On January 1st, 2018 the parade goers who were celebrating the New Year at the Tournament of Rose were treated with a magnificent display of the US Air Force’s state of the art airpower. The display was given by the USAF’s two F-35A Lightning IIs and a B-2 Spirit when they made a spectacular flyover of the parade route.
This Rose Parade Flyover was given in honor of the USAF Major Benjamin “Chex” Meier, who was the pilot for the USAF F-16 aircraft. He flew in combat missions over countries like Iraq, Afghanistan, and Libya. He received the Air Force Medal for his valiant services.
He was also assigned to the 31st Test and Evaluation Squadron as an F-35A Lighting II pilot at Edwards Air Force Base. The man after his death donated his heart, lungs, liver, and kidneys to save the life of the five people who were waiting for organ transplant. Major Benjamin Meier died in a non-aviation related accident while running on the Edward Base back on September 29th, 2015.
Major Meir is survived by his wife and two sons. The two F-35As that partake in the flyover belonged to the Major Meier’s former unit, the 31st Test and Evaluation Squadron.
USAF inventory currently holds 19 total B-2 Spirit Stealth Bombers in operational capability.
Watch the video of this B-2 Spirit Flyover in California down below.
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