Military Flyovers

Background

Due to current fiscal and operational constraints, there are only rare circumstances when the Army would provide flyover support.

Though rare, there could be an exception to policy in special circumstances for exceptional high-impact events that meet specific and strategic communication requirements.

Request process

The vice chief of staff of the Army is the approval authority for all flyover requests for the Army.

Army Regulation 360-1 states the procedures for an exception must be approved by the vice chief of staff of the Army through the Office of the Chief, Public Affairs. Request submissions will be made through the Defense Outplacement Referral System and/or DD Form 2535. The point of contact for flyover requests is the OCPA casualty team lead.

Background

Marine Corps Order 5720.77, “Marine Corps Public Affairs (PA) Order,” July 8, 2010, states that flyovers, including the missing man formation, at memorial services in honor of rated and/or designated active-duty aviation personnel and dignitaries of the armed forces or the federal government, shall be determined by the military services.

• Funeral flyovers for aviators killed on active duty are staffed for decision to the deputy commandant of aviation.
• All others shall be determined by the military services, i.e., Medal of Honor Recipients, American heroes, etc., which require proper staffing to the assistant commandant of aviation for approval.
• Sufficient lead time is required to ensure proper staffing, tasking and coordination.

Request process

• The process to request funeral flyovers for active-duty personnel comes through the Headquarters Marine Corps Casualty Branch at Quantico, Virginia, via the designated casualty assistant calls officer and then to the Headquarters Marine Corps Aviation Support Coordination Office for approval.
• The contact number to initiate the request for Marine Corps funeral flyovers is 866-826-3628. Send requests and the DD Form 214 or other documentation that shows an honorable characterization of service.

Background

The following people are eligible for a flyover:

• Active-duty aeronautically designated aviation officers and personnel (including reserve officers on active duty)
• Active-duty personnel taking courses of instruction leading to an aeronautical designation, when involved in an aviation-related accident
• Any active-duty or retired flag officer
• Retired U.S. Armed Forces war heroes (recipients of the Silver Star Medal or higher).
• Dignitaries of the armed forces or federal government as appropriate

Request process

For ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery, call 202-433-4088 or send an email to navy.flyover.anc@us.navy.mil. For all others, call 202-905-8344.

Send a copy of the DD Form 214 or honorable discharge paperwork with the request. The office that is coordinating the request will provide the requestor with an email address or a facsimile number to send in the required documentation.

Background

The main policy document is Department of the Air Force Instruction 11-209 “Partcipation in Aerial Events.”

• Flyovers are authorized for Air Force members (active duty, retired or honorably separated) who meet at least one of the following criteria and can provide documentation:
  • Active-duty or currently serving air reserve component rated officers (pilots, navigators, air battle managers, observers and flight surgeons) and career enlisted aviators (1AXXX enlisted crewmembers, i.e., flight engineers, loadmasters, boom operators, etc.). This category includes those taking courses of instruction leading to an aeronautical rating. Treat ARC members the same as active duty (eligible when death occurs whether on or off duty). This includes ARC members not on unit training assembly or military orders.
  • Active-duty or currently serving ARC non-rated officers, non-career enlisted aviators and operations support flyers (as defined in Air Force Manual 11-402, “Aviation and Parachutist Service,” Sept. 3, 2021, i.e., nurses, medical technicians, intelligence specialists, etc.) but only when death occurs in the line of duty while performing aviation duties.
  • Dignitaries of the armed forces and federal government
  • Active-duty or retired Air Force three-star and four-star general officers, regardless of aeronautical rating
  • Active-duty or retired chief master sergeants of the Air Force
  • Air Force members (active duty, retired or honorably separated) who have been awarded the Medal of Honor, Air Force Cross, Army Distinguished Service Cross or the Navy Cross
  • Air Force aviators (active duty, retired or honorably separated) who have achieved at least one or more officially recognized aerial victories (the Air Force Historical Research Agency is the official source for aerial victories)
  • Air Force members (active duty, retired or honorably separated) who were prisoners of war

Request process

You may request a funeral flyover through the servicing base mortuary affairs office or by calling the Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations at 800-531-5803. The approval authority is the Air Force Aerial Events office.

Funeral flyover request documents

• The DD Form 214, “Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty,” or similar discharge documentation recording the individual’s honorable discharge, rank and decorations
• A letter from the next of kin or the person acting on their behalf requesting the flyover
• An Exception to Policy package, required when the member does not meet established eligibility criteria, must include a biography with the justification