Patriotic flyover takes flight July 4 to salute armed forces for 14th year

COLUMBIA - On Tuesday, July 4, numerous military aircraft will soar along the South Carolina coast once again for Salute from the Shore's 14th-annual Fourth of July celebration to pay tribute to America's bravest. Patriotic beachgoers will be dazzled by F-16s from Shaw Air Force Base, a C-17 from Joint Base Charleston and two civilian-owned vintage aircraft including a Nanchag CJ-6s and a Focke Wulf FWP-149. The planes' flight path will span the length of South Carolina's coastline.

The air show will kick off at 11 a.m. from Murrells Inlet with the civilian-owned aircraft which will fly down the coast to Folly Beach. At 1 p.m., two F-16s from Shaw Air Force Base and a C-17 from Joint Base Charleston Air Force Base will make their way down the coastline, beginning at Cherry Grove and ending in Beaufort County in the Lowcountry.

This fast-moving showcase of freedom offers beachgoers a chance to gather together to salute those in the armed forces who are serving or have served our country. Everyone is invited to celebrate this patriotic occasion to honor the United States military during this free military flyover. Beachgoers are encouraged to wear red, white and blue, wave American flags and salute the aircraft as they fly by.

Salute from the Shore is a nonprofit, grassroots group of patriotic South Carolinians founded to honor the armed forces on Independence Day. On a day when family and friends gather together to celebrate, many courageous military members serving our country overseas are away from their loved ones. The founders of Salute from the Shore seek to recognize their sacrifices and honor them on a day when Americans celebrate our freedom.

Beachgoers are encouraged to watch the vintage aircraft, followed by the military planes, as they soar down the South Carolina coastline. The vintage aircraft are flown by volunteers, and weather conditions and mechanical issues may play a role in how many aircraft will ultimately fly during this patriotic celebration.

This year's generous Salute from the Shore sponsors are Dominion Energy, Blue Cross Blue Shield of South Carolina/PGBA, Collum's Lumber Products, Nelson Mullins, Currie & Co., First Citizens, City of Sumter, The Jackson Companies, Colliers, TD Bank, Joseph E. Williams, Waccamaw Land and Timber, Kathy and Jack Wolfe, Titan Fuels/Eastern Aviation, Harmon and Felts, English and John W. Folsom, Dennis Wade, Lucy and Andy Folsom, Steve Creech, Elizabeth and Spann Laffitte, George B. Wolfe, Les Cotter, ByFarr Graphic Design and Elliott Davis. Each sponsor helps to provide for the costs to promote and execute the event. For those interested in becoming a sponsor, reach out to salute@salutefromtheshore.org.

For more information about the nonprofit Salute from the Shore and this year's event, visit salutefromtheshore.org.

Follow along with Salute from the Shore on Facebook (@salutefromtheshore) and on Instagram (@salutefromtheshore_official) for updates and "day-of" information. Participants are encouraged to take pictures, videos and stories during the flyover and tag the organization's social media accounts.