VIRGINIA BEACH
Local Navy pilots have been tapped to perform a four-plane flyover at Super Bowl XLV in Dallas on Feb. 6, the Navy announced.
The aircraft and air crews are from strike fighter squadrons 83 (the Rampagers), 131 (the Wildcats), 103 (the Jolly Rogers) and 143 (the Pukin’ Dogs). All are part of Carrier Air Wing Seven and based at Oceana Naval Air Station.
The flight will be led by Cmdr. Ben Hewlett, who heads the Wildcats.
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I know this has nothing to
I know this has nothing to do with the question tax dollars or original post...but I wish to thank & take into consideration all the volunteers & organizations who research & restore war birds & other historic military equipment, without use of tax dollars. They dedicate many endless hours of their personal time & income for ours and our children's enjoyment and education. From air & space museums, reenactment organizations, as well as other military/veteran support orgs & events such as USO dances/fund raisers...they ALL freely give of themselves for "those who give & gave all!" Without those who dedicate of themselves, our children & generations beyond will know nothing of Americans greatness & her selfless sacrifices of so many brave
Tax dollars/event costs justified for flyovers/events
Most citizens don't realize also that DoD events as flyovers & air shows are great recruiting tools as well as showing our tax $$'s at work. Military airshows alone, espec when headlining demonstration teams attract more people than all sporting events put together. I've been to many airshows, even in bad weather which drew well over 500k+ people for two day event.
They bring in big revenues for local businesses & immediate & surrounding communities, also contributing large proceeds to charitable causes.
From children, elderly, veterans & citizens, nothing is more exciting than shaking the hands of those who sacrifice their safety & volunteer their time & who fly, operate & maintain what our taxes provide for our security.
Also a recruiting tool
Most tax payers don't realize also that DoD events as flyovers & air shows are great recruiting tools as well as showing our tax $$'s at work. Military airshows alone, espec when headlining demonstration teams attract more people than all sporting events put together. I've been to many airshows, even in bad weather which drew well over 500,000 people for two day event.
They bring in great revenues for local businesses & immediate & surrounding communities, also dedicating large proceeds to charitable causes.
From children, elderly, veterans & citizens, nothing is more exciting than shaking the hands of those who sacrifice their safety & volunteer their time & who fly, operate & maintain what our taxes provide for our security.
Re; Complaints of tax payer funds for Military flyover
Perhaps those who complain about tax $$'s used to fund a few flyovers each year & other events such as military airshows, might wish to question the current White House boss, his immediate family & his friends, as well as the last former House Speaker & their abuse of military flights, often interrupting entire FW's & bases for personal vacations & round trip travel around the globe.
The double standard statements from some people who support massive entitlements, yet, turn blind eyes & deaf ears to abuses of political power & our tax dollars. I refuse to be silent, when our men and women who selflessly stand in the gap for our security and God inspired/blood earned Charters of Freedoms...are demonized with utter contempt and disdain.
Waste of Taxpayers Money
For those of you who have never piloted or navigated a Navy Jet, please hold your comments about "wasting taxpayer money." Try going into one of those Flight Simulators and takeing it off, flying it and landing it (not to mention on a carrier at night in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean). My hat is off to them. I salute all the Navy, Airforce, Army and Marine Aircrew who fly these awesome machines. Whether they are flying to Dallas Tx for a flyover of the Super Bowl or just doing touch and go's at Fentress; let's let them have all of the flying practice they can get. They can never get enough of it!!! Thank you guys !!!!
Fly Over
Fly overs are great, but the NFL has already stated that the roof will be closed on Jerry World Stadium. In that case, why have a fly over?
Dallas Fly Over
As poor as we are supposed to be, our country that is , I would like to know who pays for that flyover and all the other ones around the country for sporting events. Is it my tax money or is the NFL or NASCAR or whomever it is this week that pay's for them. Im thinking it is us the tax paying united states citizen's It's a long way to Dallas Tx. from Oceana Va. well im just curious. As are millions of other.s . Here to Dallas must be 1500 to 1800 mile's each way, and for a squadron to fly that must be around a million i would guess.. VROOM VROOM...
Aircrew are required to do
Aircrew are required to do so many hours of cross country flying, night landings, carrier landings etc. per year. They would have to fly these hours regardless, so they might as well get some good PR for the Navy. Go Packers!
Let'em Fly
There is no cost. The Navy's budget is what it is. Our warfighters are paid 24/7. The fuel cost and maintenance is already factored in the yearly budget. They are going to fly somewhere for practice so why not the Super Bowl? It's good for recruiting as well as public exposure. Go Navy!
KUDOS
Kudos to the pilots for taking the time to do this. It IS voluntary and quite an honor to be asked. I am sure that this will add to their in-cockpit time that is required.
To the detractors out there that think the is unnecessary and unwarranted. Ask yourself, would you rather have a WELL-TRAINED pilot with a lot of air hours or some green newbie protecting you???......