 Thanks to Senator Jim Inhofe (R-OK), the Senate version of the FY2014 National Defense Authorization Act will include language that requires that the U.S. Department of Defense reconsider its blanket prohibition on U.S. military support and involvement in air shows, allowing for community engagement under certain conditions. An active and experienced general aviation pilot, Inhofe recognizes the devastating impact that sequestration has been having on the U.S. air show community as well as the damage it is doing to the local economies where air shows are held and the military's outreach to taxpayers and prospective recruits.
“Air shows in the United States have a $1.5 billion economic impact on the communities in which the events are held. That impact has been significantly reduced this year by this blanket prohibition on the U.S. military’s participation in local air shows,” said John Cudahy, president of the International Council of Air Shows. “Senator Inhofe’s initiative will come as a great relief to the hundreds of communities that benefit – both economically and in many other ways – by having air shows in their area. Needless damage was being done to our industry and it’s encouraging to see our elected leaders taking pro-active steps to correct this problem.”
To see a press release issued by Senator Inhofe's office explaining a number of issues he championed in the National Defense Authorization Act, click here. |
