NASA Photographer Soars Over Washington in a Fighter Jet

NASA photographer Jim Ross flies above the Washington Monument in Washington on Saturday, July 4, 2026, in an F-18 aircraft, as part of a flyover to celebrate America’s 250th birthday.

NASA photographer Jim Ross recently flew over Washington, D.C. while seated in an F-18 aircraft and took photos of the capital on America’s 250th birthday.

Ross was in one of four fighter jets that flew over the Great American State Fair on Saturday, July 4, which took place on the National Mall in Washington.

“I grew up in Bozeman, Montana, when it was still considered a small town, so if someone told that little kid that he would be flying in an F-18 over the National Mall, he would have never believed it,” Ross tells NASA. “I love documenting history, and having the opportunity to capture flights and launches has kept me doing it for almost 37 years.”

NASA photographer Jim Ross takes a selfie from the rear seat of a NASA F/A‑18 during a cross‑country flight from Spokane, Washington, to Washington, D.C., on Thursday, July 2, 2026. The agency’s F‑15, flying alongside the aircraft, is visible through the window. Both aircraft, from NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, participated in the Freedom 250 flyover with other NASA and military aircraft on Saturday, July 4, 2026. | NASA/Jim Ross

A NASA F‑15 aircraft is shown flying next to a NASA F/A‑18 during a cross‑country flight from Spokane, Washington, to Washington, D.C., on Thursday, July 2, 2026. The full F‑15 is visible, along with a partial view of the F/A‑18’s wing, as both aircraft display new red, white, and blue paint to celebrate America’s 250th birthday. The aircraft, from NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, participated in the Freedom 250 flyover with other NASA and military aircraft on Saturday, July 4, 2026. | NASA/Jim Ross

NASA photographer Jim Ross flies above Washington on Saturday, July 4, 2026, in an F-18 aircraft, as part of a flyover to celebrate America’s 250th birthday.

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman leads a flyover featuring his personally owned F-5 Tiger during the Great American State Fair, Saturday, July 4, 2026, on the National Mall in Washington. NASA/Keegan Barber

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman leads a flyover featuring his personally owned F-5 Tiger over the Great American State Fair, Saturday, July 4, 2026, on the National Mall in Washington. | NASA/Bill Ingalls

This aircraft is from NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, and it joined other NASA aircraft for the flyover. A NASA F-15 and T-38 are seen flying to the sides of the NASA F-18.

A NASA F‑15 aircraft is shown during a cross‑country flight from Spokane, Washington, to Washington, D.C., on Thursday, July 2, 2026. The aircraft displays new red, white, and blue paint to celebrate America’s 250th birthday. The F‑15, from NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, participated in the Freedom 250 flyover with other NASA and military aircraft on Saturday, July 4, 2026. | NASA/Jim Ross

NASA astronaut Victor Glover, Artemis II pilot, fist bumps an audience member after participating in a panel discussion during the Great American State Fair, Saturday, July 4, 2026, on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. | NASA/Bill Ingalls

Ross has worked for NASA since 1989 and became the photo lead for the space agency in 1997, a role he continues to this day.

Also present at the Great American State Fair were the astronauts from the successful Artemis II mission.

Image creditsNASA

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