Sequester Blamed For Budget Cuts That Are Forcing The Move

The sequester has claimed another air show planned for a military base, and it's one of the best-known in the nation ... the Aviation Nation. The 99th Air Base Wing Commander, Col. Barry Cornish (pictured), has announced the cancellation of Aviation Nation 2013 scheduled for Nov. 9-10.

"Aviation Nation is a very popular event for our community, and I deeply regret our inability to host a Nellis Open House this year," Cornish said. "However, due to the effect of the Budget Control Act of 2011 and associated sequestration, the defense budget cuts for fiscal year 2013 are approximately $46 billion by law and must be accomplished by October 2013. To meet this obligation, the U.S. Air Force has prioritized combat readiness over other activities and air shows have been cancelled as a result."
 
Active-duty, Reserve and Guard units ceased all aviation support to the public March 13. This includes the cancellation of all support to all air shows, tradeshows, flyovers, orientation flights, heritage flights, F-22 demonstration flights and open houses, unless the event includes only static assets.
 
"The Las Vegas community has provided phenomenal support to Nellis AFB and its Airmen, and Aviation Nation was a way for us to show people who normally don't have the opportunity to see what we do here. It is my hope that we will be able to resume Aviation Nation in the near future," he added.

FMI: www.nellis.af.mil