Sheffield flypast pilot ‘happy to honour’ US airmen killed in plane crash

A fighter jet pilot who will be part of a memorial flypast to honour 10 American airmen who died when their plane crashed 75 years ago said she is happy to be “able to honour those” killed.

The flypast was arranged after BBC Breakfast presenter Dan Walker met pensioner Tony Foulds during a walk in Sheffield.

Mr Foulds witnessed the B-17 Flying Fortress, Mi Amigo, crash and explode in the park as the pilot tried to avoid him and his friends in February 1944. He has tended to a memorial to the men since.

Upon hearing the 82-year-old’s story, Mr Walker launched a social media campaign to get a flypast to mark the 75^th anniversary.

Weeks ago, it was revealed that American and British jets will perform a flypast.

Captain Lauren Schlichting will pilot an F15E Strike Eagle jet from RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk as part of Friday's planned flypast.

The 28-year-old, from Minnesota, said: "We definitely don't take it lightly to be able to honour those who came before us and we're happy to do it."

Lieutenant Andrew Knighten, the weapons systems officer in the F15E, said: "It's pretty humbling, honestly, just for everyone that's gone before us and for us to get to fly over and just honour them."

The 29-year-old, of Chicago, said it was an "awesome decision" for the Mi Amigo crew to "save the lives of those children".

Major Chris Zaremski, chief of current operations at the 48th Operations Support Squadron, said: "I think the flyover that we've got lined up is going to be an absolutely perfect fitting gesture for the crew."

A four-ship of F15E Strike Eagles is expected to fly over Cambridge American Cemetery, where three of the Mi Amigo crew are interred, on the way back to base from Sheffield.

Military aircraft from Britain and the United States will take part in the flypast.

Captain Jhanelle Haag, United States Air Force Europe-United Kingdom public affairs officer, said the aircraft expected to take part - depending on the weather - are F-15E Strike Eagles from RAF Lakenheath; a KC-135 Stratotanker, a MC-130J Commando II and a CV-22 Osprey from RAF Mildenhall, as well as a Typhoon and a Dakota from RAF Coningsby.

Additional reporting by PA.