Air Force Thunderbirds Honor Austin 1st Responders With Flyover

Tony Cantu
Updated ·3 min read

AUSTIN, TX — Up in the air: It's a bird, it's a plane...no, it's the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds honoring those on the frontlines of the fight against new coronavirus with a flyover over the Austin skies.

In a spectacular, 25-minute display of aerial acrobatics, the famed U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds performed a flyover over Austin with their special way of saying thanks to all that first responers have done — and continue to do — in treating patients suffering from the respiratory illness named new coronavirus or COVID-19.

The Thunderbirds came roaring into the Austin skies after having performed their aerial feats in neighboring San Antonio on Wednesday. Rainy weather that threatened tornadic activity gave way to nicer climate on Wednesday, allowing for the celestial show to go on. Lingering clouds blocked the heavenly canvas in some spots, but the Thunderbirds burst through in what were, quite literally, flying colors.

Video by Photo by Tony Cantú/Patch staff.

The flyover came on a day the Texas illness count crossed the 40,000 mark, with 33 more deaths from the very contagious respiratory illness reported. For those brief few moments, however, seemingly the whole city went oudoors from the doldrums of pandemic while fixing their collective gaze skyward to watch the unique tribute.

Previous coverage:

Patch was able to capture some footage of the celestial spectacle on the outskirst of downtown, watching in awe as the Thunderbirds flew over the University of Texas at Austin and the state Capitol. Gov. Greg Abbott was among those watching the spectacle, as he noted on his Twitter page.

Mask-wearing folks gathered along the perch adhered to safe physical distancing to watch, as urged ahead of time by the Thunderbirds themselves. Patch Austin's nephew, 9-year-old Benjamin, stood a few feet away at safe distance while providing awe-inspired color commentary in expressing shared excitement at the rare sight of an aerial flyover in the Austin sky.

Like the rest of us taking respite from self-isolation to take in the show, Benjamin seemed emotionally spent by the Thunderbirds' grand gesture in the sky after their departure:

Benjamin, a young spectator to the Thunderbirds air show who happens to be Austin Patch's nephew, enjoyed the unique tribute in the sky. Photo by Tony Cantú/Patch staff.

An untold number of other residents were awed by the display, using the suggested hashtags of #AmericaStrong and #Thunderbirds in filing their social media dispatches.

Telegraphing the arrival of the six F-16 Fighting Falcons squadron was that booming, supersonic sound heralding their arrival into Austin from San Antonio. Soon after, they streaked across the sky with mind-boggling speed in yielding a sight not captured every day. The Thunderbirds' counterparts, the U.S. Navy Blue Angels, also have suited up to provide similar tributes at other major U.S. cities.

For those brief few moments, the anxiety of pandemic melted away. Hopes were high as the Thunderbirds streaked across the sky, and the resolve that has longed mark the American spirit was palpable once more. Even after returning home for self isolation, one was suddenly imbued with hope and a better tomorrow. And one thought of those working so tirelessly behind the scenes on the frontlines of the battle, yielding a perspective both humbling and grateful for all that they do behind the scenes in what was, until today, a largely unheralded manner.

This article originally appeared on the Austin Patch