To celebrate the upcoming 250th anniversary of the U.S. Declaration of Independence, the French Patrouille de France aerobatic team flew over the Statue of Liberty on the 9th, painting the Manhattan skyline with the blue, white, and red colors of the French flag.
The Patrouille de France team’s eight Alpha Jets flew symbolically over the Statue of Liberty, a landmark gifted by France to the United States and officially unveiled in 1886.
Squadron leader Baudouin told AFP: “Honestly, flying over the Statue of Liberty is something I never imagined I’d have the chance to do in my lifetime.”
Named the “Liberty 250” mission, the event highlights France’s support for the heroes of the American Revolution, with France becoming America’s first international ally because of it.
The Patrouille de France aerobatic team also flew over the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in New York and Independence Hall in Philadelphia—the birthplace of the Declaration of Independence.