SD Air Guard to fly F-16s over Mitchell, honoring health care workers efforts – The Daily Republic

Local health care workers who have been on the front lines of the COVID-19 battle will receive an honor from the sky on Saturday, as F-16 fighter jets will fly over Mitchell.

The F-16 fighting falcons are expected to soar over the Mitchell community at 2:20 p.m. and move out by 2:30 p.m.

Mitchell is one of nine eastern South Dakota cities that the South Dakota Air National Guard will be flying their aircrafts over on Saturday to recognize the brave efforts of the health care workers who have been providing critical care for those infected with the novel coronavirus. The stealthy jets are a part of the 114th Fighter Wing, a unit of the South Dakota Air National Guard, stationed out of Sioux Falls.

This Armed Forces Day, we would like to salute our fellow Americans working hard to keep South Dakotans safe, said Col. Mark Morrell, 114th Fighter Wing commander. They have demonstrated true commitment and selfless service, and this is our way of saying thank you.

Its only fitting the pilots will fly the F-16s over Avera Queen of Peace hospital, the local health care facility that has treated several COVID-19 infected patients since the virus first spread into Davison County in early March, making it one of the first counties in the state to see a positive case of the virus. The first fatality caused by the virus also occurred at Avera Queen of Peace hospital, after a Pennington County man in his 60s was admitted to the hospital in early March and died March 9. As of Wednesday afternoon, Davison County had a total of eight confirmed cases, two of which are active, according to the South Dakota Department of Health.

Community members are invited and encouraged to join the health care staff in watching the fly over outside. The S.D. Air National Guard is recommending viewers to maintain social distancing and adequate physical separation.

Joining Mitchell in the flyover are Brookings, Watertown, Aberdeen, Pierre, Huron, Yankton, Vermillion and Sioux Falls. The pilots first flyover will take place at 1:10 p.m. in Brookings and conclude 3 p.m. in Sioux Falls.

Similar flyovers have been taking place across the country in recognition of the health care workers efforts amid the pandemic. Throughout the COVID-19 outbreak, the 114th Fighter Wing has maintained its readiness for missions, while supporting overseas operations and defending U.S. airspace.

We hope everyone can share in this moment of gratitude, and remember that we are all in this together, Col. Morrell said in a press release.

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SD Air Guard to fly F-16s over Mitchell, honoring health care workers efforts - The Daily Republic

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