Navy spent $450,000 of taxpayer money on Super Bowl flyover..

[Casino67]

Dailymail.co.uk:

The U.S. Navy has been criticised for spending almost half a million dollars of taxpayers' money on a flyover at the Super Bowl - while the stadium roof was closed.

The estimated $450,000 expense was for four fighter jets that flew from Virginia to Texas and over the retractable roof of Cowboys Stadium in Dallas.

As it was broadcast on screens at the Super Bowl XLV on Sunday, spectators inside the stadium got the same view as people watching the five-second shot at home.



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Had not heard about this before. If already posted, sorry.

[octex]

I don't buy this BS.

 

Why would they fly from Virginia to the DFW area just to do a flyover?

 

The Joint Reserve Base (USN and USAF) is just on the West side of Fort Worth, only about 30 miles from Cowboys Stadium.

 

It's possible that the flyover aircraft were already scheduled to fly to the JRB, so they timed the arrival to coincide with the pre-kickoff flyover.

 

It's also possible that they were aircraft from the JRB and not from VA, as the JRB seems to have aircraft aloft in training exercises almost everyday.

[Rheo]

The flight cost about $109,000.

Here is more info about the flyover and Cmdr. Ben Hewlett.

 

Split-second timing means you can't win in jets' flyover

[pollyannaish]

This is what I hate about the "saving money" coverage. The President galavants all over the place with his wife and entourage for PERSONAL reasons. Those in congressional offices use military and government resources for their PERSONAL reasons. there are billions and trillions of dollars that need to be cut PERMANENTLY out of the federal budget in entitlement programs.

 

And someone, somewhere (never identified who that person is notice) is upset because there was a flyover for the biggest sporting event in the country. Truth be told, we can't tell if anyone really DID criticize this. It always feels like passive aggressive propaganda that is supposed to make the American people feel bad because they like flyovers but want big government cuts. This kind of thing has come up before.

 

So here is my answer:

 

To whom it may concern in DC: We aren't talking about petty cuts in military flyovers FIRST. That may eventually come. But let's start with personal perks for government officials and elected office holders. Let's cut corporate and farm welfare. Let's reform Social Security, Medicare and the overall military. Let's look at all entitlements and give away programs. Let's cut the number of government workers. Let's stop ridiculous light rail projects funded by the government. Let's make the Post Office profitable. Let's figure out how to make DMV's work better.

 

Then, when all is said and done...if we STILL need to cut flyovers we can. Until then, this isn't an issue.

[nickydog]

Yes, pollyannaish! Well said.