Quantcast
Channel: NBC Connecticut
Viewing all articles
Browse latest Browse all 57608

Budget Woes Ground Blue Angels

$
0
0

The Blue Angels' wings have been pinned to the ground this year due to budget concerns.

NBC News has learned all of the performances of the U.S. Navy’s elite flight demo squad for the rest of the year have been cancelled because of the mandatory budget cuts known as sequestration.

The Blue Angels will continue to train in Pensacola, Fla.

Cancelling the shows is expected to save the Navy $20 million, though of course the military - and civilian vendors - lose out on revenue from food and other sales to attendees.

Organizers of the Andrews Air Show, at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland's Prince George's County, said last year that it would be held every other year due to budget concerns. The next show is scheduled for 2014.

In San Francisco, an event on Fleet Week in October will go on despite losing the Blue Angels, which has been its biggest draw, NBC Bay Area reported

Other air shows across the country have been cancelled, and the military no longer will perform flyovers at baseball games or many other major events.

The Air Force's Thunderbirds entire 2013 season also was cancelled in March. And the Air Force said they would not show off planes at trade shows, flyovers and open houses.



Photo Credit: Getty Images

Viewing all articles
Browse latest Browse all 57608

Trending Articles