Grounded Air Force Squadrons and Thunderbirds Take to the Skies Again … for Now

The Air Force will be able to allow 16 squadrons and the Thunderbirds demonstration team grounded by sequestration budget cuts to fly again, thanks to the shifting of existing funds.

But the move could be temporary, as Congress has yet to pass a Defense spending bill for 2014, which makes it possible the Air Force could once again ground squadrons when the new fiscal year begins in October.

The Air Force has grounded 16 squadrons of fighters, bombers and airborne warning and control aircraft (AWACS) since automatic budget cuts known as sequestration went into effect in early April.

Read more