ACC statement about reduction of single-ship demo teams in
2012
We face significant fiscal constraints and are making tough
decisions about the
best ways to continue providing combat airpower to
warfighting commanders, which is
what we do as the Air Force’s primary force provider.
One decision we’ve made is to sponsor one single-ship
demonstration team for
the 2012 air show season, scaling back from the six teams
we’ve historically sponsored
– A-10 East & West, F-16 East & West, F-15E and
F-22.
For the 2012 season, we’re sponsoring our F-22 demonstration
team to perform
at up to 20 shows. In
addition to the F-22 demonstration team, the Thunderbirds are set
to complete a full season next year, and their schedule will
be announced next week at
the International Council of Air Shows conference.
Reducing the number of single-ship demonstration teams will
allow us to
reallocate more than 900 sorties to our wings so they can
maximize their flying hours for
combat readiness training, offsetting some of the reduction
we’ve seen in flying hours.
Most importantly, reallocating those sorties will provide an
increase in more than 25
combat-ready fighter pilots – that’s a very good thing for
our Nation and wise
stewardship of our limited resources.
The opportunity to showcase our aircrew at air shows around
the country is
important – and we’re confident our Thunderbirds, F-22
demonstration team and Air
Force Heritage Flight Foundation will continue highlighting
the extraordinary work of all
our Airmen.
Goodbye Viper West. Thanks for turning and burning the skies over
MCAS Miramar.
MCAS Miramar 2010
