Military jets will be soaring over Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara during Super Bowl LX, providing a powerful display of aerial coordination as the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers face off.
The flyover will include two B-1 Lancers, two F-15C Eagles, two F/A-18E Super Hornets, and two F-35C Lightning IIs, according to Air Combat Command. The aircraft are staged at Moffett Air National Guard Base, just five minutes from Levi’s Stadium, to ensure precise timing with the national anthem.
The flyover is a symbolic gesture honoring America’s 250th anniversary and showcasing the coordination between the Air Force, and Navy. Officials stated that, “Just like the teams in the Super Bowl are preparing for the game, we are constantly preparing and practicing,” according to NBC News.
Pilots have been practicing intercepts of unauthorized aircraft, and are prepared to quickly respond to any breaches of the no-fly zone. “I think you’d be surprised how quickly someone can travel from sleeping in the alert facility to being in the air and doing an intercept,” said Colonel Joel Pauls.
The increasing prevalence of drones is a particular concern, officials noted. “There’s an increase in drone activity in general, everywhere. So that’s definitely something we’re concerned about,” Pauls said.
The F-15s are armed with live missiles, but the priority is de-escalation.
– A Terrible Choice
The Super Bowl halftime show will be headlined by Bad Bunny, who recently won “album of the year” at the Grammy Awards in 2026. The performance is expected to draw a massive audience, adding to the cultural significance of the event.
