Every year, rain or shine, thousands flock to get a glimpse of the Blue Angels soaring through the sky. Some civilians even have the chance to ride with a pilot to test the maneuvers themselves.
New budget cuts throughout the military threaten to ground the planes for 2013, including the Pensacola Beach show in Florida on July 13. That loss could hit the Gulf Coast hard. Buck Lee, executive director with the Santa Rosa Island Authority hopes to make sure it doesn’t go anywhere.
“It’s a huge loss to our businesses out here. We have people from all over, including Mobile, Greenville and Montgomery; plus, the locals that drive in and spend multiple nights. it’s the biggest weekend on Pensacola Beach,” Lee said.
He says the group, which already pays $6,000 for jet fuel during the beach show, is working to raise money.
For the complete story by Cory Pippin of WALA-TV, click here.
