Thunderbirds and Blue Angels to Resume Air Shows, But No More Flyovers

Oct 22, 2013 6:00am

The Air Force Thunderbirds and the Navy Blue Angels air demonstration teams will once again fly in America’s air shows next year after being grounded by sequestration cuts earlier this year, Pentagon officials said.

The Pentagon has decided to resume its military community outreach programs, but pared down the number of events significantly in light of new budget realities.

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel announced the resumption of the activities in a memo issued to the chiefs of the military services last Friday. In a copy of the memo obtained by ABC News, Hagel said, “community and public outreach is a crucial Departmental activity that reinforces trust and confidence in the United States Military and in its most important asset — people.”

“It is our obligation to sustain that trust well into the future,” he added.
The sequestration cuts earlier this year led to the cancellation of 2,800 military outreach events nationwide. In his memo, Hagel outlined a resumption of appearances by the military’s jet and jump demonstration teams, military band concerts, ceremonial unit appearances, port visits, service weeks, and nonprofit and corporate leader outreach.

MORE...

http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2013/10/thunderbirds-and-blue-angels-to-resume-air-shows-but-no-more-flyovers/