This Memorial Day an 18-plane formation of historic warbirds will fly over the Inland Empire, Orange and Los Angeles counties saluting veterans and health care workers.
Commemorative Air Force Inland Empire Wing Operations Manager Bill Prosser said that the planes will be going a lot slower than the T-Birds and Angels so that people can see them better. They'll be flying at around 120 mph. You'll be able to see smoke trails, and it will be low, slow. and loud!
The "D-Day Doll,'' a Douglas C-53D, will lead the formation that will also feature C-47 transports, P-40 Warhawks and P-51 Mustangs.
Flying with the CAF aircraft, the Palm Springs Air Museum's Planes of Fame will be in formation, as well as a Flabob Express transport, and Betsy's Biscuit Bomber, a restored C-47 based in Paso Robles.
The D-Day Doll will be carrying a veteran from each war going back 80 years. They will have a World War II vet, Korean War vet, Vietnam vet, an Afghanistan vet and an Iraqi Freedom vet.
They have 19 designated flyover locations on their flight path and will kick things off at noon. Here is a list of their destinations, in order of the planned itinerary:
Loma Linda University Medical Center
Riverside National Cemetery
Anaheim
St. Joseph Hospital, Tustin
John Wayne International Airport
Pacific View Memorial Park, Corona Del Mar
Newport Beach
Long Beach Veterans Administration Hospital
The Queen Mary
USS Iowa Memorial
Green Hills Memorial Park, Rancho Palos Verdes
Zamperini Airport, Torrance
Los Angeles International Airport
Santa Monica Airport
Los Angeles National Cemetery
UCLA Medical Center
USC Medical Center
City of Hope Hospital
Chino Municipal Airport
With respect, honor and gratitude...thank you to all of our Veterans who gave so much.
