D-Day Squadron Leads July 4th Truckee Tahoe Flyover

PRESS RELEASE – Formation flyover missions continue for the D-Day Squadron as they complete final preparations this weekend to position six DC-3 (C-47) historic warbirds to the Truckee Tahoe community as a special gift for the local community – celebrating our nation’s independence and frontline healthcare workers fighting COVID.

Called the Truckee Tahoe Honor Flyover, the event is scheduled to begin at 11a.m. and will cover 18 targeted landmarks, including Lake Tahoe during a 130 nautical mile flight path. It is expected to finish by 12:30pm. The lead aircraft for this mission is the Gooney Bird Group’s C-47 Betsy’s Biscuit Bomber, piloted by U.S. Navy veteran Sherman Smoot and Scott Stelzle.

“Preparing for these special flyover missions is exhilarating. Most of all, we appreciate the opportunity to bring ‘flying history’ to communities near and far to salute veterans, commemorative events, Independence Day and in this case, healthcare workers on the frontlines fighting the COVID pandemic,” remarked mission group leader, Scott Stelzle.

As the pandemic continues to be a concern, and for everyone’s safety, no public viewing or gathering is permitted at the Truckee Tahoe airport. Our squadron encourages local residents to #LookUp as these radial engines roar with honor, tribute and celebration. The C-47 was key to ending WWII, and famously helped liberate German-occupied France by dropping pathfinders and paratroopers, and even towing gliders during Operation Overlord on D-Day, June 6, 1944.

Organized by the Truckee Tahoe Air Show & Family Festival committee along with the Truckee Tahoe Airport, our squadron C-47 type aircraft will have several additional warbirds join the ranks within this flyover, including T-6 Texans and a T-28 Trojan.

No stranger to tight formations and historic tribute flights, the D-Day Squadron launched from Oxford, Connecticut’s KOXC airport on May 19, 2019 for their “Mission to Normandy” last year to honor the veterans who participated in the D-Day landings.  They successfully crossed the North Atlantic with 15 C-47 type aircraft, completed multiple paratrooper drops and a Presidential flyover for the US and French First Families while participating in events including the 75^th anniversary of the Normandy landings, the 70^th anniversary of the Berlin Airlift, and commemorations in the U.S., U.K., France, Germany and Italy spanning most of June 2019.

“While our 75^th anniversary mission was epic, we’re honored to continue showcasing the very aircraft flown by and that carried our Greatest Generation,” shared Lyndse Costabile, director of corporate relations, communications and marketing, for the D-Day Squadron. “We look forward to showcasing ‘Flying Freedom’ to the Truckee Tahoe community this national holiday and bring hope to our frontline healthcare workers.”

The flight path graphic is forthcoming and will be published on the D-Day Squadron’s social media pages.

The Truckee Tahoe Honor Flyover features D-Day Squadron aircraft Betsy’s Biscuit Bomber leading the Commemorative Air Force Inland Empire Wing’s C-53 D-Day Doll, Legend Airways Foundation’s C-47, Mission Boston, LLC’s  C-47 Virginia Ann, Benovia Winery’s C-53 Spirit of Benovia, and  the Palm Springs Air Museum’s  C-47 What’s Up Doc.