US Air Force Projects Power with B-2 Spirit Bomber and F-35 Fighters During Putin’s Alaska Visit.

The skies over Alaska provided a symbolic backdrop to the meeting between U.S. President Donald J. Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin on August 15, 2025. At Joint Base Elmendorf–Richardson in Anchorage, a U.S. Air Force B-2A Spirit stealth bomber carried out a flyover accompanied by four F-35 Lightning II fighters. The scene, broadcast live and followed by hundreds of thousands of viewers online, stood out as a moment of strategic communication during a sensitive diplomatic summit.
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A U.S. Air Force B-2 Spirit stealth bomber escorted by F-35 Lightning II fighters flying over Joint Base Elmendorf–Richardson in Anchorage during the Trump–Putin meeting, August 15, 2025 (Picture source: X Channel @sentdefender)

The aerial display took place as the two leaders entered a new round of bilateral discussions. Alaska, due to its proximity to Russia across the Arctic and its strategic role within the NORAD defense network, was already a highly symbolic location to host the meeting. The appearance of an American stealth bomber, capable of carrying both nuclear and conventional weapons, escorted by fifth-generation fighters from Lockheed Martin, added a military dimension to the diplomatic context. It is not the first time Washington has associated an international summit with an air demonstration, but the infrequency of public flights by the B-2A Spirit gave the event particular resonance, amplified by the presence of the Russian president. For many observers, the message was clear: the United States continues to demonstrate its strategic capacity for projection and deterrence, including in the Pacific and Arctic theaters.

The Northrop Grumman B-2A Spirit, which entered service in the late 1990s, remains one of the most distinctive strategic bombers in service. Designed to penetrate advanced air defense systems through stealth, it can carry both conventional and nuclear weapons. Its intercontinental range allows it to strike any target worldwide without intermediate stops, supported by aerial refueling. Its flying-wing design, extensive use of composite materials, and radar-absorbent coatings give it an extremely low radar signature, reportedly comparable to that of a small bird. The B-2 can carry up to 18,000 kg of weapons, stored entirely in two internal bays to preserve low observability. It is certified to deliver nuclear gravity bombs such as the B61 and B83, as well as precision-guided conventional weapons such as the GBU-31 and GBU-38 JDAM. For hardened targets, it can carry two GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrators weighing 13.6 tons each, designed to defeat underground bunkers. Its defensive systems include the modernized AN/APQ-181 AESA radar, a Defensive Management System that detects and helps avoid threats, and advanced electronic countermeasures. Powered by four General Electric F118-GE-100 engines embedded within the wing and equipped with serpentine intakes to reduce infrared signature, the aircraft flies at subsonic speeds (up to Mach 0.95) but compensates with a range of more than 11,000 km, extendable through refueling. The combination of stealth, endurance, and payload continues to make the B-2 a central element of U.S. long-range strike capability.

Escorting the bomber, four F-35A Lightning II fighters highlighted the complementarity of generations. This fifth-generation multirole fighter is designed for air superiority, strike missions, and networked operations. A single-seat, single-engine aircraft, it combines stealth features with advanced avionics and sensor fusion. Powered by a Pratt & Whitney F135-PW-100 engine producing up to 43,000 pounds of thrust with afterburner, it reaches Mach 1.6 and has a combat radius of over 2,200 km. The Helmet-Mounted Display System, together with sensors such as the Distributed Aperture System and the AN/APG-81 AESA radar, provide the pilot with 360-degree awareness, supported by the Electro-Optical Targeting System for precision strikes.

The F-35’s armament is housed primarily in an internal bay to preserve stealth, but the aircraft also has six external hardpoints when required. It is fitted with an internal M61A2 Vulcan 20 mm cannon and can employ AIM-120 AMRAAM and AIM-9X Sidewinder air-to-air missiles, as well as precision-guided bombs such as the GBU-31 JDAM, the GBU-39 Small Diameter Bomb, and the AGM-88 HARM designed to neutralize air defense radars. Its electronic warfare suite provides active protection against modern threats, while secure communications and data links allow real-time coordination with allied platforms. This combination of low observability, firepower, and connectivity has made the F-35A a central asset for the U.S. Air Force and partner air forces.

The event was broadcast on social media and official military channels. According to the U.S. Air Force, several hundred thousand viewers followed the flyover live, which quickly generated wide media coverage. The contrast between this American display and the arrival of Vladimir Putin in Anchorage, aboard his Il-96-300PU presidential aircraft accompanied by a Tu-214PU carrying his delegation, reinforced the visual and political impact of the sequence. While Russia highlighted upgraded Soviet-era aircraft, the United States presented newer-generation stealth platforms.

Beyond the spectacle, the formation was part of a broader communication strategy. It underscored Alaska’s role as a strategic hub of U.S. defense, both as a gateway to the Arctic and as a direct interface with Russia. The demonstration also illustrated the Trump administration’s intention to link military capability with political negotiation. In a context of intensified competition between Washington and Moscow, the message was explicit: diplomacy is accompanied by a reminder of available coercive means. The pairing of the B-2 Spirit and the F-35 illustrated the continuity between strategic nuclear deterrence and conventional fifth-generation air superiority. For the U.S. Air Force, it was also an opportunity to emphasize to allies and international observers the modern structure and coherence of its force posture.