During 1997, the Pentagon helped U.S. weapons manufactures market their wares, at an estimated cost of $2.5 million, by sending equipment and personnel to 11 air shows and arms bazaars around the world. Section 1082 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1993, prohibits expenditure of Pentagon funds to participate in air shows and arms bazaars unless the Secretary of Defense finds that it is in the national security interest of the United States to do so. According to the Pentagon, in its notifications to Congress, participation at these marketing shows "will contribute to foreign policy and defense objectives by underscoring our continuing interest in maintaining a strong political and military presence in the region."

Cost estimates for the Defense Department's participation are kept low by coordinating training missions and troop assignments with air show schedules. This meets the needs of the U.S. weapons industry by providing equipment for display and personnel to explain its uses and features, while allowing the Pentagon to write off most of the expenses as training or otherwise "business" related.

Rep. Pete Stark (D-CA) introduced H.R. 3084 in October 1997 to strengthen the limitations on participation of the Armed Forces in foreign airshows or trade exhibitions involving military equipment. Read the text of that bill.