The display was as much a symbol as it was a show of force—a pointed reminder of America’s military reach at the very moment the two leaders prepared to discuss the future of global security. The dramatic arrival underscored the high-stakes nature of the Alaska summit, the first face-to-face meeting between Trump and Putin since Trump’s return to the White House earlier this year.
Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, situated just outside Anchorage, was chosen for its robust security, strategic location, and symbolic position—physically closer to Russia than Washington, D.C., yet firmly on American soil. Onlookers in Anchorage and across social media quickly seized on the moment, with many calling it an “insane flex,” noting the B-2 bomber’s recent combat history.
Only two months ago, the stealth aircraft played a central role in U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, dropping bunker-buster bombs in a move that drew both praise and condemnation on the world stage. The B-2 Spirit, built by Northrop Grumman, is one of the most advanced aircraft ever created—capable of penetrating dense air defences and striking targets anywhere in the world without refuelling.
Its distinctive flying-wing design and radar-absorbent coating make it nearly invisible to enemy radar. With a range of over 6,000 nautical miles and the ability to carry both conventional and nuclear weapons, the B-2 serves as a critical component of America’s nuclear triad.
Only 21 were ever built, and fewer than 20 remain in service, making any public appearance a rare and deliberate statement. The flyover in Alaska highlighted both technological power and political symbolism at the opening of a closely watched summit.
