A trio of pilots with the Mesa-based Commemorative Air Force graced the skies over Goodyear and Litchfield Park early May 8 during a Valleywide flyover of vintage warplanes commemorating the 75^th anniversary of V-E Day, the end of World War II in Europe.

Victory in Europe Day celebrates WWII Allies’ formal acceptance of Nazi Germany's unconditional surrender of its armed forces on May 8, 1945.

The flight, launched from historic Falcon Field in Mesa, also served as a salute to “the enduring spirit of Arizonans throughout history — including their strength and community spirit while dealing with the COVID 19 public health emergency,” according to a press release from the organization.

The vintage warbirds that included a B-17 Flying Fortress flew over Litchfield Park and nearby Luke Air Force base shortly before 9 a.m. before heading to Sun City and back toward the East Valley

Included in the flight path were the Mesa Cemetery, where U.S. and British are buried, and the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona in Phoenix.

“Due to unforeseen delays imposed by Phoenix Sky Harbor air traffic control, we were prevented from flying over two of the 16 planned VE Day flyover points,” Tempe and the Arizona State Capitol, the organization reported on its Facebook page, facebook.com/ArizonaCommemorativeAirForceMuseum.

The aircraft that participated in the flight will be available for viewing 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Commemorative Air Force Museum, 2017 N. Greenfield Road in Mesa, the remaining Fridays and Saturdays in May starting May 9, the organization said on its Facebook page.

For more information on the organization and museum ticket prices, visit azcaf.org.