Seventy years ago Saturday, Chuck Yeager became the first pilot to travel faster than the speed of sound in level flight. Marking the anniversary Friday were formation flyovers in the skies of Southern California, and ceremonies Friday and Saturday at Edwards Air Force Base. It’s a combined celebration of the 70th anniversary of supersonic flight and the 70th birthday of the Air Force as a separate military service.

In the annals of human achievement, there are many record holders, but few absolute barrier breakers. Up there with Roger Bannister running the first four-minute mile, Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay climbing Mount Everest and Neil Armstrong stepping on the moon — that sort of person — is Yeager breaking the sound barrier.

Yeager, now 94, did it Oct. 14, 1947, in a Bell X-1 rocket plane. Dropped from the bomb bay of a modified bomber, the plane hit 700 mph — Mach 1.06 — at an altitude of 45,000 feet above the Rogers Dry Lake in the Mojave Desert before landing on a dry lake bed. The experimental flight, a U.S. government project, was meant to be secret. But the achievement was leaked to the press and reported a week later.

(Ret) Major General Chuck Yeager 94, who broke the sound barrier attends the Edwards AFB 70th anniversary of the first supersonic flight on Oct. 14, 1947. (Photo by Gene Blevins)

Students from Matt Landry’s 5th grade class watch as a flyover of military planes goes over their school on Friday, Oct. 13, 2017 at Washington Elementary School in Riverside. To mark the 70th anniversary of the first supersonic flight on Oct. 14, 1947, Edwards Air Force Base launched two formation flights to pass over Southern California schools October 13 as part of its outreach to support STEM (Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education. (Stan Lim, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

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Students react as a flyover of military planes goes over their school on Friday, Oct. 13, 2017 at Washington Elementary School in Riverside. To mark the 70th anniversary of the first supersonic flight on Oct. 14, 1947, Edwards Air Force Base launched two formation flights to pass over Southern California schools October 13 as part of its outreach to support STEM (Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education. (Stan Lim, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

A formation of four jets from Edwards Air Force Base, including an F-16 Fighting Falcon, an F-15 Eagle, an F-22 Raptor and an F-35 Lightning II, do a flyover over schools in Lake Forest on Friday, October 13, 2017, on a route through several Southern California counties, during an event marking the 7th anniversary of the first supersonic flight, aimed at promoting STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics). (Photo By Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)

Serrano Middle School students scan the sky as they await a flyover by four military jets from Edwards Air Force Base during an event marking the 70th anniversary of the first supersonic flight on Friday, October 13, 2017 in Lake Forest. (Photo By Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)



Serrano Middle School students point their cell phones and cameras at the sky during a flyover by four military jets from Edwards Air Force Base marking the 70th anniversary of the first supersonic flight on Friday, October 13, 2017 in Lake Forest. (Photo By Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)

Serrano Middle School students point their cell phones and cameras at the sky during a flyover by four military jets from Edwards Air Force Base marking the 70th anniversary of the first supersonic flight on Friday, October 13, 2017 in Lake Forest. (Photo By Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)

A formation of four jets from Edwards Air Force Base, including an F-16 Fighting Falcon, an F-15 Eagle, an F-22 Raptor and an F-35 Lightning II, do a flyover over schools in Lake Forest on Friday, October 13, 2017, on a route through several Southern California counties, during an event marking the 7th anniversary of the first supersonic flight, aimed at promoting STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics). (Photo By Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)

To mark the 70th anniversary of the first supersonic flight by Chuck Yeager on Oct. 14, 1947, Edwards Air Force Base launched two formation flights which passed over Southern California schools October 13 as part of its outreach to support STEM (Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education. An F-15 Eagle, F-16 Falcon, F-35 Lightning II and a F-22 Raptor fly above Simi Valley as they enter the skies above Chatsworth on Octobe 13, 2017. (Photo by Dean Musgrove, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

To mark the 70th anniversary of the first supersonic flight by Chuck Yeager on Oct. 14, 1947, Edwards Air Force Base launched two formation flights which passed over Southern California schools October 13 as part of its outreach to support STEM (Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education. An F-15 Eagle, F-16 Falcon, F-35 Lightning II and a F-22 Raptor fly high above Simi Valley on Octobe 13, 2017. (Photo by Dean Musgrove, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)



Students look to the sky as F-15 Eagle, F-16 Falcon, F-22 Raptor, and F-35 Lightning II flyover Gage Middle School in Riverside as part of its outreach to support STEM, Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, education on Friday, Oct. 13, 2017. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Edwards AFB celebrated the 70th anniversary of the first supersonic flight on Oct. 14, 1947. The event had many aircraft on display and was for air force guests only. Retired Major General Chuck Yeager, who broke the sound barrier 70yrs ago attended the event on Friday, October 13, 2017. (Photo by Gene Blevins)

Edwards AFB celebrated the 70th anniversary of the first supersonic flight on Oct. 14, 1947. The event had many aircraft on display and was for air force guests only. Retired Major General Chuck Yeager, who broke the sound barrier 70yrs ago attended the event on Friday, October 13, 2017. (Photo by Gene Blevins)

F-15 Eagle, F-16 Falcon, F-22 Raptor, and F-35 Lightning II flyover Gage Middle School in Riverside as part of its outreach to support STEM, Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, education on Friday, Oct. 13, 2017. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Edwards AFB celebrated the 70th anniversary of the first supersonic flight on Oct. 14, 1947. The event had many aircraft on display and was for air force guests only. Retired Major General Chuck Yeager, who broke the sound barrier 70yrs ago attended the event on Friday, October 13, 2017. (Photo by Gene Blevins)



Edwards AFB celebrated the 70th anniversary of the first supersonic flight on Oct. 14, 1947. The event had many aircraft on display and was for air force guests only. Retired Major General Chuck Yeager, who broke the sound barrier 70yrs ago attended the event on Friday, October 13, 2017. (Photo by Gene Blevins)

Edwards AFB celebrated the 70th anniversary of the first supersonic flight on Oct. 14, 1947. The event had many aircraft on display and was for air force guests only. Retired Major General Chuck Yeager, who broke the sound barrier 70yrs ago attended the event on Friday, October 13, 2017. (Photo by Gene Blevins)

Edwards AFB celebrated the 70th anniversary of the first supersonic flight on Oct. 14, 1947. The event had many aircraft on display and was for air force guests only. Retired Major General Chuck Yeager, who broke the sound barrier 70yrs ago attended the event on Friday, October 13, 2017. (Photo by Gene Blevins)

Edwards AFB celebrated the 70th anniversary of the first supersonic flight on Oct. 14, 1947. The event had many aircraft on display and was for air force guests only. Retired Major General Chuck Yeager, who broke the sound barrier 70yrs ago attended the event on Friday, October 13, 2017. (Photo by Gene Blevins)

Edwards AFB celebrated the 70th anniversary of the first supersonic flight on Oct. 14, 1947. The event had many aircraft on display and was for air force guests only. Retired Major General Chuck Yeager, who broke the sound barrier 70yrs ago attended the event on Friday, October 13, 2017. (Photo by Gene Blevins)



Edwards AFB celebrated the 70th anniversary of the first supersonic flight on Oct. 14, 1947. The event had many aircraft on display and was for air force guests only. Retired Major General Chuck Yeager, who broke the sound barrier 70yrs ago attended the event on Friday, October 13, 2017. (Photo by Gene Blevins)

Edwards AFB celebrated the 70th anniversary of the first supersonic flight on Oct. 14, 1947. The event had many aircraft on display and was for air force guests only. Retired Major General Chuck Yeager, who broke the sound barrier 70yrs ago attended the event on Friday, October 13, 2017. (Photo by Gene Blevins)

Edwards AFB celebrated the 70th anniversary of the first supersonic flight on Oct. 14, 1947. The event had many aircraft on display and was for air force guests only. Retired Major General Chuck Yeager, who broke the sound barrier 70yrs ago attended the event on Friday, October 13, 2017. (Photo by Gene Blevins)

Edwards AFB celebrated the 70th anniversary of the first supersonic flight on Oct. 14, 1947. The event had many aircraft on display and was for air force guests only. Retired Major General Chuck Yeager, who broke the sound barrier 70yrs ago attended the event on Friday, October 13, 2017. (Photo by Gene Blevins)

Edwards AFB celebrated the 70th anniversary of the first supersonic flight on Oct. 14, 1947. The event had many aircraft on display and was for air force guests only. Retired Major General Chuck Yeager, who broke the sound barrier 70yrs ago attended the event on Friday, October 13, 2017. (Photo by Gene Blevins)



Edwards AFB celebrated the 70th anniversary of the first supersonic flight on Oct. 14, 1947. The event had many aircraft on display and was for air force guests only. Retired Major General Chuck Yeager, who broke the sound barrier 70yrs ago attended the event on Friday, October 13, 2017. (Photo by Gene Blevins)

Edwards AFB celebrated the 70th anniversary of the first supersonic flight on Oct. 14, 1947. The event had many aircraft on display and was for air force guests only. Retired Major General Chuck Yeager, who broke the sound barrier 70yrs ago attended the event on Friday, October 13, 2017. (Photo by Gene Blevins)

Edwards AFB celebrated the 70th anniversary of the first supersonic flight on Oct. 14, 1947. The event had many aircraft on display and was for air force guests only. Retired Major General Chuck Yeager, who broke the sound barrier 70yrs ago attended the event on Friday, October 13, 2017. (Photo by Gene Blevins)

Edwards AFB celebrated the 70th anniversary of the first supersonic flight on Oct. 14, 1947. The event had many aircraft on display and was for air force guests only. Retired Major General Chuck Yeager, who broke the sound barrier 70yrs ago attended the event on Friday, October 13, 2017. (Photo by Gene Blevins)

Edwards AFB celebrated the 70th anniversary of the first supersonic flight on Oct. 14, 1947. The event had many aircraft on display and was for air force guests only. Retired Major General Chuck Yeager, who broke the sound barrier 70yrs ago attended the event on Friday, October 13, 2017. (Photo by Gene Blevins)



Edwards AFB celebrated the 70th anniversary of the first supersonic flight on Oct. 14, 1947. The event had many aircraft on display and was for air force guests only. Retired Major General Chuck Yeager, who broke the sound barrier 70yrs ago attended the event on Friday, October 13, 2017. (Photo by Gene Blevins)

Edwards AFB celebrated the 70th anniversary of the first supersonic flight on Oct. 14, 1947. The event had many aircraft on display and was for air force guests only. Retired Major General Chuck Yeager, who broke the sound barrier 70yrs ago attended the event on Friday, October 13, 2017. (Photo by Gene Blevins)

Edwards AFB celebrated the 70th anniversary of the first supersonic flight on Oct. 14, 1947. The event had many aircraft on display and was for air force guests only. Retired Major General Chuck Yeager, who broke the sound barrier 70yrs ago attended the event on Friday, October 13, 2017. (Photo by Gene Blevins)

Edwards AFB celebrated the 70th anniversary of the first supersonic flight on Oct. 14, 1947. The event had many aircraft on display and was for air force guests only. Retired Major General Chuck Yeager, who broke the sound barrier 70yrs ago attended the event on Friday, October 13, 2017. (Photo by Gene Blevins)

Edwards AFB celebrated the 70th anniversary of the first supersonic flight on Oct. 14, 1947. The event had many aircraft on display and was for air force guests only. Retired Major General Chuck Yeager, who broke the sound barrier 70yrs ago attended the event on Friday, October 13, 2017. (Photo by Gene Blevins)



Edwards AFB celebrated the 70th anniversary of the first supersonic flight on Oct. 14, 1947. The event had many aircraft on display and was for air force guests only. Retired Major General Chuck Yeager, who broke the sound barrier 70yrs ago attended the event on Friday, October 13, 2017. (Photo by Gene Blevins)

Edwards AFB celebrated the 70th anniversary of the first supersonic flight on Oct. 14, 1947. The event had many aircraft on display and was for air force guests only. Retired Major General Chuck Yeager, who broke the sound barrier 70yrs ago attended the event on Friday, October 13, 2017. (Photo by Gene Blevins)

Edwards AFB celebrated the 70th anniversary of the first supersonic flight on Oct. 14, 1947. The event had many aircraft on display and was for air force guests only. Retired Major General Chuck Yeager, who broke the sound barrier 70yrs ago attended the event on Friday, October 13, 2017. (Photo by Gene Blevins)

Edwards AFB celebrated the 70th anniversary of the first supersonic flight on Oct. 14, 1947. The event had many aircraft on display and was for air force guests only. Retired Major General Chuck Yeager, who broke the sound barrier 70yrs ago attended the event on Friday, October 13, 2017. (Photo by Gene Blevins)

Edwards AFB celebrated the 70th anniversary of the first supersonic flight on Oct. 14, 1947. The event had many aircraft on display and was for air force guests only. Retired Major General Chuck Yeager, who broke the sound barrier 70yrs ago attended the event on Friday, October 13, 2017. (Photo by Gene Blevins)



Mrs. Victoria Yeager talks about her husband (Ret) Major General Chuck Yeager during the Edwards AFB 70th anniversary of the first supersonic flight on Oct. 14, 1947. (Photo by Gene Blevins)

A B-1B Lancer and two F-16 Falcons do a flyby during the Edwards AFB 70th anniversary of the first supersonic flight on Oct. 14, 1947. Photo by Gene Blevins/

(Ret) Major General Chuck Yeager 94, who broke the sound barrier attends the Edwards AFB 70th anniversary of the first supersonic flight on Oct. 14, 1947. (Photo by Gene Blevins)

Edwards AFB celebrated the 70th anniversary of the first supersonic flight on Oct. 14, 1947. The event had many aircraft on display and was for air force guests only. Retired Major General Chuck Yeager, who broke the sound barrier 70yrs ago attended the event on Friday, October 13, 2017. (Photo by Gene Blevins)

Edwards AFB celebrated the 70th anniversary of the first supersonic flight on Oct. 14, 1947. The event had many aircraft on display and was for air force guests only. Retired Major General Chuck Yeager, who broke the sound barrier 70yrs ago attended the event on Friday, October 13, 2017. (Photo by Gene Blevins)



An F-15 Eagle, F-16 Falcon, F-22 Raptor, and F-35 Lightning II do a flyby during the Edwards AFB 70th anniversary of the first supersonic flight on Oct. 14, 1947. (Photo by Gene Blevins)

Friday’s two formation flights passed over Southern California schools around lunchtime as part of its outreach to support STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education. The first formation — two F-16 Fighting Falcons and a B-1B Lancer — flew over the Antelope Valley and Bakersfield. The second — an F-16 Fighting Falcon, F-15 Eagle, F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II — flew over several cities, including San Bernardino, Colton, Riverside, Costa Mesa, Long Beach, Rancho Palos Verdes, Agoura Hills, Simi Valley, Granada Hills, Santa Clarita, Canyon Country and Palmdale.

We're celebrating the 70th Anniversary of Supersonic Flight here at #EdwardsAirForceBase! This info-graphic is perfect for #STEM! #70SSF pic.twitter.com/nOYgyWs2ZY — Edwards AFB (@EdwardsAFB) October 12, 2017

Maybe a young, future barrier breaker was on the ground, looking up in awe.

City Editor Ryan Carter contributed to this report.