PHOTOS: Blue Angels, Thunderbirds honor essential workers over D.C., Baltimore
WASHINGTON (ABC7) — It's a bird....it's a plane......it's the world-famous U.S. Navy Blue Angels and Air Force Thunderbirds!
Workers on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic were honored on Saturday as the Blue Angels and Thunderbirds performed a special formation flight over Washington, D.C., and Baltimore.
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The U.S. Navy says a formation of six F-16 Falcon and six F-18 Hornet jets joined forces and conducted these flyovers as a salute to healthcare workers, first responders, military, and other essential personnel while standing in solidarity will all American during the COVID-19 crisis.
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“America Strong is a way for both teams to show appreciation to the thousands of doctors, nurses, first responders and essential workers out there serving on the frontline day-in and day-out,” said Cmdr. Brian Kesselring, U.S. Navy Blue Angels commanding officer and flight leader for the flyover. “
Flyovers in Baltimore started at 11:30 a.m. Saturday and lasted roughly 15 minutes.
Flyovers in D.C. and the surrounding suburbs began at 11:45 a.m. and lasted around 20 minutes.
Maps of the planned flight paths were released Friday.
Residents in both cities and surrounding communities were able to see the flyover from the safety of their homes, and traveling to landmarks or gathering in large groups was strongly discouraged.
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“These flyovers are a gesture of goodwill on behalf of the entire Department of Defense to the heroes of the COIVD-19 pandemic," said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. John Caldwell, Thunderbird commander and lead pilot.
And if you're a concerned citizen worried about what this will cost taxpayers, U.S. Navy and Air Force issued a joint statement saying this:
While America Strong will showcase Department of Defense support to healthcare workers, first responders, military, essential employees, and aims to unite all Americans in the fight against COVID-19, it also fulfills critical training requirements for both teams. Pilots must execute a minimum number of flight hours to maintain proficiency. These flyovers will incur no additional cost to taxpayers.
