ST. PAUL — The Minnesota National Guard and the Air Force Reserve will be flying over Minnesota hospitals — including hospitals in Marshall and Redwood Falls — today in recognition of people working on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Aircraft are expected to fly over the Avera Marshall Regional Medical Center sometime between 12:35 and 12:55 p.m., the Minnesota National Guard said.

The flyovers across the state will be part of a second round of events honoring essential workers, as part of Operation American Resolve, the Minnesota National Guard said in a news release. The first flyovers were held last week.

“Last week’s flyovers were an opportunity for us to show our appreciation for those on the frontlines of the COVID-19 fight,” said Maj. Gen. Jon Jensen, Adjutant General of the Minnesota National Guard. “We chose several hospitals as flyover points, but it is truly only a symbolic gesture, as the intent isn’t to honor only those facilities, but all the essential workers statewide. Whether you are a medical provider or a meat packing employee; a teacher or gas station attendant; an emergency responder or a garbage collector, your work and the care you provide have kept our state safe and functioning. Thank you for your service and your sacrifice.”

Aircraft will fly over hospitals and communities around the state, including New Ulm, Redwood Falls, Marshall, Luverne, Worthington and Jackson. The planes taking part in the statewide flyover will be combinations of F-16 Fighting Falcon and C-130 Hercules aircraft from the Minnesota National Guard’s 148th Fighter Wing based in Duluth, the 133rd Airlift Wing based in St. Paul, and the 934th Airlift Wing of the Air Force Reserve.

The flyovers are being incorporated into previously scheduled training missions, the Minnesota National Guard said.

“Our crews must fly regularly to maintain their proficiency,” said Col. James Cleet, 133rd Airlift Wing Commander. “This is an outstanding way to both train our aircrew and to recognize those in our community that are on the frontline working hard for the citizens of Minnesota.”

In the southern part of the state, flyovers are scheduled to start around noon today and run through the afternoon. According to the news release, area flyovers will include two C-130 aircraft, one each from the 133rd Air Wing and the 934th Air Wing. While the scheduled flyover times can change due to factors like weather and airspace availability, the flyover is expected to pass over the Redwood Hospital in Redwood Falls sometime between 12:30 and 12:50.

The aircraft will fly over Avera Marshall Regional Medical Center sometime between 12:35 and 12:55, before moving on to the Luverne Veterans’ Home, the Sanford Worthington Medical Center and the Sanford Jackson Medical Center.