Canadian, American air forces conduct joint flypast in Ottawa for Fourth of July

Canadian, American air forces conduct joint flypast in Ottawa for Fourth of July reports a coordinated U.S.-Canada military display over Ottawa marking the Fourth of July. The Royal Canadian Air Force and the U.S. Air Force flew together at low altitude, following remarks by U.S. ambassador Pete Hoekstra at an event at his official residence on Saturday. Moments later, two U.S. F-35 Lightning II jets and two Canadian CF-18 Hornets—aircraft the F-35s are intended to replace—passed over the gathering. The article notes Hoekstra’s comments about Canada becoming “proud owners” of American F-35s this fall, alongside ongoing political review in Canada of a potential full order of 88 F-35 jets. Canada has already paid for 16 F-35s, and Saturday’s flypast was described by the Defence Department as demonstrating routine coordination through NORAD, the binational defense command. The piece also references the 24-hour hoisting of the U.S. flag and lingering tensions such as the trade war and the Gordie Howe bridge.