Guys, I am normally just a lurker here so take a rookie poster for what its worth. Most of you are USAF dudes, so a little perspective from the civilian side. I farm and live in flyover country, more or less. There are only about 3 airshows a year that can be driven to and home from in a single day, and the closest one is Quad Cities which is a 2 hour drive from my house. Trust me, there is no AF or Navy presence out here. (and they are axing the Des Moines Vipers..) I have literally dozens of family and friends who have gone to some of these events with me, and it is about the only exposure these taxpayers get to what you guys do. Sure, the Blues and Tbirds are pretty and draw the crowds. But I'm tellin ya, people get pumped up by fifteen minutes of a Mudhen or Super Hornet or Viper. The Hog demo with pyro? Pure awesomeness for somebody who has never been within 10 miles of a tactical jet. These are people that want to go back next year, and take their kids along too. And there is nothing inherently bad about the big jet teams, but their day is so scripted you can't stand around and talk to them about what they really do. I've met several of the single ship pilots and crews, even have a few BookFace friends from them. Walk up to an A-10 team booth with a Viper West Tshirt on and you can start a conversation right now! Anyway, I know the budget sucks, but don't forget about what impact there is on John Q. Sixpack the taxpayer who bought the jet and never gets to see what it does in any other situation.