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May air show at Langley Air Force Base cancelled due to budget concerns

Posted at 1:02 PM, Feb 15, 2013
and last updated 2013-02-15 13:07:37-05

Langley Air Force Base – The 2013 Air Power Over Hampton Roads Open House and Air Show, scheduled for May 3-5, has been cancelled due to ongoing budget concerns.

The military is cutting costs in all branches thanks to the dual threat of operating under a continuing resolution and a potential sequestration.

“The Air Force has to consider the fiscal challenges affecting the Department of Defense and the nation,” said Col. Korvin Auch, 633rd Air Base Wing commander. “We’re taking prudent steps now in order to be good stewards of taxpayer resources while focusing on maintaining readiness.”

The decision to cancel the air show and open house at Langley Air Force Base was not easy considering the show’s popularity and the Hampton Road area’s support of the military.

“We sincerely appreciate the sustained support and understanding from our service members, their families, the American public and specifically our local Hampton Roads supporters and friends, through these trying fiscal times,” said Auch. “We cannot continue functioning as the world’s most capable Air Force without this support.

“I believe that opening our gates to the general public is periodically necessary to demonstrate modern weapon systems and capabilities, to promote positive community and international relations, to showcase our Airmen and to support Air Force recruiting and retention,” said Auch. “For that reason, my team and I are already looking at future years where we can once again showcase Air Power Over Hampton Roads to the community in which we live and work.”

No dates for future Air Power Over Hampton Roads have been set.

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