SF Fleet Week could be cancelled in wake of Blue Angels grounding

[MyLittlePony 340]

SAN FRANCISCO —

The U.S. Navy on Tuesday cancelled all Blue Angels performances this year including their annual air show over San Francisco during Fleet Week, but KTVU has learned that the city's entire Fleet Week celebration is in danger of being called off.

To many people, the Blue Angels are the greatest show above Earth. But the Navy announced Tuesday it was grounding them because of mandatory budget cuts caused by sequestration.

The Blue Angels have long been the star attraction of Fleet Week, but the Navy said it can't afford to fly them and is cancelling their shows nationwide. The aerobatic team was scheduled to fly in San Francisco on October 12th and 13th.

City officials told KTVU the Navy does not plan to dock battleships and other vessels that visitors often enjoy touring during Fleet Week.

The mayor's office said it will be meeting with Fleet Week organizers to determine what kind of event can be salvaged or whether there will be a Fleet Week at all.

"It's been a longtime tradition in our city," said SF Supervisor Mark Farrell. "It's a great chance to attract visitors. The estimates are $65 million in economic activity."

About a million people come into the city during that time. Businesses along the San Francisco waterfront said they would feel the hit, including party boat captains who stay busy with boat reservations fill up during Fleet Week.

"They like to get right on the water and have the planes fly right over us," party boat captain Chuck Louie. "That's a big thrill. Everybody looks forward to that."

But SF Supervisor John Avalos said he isn't saddened by the Navy's news.

"If it means we can move money from the Blue Angels to pay for health care, Medi-Cal and Social Security, I'm ok with it," said Avalos.

The city hopes to recoup some of the lost tourism dollars during the America's Cup.

If Fleet Week does end up taking place, it is possible the grounding of the Blue Angels could put the locally based Patriots jet demonstration team center stage.

"We're the only civilian jet team in the United States," said team member Randy "Howler" Howell.

The team is based in the eastern Contra Costa County town of Byron and performs at air shows around the western U.S., usually with the Blue Angels or Thunderbirds.

Most of the pilots come from the military, including former air force thunderbird and Patriots lead pilot Dean "Wilbur" Wright.

"When you land and you've put it all together, and at the same time cheated death once again, it's exhilarating," said Wright.

Although the team might get a few more show dates because of the sequester, they said they don't want the bigger military teams out of commission.

"We need the Blues and Thunderbirds in the air show industry to make it strong," said Howell. "They're the backbone of the industry for us."

And because they're here in the Bay Area, Fleet Week is an important time on their calendar.

"It's our hometown air show for us," explained Howell. "We're right out here in the valley in Northern California and we love flying at Fleet Week."

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

You want to cut spending. There are them cuts for you. Enjoy!

[BaBamSam 239]

Baiting title is baiting. And completely not related.

The only real downer I see is that SF could lose some valuable tourism because of this, but maybe it'll be OK if the rest of Fleet Week happens.

[MyLittlePony 340]

You want to cut spending. There are them cuts for you. Enjoy!

What has OBummer done for you to improve your life?

[ready4ONE 5,400]

What has OBummer done for you to improve your life?

We got the same news in Seattle, no Blue Angels at SeaFair this year. I will miss them, but it is going to be all right. Maybe next year.

Quit whining!

[MyLittlePony 340]

Yeah blah Obummer can abuse Air Force 1 to fly around the country disturbing air traffic for unnecessary vacations to Disneyland and playing golf on our tax dollars. We get our fun time taking out of our hard earned tax dollars just not fair.

[Darnell 8,478]

What ? No Fleet Week? I have been 8 time already and want to go again this year !

Moronatard.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

What has OBummer done for you to improve your life?

I am in charge of my life. Sorry to hear that you are dependent on someone else.

[Teddy B 17,252]

How comical to see a conservative whining about losing a gov't benefit, due to Republican backed budget cuts. The icing on the cake is to then blame it on The Kenyan. Only in Murika!

[N-o-l-a 7,167]

I think they intentionally cut these public and well loved things in order to stir up emotions.

[Karee 4,190]

I think they intentionally cut these public and well loved things in order to stir up emotions.

Someone gets it.

ETA: Don't forget the much publicized releasing of illegal immigrants.

Edited April 11, 2013 by Karee

[Karee 4,190]

How comical to see a conservative whining about losing a gov't benefit, due to Republican backed budget cuts. The icing on the cake is to then blame it on The Kenyan. Only in Murika!

What govt. benefit? I must have missed something.

[SMR 368]

I think they intentionally cut these public and well loved things in order to stir up emotions.

Exactly. The government is making sure that the effects of cuts are as visible and felt as possible. They know if they cut from the many programs that nobody cares about that everyone will realize the government is spending lots of money on things that don't do much.

[Penny Lane 8,159]

It would be great if people just used the title of the article they're posting, rather than coming up with their own baiting nonsense.

[SMOKE 1,426]

'Obama is garbage'

you voted for him big dog. its your fault, you got what you asked for.