MILWAUKEE (AP) — Dozens of air shows that generate millions of dollars for local communities are being cancelled this year after the military grounded its jet teams because of the automatic federal budget cuts.
The U.S. Navy’s Blue Angels and the U.S. Air Force’s Thunderbirds have cancelled their seasons, along with the U.S. Army Parachute Team, known as the Golden Knights. The armed services also have grounded smaller demonstration teams and won’t provide ground displays for most shows.
John Cudahy is president of the International Council of Air Shows. He says about 200 of the nation’s 300 air shows have been affected by the federal budget cuts and 60 have already been cancelled. He says more cancellations are expected, and some shows may never come back.
Source: Associated Press
