April 27, 2020
By: Sarah McCormick
Update to this story. There is no confirmed date to this flyover. The City Spokesperson misread the details of this.
TAMPA, Fla – The Blue Angels are set to honor local Coronavirus First Responders with a specialized flyover Saturday, May 2nd over the Tampa Bay area.
President Trump made the announcement Wednesday, April 22nd that the Military – namely the US Navy and US Air Force – had worked together to organize Operation America Strong in honor of our Medical First Responders as a show of support.
A Press Release from the National Department of Defense on April 24, 2020 states these flyovers, being completed by both the Navy’s Blue Angels and the Air Force’s Demonstration Squadron, the Thunderbirds, will be completing a series of flyovers in various major cities throughout America and will last until about mid-May.
The release also states these two teams will fly over the hardest hit cities by COVID-19 in America.
“We’re excited to fly over cities across America as our way of saying thanks to the healthcare workers, first responders, and all the people who selflessly run into the breach working to keep America strong,” said Gen. Dave Goldfein, Chief of Staff of the Air Force, and Adm. Michael Gilday, Chief of Naval Operations. “This is also our way of showing that we are all in this together and that America’s spirit will prevail.”
In addition to the flyover in Tampa, it is being reported that there will be further Florida flyovers in Miami, Jacksonville, and Tallahassee, though we were unable to reach either the Blue Angels nor Thunderbirds for confirmation or comment.
Additional location and times have yet to be disclosed, but you can count on us to keep you up to date with the latest once times and locations are released.