Pilots and maintainers from the active-duty 388th Fighter Wing and the Reserve 419th Fighter Wing at Hill Air Force Base will perform an F-35A Lightning II flyover at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo. The aerial demonstration is scheduled to occur just before the kickoff of a top-10 college football matchup between the No. 8 BYU Cougars and the No. 2 Notre Dame Fighting Irish on Saturday.
Low Altitude Flight Details
The flyover features a specialized flight crew, including Lt. Col. Jefferson Page, a pilot with the wing and an alumnus of BYU. According to Gephardt Daily, the operation will bring jets significantly closer to the ground than typical flying operations, as the aircraft will fly at an altitude of only 1,000 feet above the stadium.
Support and Personnel
To ensure the success of the demonstration, more than 40 maintainers and support personnel from Team Hill are scheduled to work throughout the weekend. The 419th Fighter Wing, which consists of nearly 1,300 personnel, serves as a vital part of the local community, with most members living, working, and raising families in Northern Utah.
Total Force Partnership
The 419th and 388th Fighter Wings at Hill Air Force Base maintain a fleet of 78 jets through a Total Force partnership. This collaboration is designed to capitalize on the combined strengths of both the active-duty and reserve components of the Air Force.
Reserve Airmen Mission
The 419th Fighter Wing members serve part-time in the military while maintaining full-time roles within their local communities. Beyond local demonstrations, these Reserve Airmen regularly volunteer for deployment in support of humanitarian efforts and contingency operations worldwide.
Game Context
The upcoming football game serves as a marquee event for the region, featuring a matchup between the No. 8 ranked BYU Cougars and the No. 2 ranked Notre Dame Fighting Irish. The presence of the 388th and 419th Fighter Wings adds a high-profile military element to the stadium event.
