Low-Level Flight Will 'Let Everybody Know We're On The Job'

The Super Bowl has become a de facto American holiday to many... and, sadly, that also means it is an attractive potential target for terrorists. One of the numerous security precautions to be undertaken this Sunday, will involve pilots assigned to the 162nd Fighter Wing's Alert Detachment at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, AZ flying air patrols and air defense deterrence missions.

Arizona's Air Guardsmen are teaming up with the North American Aerospace Defense Command in a consolidated effort with federal, state and local agencies to provide security for the National Football League's championship game, to be held at 73,719-seat University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, AZ on February 3.

"We have the best jobs in the world," said Lt. Col. Moon Milham, the alert detachment commander. "We get to defend our country and our way of life, and we get to do it from the cockpit of a high performance fighter jet."

Colonel Milham, a 21-year F-16 Fighting Falcon pilot, and his team of aircrew and aircraft maintainers are well-seasoned in the area of homeland defense having provided a 24/7365 rapid response force in support of Operation Noble Eagle, the US air defense mission which began in the wake of the September 11 terrorist attacks.

The pilots will fly about 0800 February 1 over the Phoenix metropolitan area and Nogales to make a visual show of capability to the general population and the aviation community in order to deter threats, and to reassure the public of their safety.

"Over the Phoenix area, we'll have two F-16s flying in low formation at a medium speed just to let everyone know we are on the job," Colonel Milham said.

It's extremely rare that F-16s would fly at 2,000 feet over the city; therefore the pilots are coordinating with Phoenix approach and local airports to ensure the sorties do not interfere with normal flight activity in the area, the colonel said.

The jets will make approaches at Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport, Sky Harbor Airport, Goodyear, Glendale, Deer Valley and Scottsdale, and then press south near Nogales to demonstrate US air defense capability near the border.

During the Super Bowl, an undisclosed number of F-16s will perform air patrols to enforce the Federal Aviation Administration's temporary flight restriction over the area. In accordance with NOTAM FDC 7/6849, only approved military, law enforcement and emergency medical flights will be authorized within two nautical miles of the stadium between 1300 and 1500 MST.

Within 10 nautical miles of the stadium, between 1500 and 2230, authorization extends to regularly-scheduled commercial passenger, private charter and all-cargo flights that meet or exceed approved security programs. From 10 to 30 nautical miles, all other aircraft arriving or departing local airfields will be authorized to pass through, but will be required to maintain constant radio communication with air traffic control.

"We won't be as visible to people on the ground during the game on Sunday, but we'll be up there," Colonel Milham said.

(Aero-News salutes Capt. Gabe Johnson, 162nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs)

FMI: www.af.mil