RAPID CITY - Officials at Ellsworth Air Force Base have cancelled this year's Dakota Thunder air show because of automatic federal spending cuts that took effect this month.

The show has been held every two or three years for decades at the South Dakota base. Dogfight shows, parachute teams and fried food draw more than 30,000 people to each show.

Base spokesman Maj. Matthew Reese tells the Rapid City Journal (http://bit.ly/XDwDAf) that the show cost the base $200,000 in 2011.

Reese says the base also is cutting back in other areas, including travel and equipment purchases. It also has delayed or cancelled some construction projects.

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