AssetID: 54806591
Headline: RAW VIDEO: U.S. Air Force Makes History With First-Ever 7-Ship Bomber-Fighter Flyover
Caption: The U.S. Air Force has dazzled thousands of spectators at a Florida airshow with a one-of-a-kind aerial demonstration. For the very first time, seven iconic aircraft took to the skies together over Miami Beach in a breathtaking formation, blending the sheer power of strategic bombers with the agility of cutting-edge fighters in a display unlike anything seen before. The flyover, which was performed during the Hyundai Air and Sea Show, brought together three legendary bombers - the B-2A Spirit, B-1B Lancer, and B-52H Stratofortress - alongside four mighty fighters: the F-22A Raptor, F-15C Eagle, F-16C Fighting Falcon, and A-10C Thunderbolt II. The unprecedented mix, officials said, marks a historic evolution from previous years’ bomber-only formations. Described by the Air Force Reserve Command as “for the first time ever,” the event was also hailed by the Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC) as “The Freedom Flyover,” highlighting how this formation surpassed prior flyovers by integrating multiple aircraft types for the first time. Previously, the impressive trio of bombers had flown alone. Now, fighters were woven into the formation, creating a powerful visual and symbolic statement of the U.S. Air Force’s combined strength. Each aircraft hailed from a different wing and across multiple states, showcasing the breadth of America’s airpower. The B-2A represented the Active Duty 509th Bomb Wing out of Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri. The B-1B and B-52H came from the Air Force Reserve’s 307th Bomb Wing at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana. The A-10C was from the 23rd Wing at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia. The F-15C joined from the 159th Fighter Wing of the Louisiana Air National Guard. The F-16C flew in from the 482nd Fighter Wing at Homestead Air Reserve Base, Florida. Meanwhile, the F-22 was showcased by the F-22 Raptor Demo Team based at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia. The formation was carefully designed to reflect the full spectrum of the U.S. Air Force, combining aircraft and personnel from Active Duty, Reserve, and Air National Guard components. “Nearly every aspect of what you see today touches the Air Force Reserve in some way,” said Lt. Gen. John Healy, commander of the Air Force Reserve Command. He added, “What people don’t realize is we are so intricately woven into the day-to-day total force, that we are virtually indistinguishable from Active Duty. This Air Show couldn’t have happened this way without Reserve support.” Notably absent from the lineup was the Air Force’s latest fifth-generation fighter, the F-35A Lightning II. Instead, the formation paid tribute to aircraft with deep Cold War and post-Cold War legacies. The venerable B-52, which first took to the skies in the 1950s, remains the oldest aircraft in the group. The F-22, introduced in the 2000s, was the newest. Despite the wide range of ages and technology, the seven-ship formation powerfully demonstrated the Air Force’s diverse capabilities. “The seven-ship formation displayed the Air Force’s array of capabilities used in defending the United States to thousands in attendance on the beach,” a photo caption from the event noted. Adding to the spectacle, a massive C-17 Globemaster III led the group, providing a unique vantage point to film the entire flyover.
Keywords: feature,photo feature,photo story,airshow, U.S. Air Force, Hyundai Air and Sea Show
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