"Andrew Chaplin" wrote in message


So.... the Blue Angels, Thunderbirds, Red Arrows, ad infinitum should
just pack it in?

Yes, unless the case can be made for their contribution to the mission of
the service that fields them.
--
Andrew Chaplin
SIT MIHI GLADIUS SICUT SANCTO MARTINO
(If you're going to e-mail me, you'll have to get "yourfinger." out.)

You are taking a very narrow view of things. Perhaps you work for Air
Canada? No frills....pay for your peanuts...pillow...luggage?

The Snowbirds are an extension of the air force. They do not have a combat
purpose. That is self evident. They serve a different purpose as do any of
the other aerobatic teams out there. You know that. File it under
nationalism/patriotism/recruitment as well as international goodwill. The
Canadian military is out there doing disaster relief. The Canadian military
is out there doing peace "keeping" and other missions. These are not combat
missions yet they exist side by side with the combat role. It goes with the
territory.

Nick