Fighter jets fly over New York to honour health staff battling Covid-19
US military flight squadrons paid tribute to coronavirus healthcare staff, first responders and other essential workers with a ceremonial flyover of Covid-19 epicenter NEW YORK on Tuesday.
Twelve fighter jets of the air force's Thunderbirds and the navy's Blue Angels streaked across piercing blue skies above the Big Apple in "a collaborative salute" just after noon.
A large number of residents gathered by the city's harbor, squinting in to the midday sun to catch a glimpse of the aircraft in what appeared a breach of social distancing guidelines.
The planes circled NY and Newark in NJ for 40 minutes, then headed to Trenton, also in New Jersey, before flying to Philadelphia for a flyover there.
"We are incredibly honored to really have the possibility to salute those focusing on the frontline of the Covid-19 response, we are in awe of your strength and resilience," Blue Angels Commander Brian Kesselring said prior to the show.
The flypast took more than a month to plan and was the first of several planned around the country over the coming weeks, the squadrons said in a statement.
"An incredible display of gratitude and patriotism from the very best pilots on earth. Thank you," tweeted Shereef Elnahal, president and CEO of University Hospital in Newark.
Other social media users tweeted that they thought the price tag on the flights would have been better spent on personal protective equipment for doctors and nurses.
A lot more than 17,000 persons have died from Covid-19 in NY state. - AFP
