COVID

F-15s are scheduled to fly over Mass. hospitals Wednesday. Here’s when to look up.

The tribute is part of a nationwide salute to those involved in the COVID-19 response efforts.

By Ainslie Cromar

May 5, 2020

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Email
• Email
• 32

You’ll want to keep your eyes to the sky early Wednesday afternoon as four F-15s from the 104th Fighter Wing of the Massachusetts Air National Guard are set to jet over 16 area hospitals and two additional locations, paying tribute to those working on the front lines.

“Air Force Salutes flyovers are a way for the U.S. Air Force to show appreciation to the thousands of heroes on the frontlines and all our brave Massachusetts neighbors battling and supporting the COVID-19 response,” the 104th Fighter Wing wrote in a press release posted to Facebook.

The tribute is part of a nationwide salute, “Operation American Resolve,” to those involved in the COVID-19 response efforts.

“It is a privilege for the men and women of the Massachusetts Air National Guard to provide a Thank you to medical personnel, first responders, truck drivers, grocery store personnel and the countless Americans coming together to support the COVID-19 response,” Lt. Col. Jay Talbert, a 104th Fighter Wing pilot, said in a statement. “We wish we could fly over every community battling against COVID-19.”

The 104th Fighter Wing noted that residents who live nearby the flyover locations should view the event “from the safety around their homes and should maintain all social distancing guidelines.”

“They should also refrain from traveling to hospitals and gathering in large groups to view the flyover,” the release says.

UPDATED list of locations for today’s scheduled F-15 flyover. #MassSalutes #AirForceSalutes #AFFlyover pic.twitter.com/Y0HEAnNEcE

— 104th Fighter Wing (@104fighterwing) May 6, 2020

To help you catch the flyover our F-15s are scheduled to perform this afternoon here is a map of the planned flight path and approximate times.

We invite everyone to take pictures and post them with the hashtags below. #MassSalutes #AirForceSalutes #AFFlyover pic.twitter.com/m5eYvQpND0

— 104th Fighter Wing (@104fighterwing) May 6, 2020

Officials said this flyover, while a sign of support to frontline workers, will also be performed as part of regular and mandatory proficiency training to keep air crews current and qualified. They said it will come at no additional cost to taxpayers.

Here’s where and when the F-15s are scheduled to pass through the sky:

• Cape Cod Hospital (Hyannis) – between noon and 12:15 p.m.
• Signature Healthcare Brockton Hospital (Brockton) – between noon and 12:15 p.m.
• Boston Convention and Exhibition Center (Boston) – between 12:15 and 12:25 p.m.
• Mass. General Hospital and surrounding facilities (Boston) – between 12:15 and 12:25 p.m.
• Brigham and Women’s Hospital (Boston) – between 12:15 and 12:25 p.m.
• Jamaica Plain VA Medical Center (Boston) – between 12:15 and 12:25 p.m.
• West Roxbury VA Medical Center (Boston) – between 12:15 and 12:25 p.m.
• Framingham Union Hospital (Framingham) – between 12:15 and 12:25 p.m.
• UMass Memorial Medical Center (Worcester) – between 12:25 and 12:30 p.m.
• DCU Center/St. Vincent’s Hospital (Worcester) – between 12:25 and 12:30 p.m.
• Mercy Medical Center (Springfield) – between 12:35 and 12:40 p.m.
• Baystate Medical Center (Springfield) – between 12:35 and 12:40 p.m.
• Holyoke Medical Center (Holyoke) – between 12:35 and 12:40 p.m.
• Holyoke Soldiers’ Home (Holyoke) – between 12:35 and 12:40 p.m.
• Cooley Dickinson Hospital (Northampton) – between 12:40 and 12:45 p.m.
• Northampton VA Medical Center (Northampton) – between 12:40 and 12:45 p.m.
• Western Massachusetts Hospital (Westfield) – between 12:40 and 12:45 p.m.
• Baystate Noble Hospital (Westfield) – between 12:40 and 12:45 p.m.