Blue Angels - Victims of Budget Cuts?

[CAMike]

I can't think a single program that effects the Navy in a more universal way than the Blue Angels. Someone at "Corporate" needs to review the big picture in this particular case. If this moves forward it will have consequences across the board.

O-7's, Don't bend over because it's a good career decision. This issue is more important than any one individual. The actual dollars spent can't be run though a calculator to determine exact "good will and recruiting" numbers.

Your thoughts?

http://www.military.com/news/articl...-into-era-of-budget-questions.html?ESRC=eb.nl

 

[jmcquate]

Only one lefty, "Laura Peterson, a spokeswoman for the Washington-based group Taxpayers for Common Sense" is quoted as wanting to shut the team down. Not gonna happen.

 

[phrogdriver]

$37M is decimal dust in the Pentagon budget. They're worth at least that in terms of advertising, if we had to make up the positive press they gather with paid TV. Hundreds of thousands see them every year.

 

[tomcatfan]

I highly doubt that this would happen, but I'm sure that teacher in SF would be thrilled about this

 

[RHPF]

Maybe we can get the USAF to chip in since everyone thinks they are USAF anyways... Plus, the USAF never seems to be hurting for funds. Maybe we can play nice and they will share?

Edit: (Even for the target audience, who know that the Blues are Navy. I am willing to bet a fair amount of USAF pilots saw the Blues at some point in their childhood to kick off the dream).

How about cutting the Thunderbirds?

 

[nittany03]

Only one lefty, "Laura Peterson, a spokeswoman for the Washington-based group Taxpayers for Common Sense" is quoted as wanting to shut the team down. Not gonna happen.

Whenever anyone on either side of the aisle talks about "common sense" and "reasonable" laws, it's time to watch your wallet.

 

[Jim123]

I could see part of the Blues' budget getting cut back, but I don't see them going away.

(I wonder how much of their training could be accomplished in "high fidelity simulators?" /sarcasm)

 

[C420sailor]

(I wonder how much of their training could be accomplished in "high fidelity simulators?" /sarcasm)

Oh jesus, don't give them any ideas.

 

[robav8r]

I wonder how much of their training could be accomplished in "high fidelity simulators?" /sarcasm

You have no idea . . . . has anyone seen the new Integrated Visual Environment Maintenance Trainers (IVEMT's) hitting the fleet? Training maintenance guys how to turn wrenches in a virtual environment on 65" plasma screens. Virtual training in all areas within DoD is exploding.

 

[jmcquate]

Who needs El Centro when you have FSX?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sI-hWS3p8Oc

 

[Flash]

I could see part of the Blues' budget getting cut back, but I don't see them going away.

They run a pretty bare-bones operations already, I think all but one of their birds are very used up A/B's and they work out of an old TRACOM hangar they share with VT-86, not sure how much more they could realistically cut bak without affecting them significantly.

 

[SteveG75]

They run a pretty bare-bones operations already, I think all but one of their birds are very used up A/B's and they work out of an old TRACOM hangar they share with VT-86, not sure how much more they could realistically cut bak without affecting them significantly.

Two words........Smart Perdiem.

I am sure that the travel budget is a big part of the Blue's budget. They could go for government messing and probably save at least $50 per a person per a day while on the road. It all adds up.

 

[Flash]

Two words........Smart Perdiem.

I am sure that the travel budget is a big part of the Blue's budget. They could go for government messing and probably save at least $50 per a person per a day while on the road. It all adds up.

I am going to hazard a guess that their fuel is probably a lot more than their per diem. Small problem with government mess too, a lot of places they go don't have it.

Frankly I was a bit impressed at how low-budget their operation is the first time I saw it, drastically different than what I have heard about the T'birds.

 

[MasterBates]

You mean the palace of thunderchicken at Nellis?

 

[Flash]

You mean the palace of thunderchicken at Nellis?

I've heard about it but never saw it in person, is it up to exacting USAF standards?