Photos: USAF 70th Anniversary at RIAT 2017

70th Anniversary of the United States Air Force
Pictures:	Boeing B-52H Stratofortress, Boeing C-17A Globemaster III, Gates Learjet C-21A, Lockheed Martin C-130J-30 Hercules, Northrop Grumman B-2A Spirit, Rockwell B-1B Lancer
Airshow:	RIAT 2017 (Royal International Air Tattoo)
Location:	RAF Fairford (FFD/EGVA) · United Kingdom
Date:	14 - 16 July 2017

A salute to the 70th anniversary of the United States Air Force at RIAT 2017.

A series of spectacular flypasts and jaw-dropping displays ensured the USAF's 70th anniversary was celebrated in style at a sold out Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford.

Among the aerial highlights were the USAF Thunderbirds, whose highly-choreographed pre-flight routines were as entertaining as their flying display. Flying F-16 Fighting Falcons, the team was joined on the Friday by nine Red Arrows' Hawks for a colourful joint flypast to launch the airshow.

Joining the Thunderbirds to celebrate the USAF anniversary were vintage American warbirds including a B-17 and P-51D Mustang, a state-of-the-art F-22 Raptor and a dramatic flypast by a number of UK and European based USAF aircraft.

On the Sunday, visitors were treated to a surprise flypast by a stealth B-2 Spirit bomber that was taking part in an epic 23-hour transatlantic "Global Power" training flight from Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri. The aircraft was escorted by two F-15 fighters.

Compiled from RIAT News Centre

Boeing B-52H Stratofortress	Boeing C-17A Globemaster III	Boeing F-15E Strike Eagle
Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker	Bell-Boeing CV-22B Osprey	Gates Learjet C-21A
Lockheed F-16CJ Fighting Falcon	Lockheed U-2S	Lockheed Martin C-130J-30 Hercules
Lockheed Martin F-22A Raptor	McDonnell Douglas F-15C Eagle F-15E Strike Eagle	Northrop Grumman B-2A Spirit
Rockwell B-1B Lancer	Thunderbirds United States Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron	United States Air Force Heritage Flight

70th Anniversary of the United States Air Force