If you live in the Wichita area, be sure to head outside Wednesday and look to the skies. McConnell Air Force Base has announced a series of community flyovers for Wednesday, May 6, to salute hospital personnel, first responders, military members, and essential workers who are working on the frontlines to keep people healthy and safe.
They’ve given the flyover the hashtag #AmericaStrong – no doubt in solidarity with the flyovers being performed around the country by the Air Force Thunderbirds and the Navy’s Blue Angels.
A flight of two KC-135 Stratotankers and a KC-46 Pegasus, followed by “Doc” – Wichita’s own restored B-29 Superfortress, will fly over local communities and hospitals.
The flyovers are scheduled for 10-11 a.m. on Wednesday. A map posted on the McConnell Air Force Base Facebook page shows the flight path and expected times for flyover.
The flight path will bring the aircraft over Wichita, Derby, Newton, Andover, Garden Plain, Haysville and El Dorado, including 11 local hospitals. The flyover will last approximately one hour.
A press release issued by McConnell says the flyover salute is “a total force effort between the 22nd ARW, the Air Force Reserve 931st Air Refueling Wing and the Kansas Air National Guard 184th Wing,” which are all located on McConnell AFB in Wichita. It features the Air Force’s newest tanker as well as the WWII heavy bomber, symbolizing 70 years as the air capital of the world.
Everyone is encouraged to take pictures (and also to maintain recommended social distancing). When you post your pictures on social media, tag @22ARW on Facebook and Instagram.