FLYOVER: Air Force’s local plan for today

| Coronavirus | West Seattle news

Thanks to our area’s County Councilmember Joe McDermott for forwarding information about a U.S. Air Force flyover plan around Puget Sound today. The 62nd Airlift Wing plans a “morale flyover” of health-care facilities and “places of interest” around the region – a “C-17 Globemaster III two-ship formation flyover.” They’re starting in the South Sound around 12:30 pm, heading over the west Sound and up to Port Townsend at 1:11 pm, then headed back south, likely visible from here during a Space Needle flyby at 1:37 pm and/or while passing the VA Hospital on Beacon Hill at 1:46 pm.

The 62nd Airlift Wing is from Joint Base Lewis-McChord south of Tacoma.

Fredrik May 8, 2020 (9:55 am)

What a waste of money, resources and time. 🤦🏻‍♂️

KB May 8, 2020 (10:10 am)

This is a morale flyover Fredrik. What about four Pratt and Whitney turbofans sucking down 30 thousand gallons of jet A doesn’t get your blood pumping!?
nonni May 8, 2020 (10:11 am)

Not to mention the noise pollution and gratuitous waste of fossil fuels.
RCS May 8, 2020 (10:32 am)

AGREED. I hope those jets are parachuting boxes of face masks
- Rachel May 8, 2020 (6:26 pm)
  
  Or lysol! Haha
Dp May 8, 2020 (10:45 am)

This is very cool. The people on the frontlines, doctors, nurses, policemen and firemen deserve the recognition for all they’ve been doing. This has been happening all over the US. If you don’t like it. MOVE!!!
- Vic May 8, 2020 (11:45 am)
  
  If they are flying over healthcare centers won’t these workers be inside working?
  - LouLou May 8, 2020 (1:19 pm)
    
    I am
- Matt P May 8, 2020 (1:19 pm)
  
  99% of people would prefer raises to recognition, but what they usually get is a giftcard and a certificate or in this case a flyover. Given the choice between this flyover and a 1 time bonus based on the amount of fuel and maintenance this will cost, I guarantee you the workers would take the bonus.
- chopper May 8, 2020 (4:15 pm)
  
  they deserve PPE, not stupid flybys.
  - Salonique May 9, 2020 (12:37 pm)
    
    A flyby for a good cause is fine. It’s a whoooole lot better if it goes with a nice bonus for our medical staff.
/S May 8, 2020 (11:13 am)

‘MERICA
- nosish May 8, 2020 (11:50 am)
  
  Adequate testing and PPE? Best we can do is a stupid airplane flyover.
Karen May 8, 2020 (1:37 pm)

They have to get their flight hours anyway. Why not fly over the hospitals and care centers instead of the desert?
SO May 8, 2020 (2:24 pm)

This was a regularly scheduled training mission. No additional cost on taxpayers.
- A May 8, 2020 (5:58 pm)
  
  I did see two, not fighter jets…if you go on the website and see what they do and are doing, you might have some appreciation. This is not a NFL flyby
- Tracy May 9, 2020 (6:42 am)
  
  If I dedicate my next regularly scheduled dog walk to first responders, will that boost anyone’s morale?
John May 8, 2020 (4:56 pm)

USAF..show of support, routine training, country unity, etc
POTUS..wears no mask, poor example, lies about his lies, NO National benefit for cost of AF1. logistical complexity, cost transportation of security and housing in his properties…for how many rounds of golf….in the millions of $$$. And he doesn’t deliver masks, either.

HP2Girl May 8, 2020 (10:08 am)

Cool 😎

Anne May 8, 2020 (10:12 am)

YAY!!

Blbl May 8, 2020 (10:22 am)

Ridiculous.

Citizen Sane May 8, 2020 (10:23 am)

Nice, but I’d rather the money be put towards PPE for our medical people, improved access to testing, and unemployement assistance rather than this empty gesture, IMHO.

Railroaded May 8, 2020 (10:26 am)

that is the type of thing I would expect from our “leader” in Washington, DC.

DS May 8, 2020 (1:31 pm)

I’m betting any political party would have done the same thing to show support for medical workers. This is a non partisan issue.
- David May 8, 2020 (4:32 pm)
  
  Wrong.
save USA May 8, 2020 (1:39 pm)

He isn’t the first or the last get a grip. I don’t agree with it but not everything is Trump’s fault. Grow up

Bette May 8, 2020 (10:27 am)

Just a reminder that these aircraft and their fuel are likely financed for our insolvent government by money borrowed from the Chinese that our great-great-great grandchildren will be paying off later this century. So great, let’s do our useless, wasteful fly-by’s.

Beepee May 8, 2020 (10:57 am)

No one seems to complain when the blue angels are here for sea-fair, since when has west Seattle blog become a place for constant back and fourth negative comments?

WSB May 8, 2020 (11:13 am)

Oh, yes, there’ve been plenty of Blue Angels complaints in years gone by! Just browse our archive
https://westseattleblog.com/category/blue-angels
Right now, I’m afraid, many people are grumpier than usual, especially out of fear/uncertainty.
Vic May 8, 2020 (11:47 am)

Yeah…I’ve never been a fan of the Blue Angels. My dogs don’t like them much either ;)
Anne May 8, 2020 (11:49 am)

Where have you been-lots of complainers when Blue Angels are here.
- Beepee May 8, 2020 (4:29 pm)
  
  I guess I have been too busy not liking listening to complaints
Carole May 8, 2020 (4:48 pm)

You can probably kiss Seafair 2020 goodbye.
James Walker May 8, 2020 (6:54 pm)

Welcome to West Seattle Beepee, complaining about the Blue Angels is as old as the day is long. As far as all the sniveling about every single topic, not sure. It makes one weary though. I suggest skipping the comment section. It’s difficult but makes for a better day.
- WSB May 8, 2020 (6:59 pm)
  
  No, actually, the solution would be to post a POSITIVE comment. Need more of those. Thank you.

98126res May 8, 2020 (11:40 am)

Ahhh… just enjoy. It’s exciting to see them fly over and kids love it too.

just wondering May 8, 2020 (11:55 am)

One could make the same argument about the fire trucks and police vehicles coming through the neighborhoods on Friday nights. But I very much enjoyed hearing and seeing and waving at them! It made me happy and I felt like a kid. And it was just what I needed in the middle of all this!

ProbablyYourNeighbor May 8, 2020 (1:39 pm)

Just doing ballpark math- two planes, 2.25 hours of flight time, at $16,236/hour, for a total of just over $73,000. It starts as the same argument as Friday night lights, just on an entirely different scale, which makes it not the same argument. Putting a price on “morale displays” is just about impossible, and while there certainly is value and “we” aren’t going to miss that $73k, it becomes very frustrating when that money could be so much better used in so many other ways. Duality ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Link to hourly rates (if any of y’all who love morale flyovers want your own): https://comptroller.defense.gov/Portals/45/documents/rates/fy2019/2019_b_c.pdf

Deb May 8, 2020 (11:57 am)

This Navy brat loves any fly-overs. Even an Air Force one!

Jason G May 8, 2020 (12:04 pm)

Did they start early, and come from the north? Helicopter just hovered over Harbor Island, presumably watching airspace, with a bunch of planes visible to the east (over Lake WA?) flying south.

junctioneer May 8, 2020 (2:30 pm)

Yes, early, they flew over just before noon.

TJ May 8, 2020 (12:17 pm)

For those that complain about the waste of “fossil fuels” and resources (let’s be honest, some of the people just don’t like military displays), keep in mind these pilots are required to have so many flights and flight hours per month, so this is taking up those. Get over it, it’ll be loud for about 10 seconds today.

John W May 8, 2020 (12:44 pm)

Noting the route is quite long and passing relatively few populated areas, it is the Air Force’s exemption of environmental and noise rules that allows such disruption of all species: human, animal and marine. Imagine if the Air Force skipped the fly-by/joy-ride and in true service donated the cost of jet fuel for the proposed stunt to the needy first responders?

Mp May 8, 2020 (1:25 pm)

That’s not how any of this works John.

DS May 8, 2020 (1:28 pm)

The Thunderbirds are supposed to fly at some point in the near future.

Zak May 8, 2020 (1:35 pm)

Man I swear anything that makes the slightest noise and people complain about it… For one it was actually a scheduled training exercise anyways, so it doesn’t cost additional tax dollars. And I mean, what’s wrong with a morale boost? I’m glad they are doing it. It’s just one day, it’s not like they are doing daily flyovers lol and the C-17 isn’t even that loud of an aircraft either. So I fully support our air shows and flybys!

Commander in Chief May 8, 2020 (1:35 pm)

Viva La Trump!!

Wendell May 8, 2020 (1:37 pm)

Aviation is a part of this area’s history, untwist your knickers for a few moments and enjoy the show.

Js May 8, 2020 (2:03 pm)

Ok Did I miss the “sound of freedom”?

Just wondering May 8, 2020 (2:44 pm)

Just saw the 2 planes from the top of Charleston hill!

wendell May 8, 2020 (2:10 pm)

And it is VE Day today, another valid reason for a flyby.

MikeR May 8, 2020 (2:31 pm)

Hear! Hear!

Richard May 8, 2020 (2:18 pm)

How DARE anyone, in this case DP, tell another American to “MOVE”. Beyond your obvious lack of intelligence, comments like that are insulting & divisive. This is not YOUR country, this is OUR country … black, white, Hispanic, Asian or any shade of the rainbow. You have serious mental problems if you think otherwise.

It’s so easy to make that comment behind an anonymous handle, or while wearing a mask so that no one can identify you. You are what’s wrong with this country today.

Beepee May 8, 2020 (7:17 pm)

‘This land is your land, this land is my land’

valvashon May 8, 2020 (2:28 pm)

If you’d like to thank healthcare workers spend this money on Personal Protective Equipment. An Air Force flyover is a ridiculous waste of money. I get that the pilots and planes need flying hours but this an empty, symbolic gesture when actual lives are in danger and actual equipment is needed to combat that threat.

Rando May 8, 2020 (2:30 pm)

The C-17 can be a very quiet airplane. Noise complaints should not be an issue from this flyover. Also, these sorts of actions are great for showing solidarity. Glad this is happening.

David Schneider May 8, 2020 (2:32 pm)

Eh, doesn’t bother me. It’s effectively no cost. You’re paying for those planes, and the pilots salaries today (and everyday), whether they’re sitting in a room playing cards or out flying. And they have to put in a certain amount of flight time regularly, either this kind of thing or military exercises. Doing this does not “take money from PPE”, it has nothing to do with that. You could cut a NASA mission to Neptune, that doesn’t mean a $1 more for your local hospital, those things have no financial link at all.

newnative May 8, 2020 (2:34 pm)

I haven’t heard them but I did see an interesting vintage plane formation yesterday with a red plane following them. Flying west to east and then north.

vj May 8, 2020 (2:44 pm)

I LOVE AMERICA! What a beautiful tribute to our heath care warriors. Especially as we celebrate the 75th Anniversary of the end of WWll! Unbelievable the negative comments. Shows a total lack of understanding and respect for our country, and the battle we are in. They have no concept or compassion for those laying down their own lives to save others,

Rachel May 8, 2020 (3:07 pm)

I didn’t know about this plane until I researched it. It was flying so low that I thought it was crashing. The sound was utterly terrifying. My adrenaline was pumping for a long time. I don’t see how this can improve morale if it terrifies us. The best morale-booster of all for me during the COVID-19 restrictions has been the clear and silent skies.

nonni May 9, 2020 (8:13 am)

Thank you! Anxiety levels are extra high.

David Aparicio May 8, 2020 (3:14 pm)

Did I miss them? Been watching and listening all afternoon.

WSB May 8, 2020 (3:16 pm)

Yes.

Bradley May 8, 2020 (3:17 pm)

I just saw them fly right over our living room. Very inspiring sight to see. It’s sad how such a celebration triggers so many in Seattle who only see the negative side of things. If it bothers you, just remember it wasn’t for you…..it was for our front line medical heroes.

Suzy May 8, 2020 (3:48 pm)

Complain, complain!!! Bury your military dead with a flyover! Put on a uniform then come back and explain what they mean! Complain while those boys have more sense than you to honor anyone who is doing their best to save your sorry lives!! Complain about costs of fuel etc. How many complainers drove to work instead of taking a bus today?! Just remember – POINT A FINGER AND YOU HAVE THREE POINTING BACK AT YOU!! WAKE UP EVERYDAY AND THANK GOD YOU LIVE IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA!!!! Go water your lawn, teach your children some manners, learn some of your own!!! So what have you done today for the people saving lives? Donate? Send a card or letter of thanks? No but you have plenty to say about waste? Look around your homes and lives and than complain about waste? Maybe if we all cleaned up our own lives we would have more time and right to condemn anyone!!! See all you all you hypocrites at Seafair and make sure you don’t watch the air show!!! You don’t deserve to cause you don’t have a clue what those planes even mean til their called to save your sorry lives!!!!

KM May 8, 2020 (5:39 pm)

Thanks for the laugh!
nonni May 9, 2020 (8:18 am)

Rescue me, Seafair Pirates! Ravage me! Make me walk yer plank! That’ll cure all my ills.i have been making weekly food bank donations. Don’t lecture me. We are not living in a circus,

Yma May 8, 2020 (4:34 pm)

Lots of heated stuff here.i admit, when I first heard about it- I was thinking about the cost & money could be better spent/saved.Someone pointed out that the pilots have to get in their airtime. But the kicker for me to re-evaluate my own thoughts? The 2 C-17s were over the water off West Seattle, my girl saw them & we ran outside to watch.maybe the $$$ should have gone elsewhere- but that was an awesome sight.

Graciano May 8, 2020 (4:59 pm)

Flew right over our house. thumbs up.
too bad it wasn’t an SR-71 at full throttle!

wendell May 8, 2020 (6:02 pm)

Or a Warthog.

Brandon May 8, 2020 (6:03 pm)

Thank you Suzy. You saved me some F-bombs and a banning. Can’t people just relax a little instead of belittling everything?

Eric May 8, 2020 (6:31 pm)

This crisis has really brought out the best in people.

heartless May 8, 2020 (7:00 pm)

Hah! Love it.

WSDUDEMAN May 8, 2020 (6:35 pm)

Complainers.

Denise May 8, 2020 (7:16 pm)

LOVE IT.!!! Thank you. Stay inside friends if you disapprove

KP May 8, 2020 (8:09 pm)

As a front line worker at Valley Medical Center, standing on our helipad along with over 100 other front line workers, we enjoyed a few moments of very exciting acknowledgement…..and then went back to the work. Nurses, doctors, therapists, housekeepers, cooks, administration – enjoying five minutes of respite before returning to the heartache. Enjoy the unexpected, wear a mask, and continue to physically distance yourself. It’s not that hard to do your part.

WSB May 8, 2020 (8:35 pm)

Thank you for your work.

Suzy May 8, 2020 (9:26 pm)

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE! On VE Day I invite all who know and moreover those who who don’t what VE or VJ Day actually stand for. When you shake a veteran’s hand mean it! Understand it. The flyovers honoring the medicos of this pandemic were also in remembrance of this day. God Bless us all and GOD BLESS AMERICA!! Thank you to all who are working so hard to save our lives and those who fought and died so we would have a country worth saving.

Suzy May 8, 2020 (11:05 pm)

Quick Note:VE Day = Victory in Europe – end and pact with. Germany. Did not end WW11.VJ Day = Victory in Japan – end and pact signed wth Japan after we bombed Hiroshima & Nagasaki – This day was official end of WW11.

GT May 9, 2020 (1:48 am)

What time is the Whidby Island wart hog flyover? Don’t want to miss it.

Keri May 9, 2020 (8:01 am)

I am a frontline healthcare worker. I would like more Personal Protective Equipment, not this stupid flyover. Plus, was that a “flyover” I heard at 230am? Nice…

Alicia hageman May 14, 2020 (12:58 am)

Same!! I just heard one it’s 1257 am it was so obnoxious. I’m im university place fircrest area how annoying.

You're May 15, 2020 (1:41 pm)

Good training for those pilots to get the know the region in case of a disaster! When the big a** earthquake rocks Seattle’s bones off these will be the guys flying over. I wouldn’t necessarily call it a waste .