NEWPORT — The 158th Fighter Wing of the Vermont Air National Guard will honor Vermont’s front line COVID-19 responders and essential workers with a flyover tomorrow.
A formation of four F-35A Lightning IIs will takeoff from the Vermont Air National Guard Base in South Burlington at 12:00 p.m. for the flyover that is scheduled to last 90 minutes.
The flyover is part of Operation America Strong, an Air Force effort to salute healthcare workers across the country.
The aircraft should reach North Country Hospital at around 1 p.m.
The flight path will take them over Bennington, Berlin, Brattleboro, Burlington, Essex Junction, Middlebury, Morrisville, Newport, Randolph, Rutland, Springfield, St. Albans, St. Johnsbury, Townshend, White River Junction and Windsor.
Residents can expect a few seconds of jet noise as the aircraft pass overhead.
Organizers say everyone should maintain all social distancing guidelines and refrain from traveling to hospitals or gathering in large groups to view the flyover.
“Our healthcare professionals, emergency responders, and essential workers have served on the frontlines of this pandemic, putting the health and safety of their neighbors above their own and I cannot thank them enough for their commitment and service,” said Governor Phil Scott.
Here it is 14:40 and I ain’t seen nor heard no F-35’s…Seen and heard me a F-150 that sounded like an F-35 cause it had one of them there loud mufflers…I don’t know why folks gotta have them loud mufflers…I sure do don’t…Guess they like to feel like Steve McQueen “All I need’s a fast machine”. Just replace the word fast with loud….Anyway, I’m gone.