UPDATE: Changes to ‘Salute from the Shore’ on Hilton Head, Beaufort area beaches
“Salute from the Shore,” the annual July 4th sky parade along South Carolina’s coastline, is scheduled for Saturday afternoon with a notable exception: F-16 military aircraft.
The F-16s from Shaw Air Force Base were expected to participate in the event, but have withdrawn due to the death of one of the base’s pilots.
First Lieutenant David Schmitz died Thursday evening while piloting a F-16CM fighter jet at the Air Force Base, according to a news release from the organization and military news reports.
The rest of the aircraft scheduled to participate in the Salute will still fly, according to the organization.
A C-17 military transport aircraft from Charleston Air Force Base, along with vintage aircraft flown by civilians, will follow a route from Myrtle Beach to Bluffton starting around 1 p.m.
The C-17 is expected to pass Hilton Head at 1:48 p.m. and Beaufort 1:54 p.m.
The vintage planes fly much slower than the military aircraft, so the event will extend through the afternoon.
Beachgoers typically line the beaches to cheer and wave flags while decked out in red, white and blue for the tribute to veterans and those currently serving in the military.
The event is in its 11th year. Last year, mechanical issues and the threat of poor weather kept some of the planes grounded.
The forecast for Beaufort County on Saturday is mostly sunny with a high near 90, according to the National Weather Service in Charleston.
Honoring pilot David Schmitz
The late pilot obtained his pilot’s license at 17.
He was a former loadmaster on the C-17 whose lifelong goal was flying for the United States Air Force as a pilot.
He earned his commission through officer training school and graduated at the top of his class.
As a tribute, the C-17 pilot Captain Dennis Conner, who also began his career as a C-17 Loadmaster, has dedicated his flight to Schmitz.
He’ll be flying a flag in Schmitz’ honor that will be sent to his widow.
The back of the C-17 will be open during the flight. As you salute tomorrow, be sure to wave to the loadmasters, the release says.
This story was originally published July 3, 2020 at 4:45 AM.
