Air Force Bombers and Fighters Fly Over Chinese Leader’s DC Visit

Chinese President Xi Jinping’s state visit to Washington D.C. has been filled with signs of American airpower: U.S. Air Force B-1 and B-2 bombers and F-22 fighters have all performed flyovers Sept. 23-24.

Xi arrived at Joint Base Andrews, Md., on Sept. 23, and was greeted planeside by President Donald Trump—an unusual occurrence—and a military honor guard. The Presidential Salute Battery of the Army’s Old Guard, formally known as the 3rd Infantry Regiment, conducted a 21-gun salute as part of the arrival ceremony, and two B-1B Lancers roared overhead as the national anthem played.

A day later, a single B-2 Spirit, flanked by four F-22 Raptors, soared over the White House to cap a morning of military pomp and ceremony for Xi and his wife, Chinese First Lady Peng Liyuan.

This is Xi’s first state visit to the U.S. since 2015.

First Lady Melania Trump’s office released a statement Sept. 21 saying the welcoming event would feature 479 military personnel from all branches of the U.S. military.

As they arrived, Xi and his wife were met with a full military honor cordon along the White House’s South Drive, which led to a display of the flags of the U.S. and China. U.S. Army Herald Trumpets presented a fanfare for the Xis, and the Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps, the Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon, and the United States Marine Drum and Bugle Corps—known as “The Commandant’s Own”—performed military demonstrations, before the B-2 and F-22 flyover.

Military flyovers are not unusual for state visits. A few months ago, four F-35s flew over the White House in honor of King Charles III’s state visit. But the presence of bombers is less routine and somewhat reminiscent of an August 2025 flyover of Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, that featured a B-2 Spirit and four F-35s.