Philadelphia among 'cities that played roles in the American Revolution' for July 4th military flyover

PHILADELPHIA -- The Department of Defense announced its plans on Friday for Fourth of July festivities across the nation, including flyovers above historic American locations and a celebration in the nation's capital.

Flyovers are planned over a number of locations, including Mount Rushmore and various East Coast cities, in "an aerial salute to several cities that played roles in the American Revolution," Pentagon spokesman Lt. Col. Chris Mitchell said in a statement.

Flyovers will travel from Boston to New York City, Philadelphia and Baltimore before they "join other Department of Defense and heritage aircraft in the Salute to America over our nation's capital," Mitchell said.

In Philadelphia, the flyover is planned for 5:15 above Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell.

The U.S. Navy's Blue Angels joined the Air Force Thunderbirds in a flyover of the Philadelphia and New York City regions on Tuesday.

"DOD will provide aerial, musical and ceremonial support to this year's celebration in Washington, DC," he added, and about 1,700 service members total are slated to participated across all of the events.

Last week, the White House announced that President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump would host the 2020 Salute to America on the White House South Lawn and the adjacent 52-acre Ellipse, concluding "with a spectacular fireworks display over the National Mall."

"In addition to music, military demonstrations, and flyovers to honor our Nation's service members and veterans, the President will deliver remarks that celebrate our independence and salute our amazing heritage," the White House said in a statement.

The department's announcement comes a day after a Government Accountability Office report found that costs for last year's Fourth of July celebration in Washington ballooned due to additional production, security and the transportation of tanks to the National Mall as part of the event.

Independence Day events in 2016, 2017 and 2018 cost $6 million to $7 million annually, the report states, adding that "in 2019, with the addition of the Salute to America event, the Department of Defense (DOD) and Executive Office of the President undertook additional efforts."

"Estimated costs for the 2019 events on the National Mall increased to more than $13 million," it continues. "This increase was attributable to the cost for DOD to transport several vehicles to the National Mall, the production and execution of the Salute to America event, and the additional security involved because the President attended the event."

The Thunderbirds and the U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Blue Angels, honored those on the frontline of COVID-19 with a formation flight over Philadelphia.

Last year's festivities had a pronounced military focus, featuring flyovers, tanks and other ceremonial units such as the Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps, the US Army Band ("Pershing's Own") and the US Marine Corps Silent Drill Team.

Mitchell characterized the planned 2020 flyovers on Friday as providing "an opportunity for DoD to demonstrate the capabilities and professionalism of the United States Armed Forces."

He said the flying hours would simply be used at other locations "for proficiency and training" if they were not conducting the Independence Day flyovers.

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