In a show of support for health care workers and others on the front lines of the novel coronavirus pandemic, myriad aircraft from the U.S. Air Force and Air National Guard units in Alaska flew over the state last week.

Organized by Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, the flyovers were part of an approved training mission and were part of an initiative to show appreciation for health care workers and other first responders, according to a release from JBER posted on its Facebook page.

The initiative, called Air Force Salutes, aimed to “lift morale in communities across America,” according to the release.

The flyovers in Alaska took place on May 12, 13 and 15. Homer residents were able to see two pairs of the F-22 Raptor fly over town on Friday afternoon. The craft zoomed in from Seward, crossed over Beluga Lake, and flew over the center of town and the west side of Homer before continuing on to Soldotna.

Other aircraft that participated in the statewide flyover were the C-17 Globemaster III, KC-135 Stratotanker, HC-130J Combat King II, and HH-60 Pave Hawk.

JBER conducted the flyovers on the Kenai Peninsula, in Anchorage and the Mananuska-Susitna Valley, and in Eagle River, Girdwood, Whittier, Valdez, Cordova, Juneau, Ketchikan, Sitka, Bethel, Nome, and Kotzebue.

Health care workers hold up signs spelling out “thank you” while four F-22 Raptors fly over Homer at South Peninsula Hospital on Friday, May 15, 2020 in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Lisa Talbott)