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Coronavirus Latest: Blue Angels, Thunderbirds Teaming Up For Flyovers In Philadelphia, Trenton To Honor Frontline Workers

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — The seasons for the Air Force Thunderbirds and the Navy's Blue Angels were put on hold due to the COVID-19 outbreak. But as the pandemic looms on, the teams joined forces to show their appreciation to essential workers.

This all started out as an idea. Now, after about a month of careful planning, the Blue Angels and Thunderbirds are teaming up.

This is an unprecedented feat.

"I don't think the two teams have ever gotten together like this and done a joint flyover of this magnitude," Capt. Kyle Oliver, with the Thunderbirds, said.

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On Tuesday, the Navy's Blue Angels and the Air Force's Thunderbirds will perform formation flights over Trenton and Philadelphia to honor frontline responders and essential workers.

 

"It is incredibly humbling. It is an absolute honor, not just to represent the Air Force and Department of Defense with our Blue Angels counterparts, but to give back," Capt. Oliver said.

Within the past few days, about seven dozen soldiers from the Army Reserve Medical Task Force were deployed to our area. For Capt. Yakeba Allison, this mission is a lot more personal.

"I have my family here, my sister is in college here, I have friends who live in the area so any of these patients could be someone I know," Capt. Allison said.

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The team has been dispersed to six Philadelphia hospitals, including Mercy, Chestnut Hill, Einstein and Temple University Hospital.

"It is a huge community effort. We're super happy to be here," Capt. Allison said.

While ground soldiers assist on the frontlines, airmen are prepping for Tuesday's show.

"We've designed our routes so that everybody can see us throughout the city no matter where you are, so there's no reason to congregate in large groups," Capt. Oliver said.

Flyovers in Trenton will start at 1:45 p.m. and will go for about 10 minutes. Then, they'll make their way to Philly at 2 p.m. That will last 20 minutes.

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