The B-2 Stealth Bomber is Back! Tournament Confirms Rose Parade, Rose Bowl Game Overflights on January 1

The Tournament of Roses has confirmed that a United States Air Force B-2 Stealth bomber will once again grace the skies over Pasadena on January 1, 2024. 

The B-2 bomber will fly over both the Rose Parade and the Rose Bowl game, reinstating a tradition that has been a part of the New Year’s Day festivities since 2005.

The B-2 bomber fleet was grounded last year following an emergency landing and fire. This led to a stand-down and the deployment of a B-1B Lancer bomber from Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota instead of a B-2.

The B-2 stealth bomber, known for its iconic flying wing design, first entered service in 1993. Its flyover at the Rose Parade and Rose Bowl game is a tradition that for many people signifies the start of a new year. 

The thundering roar and incredible sight of the low-flying B-2 whooshing over the TV Corner of Colorado and Orange Grove Boulevard and soaring above Colorado Boulevard is a highlight of the New Year’s Day festivities.

Television audiences are similarly thrilled to see the B-2 over the Rose Bowl at the start of the ‘Granddaddy of Them All.’ 

The Tournament of Roses has confirmed  that a United States Air Force B2 stealth bomber will fly over both the Rose Parade and the Rose Bowl game on January 1 2024

 last year the B-2 bombers fleet was grounded after  an emergency landing and Fire led to a stand down. instead the Air Force sent a B-1B Lancer bomber based out of Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota to do the job.

The B-2 Bomber has been a traditional part of the Rose Parade and Rose Bowl Game since 2005.

For many people nothing could be more exciting onJanuary 1 than the Thundering Roar and incredible sight of the low flying B2 whooshing over TV corner of Colorado and Orange Grove Boulevard and soaring above Colorado Boulevard.

Similarly television audiences are thrilled to see the B2 over the Rose Bowl at the start of the granddaddy of them all.

The B-2 Bomber has been a traditional part of the Rose Parade and Rose Bowl game in Pasadena, California, for many years. However, in the past five years, there have been some changes due to safety concerns and the grounding of the B-2 fleet. Here is a history of B-2 Bomber flights over the Rose Parade and Rose Bowl game in Pasadena, California, on New Year’s Day over the past five years:

• In 2018, a B-2 Spirit belonging to the 509th Bomb Wing from Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, performed the traditional Rose Parade and Rose Bowl flyovers2.
• In 2019, there were no posts or news about the B-2 Bomber flying over the Rose Parade and Rose Bowl game in Pasadena, California, on New Year’s Day on www.PasadenaNow.com.
• In 2020, a B-2 Stealth Bomber flew over the 106th Rose Bowl Game at the conclusion of the National Anthem, on New Year’s Day3.
• In 2021, there were no B-2 Bomber flights over the Rose Parade and Rose Bowl game in Pasadena, California, due to the COVID-19 pandemic46.
• In 2022,Pasadena Now has learned that as a result of a stand down, the traditional B-2 flyover over the Rose Parade and Rose Bowl can not take place on Jan. 2.
• The B-2 flyover has kicked off the parade since 2005. 
• In place of the B-2 stealth bomber will be a B-1B Lancer bomber based out of Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota, according to a Sunday article published by Task and Purpose, an online publication which covers the United States Armed Forces and the defense industry.
• The B-2s were grounded after a fire following an emergency landing at Whiteman Air Force Base. There are only 20 B-2s in the Air Force’s fleet. No one was injured in the incident.

In conclusion, the B-2 Bomber has been a traditional part of the Rose Parade and Rose Bowl game in Pasadena, California, for many years. However, in the past five years, there have been some changes due to safety concerns and the grounding of the B-2 fleet.