Military Fly-Overs

Fly Over Listed below are the eligibility requirements and application procedures for a military flyover at the funeral of a qualified veteran for each of the Military Services. Military flyovers are not part of the Funeral Honors ceremony as required by Title 10, Section 1491 United States Code , but can be arranged if supporting personnel and aircraft are available.

It should be noted up front that requests for a military flyover are simply that, requests, and that approval for such requests must go through an administrative process within each Military Service. Approval is contingent on many factors including the military status of the deceased, the availability of personnel and aircraft, the location of the funeral service, the time and date of the funeral, and weather conditions.

UNITED STATES ARMY

The Vice Chief of Staff of the Army is the approval authority for all flyover requests for the Army. Due to current fiscal and operational constraints there are rare circumstances when the Army would provide flyover support. There could be an exception to policy in rare circumstances for exceptional high impact events that meet specific and strategic communication requirements.

DoD Directive 5410.18 states Flyovers, including the missing man formation, at memorial or funeral services in honor of rated and/or designated active duty aviation personnel and dignitaries of the Armed Forces or the Federal Government, as shall be determined by the Military Services.

Exception to Policy Requests:

Army Regulation 360-1 states the procedures for an exception must be approved by the Vice Chief of Staff of the Army through the Office of Chief of Public Affairs (OCPA). Request submissions will be made through the Defense Outplacement Referral System (DORS) and/or DD Form 2535. The point of contact for flyover request is the OCPA casualty team lead 703-697-5084.

Regulatory Guidance reference Army Flyover: Department of Defense Directive 5410.18, Public Affairs Community Relations Policy and The Army Public Affairs Program Dated 25 May 2011.

UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS

Implementing Instruction: Marine Corps Order 5410.18 Public Affairs Community Relations Policy

Background:
- MCO 5410.18 states that flyovers, including the missing man formation, at memorial services in honor of rated and/or designated active duty aviation personnel and dignitaries of the Armed Forces or the Federal Government...shall be determined by the Military Services.
- Funeral flyovers for Aviators killed on active duty are staffed for decision to the Deputy Commandant of Aviation.
- All others shall be determined by the Military Services, i.e Medal of Honor Recipients, American Heroes, etc., which require proper staffing to the Assistant Commandant of Aviation for approval.
- Sufficient lead time is required to ensure proper staffing, tasking and coordination

Request process:
- The process to request funeral flyovers for Active Duty personnel comes through the Headquarters Marine Corps Casualty Branch at Quantico, VA., via the designated Casualty Assistant Calls Officer (CACO) and then to Headquarters Marine Corps Aviation Support Coordination Office for approval.
- The process for requesting funeral flyovers for all other personnel are initiated through the HQMC Aviation/Aviation Support Coordination Office (ASCO) which handles all funeral flyovers for the Marine Corps. The contact number to initiate the request is: (703) 693-9888 or (703) 693-9889. Requests should be accompanied by the DD Form 214 or other documentation that shows an honorable characterization of service.

UNITED STATES NAVY

Implementing Instruction: Commander, Naval Air Pacific (COMNAVAIRPAC) or
            Commander, Naval Air Atlantic (COMNAVAIRLANT)
            Instruction 3710.8A "Procedures for Participation in and/or
            Authorization of Aerial Demonstrations Flyovers, Static
            Display, Orientation Flight, Civilian Passengers and Project
            Specialists, and Training"

The following people are eligible for a Flyover
- Active Duty and Reserve designated/rated aviation personnel
- Those personnel taking courses of instruction leading to aviation designation/rating when killed in an aviation related incident
- Any Active Duty or retired four star admiral
- Retired Naval Aviation war heroes (recipient) of the Silver Star or higher award
- Dignitaries of the Armed Service or Federal Government

Requests are made to COMNAVAIRPAC/COMNAVAIRLANT Code N32:
- For ceremonies in Arlington National Cemetery (ANC), the initial contact numbers are (202) 685-1568 for the Washington area Casualty Assistance Calls Officer or (202) 433-4690 for the Ceremonial Plans of the Naval District of Washington office. These two offices will then make contact with COMNAVAIRPAC/COMNAVAIRLANT to coordinate the request. Military flyovers in the Washington, DC area require a great deal of coordination with local airports and other Federal agencies to satisfy security requirements.
- For ceremonies outside ANC or at other locations around the country, the contact number is (757) 444-7651/53.
- Each request must be accompanied by a copy of the DD form 214 or honorable discharge paperwork. The office that is coordinating the request will provide the requestor with an e-mail address or a facsimile number to send in the required documentation.

UNITED STATES AIR FORCE

Implementing Instruction: Air Force Instruction 11-209 'Aerial Event Policy and Procedures'

Flyovers are authorized for USAF members (active duty, retired, or honorably separated) who meet at least one of the following criteria and can provide documentation:
- Active duty or currently serving Air Reserve Component (ARC) rated officers (pilots, navigators, air battle managers, observers, and flight surgeons) and Career Enlisted Aviators (1AXXX enlisted crewmembers, i.e., flight engineers, loadmasters, boom operators, etc.). This category includes those taking courses of instruction leading to an aeronautical rating. Treat ARC members the same as active duty (eligible when death occurs whether on or off duty). This includes ARC members not on unit training assembly (UTA) or military orders.
- Active duty or current service ARC non-rated officers, non-Career Enlisted Aviators, and Operations Support Flyers (as defined in AFI 11-402, Aviation and Parachutist Service, Aeronautical Ratings and Badges, i.e., nurses, medical technicians, intelligence specialists, etc.) but only when death occurs in the line of duty while performing aviation duties.
- Dignitaries of the Armed Forces and Federal Government.
- Active duty or retired USAF 3-star and 4-star general officers, regardless of aeronautical rating.
- Active Duty or retired Chief Master Sergeants of the Air Force (CMSAF).
- USAF members (active duty, retired, or honorably separated) who have been awarded the Medal of Honor, Air Force Cross, Army Distinguished Service Cross or the Navy Cross.
- USAF aviators (active duty, retired or honorably separated) who have achieved at least one or more officially recognized aerial victories. The Air Force Historical Research Agency is the official source for aerial victories.
- USAF members (active duty, retired or honorably separated) who were Prisoners of War.

Request Process:
- Due to current fiscal and operational constraints the US Air Force cannot currently provide flyover support.

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