Sequestration Cuts Cited Again

For the first time in a decade, the Atlantic City Air Show will go forward without a U.S. military act on its schedule.

Another victim of sequestration, the Army's Golden Knights parachute team told the organizers of the New Jersey event that they would be unable to perform at the air show in June. But the Golden Knight's cancellation does not mean that the entire event will be scrapped.

The parachute team was the only military act on the show's schedule, and The Press of Atlantic City reports that it will be the first time since the air show was revived a decade ago that it will not include some kind of military presence. But Joe Kelly, president of the Greater Atlantic City Chamber, said there was always a "what if" plan in place, and that the show will definitely go on, even if it means more costs. The show's organizers are in the process of identifying other commercial acts to round out the schedule.

Currently, the only act that is confirmed to perform at the event is the Canadian military parachute team The ShyHawks. Kelly said that getting more commercial performers will mean that they will be seeking more donations from local businesses to cover the costs of the event, which normally runs about $1 million. The air show was moved this year from its traditional August date to a Wednesday in June as a way to kick off the summer season in Atlantic City.

(Golden Knights image from file)

FMI: www.atlanticcitynj.com/acairshow.aspx