Military jets salute coronavirus workers in US with multiple flyovers

The Navy’s Blue Angels, the Air Force’s Thunderbirds and other military wings are showing their appreciation to health care workers, first responders and other essential workers by flying over different areas of the country. 

President Trump announced the plans last week for air shows to occur in cities across the U.S. to commemorate those who are working to keep the country afloat during the coronavirus pandemic. 

“We’re paying tribute to our front-line health care workers confronting COVID, and it’s really a signal to all Americans to remain vigilant during the outbreak,” Trump said during a White House briefing.

The Blue Angels and Thunderbirds took to the skies above New York City, Philadelphia and Trenton, N.J., on Tuesday to celebrate essential workers. 

See what it looked like in a Blue Angels’ cockpit as the Navy’s flight demonstration squadron flew over Philadelphia. pic.twitter.com/jFqP04mAN1

— USA TODAY (@USATODAY) April 29, 2020

New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania – The Blue Angels and @AFThunderbirds are headed your way.

The flyover will start at 12 pm (EDT).

Stay tuned here for updates and schedule changes ! #AmericaStrong #InThisTogether pic.twitter.com/cmFXGugyZ7

— Blue Angels (@BlueAngels) April 28, 2020

The Thunderbirds posted on Twitter that they “salute the healthcare workers and first responders who are at the forefront of our nation’s fight against COVID-19.”

“They are an inspiration for the entire country during these challenging times and it was an honor to fly for them today,” they posted.

We salute the healthcare workers and first responders who are at the forefront of our nation’s fight against COVID-19. They are an inspiration for the entire country during these challenging times and it was an honor to fly for them today. #AmericaStrong #InThisTogether pic.twitter.com/rirX3BayTI

— Thunderbirds (@AFThunderbirds) April 28, 2020

Aircraft also appeared above South Carolina, Missouri, Nevada and Arizona Tuesday.

In South Carolina, the state’s Air National Guard performed flyovers to celebrate essential workers. 

Watch: South Carolina Air National Guard honor healthcare workers with flyover Monday. https://t.co/WLJrwckV3m #AFFlyover #AirForceSalutes pic.twitter.com/hqmCNzamrZ

— Greenville Journal (@gvljournal) April 27, 2020

Testing lab Viracor Eurofins applauded the 509th Bomb Wing of the Air Force flyover in Kansas City.

“Our lab associates appreciate @Whiteman_AFB for honoring medical and #healthcareworkers with a flyover in KC today,” the lab posted on Twitter. 

Our lab associates appreciate @Whiteman_AFB for honoring medical and #healthcareworkers with a flyover in KC today. #InThisTogether #Missouri @GovParsonMO @MissouriChamber #WhitemanSalutesKC pic.twitter.com/eSP62oU5bk

— ViracorEurofins (@viracoreurofins) April 28, 2020

The VA Sierra Nevada Health Care System shot video of the Nevada Air National Guard’s High Rollers commemorating its medical staff with a flyover. 

Today the 152nd Airlift Wing showed honors to our medical staff at the VA Sierra Nevada Health Care System by doing a flyover of our Veterans hospital. Thank you, Colonel Jacob Hammons and all of the High Rollers, for making us smile beneath our masks! pic.twitter.com/kYu5PObDmX

— VAReno (@VARenoNevada) April 28, 2020

WOW!! Check out the Nevada Air Guard High Rollers doing a flyover at Northern Nevada Medical Center. What a way to say ‘thank you’ to our local hospitals! pic.twitter.com/YNNgehD35O

— KOLO8 (@KOLO8) April 28, 2020

Other flyovers are scheduled to occur in Oklahoma and Phoenix later this week, according to local news outlets. Oklahoma is expecting an air show from the Oklahoma Air National Guard’s 138th Fighter Wing, while Phoenix will receive a flyover from the U.S. Air Force and Arizona Air National Guard on Friday

Trump thanked the Blue Angels and Thunderbirds in a tweet Tuesday for their trips over the East Coast states.

Thank you @BlueAngels and @AFThunderbirds! #AmericaStrong https://t.co/oZyFJBT90h pic.twitter.com/bq0VOKYsmd

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 28, 2020