WATCH: Italian Air Force's 'Frecce Tricolori' flies over DC

WASHINGTON - The Italian Air Force flew over Washington, D.C. Wednesday afternoon as they make their way back from Canada where they celebrated the 100th anniversary of the Royal Canadian Air Force.

The planes released green, white and red smoke as it goes over the U.S. capital, symbolic of the Italian flag. It was the first time that their smoke had been seen in D.C. since their last North American Tour in 1992.

The flyover happened just before 5 p.m. The route began on the east side of the city with a single east to west passage just south of the National Mall. People saw the bright colors in the sky from all over D.C.

The group’s final performance of their 2024 North American Tour will be at the Air Dot Show Ocean City on August 24-25. It will be visible over the beach and boardwalk.   

The Frecce Tricolori — the "Tricolour Arrows" in English — are officially designated as the 313° Gruppo Addestramento Acrobatico, Pattuglia Acrobatica Nazionale — 313th Acrobatic Training Group, National Aerobatic Team in English. 

Frecce Tricolori was established on March 1, 1961, at Rivolto Air Base in the province of Udine. 

The team operates the Aermacchi MB-339-A/PAN, a two-seat fighter-trainer craft. Comprising ten aircrafts, including nine in close formation and a soloist, they hold the distinction of being the world’s largest acrobatic patrol.