ABC News anchor Deborah Roberts flew with the Patrouille de France aerobatic team for a flyover of the Statue of Liberty on Friday [2].
The event serves as a high-profile symbol of the enduring diplomatic and cultural alliance between France and the U.S. as the nation celebrates its semiquincentennial.
Roberts participated in the evening flight as part of the "Disney Celebrates America" programming [1]. The initiative marks the 250th anniversary of the United States [2]. The flyover took place over the New York Harbor, centering on the Statue of Liberty, a gift from France to the U.S. in 1886.
The aerobatic display was integrated into a broader 24-hour celebration event [2] that began on July 3, 2026 [2]. The Patrouille de France, the precision flying unit of the French Air and Space Force, provided the aerial salute [1].
By joining the formation, Roberts provided a first-person account of the operation. The flight coordinated the French aircraft with the landmark's skyline to create a visual tribute for the anniversary programming [1].
This aerial demonstration is one of several planned activities for the Disney-led anniversary event. The coordination between the French military pilots and the media production highlights the scale of the 250-year milestone [2].
“A salute to the Statue of Liberty”
The involvement of the Patrouille de France in the U.S. 250th anniversary celebrations reinforces the historical ties between the two nations. By centering the event on the Statue of Liberty, the celebration emphasizes the shared democratic ideals and the diplomatic history that began with the French gift of the monument.
