C-5 flyover wows 250,000 at Plymouth parade Published Nov. 22, 2011 By Lt. Col. James Bishop 439th AW Public Affairs PLYMOUTH, Msss. -- -- More than a quarter of a million people saw a Westover C-5B perform a flyover at a large parade, Nov. 19. The aircraft was on a training mission, flying up the Plymouth, Mass., coastline to the delight of a crowd that topped 250,000 during America's Hometown Thanksgiving Parade. The annual event is billed as the second largest Thanksgiving Day Parade in the country, according to event organizers. While an Army National Guard unit shot large-caliber blanks next to Plymouth Rock and in sight of the Mayflower replica, Mayflower II, the C-5 banked and headed west out of sight. "This was a highlight of the parade," said event coordinator John Cochran. "We hope the partnership with Westover will continue in the coming years as we move forward toward the 400th anniversary of the landing at Plymouth." As the Navy band Sea Chanters performed "God Bless America," the C-5 banked and headed north along the Plymouth Harbor coastline. On the ground, spotter and Westover flight engineer, MSgt. Eric McGlynn, attempted cockpit-to-ground communication. They made radio contact with pilot Capt. Matt Podkowka, who spoke from the cockpit to wish the crowd a happy Thanksgiving on behalf of the men and women of the 439th Airlift Wing. During the parade, a giant United States flag flew between the reviewing stand and the crowd gathered along a hill in Waterfront Park. Before the parade, Sen. Scott Brown (R-Mass.) thanked the crowd for supporting America's troops and ideals by attending.