As I write this, people at the Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum in McMinnville are getting ready to host the US Air Force Thunderbirds in the McMinnville Air Show, and others are getting ready to protest this unconscionable waste of tax dollars, fuel, and greenhouse gas emissions. The action will take place on August 31. To caravan to McMinnville, folks will meet at the East Bank Esplanade at 9am; for info email Dan Shea, shea@veteransforpeace.org.
The promo on the museum’s website fluffs these lethal jets: “The United States Air Force (USAF) Thunderbirds are more than just an aerobatic team; they are a symbol of precision, professionalism, and the prowess of the USAF.” The U.S. Air Force holds the dubious distinction of being the world’s largest single user of jet fuel, and the most expensive branch of the U.S. military, followed by the Navy. Each Thunderbird team uses approximately 18,200 gallons of jet fuel per hour, releasing 118 metric tons of carbon dioxide. Burning that fuel for a brief show costs us taxpayers over $54,000, not counting the costs for the flyers’ training, transport, and other expenses. For those with eyes to see clearly, the Thunderbirds are a symbol of our money fried in the sky for no good reason.
Noise pollution, visible air pollution, and disruption of people’s peace and quiet, including the elderly, traumatized veterans, children and others, are additional costs of these unnecessary displays of military might in the air.
The “prowess” of U.S. fighter jets has been on display for almost 11 months in the skies above Gaza. Israeli pilots fly U.S.-made F-15s, F-16s and F-35s to kill and maim thousands of Palestinians, and to destroy their housing and infrastructure. The United States continually resupplies the Israeli military with jets and bombs including the especially horrific Hellfire missile, with 6 pop-out blades that slice victims’ bodies to unidentifiable shreds. Tormented by guilt over the genocide he unwillingly aided, Airman Aaron Bushnell immolated himself in front of the Israeli embassy in DC last February.
Flying killer jets over civilians should not be considered not fun for the whole family. This Pentagon propaganda is designed to give viewers a thrill by boosting their heart rates with nearly unbearable noise and showing off acrobatic stunts, so that we identify with the pilots, and not with their potential victims.
Military air shows as popular entertainment were started by the Navy in 1946, when the CO2 in the global atmosphere was 310 ppm. As these 21st-century jets take to the air, CO2 concentration stands at 425 ppm – and rising. The safe level ceiling was 350 ppm, and that limit was breached long ago.
Militarism fuels the climate crisis. If we civilians need to stop wasting fuel and money (and we do), so does the military! It’s past time for the Air Force and the Navy to conclude this program. This summer, climate activists and peace people have protested military air shows in Baltimore, Maryland; Brunswick, Maine; and Seattle, with more planned for San Diego and San Francisco this fall. Much credit to XRPDX’s strong ally, Veterans For Peace organizer Dan Shea, and all who are going to McMinnville to say “No MAS! No military air shows!” As Dan urges us, “Stand with us against the glorification of US-led war!”
For more on the national campaign to stop military air shows, go to https://www.veteransforpeace.org/take-action/climatecrisis/no-mas.
