Last night I was chatting with an Air Force veteran who hangs out with the Thunderbirds several times per year. I knew that as a result of sequestration, that they are not performing this year. But it is much worse than that.
They aren't flying.
That is it. They are not flying at all. They "fly" the sims. Once a week they power up the F16s, taxi around the base, then shut them down and put them back in the hangar. They have nothing to do. The pilots and mechanics come into work and having nothing to do but stare at each other. According to a support person who has been with the team for 30 years, morale has never been this low.
The aggressor squadron at Nellis is shut down. Red Flag is cancelled. The only thing flying at Nellis is the 4 F-35s being tested. Everything else is grounded.
They aren't flying.
That is it. They are not flying at all. They "fly" the sims. Once a week they power up the F16s, taxi around the base, then shut them down and put them back in the hangar. They have nothing to do. The pilots and mechanics come into work and having nothing to do but stare at each other. According to a support person who has been with the team for 30 years, morale has never been this low.
The aggressor squadron at Nellis is shut down. Red Flag is cancelled. The only thing flying at Nellis is the 4 F-35s being tested. Everything else is grounded.