Around lunchtime on Tuesday, military planes will perform flyovers of the hospitals in several of Alabama’s larger cities.
The Alabama National Guard, which announced the news on Twitter, is coordinating the flyovers.
The initiative is part of a nationwide effort to show support for medical workers during the coronavirus pandemic.
Jets will appear in Birmingham, Huntsville, Mobile, Montgomery, Tuscaloosa, Decatur, Auburn, Tuskegee and Dothan.
The 117th Air Refueling Wing out of Birmingham will be handling the flyovers in Huntsville and Birmingham.
Citizens in Alabama’s two biggest cities will be able to get a glimpse of a KC-135R Stratotanker as it appears overhead.
The historic Red Tails of the 187th Fighter Wing based in Montgomery will perform the flyovers in Montgomery, Auburn, Tuskegee, Tuscaloosa, Decatur, Mobile and Dothan.
The public in those cities will be able to see two F-16 fighter planes. The 187th is launching a total of six F-16s in three pairs on Tuesday to accomplish the mission.
The idea to have fighter jets perform flyovers as a show of respect to America’s front-line health care professionals originated from President Donald Trump on April 23.
Trump said, “What we’re doing is 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.”
The 117th has said the flyover will be “part of a normal training mission and will demonstrate the continued readiness of the 117 ARW during this pandemic.”
“It’s our hope that these F-16 flyovers will offer residents and workers in these communities pride in our state, hope for our country, and resolve in our fight against the coronavirus,” commented Colonel Ed Casey, 187th Fighter Wing commander.
Observers hoping to see the jets can see their flight paths estimated time of arrival in the pictures below.
Huntsville:
Birmingham:
Montgomery:
Mobile:
Tuscaloosa:
Auburn and Tuskegee:
Decatur:
Dothan:
Henry Thornton is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can contact him by email: [email protected] or on Twitter @HenryThornton95
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