Fresno F-15s Join NAS Lemoore Jets for Super Bowl LX Flyover

Two F-15C Eagles from the Fresno Air National Guard’s 144th Fighter Wing joined F/A-18E/F and F-35C aircraft from Naval Air Station Lemoore in a joint Air Force-Navy flyover for Super Bowl LX on January 30, 2026. The coordinated appearance brought jets with local ties into a nationally televised event and put Fresno aviators on display alongside carrier-capable aircraft from Central California’s Navy hub.

The flyover combined fourth-generation F-15C Eagles and a mix of carrier and stealth fighters, underscoring routine inter-service coordination and training value. For Fresno County residents, the visible payoff was immediate: a rare public demonstration of the 144th Fighter Wing’s operational role and a reminder of the military footprint in the San Joaquin Valley. The event also highlighted the logistical capability of nearby Naval Air Station Lemoore to project aircraft for national events.

Local impacts were mostly civic and perceptual rather than economic. Flyovers for major sporting events generate short-term attention and local pride, and they can support recruitment messaging and community outreach for military units. At the same time, residents who live near flight paths experienced the loud overflights that accompany tactical jets, a familiar phenomenon in a county with airport and training activity. Pilots and businesses based at local airports should note that large-scale flyovers commonly coincide with temporary airspace restrictions and notices to air missions, which can affect general aviation scheduling during major events.

From a broader perspective, the mix of F-15C, F/A-18E/F, and F-35C aircraft on the same mission illustrates ongoing fleet interoperability between legacy fighters and newer platforms. That operational mix reflects Department of Defense priorities to maintain readiness across multiple airframes and to integrate fifth-generation capabilities into joint operations. For Fresno’s economy, the presence of active-duty and reserve aviation units supports local employment, maintenance activity, and defense contracting relationships over the long term, even if a single flyover produces little immediate fiscal impact.

The Super Bowl LX flyover offered Fresno a moment of national visibility and a tangible example of local service members contributing to high-profile events. For residents, the experience underscores the role of the 144th Fighter Wing and Naval Air Station Lemoore in regional aviation and community events. Expect similar displays around future large events, and for aviators and local airports, watch for official flight notices that accompany coordinated military flyovers.