ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - The Missouri Air National Guard’s 131st Bomb Wing will conduct B-2 flyovers of six Missouri communities to honor medical and healthcare professionals, essential employees and volunteers in the fight against COVID-19 on the afternoon and evening of May 8.
“We greatly appreciate the selfless service and sacrifices of our medical professionals and other COVID-19 essential workers,” said Col. Ken Eaves, commander of the 131st Bomb Wing. “As Guardsmen, we’ve been honored to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with these incredible professionals. Currently, hundreds of Missouri Air and Army National Guardsmen are mobilized to support these efforts.”
The flyover will include a B-2 Spirit stealth bomber assigned to the 509th/131st Bomb Wings, which will pass over Camdenton, Cape Girardeau, St. Louis, Columbia, Jefferson City and Springfield.
4:14 p.m. - Camdenton4:50 p.m. - Cape Girardeau 5:12 p.m. - St. Louis 5:43 p.m. - Columbia 6 p.m. - Jefferson City 6:22 p.m. - Springfield
The flyovers are part of the Air Force’s Operation American Resolve. The program honors the heroism of medical professionals, healthcare workers and first responders working tirelessly to combat the pandemic. Dozens of similar missions have been conducted across the country in recent weeks, including a flight made up of B-2s and A-10s flown by Airmen from the 509th Bomb Wing and 442nd Fighter Wing, respectively, over Kansas City on April 28.
The U.S. Air Force performs almost 1,000 flyovers each year, to include air shows, national-level sporting events, and any event in support of a patriotic holiday. Flyovers are fully functional training missions, designed to maintain the lethality and readiness of Air Force pilots and maintainers. They are conducted at no additional cost to taxpayers and are incorporated into existing flying schedules, according to a release from the Missouri National Guard.
Based at Whiteman Air Force Base and Jefferson Barracks, the 131st Bomb Wing is the only National Guard wing to fly the B-2 Spirit through as a classic unit associated with the active duty 509th Bomb Wing.