Eight Alpha Jets from the Patrouille de France flew over New York on June 9, 2026, to mark 250 years since the US Declaration of Independence.
The aircraft released blue, white and red smoke while flying down the Hudson River. They first passed near One World Trade Center before reaching Liberty Island, home to the Statue of Liberty designed by French sculptor Frédéric Bartholdi. The eight Alpha Jets were accompanied by an A400M transport plane. In total, 85 military personnel took part in the operation named “Liberté 250”. The pilots had earlier flown over the West Point military academy, 80 km north of New York. The mission highlights France’s decisive support to the United States during the War of Independence. Additional flyovers are scheduled in Maryland, Virginia, above Washington and again over New York on July 4.
