What time will Blue Angels and Thunderbirds fly over parts of US today?

Flyovers will begin in New York City and Newark at 12pm ET

As people around the world continue to applaud healthcare and essential workers on the front lines of the coronavirus fight, the US Air Force’s Demonstration Squadron, the Thunderbirds, and the US Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Blue Angels, will be joining in.

On Tuesday, the Thunderbirds and the Blue Angels will honour healthcare professionals and essential workers with formation flights over New York City, Newark, Trenton and Philadelphia, according to the US Navy.

“We are truly excited to take to the skies with our Navy counterparts for a nation-wide tribute to the men and women keeping our communities safe,” US Air Force Lt Col John Caldwell, Thunderbird 1 and mission commander for the flyover said. “We hope to give Americans a touching display of American resolve that honours those serving on the frontline of our fight with Covid-19.”

Ahead of the tribute, Cmdr Brian Kesselring, US Navy Blue Angels commanding officer and flight leader said the Navy is “honoured to have the opportunity” to pay tribute to healthcare workers, first responders, military, and other essential personnel.

“We are incredibly honoured to have the opportunity to salute those working on the frontline of the Covid-19 response, we are in awe of your strength and resilience,” he said. “Thank you to all of those in essential industries keeping our nation moving forward. We will get through this. We are all in this together.”

This is what you need to know about catching the tribute.

According to the US Navy, the flyovers will be conducted by a formation of 6 F-16C/D Fighting Falcon and 6 F-18C/D Hornet aircraft and will begin at 12pm ET from New York City and Newark.

The flyovers in New York City, Newark and the surrounding areas will last approximately 35 minutes.

Trenton flyovers will begin at 1.45pm and last approximately 10 minutes, with flyovers set to begin in Philadelphia at 2pm and last 20 minutes.

According to the Navy, residents in the flight path can expect a few seconds of loud noises from the jets “along with the sight of 12 high-performance aircraft flying close in precise formation”.

The military branch also reminded citizens that the tribute should be viewed while following social distancing guidelines and that people should not attempt to gather in crowds to watch the planes fly overhead.

“Residents in these areas will be able to see the flyover from the safety of their home- quarantine and should maintain all social distancing guidelines during this event. They should also refrain from travelling to landmarks, hospitals and gathering in large groups to view the flyover. A detailed flight route will be released on the day prior to the flyover,” the organisation said.

Those who do manage to capture images of the flight paths are encouraged to share them on social media with the hashtag #AmericaStrong.

According to President Trump, Tuesday’s flyovers, which have been named “Operation America Strong,” are just one of many planned throughout the US.

“Operation America Strong was the idea of our great military men and women," the president said Thursday, according to CBS News. "The Thunderbirds and the Blue Angels crews who wanted to show support to the American medical workers, who just like military members in a time of war are fiercely running forward [in] the fight."

On Monday, military jets flew over South Carolina hospitals in a similar tribute.