Joint Base Charleston 2018 Air & Space Expo

Event Details

Joint Base to host 2018 Air and Space Expo

Joint Base Charleston is set to open its doors to the community April 28, 2018, for the Air and Space Expo Open House and Air Show. The free public event is set to feature air show headliners, the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds.

The Thunderbirds will perform expert aerial maneuvers in the F-16 Fighting Falcon and are the first of several expected aerial demonstrations to take place throughout the event. In addition, attendees can get up close and personal with military and commercial air and ground equipment; and experience a variety of entertainment throughout the one-day event.

Updates will be provided over the next several weeks as additional acts are added to the show schedule. The Defense Department hosts open houses to enhance public awareness of the military's mission, equipment, facilities and personnel and to promote positive community relations.

"We are looking forward to welcoming our community neighbors to our open house and air show," said Lt. Col. Francisco Flores, 2018 Air and Space Expo director. "This is a great opportunity to thank the Lowcountry community for their support and to showcase how Team Charleston supports our nation's defense."

Community members will have an opportunity to take a closer look at the joint base's global mobility, training and innovation capabilities and see a true joint and total force platform. The last Open House and Air Show hosted by JB Charleston occurred in 2011. Contact the Joint Base Public Affairs Office at (843) 963-5608 or information on the 2018 Air and Space Expo can be found online at: http://www.jbcharleston.jb.mil/Home/Joint-Base-Charleston-2018-Air-and-Space-Expo/

Directions to the base:

Directions to the Rivers Avenue Gate

From Mt Pleasant-
Get on I-526 and take the I-26 West exit to Columbia. In approx. 2 miles, take Exit 211A to West Aviation Ave. Go straight on West Aviation Ave until road nearly ends (approx. 1 mile). Turn right at the light after passing railroad tracks (you will notice a sign) and follow the road, which will take you directly to the gate for entry onto the base. Once you are on the base, follow that road until it ends at the stop sign, and turn left. That will put you on Hill Blvd. Drive through the next 4-way stop sign. You will see the Charleston Club on the left side of the road just past the stop sign. Turn left and then an immediate left into the parking lot. Park in any unmarked spot.

From Columbia-
Take I-26 to Charleston and take Exit 211A to West Aviation Ave. Go straight on West Aviation Ave until road nearly ends (approx. 1 mile). Turn right at the light after passing railroad tracks (you will notice a sign) and follow the road, which will take you directly to the gate for entry onto the base. Once you are on the base, follow that road until it ends at the stop sign, and turn left. That will put you on Hill Blvd. Drive through the next stop sign (4-way). You will see the Charleston Club on the left side of the road just past the stop sign. Turn left and then an immediate left into the parking lot. Park in any unmarked spot.

Directions to the Dorchester Road Gate:

From Charleston or North Charleston-
Driving down Dorchester Road, turn right into the gate. You will be on Hill Blvd. Follow Hill Blvd through one red light, and two stop signs. Just past the second stop sign, you will see the Charleston Club on the left hand side of the road. Turn left and then another immediate left into the parking lot. Park in any unmarked spot.

From Summerville-
Driving down Dorchester Road, turn left into the gate. You will be on Hill Blvd. Follow Hill Blvd through one red light, and two stop signs. Just past the second stop sign, you will see the Charleston Club on the left hand side of the road. Turn left and then another immediate left into the parking lot. Park in any unmarked spot.

PERMITTED ITEMS
-Strollers, wagons for toddlers
-Diaper bags
-Lawn chairs
-Small purses
-Wheelchairs and other medical equipment/devices
-Cameras, video recorders, binoculars (must be able to demonstrate items are operable)

PROHIBITED ITEMS
-Weapons of any kind including: pocket knives, pocket tools, scissors, box cutters, nun-chucks, billy clubs, large/heavy chain-linked jewelery or belts, mace/pepper spray, firearms.
-Toys resembling firearms
-Fireworks
-Spray paint/silly string
-Glass containers
-Alcohol, illegal drugs
-Bicycles, skateboards
-Heelies, roller skates, rollerblades
-Coolers
-Rucksacks or backpacks
-Animals or pets
-Canteens, thermoses, and other hard sided water bottles