[paterfamilias]

BooBoo, you are of course, entitled to your opinion.

However, I bet you would find that a large number of military pilots, air crew, and technicians were inspired to achieve their goal after they saw the Blue Angels or the Thunderbirds at an airshow when they were just kids.

It remains that these flight demonstration teams are effective recruiting tools.

Money well-spent?

I think so.

[CFIIIMEIATP737]

I agree that the Blue Angels, the Thunderbirds, the Golden Knights, etc. are effective recruiting tools. This week I watched a T-38 at our airport, and I thought that the government could save money if they replaced the Air Force Thunderbird F-16s with the T-38. Then I thought, no, the demonstration teams need to feature the best equipment we have to offer. That is another component of the demonstrations teams, is to show how good a product the United States military can produce.

Several of my students have gone into naval, marine and air force aviation, and the demonstration teams have had a significant impression on these wonderful young men at an early age.

Since the Blues and the Thunderbirds are booked years in advance, I wouldn't have a problem with fielding even more forms of demonstration teams, such as attack helicopters, etc.