If you love this country — and love the sound of raw, thunderous freedom overhead — then what happened in Miami Beach this Memorial Day weekend is the kind of spectacle that makes you pause, put your hand over your heart, and yell “’Merica!” with unapologetic pride.
This wasn’t just another air show. This was a sky-shaking, formation-defining, history-making display of American air dominance that electrified thousands at the Hyundai Air and Sea Show. The event, dubbed the Freedom Flyover, brought together seven of the most fearsome aircraft in the U.S. arsenal, flying as a single, united force in tribute to the fallen.
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THIS IS THE FREEDOM FLYOVER: You can see featured: the B-1, B-2, B-52, A-10, F-15, F-16, and the F-22. Nice glimpse of a C-17 at the last moments (not part of the formation — upper left).
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: theairplanespotter (IG) pic.twitter.com/KJQBn20sCV— Cora A. Harris (@CoraAHarris) May 25, 2025
The formation was led by none other than the B-2 Spirit stealth bomber, that otherworldly bat-winged marvel that can glide undetected into the world’s most dangerous airspace. Right behind it: the B-1B Lancer, the B-52H Stratofortress, and a power quartet of fighter jets — the F-22 Raptor, F-15C Eagle, F-16C Fighting Falcon, and the legendary A-10 Thunderbolt II, affectionately known as the “Warthog.”
It was a show of force and finesse, a flying fortress in motion that not only demonstrated the unrivaled muscle of the U.S. Air Force, but also the seamless coordination of its branches. According to Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC), active duty, Reserve, and Air National Guard pilots all took part in the flyover, showcasing the depth and unity of the total force.
GOOSEBUMPS, anyone?! The B-1 “Bone” just shook Miami Beach to its core! Who else felt that power in their chest? @usairforce #HyundaiAirAndSeaShow #HyundaiSalute pic.twitter.com/GhacEoEsju
— Hyundai Air & Sea Show (@AirAndSeaShow) May 25, 2025
Notably absent were only a few pieces of American aerial hardware: the B-21 Raider, the F-35A Lightning II, and the AC-130J Ghostrider gunship — but that didn’t diminish the gravity or grandeur of the event. What this formation did include was an unprecedented mix of both bombers and fighter jets, marking the first time such a combined flyover had ever taken place.
“This wasn’t just an air show,” the Air Force stated. “It was a powerful tribute to those who gave everything and a celebration of the strength that defends our nation every single day.”
So much AWESOMENESS in one formation.
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Memorial Day Weekend in Miami Beach
B-1, B-2, B-52, A-10, F-15, F-16, F-22
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; @ vice.aviator pic.twitter.com/4jLdqGUCvg— Combat Learjet (@Combat_learjet) May 24, 2025
More than a patriotic performance, the Freedom Flyover was a sobering reminder of the sacrifice that undergirds our freedom. On Memorial Day, we honor the men and women who gave their lives for this nation — and this high-octane, precision-crafted tribute from above made sure no one forgot what they were fighting for.
If you’re within driving distance of Miami Beach, here’s your heads-up: they’re flying the same formation again Monday. So grab your sunscreen, your camera, and your pride — and get ready to witness the United States Air Force write its signature across the sky.
