Air Force, Arizona Air Guard jets to perform flyover above Phoenix to honor responders
By The Associated Press
GLENDALE, Ariz. — Over a dozen U.S. Air Force and Arizona Air National Guard aircraft on Friday will conduct a flyover above metro Phoenix to honor health care workers and others responding to public needs during the coronavirus pandemic.
Luke Air Force Base officials say 15 jets will begin the flyover at approximately 3:10 p.m., and that it will last 50 minutes.
Officials say the flight path will take the jets over Buckeye, Luke, Litchfield Park, Surprise, Waddell, Goodyear, Tolleson, Phoenix and Tempe before they head fly over Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, Scottsdale, Deer Valley, Glendale, Peoria, Sun City West, and El Mirage.
Participating aircraft will include seven F-35A fighters and seven F-16 fighters from wings based at Luke and a KC-135 tanker from the Air Guard’s 161st Air Refueling Wing at Sky Harbor International Airport.
An F-35A Lightning II from Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., takes off from Dover AFB, Del., Feb. 19, 2020. (Senior Airman Christopher Quail/Air Force)
According to an announcement by Luke officials, “residents along the flight path can expect a few seconds of jet noise as the aircraft pass overhead.”
Air Force Brig. Gen. Todd Canterbury said the participating military personnel are honored to extend heartfelt gratitude to health care workers and others fighting the outbreak. He added that participants want those watching the flyover to “enjoy the display of American airpower, resolve and pride while keeping frontline responders in their hearts.”
“Operation America Strong was the idea of our great military men and women — the Thunderbirds and the Blue Angels crews who wanted to show support to the American medical workers."
Canterbury is commander of the 56th Fighter Wing based at Luke.
Luke’s announcement advised residents to view the flyover from their homes and to maintain social distancing during the event. “They should also refrain from traveling to landmarks, hospitals and gathering in large groups to view the flyover,” the statement said.
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U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, the Thunderbirds, and U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Blue Angels, fly over New Castle, Del., during the America Strong multi-city flyover, April 28, 2020. (Capt. Brendan Mackie/Army National Guard)
The Navy's Blue Angels and the Air Force's Thunderbirds conduct "a collaborative salute" to honor those battling the COVID-19 pandemic with a flyover New York and New Jersey on Tuesday, April 28, 2020. (Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Blue Angels, fly over Stamford Hospital in Stamford, Conn., during the America Strong Newark and New York City flyover, April 28, 2020. (Staff Sgt. Steven Tucker/Air National Guard)
A health care professional watches the U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Blue Angels, and U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, the Thunderbirds, fly over Stamford Hospital in Stamford, Conn., during the America Strong Newark and New York City flyover, April 28, 2020. (Staff Sgt. Steven Tucker/Air National Guard)
People watch as a formation of the Blue Angels and Thunderbirds flight teams pass in front of the New York City skyline as seen from in Weehawken, N.J., Tuesday, April 28, 2020. The flyover was in salute to first responders in the fight against the new coronavirus. (Seth Wenig/AP)
The Navy's Blue Angels and the Air Force's Thunderbirds conduct "a collaborative salute" to honor those battling the COVID-19 pandemic with a flyover New York and New Jersey on Tuesday, April 28, 2020. (Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
People watch as a formation of the Blue Angels and Thunderbirds flight teams pass in front of the New York City skyline as seen from Weehawken, N.J., Tuesday, April 28, 2020. The flyover was in salute to first responders in the fight against the new coronavirus. (Seth Wenig/AP)
People watch as a formation of the Blue Angels and Thunderbirds flight teams pass in front of the New York City skyline as seen from Weehawken, N.J., Tuesday, April 28, 2020. The flyover was in salute to first responders in the fight against the new coronavirus. (Seth Wenig/AP)
A formation of the Blue Angels and Thunderbirds flight teams pass behind the Empire State Building in New York City as seen from Weehawken, N.J., Tuesday, April 28, 2020. The flyover was in salute to first responders in the fight against the coronavirus. (Seth Wenig/AP)
The military's elite flight demonstration squadrons, the Navy's Blue Angels, top, and the Air Force's Thunderbirds, perform "a collaborative salute" to honor those battling the COVID-19 pandemic during the current coronavirus outbreak, Tuesday, April 28, 2020, in New York. (Kathy Willens/AP)
People watch as a formation of the Blue Angels and Thunderbirds flight teams pass in front of the New York City skyline as seen from Weehawken, N.J., Tuesday, April 28, 2020. The flyover was in salute to first responders in the fight against the new coronavirus. (Seth Wenig/AP)
Spectators photograph as the military's elite flight demonstration squadrons, the Navy's Blue Angels and the Air Force's Thunderbirds, perform "a collaborative salute" to those battling the COVID-19 pandemic, Tuesday, April 28, 2020, in New York. The salute was planned to honor frontline medics, doctors, first responders, and essential personnel who have cared for the sick and dying during the crisis. (Kathy Willens/AP)
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