Air Force to honor health workers with flyover

By TOM LAVENTURE

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Ironwood — As part of the Operation American Resolve program of the U.S. Air Force there will be a flyover of Ironwood on late Wednesday morning.

The 148th Fighter Wing stationed in Duluth, Minnesota is doing flyovers of northern Minnesota, Wisconsin and western Upper Peninsula communities in appreciation of the COVID-19 response of health workers and first responders.

“Our Guardsmen live and work in these cities,” said Col. Christopher Blomquist, commander of the 148th Fighter Wing.

“The Minnesota National Guard has units and facilities in 58 communities throughout the state. They have always supported us. This is a small way we can show that we support them too. Thank you for your service.”

It’s a way for the Air Force program to honor health care workers who are “battling on the front line for us,” said Senior Master Sgt. Ralph Kapustka of the 148th Fighter Wing.

“It’s an Air Force wide program and we are taking part,” he said. “We are giving back to the community with a thank you to health care workers.”

The flyover will occur between 11:25 and 11:40 a.m. The two F-16 jets will be flying in from the northeast from Ontonagon to the southwest over Ironwood at approximately 1,000 feet.

“You will definitely see us,” Kapustka said.

The 148th Fighter Wing uses Block 50 generation F-16 jets. This is the most advanced version of the F-16 today, he said.

“We sincerely appreciate this very special recognition as we continue to work together to keep our communities safe,” said Paula Chermside, chief administrative officer for Aspirus Ironwood hospital and clinic.

“Our care teams and frontline staff care deeply about our communities and this is a very special way to say thank you to them.”

The Wednesday thank you flights over northeastern Wisconsin and Upper Peninsula Michigan route will start over Aspirus Ontonagon Hospital from northeast to southwest between 11:20 and 11:35 a.m., followed by the Aspirus Ironwood Hospital flyover from northeast to southwest between 11:25 and 11:40 a.m.

Other flyovers will be held over Ashland Memorial Medical Center from southeast to northwest between 11:40 and 11:55 a.m., then over the Lake Superior shoreline in Bayfield from south to north from 11:40 to 11:55 a.m.

The flight times and directions could change.