MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Six F-16 Fighting Falcons performed a series of flyovers across Alabama on Tuesday as the Air Force continues their salute of Covid-19 frontline medical employees.
The Red Tails of the 187th Fighter Wing based at Dannelly Field near Montgomery began the flyovers at noon. Three sets of two F-16s flew across the cities of Auburn, Tuskegee, Montgomery, Tuscaloosa, Decatur, Mobile, and Dothan.
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Weather kept the jets from flying near a few locations forcing pilots to shift their flight plans. The squadron announced late Tuesday they plan to make it up to those who missed the flyovers due to weather.
“It is a distinct honor to express our gratitude and that of our fellow Alabamians for the heroes on the frontlines of COVID19 with this showcase of American airpower,” 187th Fighter Wing commander Col. Ed Casey said on Monday. “It’s our hope that these F-16 flyovers offer residents and workers in these communities pride in our state, hope for our country, and resolve in our fight against the coronavirus.”
Several F-16s have an all-red paint scheme on their vertical stabilizer in honor of the World War II heroes of the Tuskegee Airman. The Red Tails’ pilots of yesteryear paved the way for minority representation in today’s Air Force.
(Charles A. Atkeison reports on aerospace and technology. Follow his updates via social media @Military_Flight.)
