NPR

Pentagon: July 4 Flyovers, Tank Displays And Performances Cost $1.2 Million

Defense Department officials released their tally on Tuesday after mounting pressure to detail the costs for taxpayers, but they say personnel participation was part of the training budget.

The Pentagon's comptroller said it cost an extra $1.2 million to put on its portion of President Trump's "Salute to America" program for an expanded Fourth of July celebration in Washington, D.C., last week.

Defense Department officials said on Tuesday spending for personnel involvement and demonstrations largely came from their training budgets.

"The Department of Defense supported the 'Salute to America' with demonstrations by aircraft, static displays of equipment and ceremonial unit participation," the Pentagon said

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