Overhead, a smoky salute; on the ground, applause and a return to the hospital front lines

A mighty force, six roaring engines trailing billows of white smoke, soared across the Triangle Thursday night. The Frontline Flyover paid tribute to another mighty force 1,000 feet below on the ground - the health care workers at seven area hospitals who daily battle a deadly virus.

Posted 12:45 a.m. May 15, 2020 — Updated 3:05 p.m. May 15, 2020

Adam Owens

, WRAL reporter

A mighty force, six roaring engines trailing billows of white smoke, soared across the Triangle Thursday night. The Frontline Flyover paid tribute to another mighty force 1,000 feet below on the ground – the health care workers at seven area hospitals who daily battle a deadly virus.

"We have been deeply touched to see just how much our community cares for us," said Dr. Chris DeRienzo, chief medical officer at WakeMed.

The WakeMed Raleigh campus was the first on the tour for the Bandit Flight Team.

Jim Kilpatrick is the lead pilot for this precision team, who have been around for a decade paying tribute to courage with their coordinated moves. During Thursday's air show, the planes were piloted with their wing tips a mere three feet apart.

“We don't think we're saying thank you from the Bandits. We think we're saying 'Thank You' from the community." he said.

Health care workers watched from below, on streets and parking decks. Nearby residents also crowded around the hospitals for the show.

Carole and Bill Knapp were among those who stepped outside to watch. “Everybody is helping everybody get better out here, and we have children in the medical industry," she said.

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As the Bandit Flight team approached UNC Medical Center, Kilpatrick's voice sounded on the radio.

“This one is special for me," he said. His daughter is a physician down there.

"She has been on the front lines for several weeks," he said.

The pass took the team over Duke Regional. All along the flightpath, the heroes below applauded, then headed back to work as they have for weeks, holding the line between the public and the virus.

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