Pentagon Announces 1,700 Troops to Support Trump’s “Salute To America” 4th of July Celebration

The aerial display will actually save taxpayer money, as it's a cheaper option compared to tanks.

It will also help encourage social distancing, since people won't have to line the streets for a parade. 

The impressive military flyover will ensure that people all over the flight path can see and celebrate American military strength!

Military.com has more insight on the 4th of July celebration plans:

The Trump administration's 'Salute to America' Fourth of July celebration that will span five U.S. cities will largely be an aerial demonstration this year, Politico reports.

Last week, the Pentagon announced that some 1,700 troops will support celebrations in Washington, D.C. as well as military flyovers in Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore and Mount Rushmore National Memorial in South Dakota.

"The details are still being worked out at this time," Defense Department spokesman Army Lt. Col. Chris Mitchell said Monday in a statement.

"Each of the services are providing their service bands for musical support," he added. "The Old Guard will be involved, as always, [as well as] the color guards, and the Golden Knights demo team."

The White House did not respond to a request for comment.

Politico on Sunday reported that, while last year's events involved tanks in the nation's capital, the second annual 'Salute to America' will largely leverage fighter jets and helicopters instead of static displays of large military equipment.

Some of the aircraft expected to fly over D.C. include the Air Force's F-16 Thunderbirds demonstration team; the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter and F-22 Raptor fifth-generation jets; the B-2 Spirit stealth bomber; V-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft; CH-47 Chinook and AH-64 Apache helicopters; some Coast Guard aircraft; as well as a presidential aircraft -- either Air Force One or Marine One, Politico said.

The Navy's Blue Angels F/A-18 Hornet demonstration team, meanwhile, will conduct a flyover near Mount Rushmore.

The list largely mimics the majority of aircraft used last year, although the Blue Angels had taken part in the D.C. flyover; two Hornets from Strike Fighter Squadron 37 at Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia also participated in the D.C. events in 2019.

"The flyovers provide an opportunity for DoD to demonstrate the capabilities and professionalism of the United States Armed Forces," Mitchell said in the statement Friday.

While the Pentagon described the aircraft as a mix of "current DoD and heritage aircraft," it has yet to announce what units will be involved in the flyovers and other demos.

"Flying hours are a sunk cost for the Department of Defense, and these aircraft and crews would be using these hours for proficiency and training at other locations if they were not conducting these flyovers," Mitchell said.

"The flyovers will begin in Boston and proceed to New York City, Philadelphia and Baltimore. From there they will join other Department of Defense and heritage aircraft in the Salute to America over our nation's capital," he said.

Officials in D.C., however, have canceled the annual 4th of July parade amid coronavirus concerns.

President Trump has always been proud to celebrate America.

The "Salute to America" celebrations are intended to inspire Americans all over the country and showcase the innovation and might of the U.S. military.

You can view President Trump's complete remarks at last year's celebration below:

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic and the civil unrest, this year's 4th of July will be one of the most unusual ones in recent memory.

Many cities are canceling their fireworks displays -- or opting for televised events instead.

The Hill confirms that the "Salute to America" celebration will still happen this year, though it has been modified for public safety.

The Pentagon announced Saturday that roughly 1,700 service members will be involved in the federal government’s upcoming July 4 celebrations.

Secretary of Defense Mark Esper approved a request from the Department of the Interior for defense officials to “support to the 2020 Salute to America,” on July 4, according to a Saturday statement.

Trump’s 2019 expanded Independence Day commemorations were dubbed a “Salute to America.” The celebrations this year will also bare this name.

This year’s celebrations will include a flyover of Mount Rushmore, in addition to an “areal salute” in cities that “played roles in the American Revolution,” beginning in Boston and proceeding to New York City, Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington, D.C., according to the Saturday statement.

The Defense Department will also “provide aerial, musical and ceremonial support” for the commemoration.

The Pentagon said Saturday that the flyovers are "an opportunity for DoD to demonstrate the capabilities and professionalism of the United States Armed Forces."

Independence Day celebrations last year included flyovers by the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, B-2 stealth bomber, and F-22 Raptor, USA Today reported. Trump’s expanded Fourth of July celebrations last year doubled the cost of previous years, using $13 million in taxpayer funds, according to a new report from the Government Accountability Office.

The 2019 event included a new fireworks show, a military display and a speech from the president on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial.  

Lawmakers have asked the president to cancel the Fourth of July event this year amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Ten lawmakers representing the National Capital region sent a letter to Esper and Interior Secretary David Bernhardt on Tuesday expressing concerns over the event sparking an outbreak.

We are proud that President Trump has chosen to celebrate our Independence Day despite the request from lawmakers to cancel celebrations.

We should be proud of our country, especially during an election year!

Despite everything happening in the world, America has proven that it is resilient and an emblem of hope.

Thank you, President Trump, for continuing to put America first!