To log in
Washingtonians and tourists looking to the skies late Friday morning on the National Mall can be excused if they think they were somehow recruited as extras in a WWII movie , as dozens of historic fighter jets and bombers take off to mark the 75th anniversary of the end of the war
The Democracy Arsenal flyby commemorates the end of WWII The program will send approximately 60 vintage fighter jets over the Potomac River and the Mall in a sequence depicting major air campaigns The line-up includes the Spitfires and Hurricanes that defended England in the 1940s Battle of Britain and a pair of B-29 Superfortresses similar to the Enola Gay, which dropped the first atomic bomb on the Japan in August 1945
“The 75th anniversary of the end of WWII is a historic milestone and it is important that we recognize the service and sacrifice of our heroes, from the battlefield to the home front,” said Pete Bunce, President of the general Association of aeronautical manufacturers and member of the executive committee of the arsenal of democracy
Harris ready for Supreme Court showdown after failing with Kavanaugh FBI official in Mueller investigation says team has ‘get Trump’ attitude
The group will fly from Virginia over the Potomac River to the Lincoln Memorial, continue over the National Mall, then tour the WWII Memorial and cross the river back to Virginia A pre-flight program starts at 10 a.m. and the first trainings of the one-hour program will arrive around 11:30 a.m.
The flyby was originally scheduled for May to mark victory over Nazi Germany, but – along with many other public events – has been cleaned up due to the global COVID-19 pandemic The committee has changed the schedule to respond any health concerns related to COVID-19, including the suspension of a gala in Washington and the restriction of all public viewing of planes Air and ground crew teams, as well as support volunteers, at assembly bases will be closely monitored, organizers said.
« Recent flyovers across the country have lifted morale and we aim to do the same while honoring our older generation, » Mr. Bunce said « Rest assured that the health and safety of our participants and spectators, especially our World War II veterans, is of the utmost importance »
The Dallas-based Commemorative Air Force is providing several of the planes used in Friday’s flyby They also participated in the 2015 event that marked the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II Leah Block, deputy president of the organization, said it was important for the event to be held this year, even with a late start
« You can’t do the 75th the 76th », Mrs. Block said « We were very convinced of that »
Vintage planes on display on Friday are all based in the United States A contingent from Canada was supposed to be part of the overflight but remained at home due to fears of the virus
Organizers say sending 60 fighter jets to some of the world’s tightest airspace is no simple task, even though the planes can be considered senior citizens Every plane has been scrutinized and everyone involved had to go through a background check
« There was just some complex coordination going on because the space they will be stealing is secure, » Ms. Block said
Window to honor veterans before they die closes Although public viewing events have been limited this year, Ms Block said it was incredible to see WWII veterans – most in their 90 years old – react when they meet vintage warbirds
« They have a sparkle in their eyes Airplanes bring back memories of their youth, » she said « It’s just very hard to describe »
Several P-40 Warhawks will be part of the first group of fighters to descend the Potomac On December 7, 1941, two young Corps pilots, Lt George Welch and Lt. Kenneth Taylor, were returning from a party in Christmas when the Japanese Navy attacked Pearl Harbor They got into their P-40 Warhawks and shot down at least six Japanese planes that morning
Other planes on the flyby will include the rugged and reliable Grumman Wildcat which played a central role in the Battle of Guadalcanal and the invader Douglas A-26, a light ground attack bomber that helped repel the Nazis during the Battle of the Bulge
About thirty private owners or different aviation organizations are part of the DC flyover One of the owners is from San Diego and his plane also participated in the recent Victory over Japan commemoration in Hawaii
« It means a lot to the pilots involved They went out of their way to be here » said Ms. Block said « It’s very special »
Those who cannot attend the event in person can watch a live stream on Facebook at Facebookcom / ww2flyover
Copyright © 2020 The Washington Times, LLC
Click on
here for permission to reprint
Click to find out more
and view comments
National Mall, World War II, Flypast, Washington, Arsenal of Democracy
World news – United States – « Arsenal of Democracy »: vintage fighter planes to fly over the National Mall
SOURCE: https://www.w24news.com
