Base Officials Said Loss Of Blue Angels Forced The Move

NAS Jacksonville officials said Thursday that it has cancelled its annual  air show slated for the base in October of 2013.

Base Commander Capt. Bob Sanders said that the loss of the Blue Angels as the headline act was the catalyst for the decision to cancel the show, which has been held in Jacksonville for more than 60 years. The decision comes two days after the Navy officially cancelled the entire schedule for the Blue Angels for 2013, according to television station WJXT.

The Defense Department has limited outreach events like the NAS Jacksonville show to local military assets, meaning out-of-town military aircraft are not allowed to take part.

In a statement, Sanders called the decision a difficult one. “Our air shows are a way to say thank you. But our decision came down to priorities which are operational readiness and supporting the war fighter,” he said.

The Florida Times-Union reports that the base normally awarded some $450,000 in contracts to local businesses to support the show, which does not account for earnings by private food vendors and others who participated.

The show normally drew some 200,000 people to the base over a weekend. It alternates between NAS Jacksonville and Jacksonville Beach near Mayport Naval Station. Last year, some 250,000 people lined the beach to watch the Blue Angels and numerous other acts perform.

NAS Jacksonville was the original home of the Blue Angels, They first performed there in June of 1946 flying F6F Hellcats, according to the unit's official history.

(ANN staff photo)

FMI: www.navy.mil