The Colorado Air National Guard will fly aircraft over cities and towns in the state Wednesday to salute those "who have been fighting on the front lines of the battle against COVID-19," according to a press release.
As part of Operation American Resolve, Warriors of the 140th Wing, Colorado Air National Guard will fly F-16 Fighting Falcons around Colorado. The event is scheduled from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m.
Air Force units around the country are conducting flyovers to boost morale in the midst of the severe health and economic effects resulting from the pandemic.
"We are really excited to show our appreciation for those men and women who are risking their lives every day in the front lines of the War on COVID-19" said U.S. Air Force Col. Micah Fesler commander, 140th Wing, Colorado Air National Guard. "So many of our community members, Coloradans, and fellow Americans have experienced overwhelming hardship as a result of this invisible enemy and we hope that the sound of freedom will inspire a sense of community and optimism."
The 140th Wing will launch the jets from Buckley Air Force Base in Aurora. They will fly over facilities at multiple locations including:
- Sterling, Greeley, Fort Collins and Loveland between 4:32 and 4:42 p.m.
- Estes Park, Vail, Aspen, Breckenridge, Winter Park and Summit County between 4:42 and 5:10 p.m.
- Longmont and Boulder between 5:10 and 5:18 p.m.
- The Denver-Metro area, Colorado Springs and Pueblo between 5:18 and 5:47 p.m.
All times may vary by 15 minutes. A more detailed list of locations from which the aircraft can be seen is available below:
Editor's note: This story has been updated after a revised statement from the Colorado Air National Guard to include flight times over Pueblo.
