The Oregon Air National Guard’s 142nd Wing will bring F-15EX Eagle Two fighter jet flyovers to several Mid-Willamette Valley communities as part of Independence Day celebrations.
The Portland-based wing is scheduled to conduct flyovers across Oregon and southwest Washington on Saturday, July Fourth, including several communities in the Salem area.
Locally, the jets are scheduled to fly over Mill City at about 11:40 a.m., Stayton at 11:44, Turner at 11:48, Salem at 11:50, Monmouth at 11:53, Willamina at 11:57, and McMinnville at 12:07 p.m. Mt. Angel is also scheduled for a flyover at about 11:34 a.m.
The 142nd Wing says this year’s flight plan was designed to reach more communities across the Pacific Northwest as the country marks America’s 250th anniversary. Historically, the Portland-based wing has handled many northern Oregon flyovers, while the 173rd Fighter Wing out of Klamath Falls covered southern Oregon. But with the 173rd transitioning to a new aircraft, the 142nd Wing will cover more of the state this year.
Col. Joshua Hovanas, a pilot with the 142nd Wing, says the flyovers are a way to celebrate the nation’s heritage and connect directly with the communities the Guard serves and protects.
The F-15EX jets are expected to fly about one-thousand feet above ground level at roughly 400 miles per hour.
Officials say flyover times may change, or flights may be canceled, because of weather or operational needs.
