Federal budget cuts not only grounded the return of SkyFest in 2013, they also put the kibosh on what was to be Maj. Joshua Boudreaux’s first of two years with the Air Force’s Thunderbirds demonstration team.

“Any pilot who’s grounded feels like a little part of them dies,” said Boudreaux at Fairchild Air Force Base on Thursday, standing in front of the F-16 jet he’ll fly this weekend during the return of Spokane’s once-annual air show.

Fairchild officials canceled the expected return of SkyFest last year when the Defense Department announced the Thunderbirds would not be traveling as a result of sequestration. On Thursday, members of “America’s Ambassadors in Blue,” as they’re known internationally, arrived in Spokane after a year’s delay, with the assist of Fairchild’s signature aircraft. Kip Hill, SR

Have you ever attended Skyfest or other air shows?

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