Washington D.C. is set to host an unprecedented aerial armada on July 4, 2026, marking the 250th anniversary of the United States. The event, organized by Freedom 250 and Air Dot Show, will feature hundreds of military aircraft, making it the largest aerial celebration in American history. The flyovers will begin at 1:14 PM ET with a NASA F-5 flyover, followed by reviews from the Coast Guard, Army, Air Force, Marines, and Navy, and will continue hourly until sunset. A "NASA Fleet Review" is also scheduled immediately after the initial flyover.
The showcase will include a "U.S. Stealth Airpower Flyover" featuring B-2, F-22, and F-35 aircraft, and a rare Tri-Bomber Formation with the B-52 Stratofortress, B-1B Lancer, and B-2 Spirit flying together. The Air Force Thunderbirds will perform over the National Mall for the first time in their 73-year history, and the Navy Blue Angels will also partake. Other featured aircraft include the F-35B Lightning II, F/A-18 Super Hornet, and the MV-22 Osprey. This event is expected to be far larger than similar past celebrations, including the 250th birthday of the U.S. Army last year and the Centennial of Naval Aviation in 2011.
Adding to the spectacle, the event will also see an "America’s Force One" formation led by a newly renovated Air Force One. The total value of the airborne hardware on display, including the F-22 and F-35B flypasts, is estimated to be around $6 billion. The aerial display will be complemented by what organizers describe as the largest Fourth of July fireworks show in American history, featuring 850,000 shells launched from ten sites, including eight barges on the Potomac and the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. President Donald Trump is scheduled to deliver remarks, followed by the fireworks display around 10:30 PM ET.
