To our American readers, Joyful Independence Day! Tonight, the skies above Washington, D.C., will reverberate with the roar of America’s army would possibly as B-2 Spirit stealth bombers, joined by F-22 Raptors and F-35 Lightning IIs, conduct a ceremonial flyover to commemorate the 249th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and have fun the signing of the One Massive Lovely Invoice.
Nonetheless, in response to White Home Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, right now’s precision flyover carries added significance by honoring those that participate within the overwhelming success of final month’s Operation Midnight Hammer.
“The would possibly of America’s Air Drive will conduct a flyover that includes our state-of-the-art F-22s, B-2s, and F-35s–the identical air capabilities used for the decisive and profitable strikes on Iran’s nuclear services,” Leavitt mentioned.
President Trump has additionally invited the B-2 pilots who led the Midnight Hammer strike to hitch right now’s Independence Day celebrations on the White Home.
The flyover is predicted to happen at 1700 native time–the precise time President Donald Trump is predicted to signal the One Massive Lovely Invoice into legislation.
The B-2 Will Lead the Precision Flyover
Main the cost are B-2 Spirit stealth plane from the 509th Bomb Wing out of Whiteman Air Drive Base, Missouri. These flying-wing bombers are the heroes of final month’s profitable assault on Iran’s nuclear services. The B-2 is the one plane on this planet able to carrying 40,000 kilos of ordinance, together with the monstrous 30,000-pound GBU-57 Large Ordinance Penetrator (MOP), a deep-strike “bunker buster” designed to destroy hardened, deeply buried targets.
Throughout Midnight Hammer on 21 June, seven B-2s launched from Whiteman and executed a grueling 37-hour international strike mission focusing on Iranian nuclear services at Fordow and Natanz. Every bomber delivered a pair of MOPs within the weapon’s first-ever fight use. The mission required a number of aerial refuelings from KC-135s and KC-46s throughout the globe. As a part of a army deception operation, seven extra B-2s have been deployed to Guam as decoys, drawing worldwide consideration whereas the actual strike plane crossed into contested airspace undetected.
It’s price noting that the B-2’s position in Operation Midnight Hammer stands out as its largest strike mission up to now. The 36-hour round-trip flights from Missouri to Iran have been the second-longest ever flown by the stealth bomber, surpassed solely by the prolonged sorties performed within the instant aftermath of the 9/11 assaults.
The F-22 and F-35 Will Additionally Take Half within the Flyover
Greater than 125 extra plane supported this historic operation, together with the F-22 Raptor, the Air Drive’s premier air superiority fighter. The F-22 can even participate in right now’s flyover in Washington. The F-22, with its fifth-generation stealth, supercruise functionality, and superior sensor fusion, performed a crucial position in Midnight Hammer by escorting the B-2s and sweeping Iranian airspace for threats. Its capability to keep up speeds exceeding Mach 1.5 with out afterburners and its thrust-vectoring engines present unmatched agility. The Raptor stays the Air Drive’s go-to asset for penetrating defended airspace and clearing hostile skies. The F-22’s AN/APG-77 radar and sensor fusion capabilities enable it to detect and have interaction targets at lengthy ranges, giving its pilots unmatched situational consciousness and clearing threats from Iranian airspace to guard the B-2s.
The F-35 Lightning, which contributed to the Midnight Hammer strike package deal, can even be part of right now’s precision flyover. Whereas actual particulars stay labeled, F-35s seemingly supported the B-2s with digital warfare and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities.
To These Who Serve: Thank You
At present’s flyover is a tribute to the women and men of the USA Air Drive. As we have fun our nation’s independence right now, we acknowledge the ability, dedication, and sacrifice of the women and men who make international airpower attainable. From maintainers on the flight line to mission planners and pilots, each particular person performs an important position in conserving these plane able to reply the decision–anytime, wherever.
If you end up on the Nationwide Mall at 1700 right now, take a second. Search for. And salute the heroes behind the wing.
