JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The roar of the engines. The death defying stunts. The Blue Angels are always a big draw at the air show in Jacksonville and all over the country. The idea of grounding them to save taxpayer money doesn't fly with fans.
"Oh that's sad," said Denita Davis. "It's entertainment for families."
The Navy says grounding the squadron for the last half of the year is a real possibility, if the sequester cuts go through at the end of the month.
But Senator Bill Nelson says fans need not be worried. "This is not going to happen," he said Monday, standing in front of the Blue Angel jet at NAS Jax.
"That is a consequence if the sequester goes in to effect. But among reasonable people, the sequester will not go into effect."
The proposal would cancel 30 shows, including the one in here in Jacksonville. The Navy estimates it would save $20 million. But taxpayers we spoke to believe the savings could be found elsewhere.
"I haven't heard anybody gripe about we don't want to see them because it's costing us money. I've never heard that," said taxpayer Ronnie Farkas. "I can't imagine taking away the Blue Angels," she added.
The Navy told Action News there is no plan B if the sequester goes into effect. There simply won't be an air show this year. However, it's still scheduled to take place in October at NAS Jax.
Senator Rubio also issued a response to the proposal. He sent Action News a statement saying, "The Blue Angels possibly being grounded would be a direct result of the drastic, indiscriminate budget cuts that would be implemented due to sequestration. But unfortunately it's just one of the many negative consequences of the sequester, many of which will weaken our national defense, which is why Senator Rubio voted against the deal that created it."
