(Photo by Sandy Horvath)10
Susan Knox Wilson
There are some advantages to living so close to Luke Air Force Base. On Friday, May 1, the Luke Air Force 56th and 944th Fighter Wings, along with the Arizona Air National Guard 161st Air Refueling Wing, honored the COVID-19 essential workers with a flyover that lasted about 50 minutes. PebbleCreek residents were treated to two outstanding views of the flyover—one as the flyover headed north from Buckeye past Luke Air Force Base for a military review and again as the flyover headed back south and turned east to begin the COVID flyby.
The formation included seven F-35A Lightning IIs and seven F-16 Fighting Falcons flying out of Luke Air Force Base and one KC-135 from the 161st Air Refueling Wing. The flight path brought them through Buckeye, Luke Air Force Base, Litchfield Park, Surprise, Waddell, Goodyear, Tolleson, Phoenix Metro, Tempe, Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, Scottsdale, Deer Valley, Glendale, Peoria, Sun City West, and El Mirage.
“We are honored to extend our heartfelt gratitude to all the healthcare workers, first responders, military members, and other essential personnel who are working on the front lines to combat the coronavirus,” said Brig. Gen. Todd Canterbury, 56th Fighter Wing commander. “We wanted everyone to be able to look up from their homes and enjoy the display of American airpower, resolve, and pride while keeping frontline responders in their hearts.”