Minnesota National Guard will fly over hospitals Wednesday to honor essential workers

Guard says it's a small way to salute those on the front line.

May 6, 2020 at 10:28AM
Two F-16 jets from the 148th Fighter Wing in Duluth and a C-130 Hercules with the 133rd Air Wing in St. Paul flew over the Minnesota State Fairgrounds on Military Appreciation day at the conclusion of an official welcome home ceremony for the 34th Red Bull Infantry Division.
Two F-16 jets from the 148th Fighter Wing in Duluth and a C-130 Hercules with the 133rd Air Wing, in a 2019 flyover at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds. (Star Tribune/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Minnesota's National Guard will fly fighter jets over state hospitals Wednesday morning to honor workers on the front lines of the pandemic.

The flights will happen between 10:55 a.m. and 11:50 a.m. near hospitals in Brainerd, Coon Rapids, Fridley, Little Falls, Minneapolis, Monticello, Hastings, Robbinsdale, Rochester, St. Cloud, St. Louis Park, St. Paul, Stillwater, White Bear Lake and Woodbury.

"These flyovers are our way of showing solidarity for those who have stepped forward to serve during this pandemic. This is a small way that we can salute those at the forefront of the COVID-19 response for their service and sacrifice," Maj. Gen. Jon Jensen, adjutant general of the Minnesota National Guard, said in a statement.

These flights are part of a national effort to honor health care workers, first responders, the food industry and other critical workers.

Two F-16s will fly south over 15 hospitals along the Mississippi River corridor and a separate air formation of two F-16s and a C-130 will fly over 13 hospitals in the Twin Cities area.

Future flyovers are planned for later this month and will include additional sites in the state.

Maj. Gen. Jon Jensen spoke as Col. Shawn Manke stood with him during Saturday's press conference.
Maj. Gen. Jon Jensen. (Star Tribune/The Minnesota Star Tribune)
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about the writer

Ryan Faircloth

Politics and government reporter

Ryan Faircloth covers Minnesota politics and government for the Star Tribune.

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