<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1589915664897.png" alt="KC-135 Stratotanker flying over Lawrence -photo courtesy Douglas County Emergency Management&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>KC-135 Stratotanker flying over Lawrence -photo courtesy Douglas County Emergency Management&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>MANHATTAN —The Kansas Air National Guard's 190th Air Refueling Wing completed Operation Kansas Strong flyover across four Kansas cities to salute healthcare workers, first responders and other front-line workers in the fight against COVID-19 on Tuesday afternoon.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1589901258604.png" alt="" />
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 </figure>The flyovers began at 1 p.m. in Emporia, followed by Manhattan, Topeka and Lawrence.&nbsp;<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">A special ✈️ salute to all healthcare workers, first responders, and other frontline workers in the fight against <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/COVID19?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#COVID19</a><a href="https://twitter.com/KansasGuard?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@KansasGuard</a> x <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OperationKansasStrong?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OperationKansasStrong</a> <a href="https://t.co/PDMjctGxBP">pic.twitter.com/PDMjctGxBP</a>&mdash; K-State Athletics (@kstatesports) <a href="https://twitter.com/kstatesports/status/1262854290500055040?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 19, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Col. Lee Norman, state surgeon for the Kansas Army National Guard flew on the refueling tanker along with leaders from the Kansas National Guard. In addition to serving in the Kansas Army National Guard, Norman is secretary of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. During the flyovers, Norman will be in contact with an individual from a hospital in each of the cities via radio.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OperationKansasStrong?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OperationKansasStrong</a> first responder parade and <a href="https://twitter.com/KansasGuard?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@KansasGuard</a> 190th Air Refueling Wing flyover. <a href="https://t.co/vWpubOT0NB">pic.twitter.com/vWpubOT0NB</a>&mdash; Lyon Co. KS Sheriff (@LyonCoSheriff) <a href="https://twitter.com/LyonCoSheriff/status/1262818043899588611?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 19, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>As part of Operation America Strong to honor the health care workers, a KC-135 Stratotanker flew over 17 key locations, including hospitals and police departments."The 190th Air Refueling Wing salutes each Kansas citizen serving on the&nbsp;front lines&nbsp;during the fight against COVID-19," said Col. Dan Skoda, 190th Air Refueling Wing commander. "We are thrilled to have the opportunity to show our gratitude and solidarity on behalf of all of the Airmen and Soldiers of the Kansas National Guard and the members of the Kansas Division of Emergency Management to the thousands of Kansas heroes who are working tirelessly to battle COVID-19."Kansas National Guardsmen were on-site at one location in each city to support medical personnel, first responders and emergency management personnel.Emporia:The arrival times were subject to change based on weather, air traffic and airspace requirements.1 p.m. - Emporia Police Department1 p.m. - Newman Regional Health Hospital1 p.m. - Downtown EmporiaManhattan:1:13 p.m. - Riley County Police Department1:13 p.m. - Manhattan Surgical Hospital1:13 p.m. - Manhattan Vet Center1:13 p.m. - Ascension Via Christi Hospital1:15 p.m. - Downtown ManhattanTopeka:1:26 p.m. - Stormont Vail Hospital1:26 p.m. - St. Francis Campus1:26 p.m. - State Capitol Building1:28 p.m. - Topeka Veteran Affairs Hospital1:29 p.m. - Topeka Police DepartmentLawrence:1:34 p.m. - Lawrence Memorial Hospital1:34 p.m. - Lawrence Police Department1:34 p.m. - Downtown Lawrence1:37 p.m. - Lawrence VA HospitalThe Operation Kansas Strong flyover is incorporated into previously scheduled training missions and will come at no additional cost to taxpayers while serving as vital training for aircrews.

Operation Kansas Strong flyover honored those on the front lines