Thunderbirds get ready to fly over Colorado, honoring first responders amid COVID-19 pandemic

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds are preparing for their big, altered show in Colorado this weekend.

For the first time, U.S Air Force Academy cadets will be graduating weeks early. Per tradition, though, the Thunderbirds will be flying over in celebration, but with some added salutes.

Captain Michael Brewer, the right-wing and Thunderbird 3 said, "we all have to get creative, you, me, we've all had to be creative in the way we conduct our daily lives, the way we operate, the way we work."

On Saturday, the F-16's are "going to show our support and appreciation with a series of community flyovers following the U.S. Air Force Academy graduation flyover," explained a Facebook post on Friday morning.

The demonstration squadron will be making several passes over different communities in Colorado.

"We are honored to extend our salute to Colorado healthcare workers, first responders, military members, and other essential personnel on the front lines of the fight against the coronavirus," the Facebook post said.

Brewer explains, "it brings us great relief to know our healthcare workers are out there standing on the frontlines every single day."

The team will be able to complete their flyovers with the help of extra tank support. Brewer says they'll fuel up after graduation to complete flyovers in other part of Colorado like Pueblo, Fort Collins and Denver.

Brewer hopes the flyovers bring essential personnel a boost in morale amid the pandemic.

"Stand together, stand tall, stand proud, because we are going to get through this," he says.