Blue Angels To Fly Over Chicago To Honor Essential Workers

CHICAGO, IL — The Blue Angels, the famous aerobatic flight squadron created by the U.S. Navy nearly 75 years ago, plans to fly over Chicago on Tuesday to lift spirits and pay tribute to first responders, health care workers and other essential workers as part of a national tour.

In recent weeks, the squadron has flown over cities in Florida, Texas, Louisiana, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Washington, D.C. and others.

The Navy has been sharing behind-the-scenes and in-the-cockpit photos and videos of their flyovers via Twitter.

The Blue Angels have reminded residents to watch the show from their homes or while staying socially distanced, urging fans that they "should observe the flyover from the safety of their home-quarantine and should refrain from traveling to see the flyover."

On Tuesday morning, they'll fly over the Chicago, Detroit and Indianapolis areas.

According to the route information posted on Twitter and Facebook, the 15-minute Chicago-area flyover is set to begin at 11:45 a.m. near Hyde Park. The route takes the Angels over the lakeshore area, making a loop near Evanston before flying over Edgewater, Logan Square, the Near West Side, Oak Park, Melrose Park, Norridge, the Back of the Yards, Gage Park, Bridgeview, Oak Lawn, Evergreen Park, Palos and Jackson Park, ending at noon along the lakefront.

News of the Blue Angels' flyover prompted at least one local police department to warn residents, "Please do not travel to see this."