A U.S. Air Force B-2 Spirit leads four F-35A Lightning II aircraft during a formation flyover above the National Mall during a Freedom 250 event in Washington, D.C, June 24, 2026. Flyovers are a time-honored way for the Air Force to connect with the American public – honoring the past, celebrating the present and inspiring future generations. (Department of the Interior photo by Lowell Whitman)
CAMERA
Canon EOS R3
LENS
RF24-105mm F2.8 L IS USM Z
APERTURE
32/10
SHUTTERSPEED
1/2000
ISO
3200
No camera details available.
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These images tell the story of a force forged in the pursuit of freedom. Across the decades captured here, Airmen have carried the nation's cause through open skies, into orbit, and across the digital frontier. Each frame is a glimpse of the dedication, courage, and skill that have defined the Department of the Air Force, from the propeller-driven pioneers of the Army Air Corps to the fifth-generation fighters and space capabilities of today. As America turns 250, this gallery honors the people and moments that have kept the promise of freedom flying.