The annual Rose Parade in Pasadena, California, featured a remarkable flyover by a B-2 Spirit bomber on January 1, 2025. This event, part of the parade’s 135th celebration, showcased the craftsmanship and capabilities of one of the U.S. military’s most advanced aircraft. Piloted by airmen from Whiteman Air Force Base, the mission required precise timing and extensive collaboration, reflecting the operational excellence of the 509th Bomb Wing.
The flyover is a highlight of the parade, which attracts millions of spectators both on-site and via national broadcasts. This year’s performance was particularly significant as it marked the first Rose Parade appearance under the command of Col. Joshua D. Wiitala, who took command in June 2024. The event not only connects the Air Force to the American public but also showcases the dedication of the personnel behind the bomber.
Reflecting on the past year, Col. Wiitala described it as one of the busiest for the 509th Bomb Wing. The unit has been heavily involved in global deterrence missions, including a notable strike on nuclear facilities in Iran in June 2024. “It has been a very busy and very consequential year for the 509th Bomb Wing,” Wiitala stated. “We’re really looking forward to this flyover as a chance to connect with the American public and to showcase what this team is capable of.”
The connection between the B-2 and the local community is particularly meaningful. The bombers are both designed and maintained in Southern California at Northrop Grumman’s facility in Palmdale. “We love that connection with the local community here in the B-2 community,” Wiitala added. “Having been able to do this for over 30 years just makes it a great event.”
Executing a flyover of this magnitude is a complex operation. It requires meticulous planning and coordination with the Tournament of Roses, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and local air traffic controllers. “It’s very busy airspace, particularly during the Rose Parade,” Wiitala noted. “The biggest thing is just setting everything up for success with the routing itself and all the cooperation with the FAA.”
Preparation for the flyover begins in advance with extensive briefings and maintenance checks involving the entire team. On the day of the parade, pilots start their journey well before dawn, taking off at around 02:00 Central Time for a flight exceeding 1,600 miles to Pasadena. The B-2 is timed to arrive over Colorado Boulevard within seconds of 08:00, aligning perfectly with the commencement of the parade.
For this year’s event, the 509th Bomb Wing executed two flyovers: one for the Rose Parade and another for the Rose Bowl. To achieve this, two B-2 bombers were deployed, ensuring that one could serve as a spare during the mission. After the parade, the aircraft followed a carefully plotted route for additional training before returning to the Rose Bowl, timed with the national anthem.
The precision of the timing is crucial, with crews on the ground monitoring each singer’s pacing to ensure the bomber appears overhead at just the right moment. “We actually time national anthem singers,” Wiitala explained. “We know exactly how long a given singer takes to sing the national anthem, and then we specifically time how long they hold out the word ‘brave’… so we know what our window is to arrive perfectly on time at the end of the national anthem.”
Beyond its ceremonial role, the flyover serves as a practical training exercise for the pilots, enhancing their skills in timing and coordination. For Col. Wiitala, this event holds personal significance as it is his first flyover as wing commander. “Being able to just connect the broader public to their airmen,” he expressed, “is the best part of it for me.”
The B-2 flyover has been a tradition at the Rose Parade since the mid-1990s, regularly showcasing the capabilities of the U.S. military’s stealth technology to a wide audience. Despite some interruptions in recent years due to safety reviews or the COVID-19 pandemic, the bomber’s presence remains a highlight of the festivities.
Col. Wiitala’s connection to Pasadena extends beyond his military career. Growing up in Washington, he visited the area during college but had never attended the Rose Parade. “I’ve been to Pasadena a handful of times in college… but I have not been [to the parade]. I’m really looking forward to it,” he said.
This year’s flyover not only celebrates a significant military achievement but also reinforces the bond between the U.S. Air Force and the communities that support its missions.
