B-2 bomber excites crowd at Patriots game

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Larry A. Simmons
  • Air Force Print News
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AFPN) --  A sellout crowd of more than 68,000 at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass., erupted when a B-2 Spirit stealth bomber from Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., did a surprise flyover before the game. 

"It is a great deal for me as a pilot, especially since I am from here, and I think it is a great opportunity for the public to see what we do," said Capt. Geoff Romanowicz, a Morton, Mass., native with the 393rd Bomb Squadron at Whiteman.

The B-2 may be a multi-role bomber capable of delivering both conventional and nuclear munitions, and the New England Patriots one of the most popular teams in the National Football League, but what everyone seemed to be talking about at the stadium was the size of the bomber and what a great surprise the flyover was.

"I figured something might happen since it was such a clear day, but that was unbelievable. The stadium got really loud when we saw it flying over," said Junior Wetherell, a Patriot fan from Taunton, Mass.

The Gillette Stadium crowd were not the only ones surprised by the showing of the B-2 as even military members were impressed with the sight of the bomber overhead.

"We have sang here many times before, but never had the B-2 here. The size of it was incredible. It was an honor to sing here today, " said Army First Sgt. Jeff Hyde, a member of the 215th Army Band's Voices of Freedom choir that sang the National Anthem.

After making so much noise for the flyover, the Patriot crowd quickly got quieter on the first play of the game when Buffalo Bills linebacker Takeo Spikes knocked the ball from Patriot quarterback Tom Brady and Bills linebacker London Fletcher recovered the ball and scored a touchdown.

The crowd came back to life at halftime as the U.S. Army provided another special military moment, this time with Brig. Gen. Oliver Mason enlisting people into the Army National Guard. With "God Bless the U.S.A." played over the stadium loudspeakers and the capacity crowd singing along, hundreds of recruits raised their right hands and took the oath.

"I was nervous. With over 60,000 people screaming and singing, the atmosphere was awesome," said new Spc. Brian Gregorio.

Sergeant Hyde summed up the day's events: "It was a great game, and what an indescribable, awesome show of power by the B-2."