During the first week of February, the U.S. Navy announced that three tactical aircraft squadrons will conduct a flyover at the end of the National Anthem during Super Bowl LVII.
The navy also said the flyover will commemorate 50 years of women flying in the service. In 1973, eight women began flight school in Pensacola, Fla. for the first time. One year later six of those eight women, known as "The First Six,” earned their Wings of Gold. Since then, women have served, operated, and led at every level of Naval Aviation.
On Sunday, Feb. 12, an all-female Navy Aviation team made history showcasing naval aviation. The flyover formation included two F/A-18F Super Hornets from the “Flying Eagles” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 122, an F-35C Lightning II from the "Warhawks" of VFA-97, and an EA-18G Growler from the “Vikings” of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 129.
The aircraft represents the strike and electronic attack capability of the “Carrier Air Wing of the Future,” with advanced technology and enhanced flexibility to military combatant commanders. VFA-122 and VFA-97 are based at Naval Air Station (NAS) Lemoore, Calif.; VAQ-129 is based at NAS Whidbey Island, Wash. The squadrons will stage and depart from nearby Luke Air Force Base.
The flyover also commemorates 50 years of women flying in the @USNavy . In 1973 the first 8 women began flight school in Pensacola, Fla., and one year later 6 of those 8 women, titled "The First Six,” earned their Wings of Gold.
— flynavy (@flynavy) January 27, 2023
The female members of Sunday's aviator team include Lieutenants Arielle Ash, Margaret Dente, Jacqueline Drew, Lyndsay Evans, Kathryn Martinez, Saree Moreno, Naomi Ngalle, Caitie Perkowski, Taylor Rudolph, Suzelle Thomas, LTC Callie Zimmerman, Chief Aviation Machinist Mate Tabitha Bledsoe, Aviation Structural Mechanic First Class Caitlin Hillygus, Aviation Structural Mechanic Second Class Mackenzie Andrews-Griswold, Aircrew Survival Equipmentman Second Class Natalie Garcia, Aviation Machinist Mate First Class Ashley Clifford, Aircrew Survival Equipmentman First Class Nicole Lardizabal, Aviation Ordnance Airman Kiani HowardAviation Structural Mechanic Second Class Mikayla Martin, Aviation Ordnanceman Third Class Jalayla Malloy, Aviation Ordnanceman Second Class Rosa Meija, Aviation Ordnanceman Second Class Maria Quejada, Aviation Structural Mechanic Second Class Lizvette Montiel, Aviation Electronics Mate Second Class Rhiannon Sellinger, Aviation Structural Mechanic Third Class Ariana Scott, Aviation Electronics Mate Second Class Reanell Smythe, and Aviation Structural Mechanic Third Class Stacy Wedemeyer.
