Elite Bomber Crews Deliver Perfectly Timed Salute at Super Bowl LX [WATCH]

Under President Trump’s steadfast push for a stronger and more capable military, the nation watched as eight aircraft carried out a rare Navy Air Force flyover over Levi’s Stadium.

It was more than spectacle; it was a living testament to the discipline, readiness, and precision that define America’s armed forces.

“A big part of what we do in the bomber force is making sure we show up somewhere exactly on time,” said Topoff, a captain who asked to be identified only by his call sign for operational security reasons. The words carried weight because they reflect a philosophy deeply embedded in a defense vision that President Trump has long championed.

Warning: Account balances and purchasing power no longer tell the same story. Know in 2 minutes if your retirement is working for you.

“And you look at some of the operations that take place across the world — timing and flying from the U.S. to somewhere is a really big part of making sure everything happens.” The second line of thought reinforces the message that punctuality is not merely a habit but a strategic asset.

The flyover, a rare joint Navy-Air Force demonstration for the Super Bowl, features eight aircraft in all.

Two B-1s from Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, join two Air Force F-15C Eagles from Fresno Air National Guard Base, California, and a pair each of Navy F/A-18 Super Hornets and F-35C Joint Strike Fighters, all from Naval Air Station Lemoore, California.

The aircraft will take off from Moffett Federal Airfield, just under 10 miles from Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, where the big game between the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks will be played.

This Could Be the Most Important Video Gun Owners Watch All Year

“We’ll set up in an orbit about 10 to 15 miles south of the field,” Topoff said. “We know the time for when the National Anthem starts, and how we’ll be able to alter [the flyover] based on the pace that we actually see.”

The pilots must synchronize with the game’s momentous moment exactly, a feat made possible by advanced computer software that allows them to track timing to the second.

“We have computer software in the jet that enables us to see, to the second, what our time over a point will be. So, we’ll manage our air speed, our timely turn in and everything to get right over the top of the field exactly on time.”

To many observers, the inclusion of both Navy and Air Force aircraft underscores the unity of purpose that has become central to American defense policy. “We fly close-formation very frequently, but we don’t always do it with the Air Force,” he said ahead of a mission rehearsal flight.

The cooperation of the two services in this setting highlights the adaptability that supporters say is essential for a modern military, especially under a president who wants force projection to be both precise and formidable.

All through the Christmas holidays, we’re getting timelines down, Hooper said. It’s funny how quickly you go from life on the boat to being back home and back in the swing of things here.

The point, he added, is to demonstrate flexibility and a readiness that mirrors the nation’s expectations. “It just really highlights how flexible we are as a unit, being able to kind of go from the expectations that we have on deployment to the expectations that we have back here at home.”

We’re very professional in the military, but the honor of the Super Bowl is not lost on us, he said. It puts a little bit more pressure on what we do. Specifically as bomber people, a big part of what we do is long range strikes, showing up somewhere right place, right time.

The added stress that comes from being on a national stage helps us train with a little less artificiality and a little more authentic stress.

Grier, the F/A-18 pilot, will bring several American flags given to him by Navy retirees to fly over the game. He’s also excited about keeping the distinctive Super Bowl patch as a keepsake. Then there’s the thrill of attending the game itself, a first for both Grier and Hooper.

Following the flyover, it’ll be a sprint back here to hop in a van to get to the game, Hooper said. And everybody, the maintainers, the support crew, all the air crew that participate in the flyover will get recognized at the beginning of the third quarter.

The leadership of the force believes such moments reinforce a message President Trump has long touted: a modern, capable military that can project power when needed and protect the homeland with precision.

On the Navy side, one of the Super Hornet pilots, Lt. Dalton Stewart, is a Patriots fan who will be able to root for his team and see the stadium from the sky. For Grier, who roots for the Baltimore Ravens, getting picked for the flyover was nonetheless thrilling. “I was ecstatic,” he said.

“I grew up a big-time football fan. Just having the opportunity to play a small role in this has been really exciting. A lot of pride for my community as well, from where I grew up. And hearing [from] people back home when they heard I was doing the flyover, it just kind of brings a smile to my face. I’ve just been so proud to just be a part of it.”

As the nation watches, the spectacle speaks not only to military prowess but to a broader philosophy of strength and readiness that supporters argue is essential in an era of global competition.

The flyover is a reminder that a strong defense under President Trump and his leadership team, including Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, aims to keep the United States safe, secure, and respected around the world.

WATCH BELOW:

The opinions expressed by contributors and/or content partners are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of LifeZette. Contact us for guidelines on submitting your own commentary.