U.S. Navy Women to Make History with Diamond Formation Flyover at Super Bowl LVII

This Sunday, seven women from the U.S. Navy will make history by performing the Diamond Formation Flyover at Super Bowl LVII.^[0] The event, which will take place at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona following the playing of the national anthem, will commemorate 50 Years of Women Flying in the Navy.^[1]

The all-female flyover team includes Lt. Arielle Ash of Abilene, Texas (F/A-18 pilot); Lt. Lyndsay Evans of Palmdale, California (EA-18G Growler electronic warfare officer); Lt. Margaret Dente of North Salem, New York (F/A-18 pilot); Lt. Saree Moreno of Tampa, Florida (F/A-18 weapon systems officer); Lt. Caitie Perkowski of Albuquerque, New Mexico (F/A-18 pilot); Lt. Suzelle Thomas of Birmingham, Alabama (F/A-18 pilot); and Jacqui Drew (coordinator).

The flyover formation will include two F/A-18F Super Hornets from the “Flying Eagles” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 122, a F-35C Lightning II from the “Argonauts” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 147, and a EA-18G Growler from the “Vikings” Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 129.^[2]

Lt. Catie Perkowski told Good Morning America that a flyover like the one planned for Sunday is “any pilot’s dream.”^[3]

“What it boils down to is that we trained to do this job together,” said Perkowski.^[4] Joining the Navy was not done because I wanted to be a female fighter pilot, but rather because I wanted to be a fighter pilot, so gender does not play a role for me.^[4]

The “fifth-generation strike fighter F-35C Lightning II integrates advanced stealth technology into a highly agile, supersonic aircraft that provides unprecedented battlespace awareness, versatility and survivability,” according to the Navy.^[5]

Lt. Caitlin Perkowski, who is from Albuquerque, New Mexico, said her father had asked her to call him from the sideline of the Super Bowl.

“My dad did ask me to call him from the sideline [at] the Super Bowl,” she said.

0. “Local women in Aviation react to the all-female piloted team for the Super Bowl Fly over” kuna noticias y kuna radio, 10 Feb. 2023, https://kesq.com/news/2023/02/10/local-women-in-aviation-react-to-the-all-female-piloted-team-for-the-super-bowl-fly-over/

1. “Four women will make history with Super Bowl flyover” Denver 7 Colorado News, 10 Feb. 2023, https://www.denver7.com/news/national/four-women-will-make-history-with-super-bowl-flyover

2. “Sandia High grad supporting Super Bowl flyover” KRQE News 13, 10 Feb. 2023, https://www.krqe.com/news/albuquerque-metro/sandia-high-grad-supporting-super-bowl-flyover

3. “All-Women Team of Navy Pilots to Make History with Flyover at Super Bowl 2023: ‘Humbled and Honored'” Yahoo Entertainment, 10 Feb. 2023, https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/women-team-navy-pilots-history-195143885.html

4. “All-female Super Bowl flyover team to make history” ABC News, 9 Feb. 2023, https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Living/female-super-bowl-flyover-team-speaks-making-history/story?id=96983944

5. “This San Diego Woman is Keeping Super Bowl Flyover Jets Safe” NBC San Diego, 12 Feb. 2023, https://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/this-san-diego-woman-is-keeping-super-bowl-flyover-jets-safe/3165300/