Flyover salutes by the Navy's Blue Angels and Air Force's Thunderbirds are paying tribute to the essential workers, health care professionals and first responders serving in cities across the country in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The two elite flight demonstration squadrons have flown individually and jointly over major and mid-sized cities hit hardest by the coronavirus outbreak.
Operation America Strong
President Trump announced the flyover plans during an April 22 press briefing, explaining, "We're paying tribute to our frontline health care workers confronting COVID. And it's really a signal to all Americans to remain vigilant during the outbreak."
Called Operation America Strong, the initiative is intended to salute those fighting on the front lines of the national emergency, while demonstrating a sense of national solidarity with those emergency workers.
"This is a tribute to them, to our warriors. Because they are equal warriors to those incredible pilots and all of the fighters that we have for the more traditional fights that we win," the President said. "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 who, just like military members in a time of war, are fiercely running toward the fight."
Army and Navy unite for a collaborative salute
The Thunderbirds and Blue Angels first appeared together on April 28, when they flew over New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Since then, they have appeared over Maryland, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Texas and the nation's capital. The Blue Angels have completed flyover salutes over Florida and Louisiana, with additional visits anticipated from both demonstration squadrons.
In keeping with Department of Defense policy, the Blue Angels and Thunderbirds are not often seen together. "Each demonstration team showcases U.S. military aviation capabilities to the public separately to maximize Navy or Air Force recruiting efforts," the Blue Angels website explains. For this reason, the joint air demonstrations during Operation America Strong are especially rare and significant displays of national strength and unity.
"We are truly excited to take to the skies with our Navy counterparts for a nation-wide tribute to the men and women keeping our communities safe," said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. John Caldwell in a Navy statement. Caldwell serves as Thunderbird 1 and the flyover mission commander. "We hope to give Americans a touching display of American resolve that honors those serving on the frontline of our fight with COVID-19," he added.
"We are incredibly honored to have the opportunity to salute those working on the frontline of the COVID-19 response, we are in awe of your strength and resilience," added U.S. Navy Blue Angels commanding officer and flight leader Cmdr. Brian Kesselring. "Thank you to all of those in essential industries keeping our nation moving forward. We will get through this. We are all in this together."
The demonstration squadrons typically participate in numerous air shows throughout the year, many of which have been canceled as a result of the pandemic. Each impressive, high-speed air display costs an estimated $60,000 — but funds for Operation America Strong has been drawn from already budgeted funds, the Washington Post reported.
While a complete schedule has not been announced, destinations and flight paths are being issued one day prior to each flyover. Citizens wishing to witness the flyover salutes in their cities are encouraged to remain in their homes, uphold social distancing measures and refrain from gathering in crowds.
