Blue Angels, Thunderbirds Fly Over Baltimore

BALTIMORE, MD — An air show came to the Baltimore area Saturday morning in a salute to health care workers. The U.S. Navy Blue Angels and U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds performed a Baltimore-Washington flyover Saturday for a mission called Operation America Strong.

The Baltimore flyover was slated to begin at 11:30 a.m., then the squadron headed for the D.C. area around 11:45 a.m., traveling over hospitals and health care centers along the route.

Afterward, they will head for Atlanta.

In the Baltimore metro area, people heard jet noises and caught the sight of 12 high-performance aircraft flying at 400 mph.

#BlueAngels flying over Baltimore pic.twitter.com/InnpEow286
— Dominic Silva (@BmoreFriarFan) May 2, 2020

Thank you, Healthcare Heroes. #BlueAngels #Baltimore pic.twitter.com/lMBuRfkcek
— Bill Ferguson (@SenBillFerg) May 2, 2020

U.S. Navy Blue Angels and Air Force Thunderbirds from Cromwell Bridge Road/Luskins Hill! #AmericaStrong pic.twitter.com/SOjrYcBu6B
— David Marks (@david_s_marks) May 2, 2020

"Residents should observe the flyover from the safety of their home-quarantine and should refrain from traveling to see the flyover," the Blue Angels said in a statement. "They should also refrain from traveling to landmarks, hospitals and gathering in large groups to view the flyover."

These were the approximate flyover times around Baltimore, according to the Blue Angels:

• The flyover will begin around 11:30 a.m. near Fort McHenry, hit the Brooklyn area, then fly over the city, from south Baltimore to Towson up to the state fairgrounds in Timonium.
• Heading south, the squadron will fly by the Hampden area around 11:40 then make a turn east over to the Essex area.
• By 11:45 a.m., the flyover will hit the Baltimore Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport.

"We are honored to fly over these cities in a display of national unity and support for the men and women keeping our communities safe," U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. John Caldwell, Thunderbird commander and lead pilot, said in a statement. "These flyovers are a gesture of goodwill on behalf of the entire Department of Defense to the heroes of the COIVD-19 pandemic."

Social distancing guidance remains in effect, Maryland State Police said before the flyover.

"Those watching the flyover outside in a public area should wear face coverings and maintain social distancing by standing at least six feet apart," Maryland State Police said in a statement issued Friday.

Maryland is under a stay-at-home order, with residents urged to stay home unless they have an essential reason for travel, like groceries, medical appointments or work.

Saturday's flyover coincides with Gov. Larry Hogan's proclamation of May 2 as Health Care Heroes Day, when Marylanders are encouraged to honor those on the front lines of the new coronavirus battle.

The air show is also part of the "America Strong" tour, which the president announced recently.

"What we are doing is 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," President Donald Trump said at an April 22 news briefing. "Operation America Strong was the idea of our great military men and women — the Thunderbirds and the Blue Angels crews who wanted to show support to the American medical workers who, just like military members in a time of war, are fiercely running toward the fight."

The America Strong tour began with joint flyovers Tuesday over New Jersey, New York City and Philadelphia. It is the culmination of more than a month of planning with the two teams and local governments, according to the U.S. Navy.

"America Strong is a way for both teams to show appreciation to the thousands of doctors, nurses, first responders and essential workers out there serving on the frontline day-in and day-out," Commander Brian Kesselring, U.S. Navy Blue Angels commanding officer and flight leader for the flyover, said in a statement. "This is an extraordinary and unprecedented time, but we will get through this. We are all in this together."

See Also:

• Health Care Heroes Day Is May 2, Maryland Governor Declares
• Hogan Orders MD Flag At Half-Staff To Honor Coronavirus Victims