The Hawaii Air National Guard and 15th Wing Active Duty Airmen from Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam will perform a flyover throughout the Hawaiian Islands on Thursday amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
The flyovers, which will begin at approximately 11:20 a.m. on Oahu, will aim to fly above most of Hawaii’s large hospitals and major metropolitan areas in a salute to all frontline workers battling COVID-19, as well as those staying at home to “flatten the curve of transmission” of the virus.
The flyover will feature all locally based U.S. Air Force planes, including a C-17 Globemaster III, a KC-135 Stratotanker and a flight of F-22 Raptors, which will complete routine training sorties as they visit each neighboring island.
These aircraft were already scheduled for these training flights, so the flyover is at no additional cost to the taxpayer, according to Gov. David Ige’s office. The flight path was coordinated with state officials as well as members of the Federal Aviation Administration.
The altitude of the flyover will vary between 2,500 and 3,000 feet above ground level, according to the governor’s office.
Onlookers should watch from the safety of their homes or workplace while adhering to social distancing guidelines and should refrain from traveling to see the flyover, according to the governor’s office.
Inspired by the Air Force’s Operation American Resolve Salutes campaign, the flyover is intended to provide a salute to all the health care professionals, frontline responders, and essential personnel working to keep everyone safe and healthy during these unique times.
Once the planes fly over Kahuku on the Oahu, the routes will diverge with a C-17 proceeding to Kauai and a KC-135 diverging east toward Molokai, Lanai, Maui and Hawaii Island. The F-22s will peel off to the north to continue with regularly scheduled training.
Flight times are approximate and subject to change due to weather and maintenance. A KC-135 is supposed to fly over the area of Kona Community Hospital around 1:20 p.m., according to the governor’s office.