Major Cutback in USAF Demo Teams for 2012

[hammerhead]

We face significant fiscal constraints and are making tough decisions about the best ways to continue providing combat airpower to warfighting commanders, which is what we do as the Air Force’s primary force provider.

One decision we’ve made is to sponsor one single-ship demonstration team for the 2012 air show season, scaling back from the six teams we’ve historically sponsored – A-10 East & West, F-16 East & West, F-15E and F-22.

For the 2012 season, we’re sponsoring our F-22 demonstration team to perform at up to 20 shows. In addition to the F-22 demonstration team, the Thunderbirds are set to complete a full season next year, and their schedule will be announced next week at the International Council of Air Shows conference.

http://www.airshowbuzz.com/go/article/view/military_performers/usaf_thunderbirds/252095/usaf_reduces_air_show_support_in_2012

[Angry Turnip]

That seems rather a stupid idea to me.
One of the main tasks of Air Force displays is to aid recruitment,withdrawing so many could prove to be a major own goal.
With so many US airshows,it would be impossible for the USAF to attend them all with only two demo teams.

[casper]

And with the F-22 only doing 20 shows it looks like there's no chance of it turning up at Portrush next year