Niagara and Vermont Airmen salute Western New York Covid-19 frontline workers with flyover

By Airman 1st Class Kelsey Martinez, 914th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs / Published May 18, 2020

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Three pilots from the 328th Air Refueling Squadron at the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station, N.Y., fly over Western New York to honor frontline workers during the Covid-19 crisis, May 12, 2020. The flyover was scheduled in conjunction with training for members of the 328th, along with aircraft and members of the Vermont Air National Guard, South Burlington. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Kelsey Martinez)

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Capt. Brian Haun, a pilot from the 328th Air Refueling Squadron at the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station, N.Y., leads the Air Force Salute to Western New York training exercise May 12, 2020. A KC-135 from the 328th and F-35s from the 158th Fighter Wing were scheduled to flyover WNY to honor all frontline Covid-19 healthcare workers, essential employees, and emergency responders. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Kelsey Martinez)

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A 914th Air Refueling Wing KC-135 was used during the Air Force Salute to Western New York flyover to honor all frontline Covid-19 healthcare workers, essential employees, and emergency responders May 12, 2020. As a training exercise, boom operators from the 328th Air Refueling Squadron provided aerial refueling to three F-35s from the Vermont Air National Guard, South Burlington. (U.S. Air Force photo by A1C Kelsey Martinez)

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A KC-135R tanker aircraft from the 914th Air Refueling Wing, Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station, N.Y. in formation with an F-35 fighter from the 158th Fighter Wing, Vermont Air National Guard Base, Vt. flies over the city of Buffalo, N.Y. on May 12, 2020. The flyover was a salute to all frontline COVID-19 healthcare workers, essential employees and emergency responders in the Western New York area. (U.S. Air Force photo by Peter Borys)

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Employees of the Veterans Administration hospital display a large U.S. flag during an Air Force flyover in Buffalo, N.Y. on May 12, 2020. The flyover consisted of a KC-135R tanker from the 914th Air Refueling Wing in formation with three F-35 fighters from the 158th Fighter Wing, Vermont Air National Guard Base, Vt. It was a salute to all frontline COVID-19 healthcare workers, essential employees and emergency responders in the Western New York area. (U.S. Air Force photo by Peter Borys)

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Senior Master Sgt. Bill Geary, a Boom Operator from the 328th Air Refueling Squadron at the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station, N.Y., fills out paperwork during a quarterly training exercise flight May 12, 2020. In his civilian capacity Geary is the Department of Public Works Commissioner and has been working diligently through the Covid-19 crisis supplying PPE in Erie County, New York. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Kelsey Martinez)

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Lt. Col. Ben Canetti performs one final check on a KC-135R Stratotanker at the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station, N.Y. prior to conducting an Air Force Salute to Western New York Flyover May 12, 2020. Aircraft from the 914th Air Refueling Wing at Niagara and 158th Fighter Wing from the Vermont Air National Guard took part in this Air Force wide flyover program to salute Covid-19 frontline workers. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Kelsey Martinez)

NIAGARA FALLS AIR RESERVE STATION, N.Y. --

Airmen from the 914th Air Refueling Wing here and 158th Fighter Wing, Burlington, Vermont, conducted a flyover salute over parts of Western New York on May 12.

Following routine training operations, a KC-135 from the 914^th and F-35s from the 158th honored the essential personnel working the front lines during the Covid-19 pandemic with a Salute to WNY flyover of hospitals, emergency response and other facilities.

“On behalf of a grateful Air Force, thank you to all healthcare workers, essential personnel and emergency responders,” said Col. Brian Burr, commander of the 914th ARW.

The Air Force regularly flies training missions to keep aircrew and maintainers ready to fly, fight and win at a moment’s notice.

“Your selfless service to our community is a testament to the toughness this area of our country is known for,” said Burr. “Please know that we stand united with you.”

The flyover was intended to target as many hospitals and first responder locations as possible.

“Creating a route that would encompass as many people as possible was a challenge,” said Capt. Brian Haun, the aircraft commander for the flyover from the 328th Air Refueling Squadron.

Many hospitals including Mount St. Mary’s, Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital, Buffalo VA Medical Center, Kenmore Mercy Hospital, and others were included in the flight route.

“It was overwhelming to see such a positive ground response,” said Haun. “It seemed like thousands of people were awaiting the flyover.”

Supporting the community that continues to support NFARS is crucial.

“This was an amazing opportunity to give back to the community that continues to support our base,” he said.

Haun expressed the fact that it was a group effort to ensure the flyover was a success.

“Not only was there a lot of involvement from base leadership, but there was a lot of work done behind the scene as well,” he said.

Members of the 914th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron worked long days to contribute to the “no fail” mission, along with other members from the 914th ARW and 158th FW.

“Thank you, sincerely, for the hard-working community this base has established,” said Haun. “Everything that is done on a daily basis by our Airmen is what made this flight possible.”