Everything I have found points to the military footing the bill for the flyovers.

They consider it to be public relations/ advertising.

There were never prouder moments in my military aviation career than the days we got to show the taxpayer just what we did for a living!

To sit a young man or lady into my seat in the aircraft, and show them what some of the controls and avionics did was the height of being proud to wear a uniform.

To fly over a gathering and give them an idea of what kind of powerful force we were was grand patriotism. And it was training. It was the same aircraft in the same configuration that I would have to fly over friendly forces to get to the foe. The same safety I had to employ to keep the Marines/Army supported yet provide the force thy needed to accomplish the mission. Nothing lost for the taxpayer's dollars by doing it over a civilian gathering...yet much to be gained.

Perhaps the thread should be re-titled "Obama saves taxpayer money?"

Originally posted by DJW001
Perhaps the thread should be re-titled "Obama saves taxpayer money?"

Yes, but I would feel a lot better about him saving money by being even-handed a canceling all the flyovers and not just the 'Christian' one.

Total agreement. Better yet, turn the Air Force into a profit center.