WASHINGTON (AP) — The Navy’s daredevil Blue Angels jet team is back in the air. But continued budget cuts have grounded hundreds of the military’s other community activities.
The Pentagon plans to spend $129 million in the new budget year on Navy port visits, military band performances, Blue Angels and Air Force Thunderbirds performances.
That’s an increase from fiscal 2013, when community programs were eliminated mid-year due to so-called sequestration. That resulted in the cancellation of dozens of community air shows around the country.
The Defense Department says restoring some of the money means the Pentagon can still do things to help connect with communities while watching the budget at the same time.
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