Fly-over Phillips County to salute first responders scheduled for 11-to-11:30 a.m. this Wednesday, May 6

As a part of the U.S. Air Force Salutes flyover program, two C-130 aircraft from the 120th Airlift Wing of the Montana Air National Guard, will perform flyovers throughout Montana on Wednesday, May 6, and in Phillips County, folks should look towards the sky from approximately 10 a.m. until 11:30 a.m.

Capt. Dan Bushnell, Chief Public Affairs Officer for the Montana National Guard told the PCN that the planes are expected to fly a route along Highway 2 and that the planes will fly lower than usual and will be loud.

The purpose of the flyovers is to demonstrate the Department of the Air Force’s continued readiness during the national COVID-19 response, while saluting the American heroes at the forefront in the fight against COVID-19. The flyovers are also intended to lift morale in towns, cities and states across America due to the severe health and economic impacts that have resulted from COVID-19.

“The Montana Air National Guard salutes each Montanan serving on the frontlines in our combat against COVID-19,” said Col. Buel Dickson, commander, 120th Airlift Wing. “These flyovers are a small gesture of appreciation to the heroes across the state. You epitomize the ethos as Montanans helping Montanans. We are indebted to your service and appreciate your efforts in trying to keep our state safe.”

The event begins in Great Falls Wednesday morning with a two-ship flyover of Benefis Hospital. Then the aircraft will split off with one taking an eastern route and the other covering the western part of Montana. Together they are scheduled to fly over more than 20 cities and towns Wednesday, focusing on health care facilities in the regions they visit.