WESTFIELD–Barnes Air National Guard Base is scheduled toconduct an F-15C Eagle flyover for the Red Sox Season Opener at Fenway Park Apr. 3.
Following the Boston Children Choir’s national anthem, two F-15C Eagles will streak across the sky greeting the fans of each team in a moment of patriotic unity on a day of divisive competition.
“Most of us are fans of New England sports teams. If I was on the ground I would be just as excited as any local person to see the flyover,” said Maj. Daniel “Riddler” Yerrington.
Yerrington, a native of Bethlehem, Penn. performed a flyover at a Patriot’s game in the Fall.
Timing their arrival perfectly is no easy task. Careful calculations and a 104th Fighter Wing unit member on the ground help the display of national pride go off without a hitch.
“It’s in our own backyard, we wouldn’t want another unit to do the flyover,” said Yerrington, a self-described Red Sox fan.
The Massachusetts Air National Guard F-15 Eagles will fly in formation as a symbol of patriotism. Since the first flight as an independent service in 1947, the Air Force has provided our Nation’s most responsive and effective source of global vigilance, reach and power in peacetime and war.
The flyovers performed by the 104th Fighter Wing’s F-15 Eagles during special events display the Air Nation Guard’s presence; serve as a training opportunity for the pilots and ground crews and for recruiting future members.
American Airmen bring airpower to the joint flight. The Massachusetts Air National Guard is a component of the United States Air Force total force.
Today’s diverse Airmen stand ready to fly, fight and win against worldwide threats in air, space and cyberspace. Our Air Force is fully engaged as part of America’s Joint Force in every region of the world and every mission area across the full spectrum of military operations.
“It’s an honor to conclude the National Anthem with a show of military support,” said Yerrington.
