Guardian of Freedom

Few aircraft are as legendary as the North American B-25 Mitchell. Named after General “Billy” Mitchell, the fiery advocate for U.S. airpower, the twin-engine bomber cemented its place in history during the famous Doolittle Raid of April 1942. Sixteen B-25s, launched from the deck of the USS Hornet, carried out the first strike on Japanese soil in World War II, a mission that changed the course of the war and the legacy of American airpower.

The Lyon Air Museum’s own B-25, “Guardian of Freedom,” carries that spirit of courage. During World War II, it flew combat patrols over Alaska and the Aleutian Islands, braving rugged conditions to defend America’s northern front. After combat service, it returned home to train the next generation of U.S. pilots and crews, extending its impact far beyond the battlefield.

Today, “Guardian of Freedom” stands as a living tribute to the heroes who flew and fought in the iconic Mitchell — a symbol of resilience, innovation, and American grit.

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