As the coronavirus pandemic continues to grip New York City and the rest of the country, health care personnel and other essential workers on the front lines in the world’s hardest-hit city received a salute from the skies on Tuesday courtesy of the United States Navy (with an assist from the Air Force).
The Blue Angels streaked across the clear blue skies above New York as onlookers cheered from below. The Air Force Thunderbirds also participated in the display.
Video is embedded below:
Taking flight to honor those on the frontlines of #COVID19! These heroes spotted them, did you? Post your videos at #AmericaStrong as a salute to #HealthHeroes and first responders everywhere. https://t.co/JTLmI3JPSf
— U.S. Navy (@USNavy) April 28, 2020
Thank you @BlueAngels and @AFThunderbirds for honoring all those who are heroically serving on the front lines of the city’s response to COVID-19 #AmericaStrong#Inthistogether pic.twitter.com/R4xNJoveMf
— FDNY (@FDNY) April 28, 2020
The display was meant to honor front-line COVID-19 responders and essential workers in New York City as well as in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
“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,” said Cmdr. Brian Kesselring, U.S. Navy Blue Angels commanding officer and flight leader, in a statement. “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 display featured six Navy F-18C/D Hornet aircraft and six Air Force F-16 C/D Fighting Falcon aircraft.
The flyover took place at noon over the New York City area on Tuesday. The aircraft were then expected to head to Trenton, N.J., and Philadephia, Pa., later in the afternoon.
“Residents in these areas will be able to see the flyover from the safety of their home- quarantine and should maintain all social distancing guidelines during this event,” the statement reads. “They should also refrain from traveling to landmarks, hospitals and gathering in large groups to view the flyover. A detailed flight route will be released on the day prior to the flyover.”
The official flight paths are posted below:
200425-N-NO101-152
PENSACOLA, Fla. (April 25, 2020) The U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, the Thunderbirds, and the U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Blue Angels, will honor frontline COVID-19 responders and essential workers with formation flights over New York City, Newark and Trenton, N.J. and Philadelphia, Pa. on April 28. (U.S. Navy graphic/Released)
200425-N-NO101-151
PENSACOLA, Fla. (April 25, 2020) The U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, the Thunderbirds, and the U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Blue Angels, will honor frontline COVID-19 responders and essential workers with formation flights over New York City, Newark and Trenton, N.J. and Philadelphia, Pa. on April 28. (U.S. Navy graphic/Released)
MAIN PHOTO: EL CENTRO, Calif. (Jan. 22, 2020) The U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Blue Angels, perform the Double Farvel maneuver during a training flight at Naval Air Facility El Centro, California. The Blue Angels are conducting winter training at NAF El Centro, California, in preparation for the 2020 show season. The team is scheduled to conduct 55 flight demonstrations at 29 locations across the U.S. and Canada to showcase the precision and professionalism of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps to the American public. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Cody Hendrix/Released)
