The jets flew over Ottawa skies were part of a military drill for Canada Day. | Representational Image
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Military jets were spotted flying over Ottawa Tuesday afternoon, as per reports, leaving the residents of the Canadian capital curious about the rare sight. Several people took to social media to claim they saw fighter jets flying over the downtown area. The Royal Canadian Air Force reportedly confirmed that its aircraft(s) flew over the city and would continue to do so as part of the practicing exercise for the forthcoming Canada Day.
As part of the practice flypast over Ottawa, the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) jets would continue their ongoing exercise on Wednesday. According to a report by CTV News Ottawa, apart from downtown, the LeBreton Flats area residents could also expect sighting(s) of fighter jets ahead of Canada Day, which is celebrated every year on July 1st.
Meanwhile, several reactions started pouring on social sites. Among them, a user wrote on X (formerly Twitter), “Casual Ottawa things, a fighter jet just flew by downtown. Anyone know why?”
Another user remarked, “Anyone got a picture of those 10 military jets that just left Ottawa?”
The City of Ottawa through its official account posted on social media about the sightings today. RCAF ‘Snowbirds’ were scheduled to fly over the Ottawa River between noon and 12:30 pm, per local time. They performed a fly-past with the Frecce Tricolori, the Italian Airforce Aerobatic Team, the post informed.
One more user said, “I mean ya it is pretty cool. Canadian military jets flew over and made a bunch of noise and it’s always sweet to see the snowbirds do their thing. Party pooping is Ottawa’s thing, fellow Ottawa citizen.”
A significant flypast, the biggest in the last two decades, showcasing a variety of aircraft is scheduled on July 1 at 1 pm in observance of the RCAF Centennial. The route will cross LeBreton Flats in the end after starting south of the Canada Aviation and Space Museum and heading west over Parliament Hill.
“The flypast will take the form of a ‘parade in the sky’ and will last approximately 20 minutes,” the Department of National Defence said in a statement. Magnificent RCAF fleets across different eras and its future capabilities would be displayed on Canada Day.