Federal budget sequestration likely to trim Blue Angels from Beaufort air show (Updated)

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Update: The Navy has yet to officially cancel the April Blue Angels appearance in Beaufort, and The Island Packet writes that the air show organizers are waiting on official word of the cancellation.

The paper also notes that organizers are planning for the show to still go on, and notes that Air Force's F-22 Raptor and Heritage Flight shows have also been canceled.

As for the official line from the Navy, in a March 4 release the Secretary of the Navy's office wrote that, in response to the sequestration "we immediately announce intent to cancel blue angels shows scheduled for April 2013."

"Intent" being the linchpin.

First reporting: The Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort Air Show is returning this April 27 and 28, but fans of the Blue Angels may be disappointed. 

Writing to Facebook, the Blue Angels Public Affairs division said that performances scheduled in April will likely be canceled:

There is a lot of discussion right now regarding the status of our 2013 show schedule. What we can tell you is that the Navy intends to cancel Blue Angel performances scheduled in April as an outcome of the budget cuts resulting from sequestration and the full year continuing resolution. This affects performances at four locations: MacDill AFB, Tampa, FL; NAS Corpus Christi, TX; Vidalia, GA and MCAS Beaufort, SC. The Navy will wait until the last possible moment before making cancellations beyond April. Thank you for all your support for not only the Blue Angels, but the entire Navy and Marine Corps. The Blue Angels are currently training so that if the decision to cancel the April shows is reversed, the team can continue to perform and inspire future generations of Sailors and Marines.

We'll be sure to let you know more as soon as we hear it.

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