A breathtaking flyover of nearly every United States Air Force fighter and bomber jet soared during a Florida air show Saturday, stunning footage of the historic aerial display showed.
Seven of the top military aircraft called the “Freedom Flyover” united as “one unstoppable force” for thousands of people to take in over Memorial Day weekend at the Hyundai Air and Sea Show in Miami Beach.
The historic formation was led by the B-2 stealth bomber and followed by the B-1B Lancer, B-52H Stratofortress, F-22 Raptor, F-15C Eagle, F-16C Fighting Falcon and the attack aircraft A-10 Thunderbolt II, according to Air Force Global Strike Command.
The only bomber missing was B-31 Raider, while the lone absent fighter jet was the F-35A Lightning II. The AC-130J Ghostrider, the other attack aircraft in the Air Force’s fleet, was also not included.
While other air shows have featured a tri-bomber flyover, this was the first time fighter aircraft were also part of the formation, according to military officials.
“This wasn’t just an air show – it was a powerful tribute to those who gave everything and a celebration of the strength that defends our nation every single day!” the AFGSC wrote in a social media post.
Video of the moment showed the seven aircraft in perfect formation rev through the sunny skies to a round of applause from the delighted crowd below.
More footage captured by a staff sergeant in a plane ahead of the formation gave an up-close glimpse of the flyover.
The aircraft were manned by active-duty Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard pilots, “representing the Air Force’s ability to collaborate across components,” according to officials.
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