Four vintage U.S. Army Air Forces perform a missing man formation during an aerial review in honor of the Doolittle Raiders over Okaloosa Island, Florida, April 18, 2022. The review featured 30 vintage and current U.S. Air Force aircraft and included a B-25 Mitchell bomber, a B-52 Stratofortress, an F-22 Raptor, and an F-35 Lightning II among other aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Brandon Esau)
FORT WALTON BEACH, Fla. – An Air Force flyover honoring the Doolittle Raiders took place over the beaches of Fort Walton Beach and Destin on April 18, 2022, the 50th anniversary of the Doolittle air raid on Tokyo.
More than 14 different aircraft—and 30 total—participated in the flyover. Thousands of spectators were in attendance. The Boardwalk on Okaloosa Island was the central gathering place.
The Air Force Special Operations Command and the Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce hosted the flyover and a special goblet ceremony in Niceville earlier in the day.
The Doolittle Raiders trained for their raid at Eglin Air Force Base and in the woods near us in Niceville.
We hope you enjoy this pictorial of the event.
Seven aircraft with the call sign “Black Duck” fly over during The Doolittle Raiders’ 80th Anniversary ceremony, April 18, 2022, at Okaloosa Island. On May 23, 2014, President Barack Obama signed Public Law 113-106, awarding the Congressional Gold Medal – the highest civilian recognition Congress can bestow – to the 80 members of the Doolittle Tokyo Raid in recognition of their service. (Senior Airman Jonathan Valdes Montijo)Historic WWII aircraft fly in a Missing Man formation during The Doolittle Raiders’ 80th Anniversary ceremony, April 18, 2022, at Okaloosa Island. More than 14 aircraft, including the B-25 medium bombers, which participated in the Doolittle Raid, conducted an aerial review over Okaloosa Island, Florida, following a formal ceremony honoring participants of the air operation. (Senior Airman Jonathan Valdes Montijo)
An F-22 Raptor assigned to 43d Fighter Squadron, Tyndall AFB, Fla., flies over during The Doolittle Raiders’ 80th Anniversary ceremony, April 18, 2022, at Okaloosa Island. U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Jim Slife, commander of Air Force Special Operations Command and U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Brad Webb, commander of Air Education and Training Command (AETC), conducted an aerial review in honor of the members of the Doolittle Raiders. (Senior Airman Jonathan Valdes Montijo)
Two F-15E Strike Eagles, assigned to 85th Test and Evaluation Squadron, Eglin AFB, Fla., fly over during The Doolittle Raiders’ 80th Anniversary ceremony, April 18, 2022, at Okaloosa Island. More than 14 aircraft, including the B-25 medium bombers, which participated in the Doolittle Raid, conducted an aerial review over Okaloosa Island, Florida, following a formal ceremony honoring participants of the air operation. (Senior Airman Jonathan Valdes Montijo)
A B-1 Lancer assigned to the 34th and 37th Bomb Squadrons, Ellsworth AFB, SD, flies over during The Doolittle Raiders’ 80th Anniversary ceremony, April 18, 2022, at Okaloosa Island. U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Jim Slife, commander of Air Force Special Operations Command, and U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Brad Webb, commander of Air Education and Training Command (AETC), conducted an aerial review in honor of the members of the Doolittle Raiders. (Senior Airman Jonathan Valdes Montijo)
A B-52 Stratofortress assigned to the 2nd Bomb Wing, Barksdale AFB, LA, flies over during The Doolittle Raiders’ 80th Anniversary ceremony, April 18, 2022, at Okaloosa Island. On May 23, 2014, President Barack Obama signed Public Law 113-106, awarding the Congressional Gold Medal – the highest civilian recognition Congress can bestow – to the 80 members of the Doolittle Tokyo Raid in recognition of their service. (Senior Airman Jonathan Valdes Montijo)
An 8th Special Operations Squadron CV-22 Osprey, assigned to Hurlburt Field, Fla., flies over during The Doolittle Raiders’ 80th Anniversary ceremony as a 4th Special Operations Squadron AC-130J Ghostrider gunship, also assigned to Hurlburt Field, Fla., flies in the background, April 18, 2022, at Okaloosa Island. More than 14 aircraft, including the B-25 medium bombers, which participated in the Doolittle Raid, conducted an aerial review over Okaloosa Island, Florida, following a formal ceremony honoring participants of the air operation. (Senior Airman Jonathan Valdes Montijo)
A 4th Special Operations Squadron AC-130J Ghostrider gunship assigned to Hurlburt Field, Fla., flies over during The Doolittle Raiders’ 80th Anniversary ceremony, April 18, 2022, at Okaloosa Island. On May 23, 2014, President Barack Obama signed Public Law 113-106, awarding the Congressional Gold Medal – the highest civilian recognition Congress can bestow – to the 80 members of the Doolittle Tokyo Raid in recognition of their service. (Senior Airman Jonathan Valdes Montijo)
A 15th Special Operations Squadron MC-130H Combat Talon II, assigned to Hurlburt Field, Fla., flies over during The Doolittle Raiders’ 80th Anniversary ceremony, April 18, 2022, at Okaloosa Island. More than 14 aircraft, including the B-25 medium bombers, which participated in the Doolittle Raid, conducted an aerial review over Okaloosa Island, Florida, following a formal ceremony honoring participants of the air operation. (Senior Airman Jonathan Valdes Montijo)
Two HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters, assigned to the 41st Rescue Squadron, Moody AFB, GA, fly over during The Doolittle Raiders’ 80th Anniversary ceremony April 18, 2022, at Okaloosa Island. U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Jim Slife, commander of Air Force Special Operations Command, and U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Brad Webb, commander of Air Education and Training Command (AETC), conducted an aerial review in honor of the members of the Doolittle Raiders. (Senior Airman Jonathan Valdes Montijo)
