Over a dozen U.S. Air Force and Arizona Air National Guard aircraft on Friday conducted a flyover above metro Phoenix to honor health care workers and others responding to public needs during the coronavirus pandemic.
According to Luke Air Force Base officials 15 jets begin the flyover at approximately 3:10 p.m., and that it last 50 minutes.
Air Force airpower based in Arizona, namely F-16 and F-35 fighters from Luke Air Force Base’s 56th Fighter Wing, along with a KC-135 tanker from the 161st Air Refueling Wing based out of Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, executed what just may be the biggest ‘hold my beer’ moment imaginable by putting an absolutely massive formation into the air that included 15 core aircraft, with as many as 18 being involved for portions of the flight.
The formation morphed as it flew over the Phoenix area, roaring over hospitals that are ground zero of the outbreak.
Officials said that the flight path will take the jets over Buckeye, Luke, Litchfield Park, Surprise, Waddell, Goodyear, Tolleson, Phoenix and Tempe before they head fly over Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, Scottsdale, Deer Valley, Glendale, Peoria, Sun City West, and El Mirage.
Participating aircraft included seven F-35A fighters and seven F-16 fighters from wings based at Luke and a KC-135 tanker from the Air Guard’s 161st Air Refueling Wing at Sky Harbor International Airport.
Air Force Brig. Gen. Todd Canterbury said the participating military personnel are honored to extend heartfelt gratitude to health care workers and others fighting the outbreak. He added that participants want those watching the flyover to “enjoy the display of American airpower, resolve and pride while keeping frontline responders in their hearts.”
