U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds fly over Spaceship Earth at EPCOT at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., Oct. 29, 2020, as a kickoff for National Veterans and Military Families Month in November. (Matt Stroshane, photographer)

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Photos: U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds flyover Epcot

Steve Liebman October 29, 2020

1 minute read

The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds flew over the Epcot twice at Walt Disney World on Oct. 29, 2020, as a kickoff to National Veterans and Military Families Month in November.

“It’s an amazing opportunity for us to be here representing the 660,000 total force Airmen that make up the Air Force, as well as their family members,” Air Force Capt. Remoshay Nelson of the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, said.

Families are the silent heroes that stay behind to keep the family life going as the Airmen serve over seas or within the U.S., Nelson said.

The Thunderbirds started the day taking off from Orlando Sanford Airpot and went into a holding point traveling about 350 knots (or about 402 mph). “We accelerated up to about 450 mph, and we crossed over Epcot at the time we were supposed to,” Air Force Major Jason Markzon said.

It is not unusual for Disney World to see flyovers. In May 2019, the U.S. Navy Blue Angels performed a demonstration over Epcot.

Here’s a quick video followed by some photos.