July 4 Military Flyover Coming To Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA — While fireworks won't be happening in Philadelphia this year for Independence Day, residents will get a different kind of display on July 4.

The Department of Defense recently announced the 2020 Salute to America, which includes an aerial salute to several cities that played roles in the American Revolution.

Among the cities to get the flyover is Philadelphia.

The flyover will begin in Boston and proceed to New York City, Philadelphia, then Baltimore.

Exact timing and the route of the flyover is still being worked and will be announced at a later date, according to the DOD.

This will mark the second time Philadelphia has gotten a military flyover after the Blue Angels and Thunderbirds flew over the Philadelphia area on April 28 as a display of "national unity" and a thank you to first responders, essential workers, and others still working to keep people heavy and America running amid the coronavirus pandemic.

After the flyover on July 4, the jets will join other Department of Defense and heritage aircraft in the Salute to America over Washington D.C. A flyover is also planned for Mount Rushmore, according to the DOD.

The DOD said flying hours are a sunk cost for the Department of Defense, and aircraft and crews would be using the flyover hours for proficiency and training at other locations if they were not conducting these flyovers.