WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. � The Missouri Air National Guard’s 131st Bomb Wing will conduct flyovers Friday afternoon over six Missouri communities, including Cape Girardeau.
Other Missouri communities include Camdenton, St. Louis, Columbia, Jefferson City and Springfield.
Cape Girardeau is scheduled for roughly 4:50 p.m.
According to the Missouri Air National Guard, some of the best viewing will be available at Williams Street, east of I-55 and Lacey Street between Sunset and Broadway.
The flyovers are to honor and thank all of the Missouri healthcare professionals, first responders, military members, essential personnel and volunteers on the frontlines in the fight against COVID-19.
The Air Force has been conducting a nationwide effort to honor first responders as they battle the COVID-19 pandemic, said Col. Ken Eaves, commander of the 131st Bomb Wing.
“We greatly appreciate the selfless service and sacrifices of our medical professionals and other COVID-19 essential workers,� Eaves said. “As Guardsmen, we’ve been honored to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with these incredible professionals. Currently, hundreds of Missouri Air and Army National Guardsmen are mobilized to support these efforts.�
During the flyovers, all residents are encouraged to follow strict social distancing guidelines and refrain from gathering in large viewing groups.
The flyovers are part of the Air Force’s Operation American Resolve. The program honors the heroism of medical professionals, healthcare workers and first responders working tirelessly to combat the pandemic. Dozens of similar missions have been conducted across the country in recent weeks, including a flight made up of B-2s and A-10s flown by Airmen from the 509th Bomb Wing and 442nd Fighter Wing, respectively, over Kansas City on April 28.
The U.S. Air Force performs almost 1,000 flyovers each year, to include air shows, national-level sporting events, and any event in support of a patriotic holiday. Flyovers are fully functional training missions, designed to maintain the lethality and readiness of Air Force pilots and maintainers. They are conducted at no additional cost to taxpayers and are incorporated into existing flying schedules.
Based at Whiteman Air Force Base and Jefferson Barracks, the 131st Bomb Wing is the only National Guard wing to fly the B-2 Spirit through as a classic unit associated with the active duty 509th Bomb Wing.
