We’ve all seen them – military flyovers. They are usually reserved for major sporting events, National Holidays, and such; and they are awesome.

Unfortunately, there have been several of them lately for another reason; not unfortunate for those whom they are intended to honor, but unfortunate for the mere fact that they are even happening:

COVID-19.

Over the past several days, Angelenos and their neighbors to the north and south have witnessed several military flyovers of hospitals and other medical facilities for the sole purpose of honoring medical professionals, hospital workers, and first responders currently battling the worst pandemic to face our country – and the world – in over a century.

On Thursday afternoon, two California National Guard (Cal Guard) C-130J Super Hercules transport planes from the 146th Airlift Wing headquartered at Channel Islands Air National Guard Station in Oxnard, CA., did flyovers in honor of the aforementioned heroes.

And then on Friday afternoon, the famed U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds did a flyover of Southern California hospitals, also in recognition to those on the frontline of the coronavirus pandemic, as indicated in their publicized flight plan:

Shortly after their flyover, the Thunderbirds posted this on Twitter (@AFThunderbirds):

Although it hasn’t happened yet (as of this writing) and meaning no disrespect whatsoever to the Cal Guard 146th Airlift Wing or to the USAF Thunderbirds, the most famous military flight demonstration group, the U.S. Navy’s Blue Angels, have yet to make an appearance in the skies above Southern California … yet.

They did, however, make flyovers of medical facilities in Nashville, Tennessee, and Littlerock, Arkansas respectively on Thursday, as noted in this tweet they posted (@BlueAngels) shortly thereafter :

It is unknown if the Blue Angels are planning to do any flyovers of Southern California hospitals in the immediate future. That being said and meaning no disrespect to healthcare workers or first responders, it is probably safe to say that most Angelenos would prefer to see them do a flyover somewhere – anywhere – over a major league baseball stadium on Opening Day 2020.

…with or without fans in the stands.

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