Air Force Thunderbirds postpone San Antonio flyovers

1. UPDATE: SAN ANTONIO (KTSA News) – The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds have postponed their America Strong flyovers Tuesday afternoon  in San Antonio and Austin because of inclement weather.

The formation flights honoring healthcare workers and others on the frontlines in the fight against COVID-19 are now scheduled Wednesday afternoon.

“We are honored to extend our gratitude to Texans in San Antonio and Austin who have been working hard to keep their communities safe,” said Lt. Col. John Caldwell, Thunderbirds commander and leader. “We want Texans to look up to see the display of American resolve and know that the American spirit will prevail beyond this difficult time in our nation.”

Residents along the flight path can expect to hear the roar of the jets as 6 F-16C/D Fighting Falcons pass overhead in precise formation.

Flyovers in San Antonio will start at 1:20 Wednesday afternoon and will last approximately 30 minutes.

Flyovers in Austin will start at 2:40 P.M.  and last approximately 25 minutes.

Residents in these areas will be able to see the flyover from the safety of their homes and should maintain all social distancing guidelines during this event. They should also refrain from traveling to landmarks or hospitals, and they should avoid gathering in large groups to view the flyover. A detailed flight route will be released Monday.

The formation flights’ date and times are subject to change due to weather and operational requirements.

The Air Force demonstration team urges viewers to tag the flyover on social media with the hashtag
#AmericaStrong and #Thunderbirds.

For more information on the Thunderbirds, visit www.afthunderbirds.com.

PREVIOUS STORY

SAN ANTONIO (KTSA News) – The Thunderbirds will fly over San Antonio Tuesday to honor those on the frontlines in the fight against COVID-19.

The official announcement was made Friday on the Thunderbirds official Facebook Page.  The exact flight path will be released Monday.

The San Antonio flyovers will start at 1:20 p.m. and last about 30 minutes. The Austin flyovers will begin at 2:30 p.m..

 

As the Air Force Demonstration Squadron, the Thunderbirds present precision aerial maneuvers to show off the capabilities of modern, high-performance aircraft and skills.  In addition to their responsibilities as the Air Force’s premier jet demonstration team, the Thunderbirds are part of the combat force that can quickly become a fighter unit at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. The F-16 Fighter Falcons are only slightly modified  with a smoke-generating system  and painting in Thunderbird colors, so  they can be combat-ready in less than 72 hours.
The F-16 is touted as one of the world’s best precision tactical bombers and air-to-air combat aircraft.