Skyfest 2013 cancelled due to sequestration

Published March 6, 2013
By Tech. Sgt. J.G. Buzanowski
92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- This year's open house and air show, Skyfest 2013, is cancelled because of budget cuts from sequestration.

The cuts went into effect because a $47 billion reduction affecting the entire Department of Defense budget was not prevented by the March 1 deadline.

Skyfest 2013, set for May 18-19, was to feature the U.S. Air Force Demonstration Squadron, the Thunderbirds, whose entire 2013 schedule has also been cancelled.

"Team Fairchild is disappointed to cancel Skyfest," said Col. Brian Newberry, 92nd Air Refueling Wing commander. "We appreciate the continued support of our Inland Northwest neighbors and wish we could provide the first-class aerial event for them."

Air Force leaders also announced the cancellation of all open house, air show and other aerial demonstration events. All flyovers have also been cancelled, to include funerals and military graduations.

All Air Force flyovers are performed at no additional cost to taxpayers since the flights are coupled with training. But with training hours cut as well, there was no choice but to also cancel all public aviation support, said Brig. Gen. Les Kodlick, the director of Air Force Public Affairs.

Newberry remains optimistic about hosting Skyfest in the future, but in the meantime, the focus needs to be on the mission.

"Even though we have to curtail spending, we will continue to ensure Team Fairchild provides worldwide aerial refueling for our combat forces," Newberry said. "We certainly hope to be able to host an air show for our patriotic community in the future - down the road when fiscal times improve."