B-1B Lancer supersonic aircraft will replace nuclear bombers B-2 Spirit in the Rose Parade and fly over Rose Bowl Stadium during the game

By: Maksim Panasovskiy | 20.12.2022, 01:14

Next year the Rose Parade and the Rose Bowl will be without the B-2 Spirit bombers. But they have already found replacements.

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An accident at Whiteman Air Force Base has left the U.S. military without 20 B-2 Spirit nuclear bombers, and Pasadena residents and visitors have been left without a spectacular show with them. But the tradition will not be broken.

Northrop Grumman's planes remained locked at the base as the U.S. Air Force decided to close the only runway after the accident. On December 10, the B-2 Spirit made an emergency landing and caught fire. Now temporarily the entire bomber squadron is out of commission, and repairs could take several years and cost millions of dollars.

Traditionally, the B-2 Spirit participates in an event called the Rose Parade and flies over Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena during the game following the parade. The match will take place on January 2, 2023. The annual parade includes flower-decorated trains, bands and equestrian units.

In 2024, the nuclear bombers will return to Pasadena to delight the public. U.S. Air Force Col. Daniel Diehl, commander of the 509th Bomber Wing, which is stationed at Whiteman Base, made the announcement.

Instead of the B-2 Spirit, the B-1B Lancer strategic supersonic bombers, known as the Bone, will take part in the parade. They will come to California from South Dakota because they are stationed at Ellsworth Air Force Base.

Source: The Aviation Geek Club
Images: The Aviationist, The Atlantic, DVIDS