U.S.
US airpower takes center stage on July 4 with 9 hours of flyovers above National Mall
Stars and Stripes
July 4, 2026
U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds and U.S. Navy Blue Angels aircraft fly past the Washington Monument on June 12, 2026. Both demonstration teams will be part of the America 250 celebration on the National Mall on July 4, 2026. (Matthew Stalcup/U.S. Air Force)
The U.S. military will be center stage on the Mall in Washington on Saturday as America celebrates Independence Day and its 250th birthday.
Fighter jets, bombers, helicopters, parachute performers, a presidential airplane and NASA aircraft will be involved in a more than nine-hour spectacle.
Excessive heat — temperatures surpassing 100 degrees, plus humidity — have has been forecast for D.C.
Flyovers and demonstrations along the National Mall and Washington Monument grounds include (times are p.m. Eastern):
1:14 — NASA F-5 flyover.
1:24 — NASA fleet review
1:44 — Coast Guard helicopter flyover.
1:54 — USCG fixed wing flyover.
2:09 — Army Golden Knights, Navy Leap Frogs
2:29 — Army helicopter flyover.
2:44 — Air Force fleet review. Wave 1, heavies.
2:54 — Air Force fleet review. Wave 2, AFSOC.
3:04 — Air Force fleet review. Wave 3, fighters.
3:29 — Executive rotary wing airlift.
3:39 — Marine Corps fleet review. Wave 1, rotary
3:49 — Marine Corps fleet review. Wave 2, fixed wing.
3:59 — Navy fleet review. Wave 1, rotary.
4:09 — Navy fleet review. Wave 2, fixed wing.
4:19 — Navy fleet review. Wave 3, fighters.
4:21 — Navy F-18F demonstration.
4:59 — Navy Blue Angels.
5:26 — Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey demonstration.
5:44 — Air Force fleet review, fighters.
6:02 — Air Force tri-bomber formation.
6:05 — Navy F-35C demonstration
6:25 — Air force Thunderbirds demonstration.
7:03 — Air Force One flyover.
7:07 — Air Force Thunderbirds Delta Break.
7:17 — HUGE 1 Flyover Led by the newly renovated Air Force One.
7:38 — U.S. stealth airpower flyover.
7:39 — F-22 Raptor demonstration.
7:53 — F-22 Raptor in afterburner.
7:59 — B-1 flyover.
8:07 — B-1s in Aafterburner
8:11 — HUGE ONE flyover review
8:22 — Golden Knights twilight jump
10:36 — B-1 afterburner night pass
Full details of the day’s events are at the Freedom 250 website.