It’s not common for a gathering on Miami Beach to see seven of the most formidable aircraft in the U.S. Air Force arsenal sweeping across the horizon in a single, tightly controlled formation. But that’s what happened at the 2025 Hyundai Air and Sea Show when the so-called “Freedom Flyover” did just that as much a poignant salute to those who’ve lost their lives in service as it was a rare, technically sophisticated display of American airpower and engineering capability.
The flight itself was a first in history. Although tri-bomber flybys have adorned air shows in the past, this was the first combining fighters with bombers in one, cohesive performance. The B-2 Spirit stealth bomber led, followed in echelon by the B-1B Lancer, B-52H Stratofortress, F-22 Raptor, F-15C Eagle, F-16C Fighting Falcon, and the A-10 Thunderbolt II. Each aircraft represents a unique chapter in the evolution of military aviation, and their presence together was described by Air Force Global Strike Command as “one unstoppable force” for thousands of people to take in over Memorial Day weekend.
Notably absent were the B-21 Raider, the F-35A Lightning II, and the AC-130J Ghostrider. The failure to mention the B-21 and F-35A was not missed by defense analysts, who see these platforms as the newest in stealth and multi-role capability. An F-35A Joint Strike Fighter was not included, according to Charles Hoffman, Air Force Global Strike Command spokesman, “The reason that an F-35A Joint Strike Fighter was not part of the formation is that none were available at the time.” The implications for operations are evident: even when older planes continue to prove their reliability and versatility, the next generation is not yet being fully integrated into such public displays a reminder of the shifts underway in the Air Force inventory as the service transitions to the future threats.
The technical requirements of flying so varied a collection of aircraft in tight formation are great. Bombers like the B-52H, which is powered by high-bypass turbofans first flight-tested in the legendary J-1 engine test cell, cruise many hundreds of miles per hour faster and significantly higher than agile fighters like the F-16C and F-22 Raptor whose engines and airframes have seen equally intense development and testing. Charles Hoffman noted, “The airmen had to show tremendous skill to fly the seven aircraft in a single formation, especially since the fighters are designed to fly much faster than the bombers.”
This is achieved partly through sophisticated avionics and collision-avoidance systems. The Air Force’s Automatic Air Collision Avoidance System (Auto ACAS) has been tested on aircraft such as the F-16, where it can seize control at the last moment to avoid a collision, then return to the pilot in seconds. During this milestone flight, the two aircraft repeatedly approached each other, and the Auto ACAS activated every time to separate them without pilot input, explained Steve Markman, director of flight tests at the Air Force Research Laboratory’s air vehicles directorate. The system uses a digital data link to broadcast and accept positional data, enabling coordinated escape maneuvers at the last moment an important safety measure during close-formation occurrences.
The technology of the aircraft themselves is also fascinating. The B-2 Spirit’s stealth is the product of decades of development in low observable technology, such as radar-absorbent materials and the flying wing design to reduce radar cross-section. According to technical descriptions, these characteristics allow the B-2 to “penetrate advanced enemy air defenses” and deliver nuclear and precision-guided conventional bombs. The F-22 Raptor, a formation star in its own right, contributes its own combination of stealth, maneuverability, and sensor fusion as a master of contested airspace with cutting-edge shaping and RAM coatings.
Engine technology also plays a key role. The B-52H TF33 turbofan, F-15C F100, and F-16C F110 engines are all among the most thoroughly tested engines for altitude and performance, with the J-1 test cell of Arnold Air Force Base used as a proving ground for advancements in thrust, efficiency, and reliability. Lt. Col. David Garay remembered, It’s absolutely amazing to think of some of the major engine programs that have their lineage associated with the J-1 engine test cell… From the B-52’s TF33 to the C-5’s TF39 and on to the F-15 and F-16’s F100 series of engines, it has served as a focal point for developmental turbine engine testing from the golden age of aviation through the present.
Perhaps most important from the organizational standpoint was the demonstration of the Total Force principle. Pilots were drawn from active-duty, Reserve, and Air National Guard units, highlighting the Air Force’s potential to “collaborate across components” and be one, integrated entity. As Lt. Gen. Michael Loh put it, Our vision is a fully integrated total force that leverages the strengths of each component. If we grasp all three elements, the characteristics of all three elements, then we can get after things where we can compete, deter and, if we must, fight together a view shared by leaders throughout the Air Force.
The Freedom Flyover was something more than a show; it was a nuanced message regarding American technological sophistication, readiness for operations, and the lasting worth of engineering ingenuity in the exercise of airpower.
