President Trump arranged a flyover by an F-35 fighter jet at the White House Wednesday afternoon for his guest, the president of Poland, as the leaders signed a new military agreement.
The military plane flew low in two passes over the restricted airspace of the South Lawn for Mr. Trump and Polish president Andrzej Duda, who signed a deal minutes earlier for more U.S. troops to be deployed to the eastern European nation. The leaders stepped outside the White House to watch the fighter jets roar overhead at very low altitude.
Poland also is moving to purchase new F-35s from the U.S.
White House deputy press secretary Hogan Gidley said the U.S. welcomed the opportunity for a Defense department demonstration by “pilots to showcase the F-35 while logging required training hours.
The last time anyone could remember military planes flying over the restricted air space at the White House was in the days after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. At that time, fighter jets patrolled the skies over Washington and escorted Marine One, the presidential helicopter, on flights to and from the White House.
• Dave Boyer can be reached at dboyer@washingtontimes.com.
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