Photos: B-2 stealth bomber celebrates 25th anniversary

Wheels touch the ground as the Air Force’s B-2 Spirit Stealth bomber “Spirit of Arizona” lands at the Northrop Grumman facility at Air Force Plant 42 in Palmdale as Northrop Grumman hosted the 25th anniversary celebration of the first flight in the same location.

The Air Force’s B-2 Spirit Stealth bomber “Spirit of Arizona” taxis on the runway after landing at the Northrop Grumman facility at Air Force Plant 42 in Palmdale.

Members of the news media record Bruce Hinds, the former B-2 chief test pilot, speaking as several hundred Northrop Grumman employees, civic leaders and Air Force personnel gather in front of the U.S. Air Force’s B-2 Spirit Stealth bomber “Spirit of Georgia” at the Northrop Grumman facility at Air Force Plant 42 in Palmdale.

Northrop Grumman employees, civic leaders and Air Force personnel gather in front of the Air Force’s B-2 Spirit Stealth bomber “Spirit of Georgia” at the Northrop Grumman facility at Air Force Plant 42 in Palmdale.

Northrop Grumman employees, civic leaders and Air Force personnel gather in front of the Air Force’s B-2 Spirit Stealth bomber “Spirit of Georgia” at the Northrop Grumman facility at Air Force Plant 42 in Palmdale.

The Air Force’s B-2 Spirit Stealth bomber “Spirit of Georgia” is displayed at the Northrop Grumman facility at Air Force Plant 42 in Palmdale.

Dave Mazur, vice president, B-2 program manager for Northrop Grumman, rides into the 25th anniversary celebration aboard a B-2 Stealth Bike designed by Orange County Choppers.

Wearing commemorative hats and T-shirts, several hundred Northrop Grumman employees, civic leaders and Air Force personnel gather in front of the Air Force’s B-2 Spirit Stealth bomber “Spirit of Georgia” at the Northrop Grumman facility at Air Force Plant 42 in Palmdale.

The U.S. flag flies near the Air Force’s B-2 Spirit Stealth bomber “Spirit of Georgia” at the Northrop Grumman facility at Air Force Plant 42 in Palmdale.  (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)