The Super Bowl will honor the Air Force’s 75th anniversary with a rare pre-game flyover
the NFL will honor the 75th anniversary of the United States Air Force before Cincinnati Bengals and the Los Angeles Rams on the field at SoFi Stadium on Sunday when five elite drivers take part in a pre-game flyover during the closing notes of the national anthem.
Steve Hinton, who has spent the past 25 years flying aircraft with the US Air Force Heritage Flight Team, spoke to Fox News Digital about the unique opportunity the Air Force will have to display its finest military equipment in front of the one of the biggest stages in the world.
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“It’s an honor to be part of this elite group,” Hinton said. “The Show Teams are made up of our best Airmen, not that they are better than the rest, but they represent our Armed Forces well, and from my experience with them over the past 25 years, I am so proud be part of that.”
Steve Hinton is a fixture in the world of warbirds, performing at air shows around the world for over 35 years in 150 different aircraft types.
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“It’s a way of introducing taxpayers to what the Air Force has, their capabilities. Of course, that’s just scratching the surface, but it’s incredible pilots and incredible equipment that the Air Force has. U.S. Air Force. Their capabilities are difficult to even describe.”
Hinton, who began his flying career at age 17, will fly a North American P-51D Mustang, which was first used during World Word II. The rare five-plane formation will also feature some of the Air Force’s latest innovations, including the F-22 Raptor and F-35A Lightning II.
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The Mustang saw service in nearly every combat zone during World War II and later saw action in the Korean War.
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“To me, that’s what’s so awesome to be able to show taxpayers, show mom and dad and kids growing up that they would be proud of what we have in the United States,” Hinton said.
“This is your Air Force. We represent the past, present and future.”
Hinton, whose film credits include “Pearl Harbor,” “Die Hard 2,” “Dunkirk” and “Iron Man,” said training for those events began in March, and the thousands of hours of planning and training will be exposed for a few seconds.
But the experience will be unlike anything else.
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“It ranks very high. One of the most important things is that they asked me to do it. It’s a real honor to be involved in such an event. It’s going to be watched by billions of people. No pressure,” Hinton said with a laugh.
The Mustang was one of the best and best known fighters used by the United States Air Force during World War II.
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“I love my job, I love what I can do and I love being available for these kinds of events. I still pinch myself all the time. It’s hard to believe I can still do this kind of stuff. things.”
The Super Bowl kicks off at 6:30 p.m. ET, but fans can head to the Air Force Heritage Flight team website at 6 p.m. ET for a livestream.