Reagan National Airport was closed for about three hours on Friday, as some amazing aerial displays took place in celebration of America 250 and the Fourth of July.
According to Freedom 250 event organizers, Friday’s “Wings of Freedom” event featured "parachute teams, helicopters and military aircraft, including the U.S. Marine Corps’ MV-22 Osprey and F-35B, the Navy’s F-18F and F-35C, the Air Force’s F-22 Raptor, the Thunderbirds and a tri-bomber formation."
NEW: US Army Golden Knights & US Navy Leap Frogs are parachuting into the National Mall w/ a large 🇺🇸 flag to kick things off at the Great American State Fair for America 250 today.
— Bill Melugin (@BillMelugin_) July 3, 2026
Today is Aviation Day, lots of flyovers planned today.
10:00 AM — U.S. Army Golden Knights and… pic.twitter.com/gNH3UfUHG7
The U.S. Army Golden Knights and the U.S. Navy Leap Frogs parachuted in; you can see some coming in over the Great American State Fair. There were also U.S. Army helicopters over the Fair and the Washington Monument.
US Army Golden Knights Soar for America’s 250th Anniversary.
— MEAWW News (@meawwcom) July 3, 2026
The legendary U.S. Army Parachute Team, the Golden Knights, have taken to the skies over the National Mall for a breathtaking aerial demonstration in honor of America's 250th Independence Day. pic.twitter.com/8J8BvCY4XP
Then came the very cool F-35B Lightning with the ability to hover.
Our planes are so sick my God.
— Jon Michael Raasch (@JMRaasch) July 3, 2026
F-35 hovering over the National Mall. pic.twitter.com/9u3D6I9psA
🚨 F-35 Lightnings are literally HOVERING over DC, dropping so low that they disappeared behind 12 story buildings
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) July 3, 2026
Before popping back up and rocketing around the Capitol and Washington Monument
And keep in mind: today are just PRACTICE RUNS. Tomorrow is going to be INSANE pic.twitter.com/6cO3BtZEY7
This via @Freedom250 is one of the coolest things I've ever seen pic.twitter.com/pEPgiWZ7Sm
— Liam Donovan (@LPDonovan) July 3, 2026
This was also very cool:
America at 250 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/l9qIVcIHIz
— Emel Akan (@mlakan) July 3, 2026
They finished up with the U.S. Air Force tri-bomber formation.
Grand Finale with Air Force Tri-Bomber Formation (including the B-2 Spirit) 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/lUYzZc8ulr
— Emel Akan (@mlakan) July 3, 2026
READ MORE: Sail 250: Massive, Beautiful Tall Ship Fleet Honors America’s 250th
Sojourn 250: American Legion Riders' Mission for America
That was all just a kick-off to some of the amazing stuff that's going to happen on Saturday for the Fourth of July.
Flyovers and demonstrations are scheduled throughout the afternoon and evening along the National Mall and Washington Monument grounds, including appearances by Air Force One, the Thunderbirds, Blue Angels, military aircraft fleet reviews, parachute demonstrations and B-2 stealth bombers.
Highlights include an Air Force One flyover scheduled for 7:03 p.m., a Thunderbirds demonstration beginning at 6:25 p.m., a tri-bomber formation at 6:02 p.m. and a stealth aircraft flyover at 7:38 p.m.
We'll certainly bring you what we can — it sounds like it's going to be a great, action-packed day.
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