Trump’s July Fourth Celebration ‘Aerial Salute’ Flyover – But Won’t Feature Military Equipment Display

President Donald Trump‘s Independence Day celebrations this year won’t feature a display of military equipment, but instead will include a military flyover and 1,700 troops, the Pentagon says.

Lt. Col. Chris Mitchell, a Pentagon spokesman, released a statement Friday, saying the Department of Defense will provide about 1,700 troops 1,700 troops as a support to the Department of the Interior with “Salute to America” celebrations in Washington, D.C. There are also going to be “aerial salute” flyovers in Boston, New York City, Philadelphia and Baltimore.

“The highlight of this year’s celebration will be our salute to the Great Cities of the American Revolution.,” Mitchell said. “The flyovers will begin in Boston and proceed to New York City, Philadelphia and Baltimore. From there they will join other Department of Defense and heritage aircraft in the Salute to America over our nation’s capital.”

Mitchell did not confirm which aircraft will flyover but said it will feature “heritage” aircraft. This year’s July Fourth celebration will not feature military equipment displays.

Last year’s Independence Day celebration cost taxpayers more than $13 million, while usually the cost is ranged between $6-7 million, as U.S. Government Accountability Service reported. The cost increase was “attributable to the cost for (the Department of Defense) to transport several vehicles to the National Mall” and “the production and execution of the Salute to America event,” according to the GAO.

Mitchell said this year’s flights are a “sunk cost,” adding “these aircraft and crews would be using these hours for proficiency and training at other locations if they were not conducting these flyovers.”

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