I did the defensive testing for the B1 at Edwards from 1996-1998. It was an awesome plane. When it went over you at .95 mach at about 500 feet... wow.
Wish I had taken more pictures.
The B-1 is awesome. Have you seen the picture of the one making a high speed low pass over the lake?
That picture gave me the idea and I've been suggesting this for a couple years now. Since it's time for Ramadan again, I'll renew my suggestion for sending a message to our "friends" who believe in "the religion of peace".
Send a 4-ship formation of B-1 bombers just high enough to clear the minarets over the praying masses at Mecca at the height of the Haj. Have them push up to supersonic just before they go over that big black rock they worship.
As the dirt storm caused by the fly-by is clearing, have our ambassadors ask the leaders of the muslim countries if they got our message.
Through the Navy League, I got to spend a day on the USS CONSTITUTION a few years ago. They took it about 75 miles off the coast of San Diego and did three hours of flight ops. It was incredible and very, very loud. The loudest, however, was at the end of the day as we were nearing land. A jet went straight up with afterburners. It was amazing.
Whoops --- USS CONSTELLATION. The Connie.