Falls Church resident William H. “Paddy” Harbison, 92, was one of three U.S. Air Force veterans honored on Tuesday at a press briefing at the National Air and Space Museum about a May 8 flyover of up to 70 World War II aircraft over the National Mall to honor the 70th anniversary of the Allied Victory in Europe. The flyover, part of a ceremony called Arsenal of Democracy: WWII Victory Capitol Flyover, will begin at 12:10 p.m. and will last approximately 40 minutes.
Harbison, a veteran of World War II, will fly in the commemorative flyover. The aircraft in the flyover will represent most of the major battles of the war and will depart airports in Manassas and Culpepper at approximately 11 a.m. They will fly in formation at a minimum of 1,000 square feet over the Mall and approximately 90 seconds will separate each formation.
The Federal Aviation Administration, Secret Service, Transportation Security Administration, National Park Service and the Capitol Police are all working closely to make this happen. Military veterans will be honored with a ceremony and special seating at the WWII Memorial at 10:30 a.m. May 9 is the rain date for the event.
