MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WMBF) – It appears the Myrtle Beach Air Show
scheduled for this June will have a few less planes in the sky than planned: The
USAF Thunderbirds announced Friday they are canceling all performances after
April 1 due to the sequestration measures enacted Friday.
"Details about when the team will resume performances after
April 1 are unclear," stated Maj. Darrick B. Lee, with Thunderbirds Public
Affairs, in a news release. "In the meantime, pilots will take every
opportunity to train in an effort to maintain their proficiency within the
limits of sequestration."
Lieutenant Col. Greg Moseley, U.S. Air Force Air
Demonstration Squadron commander/leader, confirmed the squadron is taking
measures to ensure they are ready to resume demonstrations the moment
sequestration is rescinded.
In spite of the apparent cancellation, organizers insisted
that the show, scheduled to take place on June 28 to 30 over the city's new
boardwalk downtown, will go on. A statement was released just prior to
sequestration taking effect Friday night:
"Although we are optimistic that an
agreement will be reached, we intend to produce the airshow regardless of the
Thunderbird's attendance," stated George Cline, president and owner of Air Boss
Inc. who is overseeing management of the airshow. "Even though the Thunderbirds
are A-list performers in the air show circuit, the other talent line-up secured
for our show is impressive and will no doubt attract a strong audience,
especially considering the air show is free and will serve as one of several
events to celebrate the City of Myrtle Beach's 75th anniversary of
incorporation."
Other performances scheduled
for the two-day event include: AeroShell Aerobatic Team, Mike Lucas-Lucas Oil
Air Show team, Raiders Aerobatic team, the Fowler Cary T33 Jet and the All
Veteran Parachute Team.
"The United States Army Ground
Forces Band is slated to perform a free military concert on Friday night, with
an intermission highlight of an evening parachute jump executed by the All Veteran
Parachute Team and sunset performance by the Aeroshell Aerobatic Team,"
organizers stated.
The other military and civilian
performers will take to the skies on Saturday and Sunday afternoon, the release
stated.
Hours before the budget cuts known as sequestration were set
to take effect, President Barack Obama signed the order to begin $85 billion in
across the board reductions.
The deadline for a deal to avoid the cuts was 11:59 p.m.
Friday.
According to the Associated Press, the reductions will
result in furlough notices to many government employees and will trim
government spending on defense contracts and domestic government programs.
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