Thunderbirds honor coronavirus responders with Las Vegas flyover for 'true heroes'
High within the skies over Las Vegas , the U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron -- also referred to as
the “Thunderbirds" -- showed its support on Saturday for those on the frontlines responding to
the coronavirus pandemic.
The Thunderbirds said the flyover was to point out appreciation and support for health care workers,
first responders and other essential personnel in Sin City and round the nation working within the
battle against COVID-19.
“It is an honor to fly for the Americans at the forefront of our nation’s fight against the
coronavirus,” Lt. Col. John Caldwell, Thunderbirds commander and leader, said during a news release.
“They are true heroes and that we anticipate to demonstrating the support of the 685,000 total
force Airmen of the U.S. Air Force for health care workers, first responders and COVID-19
essential personnel in Las Vegas and across the state .”
The flyover on Saturday featured eight F-16 Fighting Falcons, which soared throughout Las Vegas
starting at 2:30 p.m. and lasted about 25 minutes.
The Thunderbirds’ flight path started at Nellis air station and took them through Centennial Hills,
Summerlin, Spring Valley, along the Las Vegas Strip, and right down to Henderson before returning to
Nellis Air Force Base.
Images showed the aircraft soaring over the famous Las Vegas Strip and casinos now empty due
to the virus outbreak.
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| The U.S. Air Force Air flight demonstration squadron, the Thunderbirds, flies by the Mandalay Bay hotel-casino as they show their support for frontline COVID-19 health care workers and first responders in Las Vegas, Saturday, April 11, 2020. (Steve Marcus/Las Vegas Sun via AP) |
planes flying over the Strip.
Las Vegas residents were ready to enjoy the flyover safely from their home-quarantine.
The Thunderbirds had asked that folks refrain from traveling to landmarks and gathering in
large groups to look at the flyover.
“While our jets are going to be flying approximate , we would like (to) stress that nobody should travel or
gather to ascertain us fly,” Caldwell said. “We want Las Vegas residents to seem up from their homes
and luxuriate in the display of yank resolve and pride while keeping battlefront coronavirus
responders in their hearts during this unprecedented time in our nation.”
Officials in Clark County, Nevada, said the show within the sky was a "great viewing experience" as
the aircraft flew by.
"We haven't had much to enjoy lately, but today the Nellis Air Force Base U.S. Air Force team
provided a much-needed lift," the Clark County communications team said on Facebook.
As of Sunday, there are 530,006 cases of COVID-19 within the U.S., with a minimum of 20,608 deaths,
consistent with Johns Hopkins University.
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