(VOVWORLD) - President Donald Trump's July Fourth celebration featured an extensive U.S. military air show over Washington, D.C., while four other cities got mini-versions of the air power display on Saturday.
The "Salute to the Great Cities of the American Revolution" featured military flyovers in Boston, New York City, Philadelphia and Baltimore. While the flights were likely visible from a number of locations in the cities, they took place as Americans deal with surging cases of COVID-19 and mixed messages on the need for masks and social distancing.
Trump has been criticized for pushing to go ahead with large rallies and other public gatherings, like the July 4 event, despite the increased risks of infection.
The flyovers started in Boston at about 4 p.m., with Air Force and Marine Corps jets flying over in five waves. The show kicked off by the Air Force Thunderbirds, followed by B-1, B-2 and B-52 bombers, F-15 and F-22 fighter jets and U.S. Marine Corps F-35 fighters.
The Army, Navy, Marines Corps and Air Force bands played.
According to the Pentagon, the shows will not cost taxpayers much because the aircraft crews are using the flyovers to meet routing training and proficiency requirements that would normally be conducted at other locations.