Did you notice the roar of airplanes over downtown on Monday morning?
Or did you see the smoke in the sky in the shadow of the Italian flag?
You can thank the Italian Air Force Frecce Tricolori team for a morning flyover over the city to promote its upcoming appearance at the OC Air Show in Ocean City, Maryland.
Officials of the Italian Air Force said in a statement that this was the first time in over 30 years that the Frecce Tricolori – in English “Tricolor Arrows” – would undertake a tour of America.
On Monday, a team of ten jets flew over the city, temporarily leaving behind the team’s typical red, white and green smoke plumes.
NBC10
Today’s flyover comes after the team performed at the New York International Air Show last weekend.
According to organizers, the team will grace American skies for the first time since 1992.
In a statement, organizers said the team is called 313° Gruppo Addestramento Acrobatico, Pattuglia Acrobatica Nazionale — in English, 313th Acrobatic Training Group, National Aerobatic Team — and that its pilots fly the Aermacchi MB-339-A/PAN two-seat combat training aircraft.
The team consists of ten aircraft, including nine in close formation and one soloist. According to the organizers, the team is considered the largest aerobatic team in the world.
The team’s final U.S. appearance is scheduled for August 24 and 25 at the OC Air Show in Ocean City, Maryland.
