Luke Air Force Base, Arizona National Guard to honor essential workers with flyover Friday

Luke Air Force Base and the Arizona National Guard will perform a flyover for a vast swath of metro Phoenix on Friday to honor people who are on the front line of the fight against COVID-19.

The flyover will begin at about 3:10 p.m. Friday and will last 50 minutes. The path will travel through Buckeye, Luke Air Force Base, Litchfield Park, Surprise, Waddell, Goodyear, Tolleson, Phoenix, Tempe, Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, Scottsdale, Deer Valley, Glendale, Peoria, Sun City West and El Mirage, according to a press release from Luke Air Force Base.

Residents along this flight path can expect a few seconds of jet noises when the aircraft fly over.

Luke AFB's 56th Fighter Wing and the 944th Fighter Wing and Arizona National Guard's 161st Air Refueling Wing will perform the flyover.

“We are honored to extend our heartfelt gratitude to all the healthcare workers, first responders, military members and other essential personnel who are working on the front lines to combat the coronavirus,” Brig. Gen. Todd Canterbury, 56th Fighter Wing commander said in the press release.

Luke Air Force Base reminds residents in the area to maintain social distancing guidelines when watching the flyover. They should remain safely in their own homes and avoid going to landmarks, hospitals or gathering in large groups to view the flyover.

Viewers who take photos of the flyover are encouraged to post on social media using the hashtags #LukeSalutes, #AirForceSalites and #FlyoverFriday.

President Donald Trump announced last week the Air Force's Thunderbirds and the Navy's Blue Angels will conduct high-profile flyovers of American cities to pay tribute to health care workers. The military jets flew over Pensacola, Florida last week.

The military jets flew over New York City, Philadelphia and Trenton, New Jersey Tuesday to honor health care workers and other essential workers on the front lines of the coronavirus pandemic.

Reach breaking news reporter Alyssa Stoney at alyssa.stoney@arizonarepublic.com. Follow her on Twitter @stoney_alyssa.