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Military: Precision flying teams are worth the risk, cost

The Air Force Thunderbirds fly overhead as graduating cadets celebrate with the "hat toss" after graduation ceremonies at the 2016 class of the U.S. Air Force Academy, Thursday, June 2, 2016, in Colorado Springs, Colo. A Thunderbirds jet crashed after a flyover of the academy commencement attended by President Barack Obama. The pilot was able to safely eject from the jet. (Ryan Jones/The Gazette via AP) MAGS OUT; MANDATORY CREDIT The Air Force Thunderbirds fly overhead as graduating cadets celebrate with the "hat toss" after graduation ceremonies at the 2016 class of the U.S. Air Force Academy, Thursday, June 2, 2016, in Colorado Springs, Colo. A Thunderbirds jet crashed after a flyover of the academy commencement attended by President Barack Obama. The pilot was able to safely eject from the jet. (Ryan Jones/The Gazette via AP) MAGS OUT; MANDATORY CREDIT

By Associated Press June 3, 2016 1 min read

DENVER (AP) – The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds and the Navy Blue Angels both suffered crashes on the same day this week, but the military says the high-drama, high-dollar flying teams are worth the money and the risk.

The Defense Department and supporters say the two squadrons help citizens feel good about their military and give a boost to recruitment.

A Blue Angels F/A-18 jet crashed Thursday near Nashville, Tennessee, killing the pilot, Marine Capt. Jeff Kuss.

Also Thursday, a Thunderbirds F-16 crashed outside Colorado Springs, Colorado, after a performance, but the pilot, Maj. Alex Turner, ejected safely.

Both crashes are under investigation.

Air Force Staff Sgt. Katie Maricle says the Thunderbirds have an annual budget of $35 million. A Navy spokesman couldn’t immediately provide the Blue Angels budget.