SALEM, Ore. – The Oregon Air National Guard was scheduled to conduct multiple F-15 Eagle flyovers over hospitals and other locations in Northeastern Ore. today, as well as in Southwestern Ore. on Monday, May 25th. The flyovers are intended to salute Oregonians on the forefront of the COVID-19 pandemic, lift community morale during a time of severe health and economic impacts, and remember those brave service members who have paid the ultimate price for our freedom.

Due to weather and fuel constraints this morning, the Oregon Air National Guard pilots were unable to fly over the Wallowa Memorial Hospital in Enterprise, Ore. today. Weather en route to the Enterprise region necessitated the F-15s be rerouted, thus increasing their flying time and requiring more fuel than available to reach Enterprise as originally planned.

“Though we must always choose safety first in situations like these, we know the healthcare workers and citizens of Enterprise were waiting for us,” stated General Donna Prigmore, Commander of the Oregon Air National Guard. “We want them to know that the Oregon Air National Guard is committed to making their flyover happen this Monday, Memorial Day.”

The Wallowa Memorial Hospital flyover in Enterprise, Ore. has been rescheduled for Monday, May 25th at 12:05 p.m.

As previously released, the flyovers listed below are scheduled for Monday, May 25th and include previously approved Memorial Day flyover locations. Please note all times are approximate:

10:50 a.m.  Sky Lakes Medical Center, Klamath Falls, Ore.

10:58 a.m.  VA White City, Ore.

11:10 a.m.  VA Roseburg Health Care System, Roseburg, OR

11:10 a.m.  Mercy Medical Center, Roseburg, Ore.

11:18 a.m.  Peace Harbor Cottage Grove Community Med. Center, Cottage Grove, Ore.

11:22 a.m.  McKenzie-Willamette Medical Center, Springfield, Ore.

11:22 a.m.  Peace Harbor Medical Center at Riverbend, Springfield, Ore.

11:24 a.m.  Peace Harbor Sacred Heart Medical Center, Eugene, Ore.

11:40 a.m.  Peace Harbor Medical Center, Florence, Ore.

11:44 a.m.  Lower Umpqua Hospital, Reedsport, Ore.

12:00 p.m.  Asante Three Rivers Medical Center, Grants Pass, Ore.

12:00 p.m.  Grants Pass Riverside Park, Grants Pass, Ore.

12:05 p.m.  Wallowa Memorial Hospital, Enterprise, Ore.

12:10 p.m.  Brookings Harbor, Brookings, Ore.

Anyone living in and around these hospitals and other locations should see and hear the jets. People are encouraged to view the flights from the safety of their own homes and practice physical distancing.

The flyovers are a joint effort between Oregon’s 173d Fighter Wing, based in Klamath Falls, and the 142d Wing, based in Portland, aimed at supporting and thanking healthcare workers, first responders, and other essential workers who are working to keep Oregonians safe and healthy each day. The tribute also hopes to unify and boost the spirits of Oregonians and to recognize military members who have lost their lives in service to our country.

The flyovers have been coordinated as a part of OPERATION AMERICAN RESOLVE to salute those at the forefront of the COVID-19 response and will be done in conjunction with regularly scheduled training. Pilots must perform a minimum number of flight hours each month to maintain proficiency so these flyovers will contribute to training requiremenets. These flyovers will occur at no additional cost to taxpayers and are done in lieu of regularly scheduled training.

The Oregon Air National Guard F15s will fly at 2,000 feet above ground level, and at approximately 400 mph airspeed. Flights may be canceled, or times changed, due to inclement weather or operational contingencies.

Anyone who captures videos or photos of the F-15s flying overhead are encouraged to post on social media using the hashtags: #AirForceSalutes, #AFFlyover, #FlyoverFriday

The Oregon Air National Guard has been an integral part of the nation's air defense since 1941. Pilots from the 173d Fighter Wing and the 142d Wing train for a variety of mission skill sets in order to maintain combat readiness for the defense of our State and Nation. Additionally, the 142d Wing provides Aerospace Control Alert for the defense of our homeland 24/7, while the 173d FW is home to the sole F-15C pilot training facility for the United States Air Force. Both units also respond to state and national emergencies as directed by the Governor of Oregon.

Oregon Air National Guard Public Affairs Officer:  Captain Heather Bashor, 503-779-9889, heather.j.bashor.mil@mail.mil

173 FW Contact: Senior Master Sgt. Jennifer Shirar, 541-885-6677, jennifer.d.shirar.mil@mail.mil

142 WG Contact: Mr. Steve Conklin, 503-440-4434, steve.l.conklin2.mil@mail.mil