To our American readers, Happy Independence Day! Tonight, the skies above Washington, D.C., will reverberate with the roar of America’s military might 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 celebrate the signing of the One Big Beautiful Bill.
However, according to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, today’s precision flyover carries added significance by honoring those who take part in the overwhelming success of last month’s Operation Midnight Hammer.
“The might of America’s Air Force will conduct a flyover featuring our state-of-the-art F-22s, B-2s, and F-35s–the same air capabilities used for the decisive and successful strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities,” Leavitt said.
President Trump has also invited the B-2 pilots who led the Midnight Hammer strike to join today’s Independence Day celebrations at the White House.
The flyover is expected to take place at 1700 local time–the exact time President Donald Trump is expected to sign the One Big Beautiful Bill into law.
The B-2 Will Lead the Precision Flyover
Leading the charge are B-2 Spirit stealth aircraft from the 509th Bomb Wing out of Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri. These flying-wing bombers are the heroes of last month’s successful attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities. The B-2 is the only aircraft in the world capable of carrying the monstrous 30,000-pound GBU-57 Massive Ordinance Penetrator (MOP), a deep-strike “bunker buster” designed to destroy hardened, deeply buried targets.
During Midnight Hammer on 21 June, seven B-2s launched from Whiteman and executed a grueling 37-hour global strike mission targeting Iranian nuclear facilities at Fordow and Natanz. Each bomber delivered a pair of MOPs in the weapon’s first-ever combat use. The mission required multiple aerial refuelings from KC-135s and KC-46s across the globe. As part of an intentional misdirection, seven additional B-2s were deployed to Guam as decoys, drawing international attention while the real strike aircraft crossed into contested airspace undetected.
It is worth noting that the B-2’s role in Operation Midnight Hammer stands out as its largest strike mission to date. The 36-hour round-trip flights from Missouri to Iran were the second-longest ever flown by the stealth bomber, surpassed only by the extended sorties conducted in the immediate aftermath of the 9/11 attacks.
The F-22 and F-35 Will Also Take Part in the Flyover
More than 125 additional aircraft supported this historic operation, including the F-22 Raptor, the Air Force’s premier air superiority fighter. The F-22 will also take part in today’s flyover in Washington. The F-22, with its fifth-generation stealth, supercruise capability, and advanced sensor fusion, played a critical role in Midnight Hammer by escorting the B-2s and sweeping Iranian airspace for threats. Its ability to maintain speeds exceeding Mach 1.5 without afterburners and its thrust-vectoring engines provide unmatched agility. The Raptor remains the Air Force’s go-to asset for penetrating defended airspace and clearing hostile skies. The F-22’s AN/APG-77 radar and sensor fusion capabilities allow it to detect and engage targets at long ranges, giving its pilots unmatched situational awareness and clearing threats from Iranian airspace to protect the B-2s.
The F-35 Lightning, which contributed to the Midnight Hammer strike package, will also join today’s precision flyover. While exact details remain classified, F-35s likely supported the B-2s with electronic warfare and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities.
To Those Who Serve: Thank You
Today’s flyover is a tribute to the men and women of the United States Air Force. As we celebrate our nation’s independence today, we recognize the skill, dedication, and sacrifice of the men and women who make global airpower possible. From maintainers on the flight line to mission planners and pilots, every individual plays a vital role in keeping these aircraft ready to answer the call–anytime, anywhere.
If you find yourself on the National Mall at 1700 today, take a moment. Look up. And salute the heroes behind the wing.
