Both the U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor Demo team and F-16 Thunderbirds squadron recently wrapped up a big trip across the pond, where they performed at The Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) this year at RAF Fairford in Gloucestshire, to represent the USAF on its 70th Anniversary.
It’s quite a trip from the states to England to reach the world’s largest military air show, so a KC-135 with the 100th Air Refueling Wing from RAF Mildenhall, England helped make it happen, and provided some pretty cool footage afterwards.
It was their first appearance at RIAT in a decade.
Both teams also conducted flyovers in Paris on July 14 for Bastille Day too, marking the 100th Anniversary of the United States’ entrance into World War I, touring several British landmarks and military bases.
“We look forward to coming back in the future and performing in front of one of the biggest and best crowds we’ve ever seen,” said the Thunderbirds.
Both French and U.S. presidents were in attendance for that display, along with many other dignitaries, while the teams flew over the Eiffel Tower as part of the oldest and longest military parade in Europe to commemorate the French National Day.
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