403rd Wing plans flyovers in coronavirus first responder tribute

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. – The 403rd Wing is planning to flyover Gulfport, Biloxi and Ocean Springs the evening of April 28 in honor of health-care workers, first responders, and essential personnel battling the spread of COVID-19.

The flyover will feature two C-130J Super Hercules from the wing’s 815th Airlift Squadron from 6 to 7 p.m. The aircrafts’ flight path will start near Garden Park Medical at 6:10 p.m., and Gulfport Memorial in Gulfport at 6:20 p.m., and proceed to the Gulf Coast Veterans Health Care System at 6:30 p.m., Keesler AFB Medical Center at 6:35 p.m., and Merit Health in Biloxi at 6:40 p.m., and past the Ocean Springs Hospital—Singing River Health System in Ocean Springs at 6:45 p.m., before heading back to Keesler AFB.

“This is our way of saying thank you to our community’s medical professionals and honoring the efforts of all the heroes in the fight against COVID,” said Col. Jeffrey A. Van Dootingh, 403rd Wing commander.

Gulf Coast residents will be able to see the flyover from the safety of their homes and should maintain all social distancing guidelines, he added.

The 403rd Wing is the only Air Force Reserve unit in Mississippi and consists of more than 1,600 Reserve and civilian professionals. The wing maintains and flies 20 C-130J Super Hercules and its missions include the only weather reconnaissance mission in the Department of Defense as well as tactical airlift and airdrop, aeromedical evacuation and agile combat support.