The Ohio Air National Guard conducted a flyby Wednesday over several Columbus-area hospitals to honor the work of health care professionals, first responders, military personnel, and other essential workers during the pandemic.
Just a few minutes after 1 p.m., a KC-135 with the 121st Air Refueling Wing, along with two F-16s, jetted overhead the Ohio State Wexner Medical Center.
“I thought the gesture was pretty spectacular, and I think that’s what counts the most is the support of the nurses and the healthcare staff here at the medical center,” said Bridgette Fraley, a registered nurse at the hospital.
Fraley joined hundreds of Ohio State healthcare workers who came outside to watch the spectacle.
“I enjoyed it. It was quick, and if you blinked, you missed it. But I enjoyed it,” said Antawn Radcliff, who works on the cleaning staff.
An Ohio National Guard spokeswoman says the flight, intended to help boost morale, was conducted as part of regularly scheduled training missions and did not add any extra costs.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=acZInYZPj6U&feature=youtu.be
“Especially for the things that we’re doing for the people that’s here with COVID and everything, it shows a lot of gratitude," Radcliff says.
The Ohio Air National Guard also conducted flybys at Mount Carmel St. Ann's, Mount Carmel East, Ohio Health Riverside Methodist, OhioHealth Grant, Nationwide Children's hospitals.
