Military planes will be doing a flyover at these times on Saturday, July 4, as part of the defense department’s Salute to America.Department of Defense
In a “Salute to America” on the Fourth of July, a group of U.S. Air Force and U.S. Marine Corps planes — including a B-52 bomber — will fly over New York City and Philadelphia Saturday, but you may catch a glimpse if you’re in certain parts of New Jersey.
Although the Department of Defense would not say which New Jersey towns will be able to see the planes, maps showing the planes’ flight path and timing show the aircrafts will be flying from New York City and across Central New Jersey to get to Philadelphia.
The planes are scheduled to fly down the Hudson River in New York City at 5 p.m. in five waves and pass just east of the Statue of Liberty, according to a release from the Department of Defense. Based on that, anyone in New Jersey with a good view of the Hudson River should be able to see and hear the flyover.
Then the aircrafts are set to fly over the center of Philadelphia around 5:15 p.m., approaching from the northeast at 1,000 feet above the ground, officials said. They will be able to be seen flying over Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell, then proceed southwest out of the city, officials said.
The scheduled flight path over New York City.Department of Defense
“The flyovers provide an opportunity for DOD to demonstrate the capabilities and professionalism of the United States Armed Forces,” a press release said.
“Flying hours are a sunk cost for the Department of Defense, and these aircraft and crews would be using these hours for proficiency and training at other locations if they were not conducting these flyovers,” the release continued.
The “Salute to America” military flyover path also includes Boston and Washington as the nation celebrates its 244th birthday.
The scheduled flight path over Philadelphia.Department of Defense
In April, the Thunderbirds and Blue Angels performed a flyover in honor of healthcare workers on the frontlines of the coronavirus pandemic, and another military flyover was held the next month.
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