![\"TIB_down_range_50\"](\"https:\/\/www.azuse.cloud\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/TIB_down_range_50-300x196.jpg\")
<\/a><\/center><\/p>\nEggs and Bobo send us a link to the Air Force Times<\/a> which reports that the Air Force’s “Tops in Blue” ensemble entertainment group’s tour has been canceled while the service scrutinizes the continuation of the group after they surveyed the force.<\/p>\n In 2015, Tops in Blue had a budget of at least $1.3 million, including more than $1 million in MWR funds. That’s a nearly 13 percent increase from 2014.<\/p>\n Critics have said in comments on AirForceTimes.com and in other places that MWR funds going to the band could otherwise help fund on-base amenities that are more widely used by airmen and their families, and have been squeezed by budget cuts.<\/p>\n The Air Force also provided $319,000 in taxpayer-provided appropriated funds, and also got $25,000 from a commercial sponsorship.<\/p>\n That budget also does not include the cost of paying the salaries of the 37 members of the band, which comes to at least $1 million more. Those airmen are detailed from their jobs for virtually the entire year.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n The first I heard of them, was when one of the members wrote about “Life in Hell<\/a>” on the road. I guess there’s relief in sight for the crew now.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"