Looks Like the Thunderbird's and Blue Angels are Scheduling Shows Again

[fholbert]

Air Force Thunderbirds to return to Atlantic City Airshow in 2014, Blue Angels in 2015

Military jet teams will headline the Atlantic City Airshow for the next two years, bringing certainty to the city’s signature event that draws hundreds of thousands to the resort.

Following this year’s more low-key event devoid of a major crowd-attracting performance, organizers have landed the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds for a show Aug. 13, 2014, temporarily moving the event back to late summer.

The following year will feature the return of the U.S. Navy Blue Angels, who have not been a part of the Atlantic City show since 2006. The 2015 airshow will be held May 27, the earliest date in its modern run.

http://www.kathrynsreport.com/2013/12/air-force-thunderbirds-to-return-to.html

 

[ChasenSFO]

Hell yes! Can't wait to have fleetweek back here in SF.

 

[Seggy]

What a waste of money.


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[CFI A&P]

They're discussing Oshkosh appearances as well. Sweet...

 

[MikeD]

What a waste of money.

There is that feeling among many; especially now when sequestration is causing problems keeping our combat forces trained and equipped and ready; people wondering why these same $$$ are going towards something that doesn't have a direct correlation to combat readiness. Provide for the combat forces first, then allocate money to "extras" such as demonstration teams.

 

[Pilot Fighter]

There is that feeling among many; especially now when sequestration is causing problems keeping our combat forces trained and equipped and ready; people wondering why these same $$$ are going towards something that doesn't have a direct correlation to combat readiness. Provide for the combat forces first, then allocate money to "extras" such as demonstration teams.

Here's an idea for the Blues. Paint them gray and make them an Expeditionary Squadron. Let them perform all over the world while remaining combat-ready.

 

[drunkenbeagle]

There is that feeling among many; especially now when sequestration is causing problems keeping our combat forces trained and equipped and ready; people wondering why these same $$$ are going towards something that doesn't have a direct correlation to combat readiness. Provide for the combat forces first, then allocate money to "extras" such as demonstration teams.

Sure. But it also helps recruitment. And it is certainly a American tradition. And there is certainly enough money wasted on training missions of very questionable value as well, that money may as well be spent on airshows where at least a few people are seeing the flying.

Seeing the Blue Angels or the Thunderbirds when I was a kid wasn't the primary reason I joined the Air Force, but it certainly didn't hurt.

 

[Nark]

There is so much fraud waste and abuse, and the Blues and T-birds aren't the problem.

They are a recruiting tool. They aren't some Admirals/Generals pet project.



How much does it cost to reprint a manual(s) because some Col wants to get his star, and changes a word in our doctrine publications? Not the tactic, but a word. Or re-branding something that isn't broken. Like the name a of a maintenance organization?

Or how about the forced idling of vehicles that aren't being used?

 

[Murdoughnut]

What a waste of money.


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[Pilot Fighter]

On second thought, why paint them gray.

 

[ChasenSFO]

Here's an idea for the Blues. Paint them gray and make them an Expeditionary Squadron. Let them perform all over the world while remaining combat-ready.

The Blue's can be combat ready in either 36 or 72 hours if need be. In fact, in 1950 during the Korean War, they were deployed and joined VF-191 doing ground attack missions off of the USS Princeton. I have seen footage of them trapping in full Blue Angels colors, but this pic of the re-painted planes is all I could find online.

Anyway, both sides have a valid point. I'm bias because I love airshows, and especially the Blues, and hope to do aerobatics in the near future. Could tax dollars be better spent? Absolutely. Are there bigger fish to fry as far as wasted funding? My friends in the service seem to agree there are. While the Blues and T-birds are high profile as a recruitment tool and are sure to draw lots of controversy during this budget crisis, they also represent one of the rare times the majority of Americans can be thrilled and happy with the military regardless of political stance. Even here in San Francisco of all places, despite the opposition the Navy gets every year from a couple loud mouthed local groups, people pour into the streets by the hundreds of thousands(in a city of only 700,00 and some change) to watch the airshow. Last October, most locals seemed deeply disappointed in the lack of Fleetweek and the grounding of the Blue Angels. They're very loved here in the city, its like people don't even make the connection between them and the military. While this may be the opposite effect the Navy had hoped for, good PR is good PR, and I'm glad the Blue's can inspire so many wherever they go. They definitely inspired me, though not in a sense of making me want to join the military as they may have hoped.

 

[Pilot Fighter]

On a related note, I always thought the Navy's liberal policy on cross-countries, namely being able to land and park at any qualified airport, was good for PR and recruiting. I think it's good policy to let the tax payers see what they are paying for.

 

[ChasenSFO]

On a related note, I always thought the Navy's liberal policy on cross-countries, namely being able to land and park at any qualified airport, was good for PR and recruiting. I think it's good policy to let the tax payers see what they are paying for.

Oh cool! I wondered why every couple months a lone F-18 will stop at SFO for the night, park outside Signature, then depart alone. Now it makes sense. Always brightens my work day to watch an F-18 go screaming past the windows, wish they'd stop by more often.

 

[A Life Aloft]

It's the same with those who think that military bands are a waste of time, resources and finances. As it turns out, several bands in all the Armed Forces have been disbanded and many have lost members and gigs do to the budget cuts in the last couple of years. But in truth, Military bands in America date back to the colonial era, a time when commanders sometimes used music to guide troops in battle. Bands have always played at funerals, promotions, command changes, parades, military balls, various military and government functions, etc. They, like the air shows, are a wonderful way to build a P.R. relationship/bridge with civilians and many civilians (depending on where you live) have no contact with those who serve in the military except through Air Shows and the bands.

Obviously, band performances or flying for the public is not the main goal of either entity. But I also know that many of the band members teach classes, make appearances at schools and inspire/encourage many young music students. And there are children and young adults who are inspired to either join the military or decide on some sort of technical and aviation related career because of Air Shows, meeting and talking with the pilots and other military personnel there. IMO, the bands and those who participate in the Air Shows, represent the long and proud history and the tradition of this country's military. Both the bands and the planes also perform overseas, all around the world.

Many people actually have an interest in Military technology, are proud of our Military and are really thrilled to get to see tanks, planes, all sorts of vehicles, weapons, radar, communications, and various other types of technology up close and personal and learn more about them. They also get an albeit brief and small, idea of some of the jobs that our servicemen and women perform as well. This is why with so many bases already closed, and fewer on base open houses each year, civilians rarely get the opportunity to have this experience this any longer and I think it's a loss for everyone.

I truly believe that fine tuning, and getting rid of the waste and bloat that any organization is of course the optimum ideal and should be accomplished, but I can only believe that there are a thousand other places where this could be accomplished at many levels in all of the Armed Forces and better efficiently in many ways could happen in other areas.

 

[Murdoughnut]

On a related note, I always thought the Navy's liberal policy on cross-countries, namely being able to land and park at any qualified airport, was good for PR and recruiting. I think it's good policy to let the tax payers see what they are paying for.

I've noticed #7 at TPA twice in the past couple of months over at the GA terminal.

 

[Seggy]

Sure. But it also helps recruitment. And it is certainly a American tradition. And there is certainly enough money wasted on training missions of very questionable value as well, that money may as well be spent on airshows where at least a few people are seeing the flying.

Seeing the Blue Angels or the Thunderbirds when I was a kid wasn't the primary reason I joined the Air Force, but it certainly didn't hurt.

An American tradition is saying the Pledge of Allegiance before school or Fireworks on the 4th of July. A majority of Americans probably don't give a rat's ass about the Blue Angels or Thunderbirds.

Also, there are better ways to recruit than flying these planes around.

 

[drunkenbeagle]

An American tradition is saying the Pledge of Allegiance before school or Fireworks on the 4th of July. A majority of Americans probably don't give a rat's ass about the Blue Angels or Thunderbirds.

Also, there are better ways to recruit than flying these planes around.

Jane Q. Taxpayer already paid billions upon billions of dollars to build these aircraft. I don't think it is such a waste to give them the chance to see them fly, and it is millions of people that would see them.

 

[Seggy]

There is so much fraud waste and abuse, and the Blues and T-birds aren't the problem.

They are a recruiting tool. They aren't some Admirals/Generals pet project.



How much does it cost to reprint a manual(s) because some Col wants to get his star, and changes a word in our doctrine publications? Not the tactic, but a word. Or re-branding something that isn't broken. Like the name a of a maintenance organization?

Or how about the forced idling of vehicles that aren't being used?

Ahhhhh, you are the one bitching about your tax dollars going to the 'Chicago Park System' or whatever it was you called it, so why are you trying to defend the waste in the Blue Angels and Thunderbirds? Waste is waste.

 

[Seggy]

Jane Q. Taxpayer already paid billions upon billions of dollars to build these aircraft. I don't think it is such a waste to give them the chance to see them fly, and it is millions of people that would see them.

It is wasteful when you have Vets fighting for their rightfully earned benefits, our VA hospitals in disrepair, and soliders having issues getting paid.

 

[derg]

It is wasteful when you have Vets fighting for their rightfully earned benefits, our VA hospitals in disrepair, and soliders having issues getting paid.

We need warm bodies. Airshows are fantastic marketing.

if not for the air show at Lemoore, I probably wouldn't have gotten into aviation. And you all would be sitting there disenfranchised after reading how tttttttrble the business is over at flightinfo.com