Formation Honors Nation’s 250-Year Legacy
The Air Force and Navy will conduct a joint military flyover during Super Bowl LX at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, on February 8, 2026, to commemorate America’s 250th birthday. The eight-aircraft formation represents a powerful display of U.S. airpower and interservice cooperation as the nation celebrates its semicentennial anniversary.
According to the Department of War, the formation will feature two Air Force B-1B Lancer strategic bombers from Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, and two F-15C Eagle air superiority fighters from Fresno Air National Guard Base, California. The Navy contribution includes two F/A-18E Super Hornets and two F-35C Lightning II stealth fighters, both from Naval Air Station Lemoore, California.
The flyover timing coincides with one of America’s most-watched sporting events, providing visibility to millions of viewers worldwide while honoring the country’s founding principles and military heritage.
Strategic Bomber and Fifth-Generation Fighter Integration
The Super Bowl LX military flyover demonstrates operational coordination between different aircraft types and service branches. The B-1B Lancer, capable of carrying the largest conventional payload in the U.S. inventory, will fly alongside the Navy’s newest carrier-based stealth fighter, the F-35C Lightning II.
This formation represents decades of American aerospace innovation. The F-15C Eagle has maintained air superiority since the 1970s, while the F-35C entered operational service in 2019 as the Navy’s first fifth-generation fighter and most advanced carrier-based strike aircraft.
Image source: Department of War Image source: Department of War The F/A-18E Super Hornet serves as the Navy’s primary multirole fighter, conducting missions ranging from air superiority to precision strike operations from aircraft carriers worldwide. The integration of these platforms in a single formation demonstrates the joint force’s ability to operate seamlessly across different mission sets.
According to Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs, the flyover “symbolizes the entire joint force — Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Space Force and Coast Guard — working together across every domain to defend the nation, safeguarding 250 years of American independence.
Community Engagement and Public Displays
Beyond the game-day flyover, service members from both branches will participate in extensive community outreach events throughout Super Bowl week. The Department of War confirmed that activities will include public aircraft displays, search and rescue demonstrations, and backseat flights aboard F/A-18F Super Hornet two-seat trainers for community leaders.
These engagement activities provide civilians with direct access to military personnel and equipment, fostering understanding of service branch missions and capabilities. Public displays of the B-1B Lancer and F-35C Lightning II offer rare opportunities for close examination of advanced military aircraft systems.
The backseat flight program allows selected community leaders to experience naval aviation firsthand, demonstrating the training and operational requirements of carrier-based fighter operations.
Joint Armed Forces Color Guard Participation
A Military District of Washington joint armed forces color guard will render military honors during the national anthem performance at Super Bowl LX. This interservice ceremonial team represents all six military branches and maintains headquarters in the national capital region.
Image source: Department of War The color guard’s participation adds traditional military ceremonial elements to the Super Bowl’s opening festivities. These precision drill teams undergo extensive training to represent the armed forces at high-profile national events.
Military District of Washington units regularly support presidential inaugurations, state funerals, and other significant national ceremonies. Their Super Bowl LX appearance aligns with the broader America 250 celebration taking place throughout 2026.
Operational Planning and Coordination
Military flyovers require extensive coordination between multiple agencies, including the Federal Aviation Administration, event organizers, and military flight operations centers. Pilots must calculate precise timing to ensure aircraft arrive over the stadium at the exact moment the national anthem concludes.
Formation flying at large public events demands rigorous planning and rehearsal. Pilots conduct practice runs to verify timing, altitude, and flight path parameters. Safety considerations include weather contingencies, airspace restrictions, and emergency procedures.
The eight-aircraft formation for Super Bowl LX represents significant planning complexity. Coordinating bombers, air superiority fighters, and carrier-based aircraft from different bases requires careful synchronization of departure times, airspeeds, and rendezvous points.
America 250 Nationwide Commemoration
The Super Bowl LX flyover forms part of broader nationwide America 250 celebrations throughout 2026. The semicentennial anniversary marks 250 years since the Declaration of Independence in 1776.
Multiple federal agencies, state governments, and private organizations are coordinating commemorative events across the country. The Department of War’s participation emphasizes the military’s historical role in securing and defending American independence.
Previous milestone anniversaries have featured significant military participation. The 1976 bicentennial celebration included naval reviews, military parades, and ceremonial events across all service branches.
Aircraft Specifications and Capabilities
The B-1B Lancer represents American long-range strike capability, capable of carrying up to 75,000 pounds of conventional munitions. Ellsworth Air Force Base operates the 28th Bomb Wing, which maintains combat-ready B-1B squadrons for global strike missions.
The F-15C Eagle provides high-altitude air superiority with a combat record exceeding 100 aerial victories without losses in air-to-air combat. The California Air National Guard’s 144th Fighter Wing at Fresno operates F-15C aircraft in both state and federal missions.
Image source: Department of War Naval Air Station Lemoore, located in California’s Central Valley, serves as the Navy’s largest master jet base and hosts all West Coast F/A-18 and F-35C squadrons. The installation supports strike fighter training, maintenance, and operational deployments to carrier strike groups.
The F-35C Lightning II features advanced stealth characteristics, sensor fusion, and network-enabled warfare capabilities. Its carrier-based design includes reinforced landing gear, larger wing surfaces, and tailhook systems for arrested landings on aircraft carriers.
Historical Context of Super Bowl Flyovers
Military flyovers have become traditional elements of Super Bowl pre-game ceremonies since the early 1990s. These demonstrations showcase American airpower while honoring military service members.
Previous Super Bowls have featured diverse aircraft types including stealth bombers, heritage aircraft, and demonstration teams like the Navy Blue Angels and Air Force Thunderbirds. Each flyover is customized to reflect regional military installations and available aircraft.
The Super Bowl LX joint Air Force-Navy formation represents an evolution from single-service demonstrations, emphasizing interservice cooperation and joint operational capabilities that define modern American military doctrine.
Significance for California Military Installations
The flyover highlights California’s significant military aviation presence. Naval Air Station Lemoore supports approximately 6,000 military and civilian personnel and serves as the primary West Coast base for naval strike fighter operations.
Fresno Air National Guard Base, home to the 144th Fighter Wing, maintains continuous air sovereignty alert missions protecting Western U.S. airspace. The unit’s F-15C aircraft provide rapid response capabilities for aerospace defense.
Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota, while outside California, maintains strategic bomber operations supporting global deterrence missions. The base’s B-1B Lancers deploy worldwide and participate in joint exercises with allied nations.
Public Safety and Airspace Management
Super Bowl LX will operate under enhanced airspace security measures common to major sporting events. The Federal Aviation Administration establishes temporary flight restrictions around the stadium, limiting aircraft operations except for authorized military and law enforcement flights.
The military flyover receives specific clearance through coordinated planning between event organizers, the FAA, and military flight operations. Altitude, speed, and flight path parameters are carefully calculated to ensure public safety while providing optimal viewing for stadium attendees and television audiences.
Looking Ahead: America 250 Military Participation
The Department of War has indicated that Super Bowl LX represents one element of year-long America 250 commemorative activities. Additional military participation is expected throughout 2026 at national celebrations, memorial services, and public events.
These commemorative efforts aim to educate Americans about military history, honor service members past and present, and demonstrate current defense capabilities. The joint service approach emphasizes unified efforts to protect American independence across all domains.
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