As followers and soccer groups from the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots collect in Santa Clara, California, this weekend for Tremendous Bowl LX, they’ll see a navy formation within the sky above throughout the singing of the nationwide anthem earlier than kickoff.
Members of 4 U.S. Navy tactical squadrons will conduct a unified flyover with members of the U.S. Air Pressure on Sunday, February 8, 2026, above Levi’s Stadium. The demonstration commemorates America’s 250th birthday.
One of many U.S. Navy pilots supporting the flyover shall be Commander Mike Jennings, a local of Camby, Indiana, southwest of Indianapolis. He serves because the commanding officer of VFA-97, a Navy aviation squadron based mostly at NAS Lemoore, California.
“With the ability to be a part of such a momentous occasion representing the Navy is an incredible duty,” Jennings mentioned in an announcement to Army.com. “The possibility for my kids to see what I do on TV is a uncommon alternative and one thing I believe shall be an amazing reminiscence for myself, my spouse and my two boys.”
“The possibility for my kids to see what I do on TV is a uncommon alternative and one thing I believe shall be an amazing reminiscence for myself, my spouse, and my two boys.”
The eight-aircraft flyover formation will embody F/A-18 E/F Tremendous Hornets and F-35C Lightning IIs from Naval Air Station Lemoore, F-15C Eagles from Fresno Air Nationwide Guard Base in California, and B-1B Lancers from Ellsworth Air Pressure Base in South Dakota.
Navy Commander Fondly Recollects Midwestern Roots
Whereas Jennings is stationed in California, he’s a proud Indiana native. The adorned pilot attended Mooresville Excessive College in Mooresville, Indiana and graduated in 2002. Jennings went on to earn a bachelor’s diploma in aviation know-how and flight from Purdue College in 2006.
In his assertion to Army.com, Jennings mentioned the talents and values wanted to reach the Navy are much like these present in Mooresville.
“I used to be from a small city rising up, so we needed to seek for alternatives,” Jennings mentioned. “I consider rising up there taught me tips on how to be formidable, seek for these alternatives, and the work ethic to allow that.”
“I used to be from a small city rising up, so we needed to seek for alternatives,” Jennings mentioned. “I consider rising up there taught me tips on how to be formidable, seek for these alternatives, and the work ethic to allow that.”
A Lengthy Highway to U.S. Navy Commander
In line with his U.S. Navy biography, Jennings joined the Navy 19 years in the past, and was commissioned via the Naval Reserve Officer Coaching Corps Program and reported to NAS Pensacola, Florida, for flight coaching in January 2007.
He earned his Naval Aviator Wings in March 2009 and reported to the VFA-125 “Tough Raiders” at NAS Lemoore, CA for preliminary fleet coaching within the F/A-18C Hornet. From there, Jennings started his operational flying in Might 2010 with the “Fists of the Fleet” of VFA-25.
Whereas a “Fisty”, he made two fight deployments aboard USS CARL VINSON (CVN 70) in assist of Operation INHERENT RESOLVE and Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. Following two fight deployments, CDR Jennings assisted VFA-25 in transitioning to the F/A-18E Tremendous Hornet.
On the conclusion of this tour, CDR Jennings was chosen to attend the Navy Fighter Weapons College TOPGUN, graduating in 2013 and reporting for obligation with the VFA-101 “Grim Reapers” at Eglin Air Pressure Base, Florida to start coaching within the F-35C Lightning II. After completion of his tour at VFA-101, CDR Jennings reported to NAS Lemoore, CA in January 2016.
Following his division head tour, CDR Jennings attended america Naval Struggle School in Newport, Rhode Island, in February 2021. Whereas attending, CDR Jennings participated within the Halsey Bravo Superior Analysis Mission and earned a Grasp’s Diploma in Protection and Strategic Research.
At present, CDR Jennings is the Commanding Officer of the Navy’s second operational F-35C squadron, the “Warhawks” of VFA-97.
However his curiosity in serving our nation, via a number of excursions of obligation and better training pursuits, got here from his navy household.
“Each my grandfathers served throughout World Struggle II, and I’ve been desirous about navy aviation since I used to be three years previous,” Jennings mentioned.
“Each my grandfathers served throughout World Struggle II, and I’ve been desirous about navy aviation since I used to be three years previous,” Jennings mentioned.
Army Flyovers Commemorate America’s 250th Birthday
Whereas this flyover options the Air Pressure and Navy, an announcement to Army.com from U.S. Air Pressure Public Affairs calls it “a robust image of America’s 250 years of airpower and maritime power.”
“It symbolizes your entire joint pressure — Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Pressure, House Pressure, and Coast Guard — working collectively throughout each area to defend our nation, safeguarding 250 years of freedom in America,” learn the assertion.
The U.S. Navy maintains and operates greater than 2,000 plane to satisfy varied missions that guarantee freedom, safety, and prosperity within the U.S. and world wide.
The plane take off from and land aboard Navy plane carriers at sea. Missions historically carried out by specialised plane, corresponding to air-to-air fight, air-to-ground strikes, digital assault, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, can now be executed by a squadron of F-35s.
This yr, the Navy is commemorating its contribution to the nation’s protection as america celebrates 250 years of independence.
In line with Navy officers, for greater than 250 years, the Navy has sailed the globe defending freedom and defending prosperity.
