|
Army flyover to kickoff Super Bowl
WASHINGTON (Army News Service, Jan. 30, 2004) -- U.S. Army aviation assets will help kickoff America's most-watched annual sporting event Feb. 1, when four Apache helicopters fly over Reliant Stadium in Houston prior to Super Bowl XXXVIII.
The 2nd Battalion of the 149th Aviation Regiment, Texas Army National Guard, will fly the Apaches over the Stadium just before the Carolina Panthers begin playing the New England Patriots.
The retractable-roof stadium will be open and plans call for the helicopters to appear following the National Anthem, Army officials said.
"It's one of those once-in-a-lifetime things," said Lt. Col. Bo Cenyon, who will co-pilot one of the Apaches. He said four of the eight pilots returned from Bosnia in October and other members of the battalion are currently there now serving with the Stabilization Force.
The Flyover request came from Reliant Stadium and Super Bowl officials, and has the approval of the Department of Defense.
The Texas Guard flight is in keeping with tight security plans, which will include a 12-hour civilian no-fly zone in the area of the 70,000-seat stadium, officials said. Homeland Security officials approved the opening of the stadium's dome.
The North American Aerospace Defense Command and United States Northern Command are taking actions to deter any possible threats against Sunday's game and festivities, according to Mike Perini, director of public affairs for both commands. In their homeland defense roles, NORAD and NORTHCOM join local, state, federal and other military efforts to protect Americans.
NFL will salute U.S. service members around the world during the Super Bowl. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Richard B. Myers will participate in pregame festitivities. More than 5,000 Super Bowl game programs were sent by the NFL to military stationed overseas.
CBS Sports officials said they will televise members of the military stationed in Baghdad watching the game. More than 800,000 servicemen and women in 165 countries will be able to watch the game on the American Armed Forces Radio and Television Service.
Super Bowl XXXVIII will be televised by CBS on Feb. 1 and watched by more than 130 million viewers in the United States with a potential worldwide audience of 1 billion viewers. The Super Bowl is annually the nation's highest-rated TV program and the most-watched single-day sporting event. Game time is 6 p.m. ET.
The Super Bowl salute caps off a season-long tribute by the NFL to America's military. The NFL kicked off the season Sept. 4 with an event on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., recognizing "Operation Tribute to Freedom," which salutes troops returning home from the Iraq and Afghanistan theaters.
(Editor's note: The American Forces Press Service, the Army Community Relations and Outreach Division, NFL and CBS provided information for this article.) |
