B-2 Stealth Bomber surprises and excites crowd during flyover

Tech. Sgt. Larry A. Simmons, US Air Force,

FOXBOROUGH, MASS: A sellout crowd of more than 68,000 at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass., erupted when a B-2 Stealth Bomber from Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., did a surprise flyover before the game.

“It is a great deal for me as a pilot, especially since I am from here and I think it is a great opportunity for the public to see what we do,” said Capt. Geoff Romanowicz a Morton, Mass. native with the 393rd Bomb Squadron, Whiteman Air Force Base.

The B-2 Spirit Stealth Bomber may be a multi-role bomber capable of delivering both conventional and nuclear munitions, and the New England Patriots one of the most popular teams in the National Football League, but what everyone seemed to be talking about at the stadium was the size of the bomber and what a great surprise the flyover was.

“I figured something might happen since it was such a clear day, but that was unbelievable, the stadium got really loud when we saw it flying over” said Junior Wetherell, Patriot fan from Taunton, Mass.

The Gillette Stadium crowd was not the only ones surprised by the showing of the B-2 as even military members were impressed with the size and site of the bomber over Gillette Stadium.

“We have sang here many times before, but never had the B-2 here. The size of it was incredible. It was an honor to sing here today, ” said Army First Sgt. Jeff Hyde, member of the Voices of Freedom which sang the National Anthem before the game.

The Patriot crowd quickly went silent though as on the first play of the game Bills linebacker Takeo Spikes knocked the ball form Patriot quarterback Tom Brady and Bills linebacker London Fletcher recovered the ball and scored a touchdown.

The patriotic crowd came back to life at halftime as the U.S. Army provided another special military moment this time as Brigadier Oliver Mason enlisted people into the Army National Guard. With “God Bless the U.S.A.” played over the stadium loudspeakers and the capacity crowd singing along, hundreds of recruits raised their right hands and took the oath. After being enlisted, these new recruits were happy to have been able to enlist in front of the sellout crowd.

“I was nervous, with over 60,000 people screaming and singing, the atmosphere was awesome,” said new Spc. Brian Gregorio.

With the day of an aerial show by the B-2, Army enlistments and a great football game coming to a close with Patriots walking away 19-17 winners, Sgt. Hyde summed up the events.

“It was a great game and what an indescribable, awesome show of power by the B-2.”