regarding the Trusted Traveler Program and how it works when the passenger of the vehicle is a DoD ID holder. Please call: 843-963-5729
Guest - Peter
on Saturday, February 19, 2022 12:09
Is the Friday April 8th airshow event open to veterans?
Larissa Lord - Marketing
on Tuesday, March 01, 2022 14:23
Peter, if you have a valid DoD ID to get through the security gate, you can come out to the Air Expo on April 8th.
Guest - Margaret
on Saturday, March 05, 2022 23:37
If my husband has his Veteran's SC drivers license, does that qualify our family to attend on the 8th of April?
Larissa Lord - Marketing
on Monday, March 07, 2022 08:36
No, Margaret. He needs to have a valid DoD issued ID.
Guest - Joe Lee
on Monday, March 21, 2022 17:01
If your husband has a military disability, any percentage even 0%. He can register to get on base with his VA ID
Larissa Lord - Marketing
on Monday, March 21, 2022 17:28
Yes, thank you, Mr. Lee. Also, be sure to call Security Forces at 843-963-5729 for specific questions regarding registration and/or VHIC, as well as how they will be vetting passengers at the Visitors Center.
Guest - Sandy
on Tuesday, March 01, 2022 10:45
where is the best place to camp (with an RV)
Larissa Lord - Marketing
on Tuesday, March 01, 2022 13:23
Sandy, my personal favorite campground is Short Stay; however, it is 30 miles (and ~50 minutes away) from the Air Base, which is the location of the Air Expo. It's on the lake and very beautiful, with fishing and a large recreational area. Call 843-743-2608.
We do have a famcamp on the Air Base, but I am not sure whether or not they are fully booked for the Air Expo, particularly because it's within walking distance. Call 843-963-1732 to find out.
Guest - Vincent
on Tuesday, March 01, 2022 15:57
I’m in the military, would I be able to bring a non-military guest with me?
Larissa Lord - Marketing
on Wednesday, March 02, 2022 09:08
Yes, Vincent, under the trusted traveler program. Guests must be occupants in your vehicle that you vouch for as you bring them through the gate.
Guest - Ken Dewell
on Wednesday, March 02, 2022 05:22
Can retired military and family, with retiree ID card, attend the show on Friday April 8th?
Larissa Lord - Marketing
on Wednesday, March 02, 2022 09:07
Ken, if your DoD ID is currently valid (meaning you can access the base through the gate, shop at the commissary, etc.) then you can attend the show on the 8th. We have a trusted traveler program on base, which means you (as the driver/ID holder) are vouching for the occupants of your vehicle.
Guest - Ken Dewell
on Wednesday, March 02, 2022 10:17
Do all the occupants of my vehicle have to be either active or retired military or can they be family that can I sponsor, as a retiree, for the Air show on Friday April 8?
Larissa Lord - Marketing
on Wednesday, March 02, 2022 10:47
You will sponsor them, Ken, as driver of the vehicle. They aren't required to have a DoD ID.
Guest - Tony Ratola
on Wednesday, March 02, 2022 13:16
I am retired military. Will I need a parking pass for Friday the 8th
Larissa Lord - Marketing
on Wednesday, March 02, 2022 14:33
No, Tony. If you read our above post, you'll see one of the benefits of attending on the 8th is that there is no parking pass needed.
Guest - Michael
on Tuesday, March 08, 2022 10:33
If I have an active Army reserve ID, will I be able to attend with my family on Friday?
Larissa Lord - Marketing
on Thursday, March 10, 2022 13:34
Michael, hi. As long as your DoD ID is valid (not expired, etc.), you should be able to access the base. (Just as you would to visit the commissary, exchange, etc.)
Guest - Mike
on Thursday, March 10, 2022 20:17
Im sorry if this is redundant, but after reading the comments I’m still uncertain. I have base access through my VA ID. I’m registered with the Visitor Center already and regularly access the base. As this isn’t a DoD issued ID, am I able to access the base on the 8th or will it be restricted? If I can access the base on the 8th, will others in my vehicle be covered under trusted visitor for the event, or will I need to have them pre-registered as I normally do for base visits with a VA ID? Thank you.
Larissa Lord - Marketing
on Friday, March 11, 2022 09:59
Good morning, Mike. It's my understanding that base access is functioning "as usual" on the 8th. (If you typically pre-register guests, that would not change.) I'm pushing out general guidance here for military ID holders. For your particular situation, I recommend calling security forces at the Visitor Center. They will be able to tell you if visiting guidelines will be different on the 8th. Please call 843-963-5729.
Guest - Gail Hendrix
on Sunday, March 13, 2022 11:17
Can't wait to see the airshow! Special time with Grandkids!
Guest - Richard Frank
on Tuesday, March 15, 2022 16:55
I have a "DBIDS" card as a Vietnam vet, can I attend on Friday?
Larissa Lord - Marketing
on Wednesday, March 16, 2022 12:57
Good afternoon. It's my understanding that base access is functioning "as usual" on the 8th. You can access that base and attend the expo with your DBIDS card. For other questions please call 843-963-5729.
Guest - Tammy
on Tuesday, March 15, 2022 22:13
Do we need to sign up for anything? Like pre-register my family?