Large crowds gather to watch Thunderbirds salute frontline coronavirus responders

The US Air Force and Navy’s elite demonstration teams say performance was in honour of those on the frontlines to show 'we’re in this together'

The Blue Angels and Thunderbirds saluted frontline responders battling the coronavirus pandemic with a flyover on Saturday as large crowds gathered to watch - with some appearing to ignore public health officials advice on social distancing.

The US Air Force and Navy's elite demonstration teams said that the performance was in honour of those on the frontlines, to show that "we're in this together".

The "America Strong" display took place on the east coast on Saturday. The tour started in Baltimore shortly after 11am before flying over Washington, DC, and a few hours later, Atlanta.

The warm sunny weather drew people out of lockdown and into public parks in large numbers, including on the National Mall in DC where authorities had asked people not to gather ahead of the display.

However, some were not wearing masks and the six feet of social distancing recommended by public health officials was not always evident. ​

In a mix of masks and not, people wait for the final flyover of the Blue Angels and Thunderbirds in Arlington, Virginia, part of a "salute to frontline COVID-19 responders" on 2 May (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin) (AP)

First Lady Melania Trump was also pictured watching the display from the portico of the White House, waving as the aircraft soared across the National Mall.

Ms Trump tweeted that she was proud to see the salute to healthcare and frontline workers, thanking the pilots for the beautiful display of solidarity.

“We want people to basically walk outside, and be able to look up and see it, and feel that sense of our country coming together since we’re all in this together,” Major Zane J. Taylor, USAF Thunderbirds pilot, said, prior to the display.

Earlier this week, the elite pilots honoured medical workers, emergency responders and other essential employees with a flyover in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.