WATCH: Look up! 117th Air Refueling Wing plane flying over hospitals in Birmingham; #WE SALUTE ALABAMA

by: Jordan Highsmith, Phil Pinarski, Erica Pettway

Posted: May 2, 2020 / 09:38 PM CDT

Updated: May 5, 2020 / 01:53 PM CDT

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) — #WE SALUTE ALABAMA….

A KC-135R Stratotanker aircraft from the 117th Air Refueling Wing flew over hospitals in Huntsville and Birmingham Tuesday.

This mission was a part of the nationwide Air Force Salutes Flyover under Operation American Resolve.

The purpose of this flyover was to show appreciation to the thousands of American heroes who are at the front line battling COVID-19 and providing the support that America needs. It was part of a normal training mission and will demonstrate the continued readiness of the 117 ARW during this pandemic. The flyover was also intended to lift morale in Huntsville and Birmingham due to the severe health and economic impacts from the coronavirus.

Here were the approximate times and locations for the flyovers:

Huntsville Hospital 12:45 p.m.
St Vincent East 1:07 p.m.
St Vincent 1:10 p.m.
UAB 1:10 p.m.
Princeton 1:10 p.m.
Shelby 1:16 p.m.
Grandview 1:23 p.m.
Brookwood 1:23 p.m.
UAB Highlands 1:24 p.m.

Residents in the areas around the hospitals listed above were be able to see the flyover from the safety of their homes and were encouraged to maintain all social distancing guidelines during this event.