PHILADELPHIA — To show national unity amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the Navy and Air Force dispatched their demonstration jet squadrons to the Philadelphia area.
As scheduled, the Blue Angels and the Thunderbirds made several passes over the city and its suburbs at 2 p.m. Tuesday.
The jets were scheduled to buzz around the area for about 20 minutes, before heading north to New Jersey. Area residents flocked outdoors, with eyes and cameras facing up towards the brilliant blue skies to catch a view of the display.
The jets’ flight path from Philadelphia to Trenton took them into Bucks County and near the Montgomery County line around Warminster, then through the Yardley and Bensalem areas before heading to New Jersey.
Each flight squad costs at least $60,000 per hour to fly, according to The Washington Post. The flyovers were a show of appreciation to first responders, essential workers, and others still working to keep people heavy and America running amid the pandemic, officials have said.
“We are truly excited to take to the skies with our Navy counterparts for a nationwide tribute to the men and women keeping our communities safe,” said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. John Caldwell, mission commander for the flyover. “We hope to give Americans a touching display of American resolve that honors those serving on the frontline of our fight with COVID-19.”
Patch captured some photos and videos of the flyover. Share your photos by email to [email protected]. Be sure to include your name and where you took the photos.