LOS ANGELES  – The Air Force's celebrated Thunderbirds honored front-line COVID-19 responders and essential workers today with a dramatic formation flight over Los Angeles and Orange counties.

What You Need To Know


  • Air Force’s Thunderbirds honor SoCal COVID-19 responders

  • Formation of six F-16C/D Fighting Falcons

  • Began the flyover in Orange County before heading to LA

  • Photos shared on social media with #AmericaStrong tag

"It is an honor for our team to salute the countless Californians who have committed to keeping the communities safe during this difficult time in our nation,'' said Lt. Col. John Caldwell, commander of the U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron. "We hope to give onlookers a touching display of American resolve that honors those serving on the frontline of our fight against COVID-19.''

 

 
 
 
 
 
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Six F-16C/D Fighting Falcons could be seen flying high above Los Angeles today, as the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds flew formations over LA and OC counties to honor front-line COVID-19 responders. "It is an honor for our team to salute the countless Californians who have committed to keeping the communities safe during this difficult time in our nation,'' said Commander of the U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, Lt. Col. John Caldwell. "We hope to give onlookers a touching display of American resolve that honors those serving on the front-line of our fight against COVID-19." Workers and residents across SoCal gathered with cameras and phones at the ready to catch a glimpse of the F-16s as they streaked across the sky. The Thunderbirds encouraged those sharing photos on social media to tag them #AmericaStrong and #Thunderbirds. 📷: AP Photo/Chris Pizzello

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A formation of six F-16C/D Fighting Falcons conducted the flyovers Friday as a salute to health care workers, first responders, military and other essential personnel while standing in solidarity with all Americans during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Across the Southland, but particularly at hospitals, workers and residents gathered with cameras in hand in hopes of catching a glimpse of the squadron. The F-16s passed in a flash, but with an impressive roar.

The squadron began its Southland flyover at 1:35 p.m., passing over Orange County, cruising north over Irvine, Santa Ana, Garden Grove and Fullerton, before advancing into Los Angeles County.

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The Thunderbirds heade north past the City of Industry, then circled over East Los Angeles and moved west, roughly over the Santa Monica (10) Freeway, then flew south along the coast and passed over Long Beach and then south to Newport Beach and east over Santa Ana, before moving toward Riverside County at about 2 p.m.

The Thunderbirds made a secondary pass over northern Los Angeles County near Santa Clarita shortly after 3 p.m.

The Air Force encouraged people who took photos to tag them on social media as #AmericaStrong and #Thunderbirds.